Seafarers Log: Vol. 87 No. 6 (2025-06-01)

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

SHIPS for America Act IntroducedSHIPS for America Act Introduced

JUNE 2025 VOLUME 87, NO. 6

The most comprehensive maritime revitalization bill in more than half a century
has been reintroduced in Congress. The SIU and its affiliated Paul Hall Center
were well-represented at the related press event April 30 across from the Capitol;
some Seafarers and apprentices are shown in photo at lower left. Directly below
are co-sponsors (from left) U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Indiana), U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly
(R-Mississippi), U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), and U.S. Rep. John Garamendi
(D-California). Pages 2, 7.

S E A FA R E R S P E N S I O N P L A N F U N D I N G N O T I C E • PA G E 6 / / C A P E K N O X S H I N E S • PA G E 2 0

Maritime Trades DepartmentMaritime Trades Department
Convenes in Nation’s CapitalConvenes in Nation’s Capital

Labor and maritime issues were at the forefront as the Maritime Trades
Department Executive Board met May 7 at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington,

D.C. Below, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler (left) addresses the board; MTD/SIU
President David Heindel is at right. Pages 3-5.



The most comprehensive U.S. maritime legislation
in more than a half-century has been reintroduced in
Congress – and the SIU prominently helped mark the
occasion.

Shortly after the bipartisan bill formally landed on
April 30, SIU members, officials and apprentices from
the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center (PHC) attended a
Capitol Hill press conference featuring the legislation’s
initial co-sponsors: Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Sen.
Todd Young (R-Indiana), Rep. John Garamendi (D-Cal-
ifornia), and Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Mississippi).

PHC apprentices – holding signs promoting the leg-
islation, the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure
for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act
– stood behind the legislators and other invited speak-
ers, across from the Capitol building. Also among
the SIU contingent were several members, President
David Heindel, Executive Vice President Augie Tellez,
Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski, Vice President
Pat Vandegrift, Political and Legislative Director Brian
Schoeneman, and Chris Holloway, assistant comman-
dant of the apprentice program.

“I’m very excited about what’s happening,” said
Bosun Lucas Tiderman, one of the attendees. “This is
momentous for Seafarers.”

Chief Cook Marilou Toledo also attended the news
conference.

“It’s a privilege to be here,” she said. “It’s great to
hear that we’ll be getting more ships and more job
opportunities.”

Legislators first introduced this bill, with
overwhelming support from industry stake-
holders, in December of 2024. While much of the
legislation focuses on domestic shipbuilding, sub-
stantial components aim to grow and sustain the
shipboard manpower pool.

The SIU actively worked on the bill for more than
a year, providing input and collaborating with other
interested parties from throughout the industry.

As noted at various points during the news con-
ference, there are currently 80 U.S.-flagged vessels
in international commerce, while China has 5,500.
The SHIPS for America Act “aims to close this gap
and boost the U.S. Merchant Marine by establishing
national oversight and consistent funding for U.S.
maritime policy, making U.S.-flagged vessels com-
mercially competitive in international commerce
by cutting red tape, rebuilding the U.S. shipyard
industrial base, and expanding and strengthening
mariner and shipyard worker recruitment, training,

and retention,” according to a joint news release from
the aforementioned legislators.

“After decades of dangerously neglecting our ship-
building industry, we’re finally doing something about
it,” said Sen. Kelly, a former mariner, Navy veteran and
graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “The
SHIPS for America Act is the most ambitious effort
in a generation to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding and
commercial maritime industries and counter China’s
dominance over the oceans. Building and staffing
more U.S.-flagged ships will create good-paying Amer-
ican jobs, make our supply chains more resilient,
lower costs, and strengthen our ability to resupply our
military at times of war. We’ll keep working with our
colleagues in Congress, this administration, and our
partners in the industry to make our country safer
and more competitive by passing the SHIPS for Amer-
ica Act.”

Young, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, said, “Amer-
ica has been a maritime nation since our founding,
and seapower was a significant contributor to our rise
to being the most powerful nation on earth. Unfortu-
nately, the bottom line now is America needs more
ships. Shipbuilding is a national security priority and
a stopgap against foreign threats and coercion...”

President’s Report

Whether you’re reading this column in print or
online, you likely know that the SHIPS for America
Act has been reintroduced in Congress. It happened
a few weeks earlier than anticipated, but in this case,
the sooner the better.

As mentioned in my formal report to the
membership for our May meetings, although
shipbuilding is a primary focus of the legislation,
there are also significant sections that aim to boost
the manpower pool of United States mariners.
We recognize the importance of revitalizing our
shipyards and growing the fleet, but our main focus
is shipboard jobs (and cargo), and that’s why we’ve
been so active in helping craft and publicize the bill.

Additionally, for those of you who may be newer to the industry or who
otherwise may be wondering about a possible timeline, these things can take
years. For example, I’m sure most of us are very familiar with the Maritime
Security Program. What you may not immediately recall is that the MSP was
mandated by the Maritime Security Act of 1996.

The Maritime Security Act originally was introduced in 1992, by another
name.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1970 was slightly before my time, but that
legislation traces its roots to a 1968 campaign promise from Richard Nixon.

During the SHIPS Act press conference on April 30, the senators and
congressmen acknowledged that a bill of this size and scope doesn’t get enacted
overnight. That’s not to say it won’t happen during the current session of
congress, but, again, I think the historical context is important.

With all of that said, the bill does indeed enjoy strong bipartisan support in
addition to largely aligning with the maritime executive order issued recently by
the White House. We will continue working with our allies across all sectors to
get the SHIPS Act passed as soon as possible.

Message to CIVMARS
Many of you have asked how to maintain good standing with your union

in light of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service’s failure to deduct and
remit dues as it has done in the past – and as required by law. We are actively
exploring all available options to resolve this issue and are already taking steps
to address it. We will keep you informed as more details become available.

To continue receiving email updates from your union, send your personal
email address to tacoma@seafarers.org and we will add you to our Government
Services Division email list.

In the meantime, if you wish to remain in good standing, we encourage you
to remit dues directly via check or money order to:


SIU

Attn: Government Services Division
3411 South Union Avenue,

Tacoma, WA 98409.

Alternatively, you may submit dues at any of our halls. A full list of hiring
halls is available at www.seafarers.org and in every issue of the LOG. We
also encourage you to keep an eye on our website for other updates (there’s a
“CIVMAR RESOURCES” box that’s prominently displayed on the home page).

As the saying goes, there are lots of moving parts in response to the executive
order that canceled collective bargaining for many federal-sector workers. The
order is being challenged in court, and although the Military Sealift Command’s
initial request for an exemption was denied, we are nowhere near the point
of having exhausted our resources. We’ll continue evaluating all potential
remedies and actively working with allies on Capitol Hill and throughout the
industry.

In the meantime, the SIU continues representing all dues-paying members in
grievances and other matters as permitted or required by law.

This situation is frustrating and complicated, but I’m cautiously optimistic
we’ll achieve a desirable outcome. If nothing else, the initial court decisions
are favorable. While none of those cases dealt directly with CIVMARS, we are
monitoring them all closely and will get involved if necessary. Stay tuned.

2 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

David Heindel

Progress and Challenges

SIU Helps Celebrate SHIPS Act Reintroduction

The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers
International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-
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Communications Director: Jordan Biscardo
Assistant Communications Director: Nick Merrill
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Administrative Support: Jenny Stokes

Copyright © 2025 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved.

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

The SIU online: www.seafarers.org
Volume 87 Number 6 June 2025Seafarers LOG

Seafarers, SIU officials, officials from other unions, and additional supporters are pictured with U.S. Rep. John Garamendi
(D-California) (fourth from left in front).

Continues on Page 7



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 3SEAFARERS LOG • 3JUNE 2025

MTD Charts Courses for Bolstering Maritime, Protecting Workers’ Rights
Convening for the second straight year at

AFL-CIO headquarters, the Maritime Trades
Department (MTD) Executive Board had no
shortage of red-hot topics to address on May 7 in
Washington, D.C.

SIU President David Heindel, who also serves
as MTD president, summarized the conflicting
emotions felt by many MTD affiliates. In his
opening remarks, he pointed out that although
the U.S. maritime industry seems on the verge of
exceptionally noteworthy gains, the labor move-
ment is battling against unprecedented attacks
on federal-sector unions.

“I’ve been part of the maritime industry and
the labor movement for a lot longer than I care
to admit, and through all those decades, I’m not
sure there’s been another moment that has held
so much promise on the maritime industry side
while simultaneously carrying so many threats
to workers’ rights,” he said.

The MTD is a constitutionally mandated
department of the AFL-CIO. Formed shortly
before the General Strike of 1946, the MTD cur-
rently includes 25 affiliated unions (the SIU is
one) and a network of 21 port maritime councils
in the U.S. and Canada.

Guest speakers addressing the board during
its most recent meeting were, in order, U.S. Sen.
Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) (via video); AFL-CIO
President Liz Shuler; American Maritime Part-
nership (AMP) President Jennifer Carpenter;
Michael Wessel, maritime advocate and head of
The Wessel Group; U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-New
York); and Eric Bunn Sr., national secretary-trea-
surer of the American Federation of Government
Employees (AFGE).

The board approved statements backing the
SHIPS for America Act; the Jones Act; cargo pref-
erence laws; maritime-related recommendations
from the United States Trade Representative
(USTR); and federal workers’ rights.

The SIU had a strong turnout for the meet-
ing. In addition to Heindel, Seafarers attendees
included Executive Vice President Augie Tellez,
Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski, Vice
Presidents George Tricker, Dean Corgey, Joseph
Soresi, Joe Vincenzo, Hazel Galbiso, Pat Vande-
grift, and Bryan Powell, Assistant Vice Presidents
Amancio Crespo, Sam Spain, Todd Brdak, and
Michael Russo, and Port Agent Mario Torrey.

Kelly had been scheduled for an in-person
appearance but was called away on other busi-
ness. In the video, he thanked the MTD and its
affiliates for supporting the bipartisan SHIPS
for America Act, which had been reintroduced in
Congress a week earlier.

MTD/SIU President David Heindel (left) and MTD Exec. Secretary-Treasurer Brittanie Potter convene the meeting.

The meeting takes place at AFL-CIO headquarters in the nation’s capital.

Continues on Pages 4-5

SIU VP Hazel Galbiso presents a report about port council activities.
AFGE National Secretary-Treasurer Eric Bunn Sr. updates
the board on his union’s latest efforts.

2025 MTD Executive
Board Meeting

2025 MTD Executive
Board Meeting

Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) gives his regards in a video message.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 44 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

Shuler provided a comprehensive review of
the AFL-CIO’s efforts to stand up for workers’
rights, particularly in the face of an executive
order that, at least for now, has removed collec-
tive bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands
of federal employees, including some members
of the SIU Government Services Division. She
also answered several questions from meeting
attendees.

Carpenter offered an overview of AMP’s ongo-
ing work to promote and protect the Jones Act,
America’s freight cabotage law, while Wessel
reported on the most recent plans unveiled by
the USTR to curb China’s maritime dominance.

Following a midday break, Suozzi reinforced
his support for the American maritime indus-
try and for workers’ rights. He also stressed the
importance of clearer pro-worker communica-
tion from Democrats, along with the benefits of
respectful dialogue.

Bunn wrapped up the guest speaker remarks
with a sobering recap of the effects of the afore-
mentioned executive order. He also explained
how AFGE and other unions are pushing back,
including through the courts.

The MTD is scheduled to conduct its next
quadrennial convention June 4-5, 2025, in
Minneapolis.

2025 MTD Executive
Board Meeting

Continued from Page 3
MTD Executive Board Defines Future Priorities

MTD Exec. Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Daniel
Duncan asks a question of one of the guest
speakers.

Mike Wessel discusses the recent plans unveiled by the U.S. Trade
Representative.

Congressman Urges Pro-Worker Platforms, Cooperative Dialogue
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-New York) firmly reit-

erated his complete support for the U.S. maritime
industry during his May 7 address to the Mari-
time Trades Department Executive Board in the
nation’s capital.

Most of his remarks, however, focused on
bigger-picture issues facing America’s working
families as well as the Democratic Party.

Suozzi, whose district includes the U.S. Mer-
chant Marine Academy, has an outstanding
voting record on both maritime and labor issues.
“I’m with you guys 100%,” he said. “But we have
got a problem in our country, and the problem
is that working men and women are not making
enough money.”

He continued, “If you’re in a union, thank God;
you’re doing good. You’ve got a good wage and
good health benefits. You have good pensions.
But the rest of the country, the people who aren’t
in unions are in a lot of trouble.”

Suozzi said one of the nation’s goals should be
“to get back to a place in our country where the
American Dream is a real thing for everybody.
I’ll work hard and in return for working hard, I
make enough money so I have a good life. That’s
it. I work hard, I make enough money, I can buy a
house, I can educate my kids, I can pay for health
insurance. I can retire without being scared. Too
many Americans don’t have that anymore, and
that’s why they're [upset].”

After touching on last year’s election results
and current messaging that seems well-received
by working families, Suozzi stated, “My party
has got to get back to a place where working men
and women say, those are the guys looking out
for me. Those are the people looking out for my
interests.”

He credited the labor movement for helping
build the foundation of the American Dream,
then offered a brief history lesson beginning in
the 1970s. Suozzi gave examples of how, start-
ing during that period, ownership management
in numerous industries began prioritizing
shareholder profits far more than employee or
community wellbeing.

In terms of generating income, “it worked.
We made a ton of money in America from the
end of the 70s to now,” he said. “The Dow Jones
has gone up 2,500%, the GDP has gone up – but

workers wages have not gone up (correspond-
ingly). They’ve been stuck. So, we made all this
money, but it was only for a certain group of
people.”

Looking ahead, Suozzi said that Democratic
legislators and candidates “have to lay out our
platform that says very clearly our main focus
is raising people’s wages and benefits and retire-
ment security. That’s our number one priority.
We’ve got to get back to that basic message, and
then we have to have the vehicles to communi-
cate the message.”

The congressman concluded by appealing for
more open communication between people and
organizations at every level, from individuals to
legislators to businesses and more.

“People are just fighting with each other,
and you can’t solve complicated problems with
everybody yelling and screaming at each other,”
he said. “You can’t do it in your family. You can’t
do it in your business. Can’t do it in negotiating a
contract. You need people who may disagree with
each other to sit down across from each other
and say, I think this. Well, I think that. Well, how
about this? Well, how about that? And you try
and find some common ground so you can move
us all forward together. That’s not happening in
an environment where everything’s attack and
counter-attack, punch and counter-punch.

“One of the things I’m doing is, I’m the co-chair
of a group called The Problem Solvers Caucus,” he
continued. “We just had a meeting today…. Fifty
members of Congress, Democrats and Repub-
licans. The Republican co-chair is going to be
Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), who’s a pro-la-
bor Republican. We’re working to try and find
common ground…. If you agree with what I’m
saying, tell people the same thing and encourage
this. Spread the word with your friends and your
neighbors and your colleagues.”

Pictured from left are UA Metal Trades Director Patrick Dolan, Congressman Tom Suozzi, and SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez.

U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (left) outlines his pro-worker message to
the board. At right is MTD/SIU President David Heindel.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 5SEAFARERS LOG • 5JUNE 2025

2025 MTD Executive
Board Meeting

AMP President Sees Great Promise for Maritime Industry
The head of the nation’s leading domestic mar-

itime coalition sees great opportunities for the
industry – and is committed to helping capitalize
on them.

Jennifer Carpenter serves as both the newest
president of the SIU-affiliated American Mari-
time Partnership (AMP), as well as president and
CEO of the American Waterways Operators. She
addressed the Maritime Trades Department’s
Executive Board meeting May 7 at AFL-CIO head-
quarters in Washington, D.C.

Speaking immediately after AFL-CIO Pres-
ident Liz Shuler, Carpenter noted, “Labor was
absolutely essential to the formation of AMP
way back in 1995 when it went by the inelegant
name Maritime Cabotage Task Force. We decided
we needed to work on the nomenclature a little
bit, but the purpose has been consistent for the
last 30 years, and that is single-issue focused on
defending the Jones Act, the law that really is the
statutory foundation of the domestic maritime
industry.”

The Jones Act has protected U.S. national,
economic and homeland security for more than
a century. The law requires that cargo moving
between two points in the U.S. is carried aboard
vessels that are crewed, built, flagged and owned
American.

“The case for the Jones Act has never been
stronger or more relevant to issues that Ameri-
cans care about,” Carpenter stated. “Everybody
is focused on working-class American jobs, and
that is the Jones Act through and through. We’re
talking 650,000 American jobs, direct and indi-
rect, that rely on this industry….”

She pointed out that the general public gained
a new appreciation for the maritime industry
during the COVID 19 pandemic, when people
“realized that empty shelves are a thing that can

happen. Supply chains don’t just work mirac-
ulously; they work because people make them
work.”

The domestic maritime industry shined
during that period, particularly compared to the
“wild swings in international commerce” that
took place, Carpenter recalled. “We didn’t see that
domestically, because we had American control
of our supply chain,” she said. “We had American
workers, American owners committed to this
trade. I think that that resonates with people in a
way that it didn’t five or six years ago.”

Carpenter then focused on a sometimes-un-
derappreciated aspect of the nation’s freight
cabotage law.

“Somebody asked me not long ago, what does
America without the Jones Act look like? And
I said, borderless. Our coastline is our longest
border, and the Jones Act is absolutely essential
to maritime border security. We know that it is
a very dangerous world. Maritime is a critical
domain in which geopolitical tensions are being
played out, whether we’re talking about the Mid-
dle East, whether we’re talking about the Taiwan
Strait, whether we’re talking about Russia and
Ukraine. So, I think that there is a relevance to
our arguments that was always there, but that
maybe folks didn’t recognize in the same way
that they do now.”

Turning her attention to politics, Carpenter
said, “I think there is an emerging bipartisan
consensus that growing our maritime indus-
try is essential to economic and homeland and
national security. In just the last two months,
we’ve seen the president’s executive order on
restoring American maritime dominance. We’ve
seen the reintroduction of the SHIPS for Amer-
ica Act by that wonderful bipartisan coalition
of Senator (Mark) Kelly, Senator (Todd) Young,

Congressman (Trent) Kelly and Congressman
(John) Garamendi. These two important ini-
tiatives are focused primarily on growing the
U.S.-flag international fleet. That is absolutely
essential, because that’s where we’ve got quite a
bit of catching up to do, but I think it’s significant
that they take the Jones Act as a foundation.”

Carpenter noted that it remains critical for
industry representatives to promote American
maritime. In particular, and notwithstanding the
current strong bipartisan backing, she noted that
there are dozens and dozens of new members of
Congress along with new staff on Capitol Hill.

“Let’s get out there and let’s educate them,”
she said. “Let’s not assume that they understand
what the Jones Act is. Let’s not assume that if
they think they know what the Jones Act is,
they’re right about what the Jones Act is.”

She concluded, “The Jones Act is critical to
a strong American workforce, economy, supply
chain, and border security. Now more than ever,
we need to amplify the voice of all workers in
support of the Jones Act.”

AMP President Jennifer Carpenter (left) addresses the board.
Also pictured is MTD/SIU President David Heindel.

Federation President Shows the Way Forward
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler is realistic about

the challenges facing the labor movement – and
she’s also determined to help lead a strong recov-
ery as the federation battles against a number of
recent anti-worker developments.

Shuler spoke to the Maritime Trades Depart-
ment Executive Board May 7 at AFL-CIO
headquarters, located in the nation’s capital.
She thanked MTD/SIU President David Heindel
for his leadership and reiterated the federation’s
unwavering support for the U.S. Merchant
Marine.

“The attacks on the Jones Act are constant,
and I’m so glad to work with Dave and all of you
to really keep that front and center and educate
people,” Shuler stated. “I feel like we’re always
behind the curve when these attacks come – that
people have a knowledge deficit, and we wring
our hands and say, how could they do this? Well,
mostly it’s because we have a lot of people that
are retiring. We have turnover on the Hill, and
it’s this constant education. But we’re going to
fiercely defend the Jones Act with everything we
have, at all times, because it’s bedrock. It is a fun-
damental right that that we will fiercely stand by
as a labor movement.”

She also commended the MTD and its affiliates
for their work promoting the SHIPS for America
Act, which is considered the most comprehen-
sive maritime revitalization legislation in more
than half a century.

Shuler pointed to the MTD’s decades of solidar-
ity as a guide for overcoming current challenges.

“Solidarity is a word that really means some-
thing with the Maritime Trades,” she said. “You
show up. You show up for those who aren’t
even necessarily adjacent to your industry….
The OPEIU was born out of the solidarity you
showed. In the 1960s and 1970s, when the public

sector was trying to organize, you showed up….
We could use that solidarity more than ever.”

The federation president described some
recent executive orders as “a full-frontal assault
on our labor movement writ large. With the
stroke of a pen, eliminating collective bargaining
rights for federal union members…. It is the big-
gest attack on our labor movement in our history.
People like to point back to PATCO, the air traffic
controllers, which was a moment in time that
was seminal. This is that moment on steroids.”

She continued, “No matter what industry
you’re in, there’s an executive order for you, and
it’s coming a mile a minute. But we’ve been here
before. The labor movement endures. It’s a mat-
ter of the fierceness and the speed we probably
haven’t dealt with before, but we have definitely
been here before and gone through hard times
and come back stronger. So that’s our objective.

We’re going to continue to organize. We’re going
to continue to fight back, make our voices heard.”

Shuler has been traveling across the coun-
try, mobilizing for various grassroots outreach.
Among other messages, she has used the meet-
ings and rallies to promote the AFL-CIO’s
Department of People Who Work for a Living – a
resource aimed at countering misinformation
from the so-called Department of Government
Efficiency (DOGE).

In starting the mobilization, “we said, we’ll tell
you from our perspective what efficiency looks
like, but we also use it as a platform to show the
impacts of what these (DOGE) cuts look like on
real people. The hearings we did were all across
the country, and mainly purple districts…. We
invited workers to come in and testify, and we
invited small-business people. We invited farm-
ers, we invited veterans to talk about what these
cuts mean. And it was so compelling.”

A lifelong trade unionist and longtime backer
of the SIU, Shuler said that during her travels,
“What I heard was that people want common
sense. No matter if you’re Democrat, Indepen-
dent, Republican, people want common sense.
And what they’re starting to see (from the admin-
istration) is not that.”

She pointed out that income disparity remains
a significant issue in the U.S. For example, a CEO
rakes in an average of 238 times more money
than a worker at their company.

Shuler also said the many people who attended
those meetings expressed fear about potential
cuts to Social Security and Medicaid.

“It’s up to us as a labor movement to be that
place where you connect that anger and that
frustration to action,” Shuler said. “Now is our
time, and unions have never been more popu-
lar…. We have a real opportunity for organizing
and to continue to stay on that front foot.”

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler



6 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 66 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

Annual Funding Notice For Seafarers Pension Plan
Introduction

This notice provides key details about your multiemployer pension plan (the “Plan”) for the
plan year beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024 (“Plan Year”).

This is an informational notice. You do not need to respond or take any action.
This notice includes:
• Information about your Plan’s funding status.
• Details on your benefit payments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (PBGC), a federal insurance agency.

What if I have questions about this notice, my Plan, or my benefits?
Contact your plan administrator at:
• Margaret Bowen
• Phone: 301.899.0675
• Address: 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746
• Email: map@seafarers.org

To better assist you, provide your plan administrator with the following information
when you contact them:
• Plan Number: 001
• Plan Sponsor Name: Seafarers Pension Plan
• Employer Identification Number: 13-6100329

1) What if I have questions about PBGC and the pension insurance program guarantees?

Visit www.pbgc.gov/prac/multiemployer for more information. For specific information
about your pension plan or pension benefits, you should contact your employer or plan
administrator as PBGC does not have that information.
Federal law requires all traditional pension plans, also known as defined benefit pension
plans, to provide this notice every year regardless of funding status. This notice does not
mean your Plan is terminating.

2) How Well Funded Is Your Plan?
The law requires the Plan’s administrator to explain how well the Plan is funded, using a
measure called the “funded percentage.” The funded percentage is calculated by dividing
Plan assets by Plan liabilities. In general, the higher the percentage, the better funded the
plan. The chart below shows the Plan's funded percentage for the Plan Year and the two
preceding plan years. It also lists the value of the Plan's assets and liabilities for those years.

3) Year-End Fair Market Value of Assets
To provide further insight into the Plan’s financial position, the chart below shows the fair
market value of the Plan’s assets on the last day of the Plan Year and each of the two pre-
ceding plan years. Market values fluctuate based on investment performance, providing a
more immediate snapshot of the plan’s funding status.

4) Endangered, Critical, or Critical and Declining Status
Under federal pension law, a plan’s funding status determines the steps a plan must take to
strengthen its finances and continue paying benefits:
• Endangered: The plan’s funded percentage drops below 80 percent. The plan’s
trustees must adopt a funding improvement plan.
• Critical: The plan’s funded percentage falls below 65 percent or meets other fi-
nancial distress criteria. The plan’s trustees must implement a rehabilitation plan.
• Critical and Declining: A plan in critical status is also designated as critical and
declining if projected to become insolvent—meaning it will no longer have enough assets
to pay out benefits—within 15 years (or within 20 years under a special rule). The plan’s
trustees must continue to implement the rehabilitation plan. The plan’s sponsor may seek
approval to amend the plan, including reducing current and future benefits.

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

If the Plan is in endangered, critical, or critical and declining status for the plan year ending
December 31, 2025, a separate notification of that status has or will be provided.

5) Participant and Beneficiary Information
The following chart shows the number of participants and beneficiaries covered by the Plan
on the last day of the Plan Year and the two preceding plan years. The numbers for the latest
Plan Year reflect the plan administrator’s reasonable, good faith estimate.

The above table reflects actual year-end demographic data for the preceding two plan years.

6) Funding & Investment Policies

Funding Policy
Every pension plan must establish a funding policy to meet its objectives. The funding
policy relates to how much money is needed to pay promised benefits. The Plan’s fund-
ing policy to provide benefits from contributions by signatory employers under the terms
of collective bargaining agreements between the Seafarers International Union of North
America, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters and the employers. The Plan may receive
the portion of the employers' contributions made to the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan
which the Trustees determine is necessary to provide for pension benefits based on the
recommendation of the Plan's Actuary.

Investment Policy
Pension plans also have investment policies that provide guidelines for making investment
management decisions. The Plan’s investment policy is a follows:

Investment objectives:
Assets of the Plan shall be invested with sufficient diversification so as to minimize the
risk of large losses unless it is clearly prudent under the then current circumstances not
to do so. Plan assets shall be invested in a manner consistent with the fiduciary standards
of ERISA and supporting regulations, and all transactions will be undertaken on behalf of
the Plan in the sole interest of Plan participants and beneficiaries. Assets of the Plan shall
be invested to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet benefit payment obligations and other
Plan expenses.

Investment Guidelines:
With respect to any Investment Manager who is appointed by the Trustees, the Investment
Manager is a bank (trust company), insurance company, or registered investment advisor
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Full discretion, within certain guidelines, is
granted to each Investment Manager with regard to the sector and security selection and
the timing of any transactions.

Asset Allocation:
The Fund’s assets are invested in the following asset classes and maintained within the
corresponding ranges. The Trustees make appropriate adjustments if one or more of the
limits are breeched.

Asset Class Target Range
Domestic Equities 50% 40% - 60%
Fixed Income and Cash Equivalents 40% 30% - 50%
Real Estate 10% 0% - 20%

Standards of Investment Performance:
Each Investment Manager is reviewed regularly regarding performance, personnel, strat-
egy, research capabilities, organizational and business matters and other qualitative factors
that may affect its ability to achieve the desired investment results. Consideration will be
given to the extent to which performance results are consistent with the goals and objec-
tives set forth in the Investment Policy and/or individual guidelines provided to an Invest-
ment Manager. The Plan’s investment policy outlines prohibited investments as well as
limits regarding the percentage of the fund that may be invested in any one company and
industry. Minimum credit quality guidelines are established and provided to investment
managers. No investment may be made which violates the provisions of ERISA or the In-
ternal Revenue Code.

The Trustees review the Plan’s investment policy on a regular basis and make periodic
changes when, based on all available information, it is prudent to do so.

As of the end of the Plan Year, the Plan’s assets were allocated among the following invest-
ment categories as percentages of total assets:

For information about the Plan's investment in any of the following types of investments
common-/collective trusts, pooled separate accounts, or 103-12 investment entities - contact
Margaret Bowen, Plan Administrator, at 301-899-0675, or by writing to: SPP Plan Adminis-
trator, 5201 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, Maryland 20746.

The average return on assets for the Plan Year was 12.3%.

7) Events Having a Material Effect on Assets or Liabilities
By law, this notice must include an explanation of any new events that materially affect the
Plan’s liabilities or assets. These events could affect the Plan’s financial health or its ability
to meet its obligations.

For the plan year beginning on January 1, 2025 (i.e., the year after the notice year) and ending
on December 31, 2025, there was no amendment, scheduled benefit increase or reduction,
or other known event taking effect in the current plan year and expected to have a material
effect on plan liabilities or assets for the current plan year.

8) Right to Request a Copy of the Annual Report
Pension plans must file an annual report, called the Form 5500, with the U.S. Department of
Labor. The Form 5500 includes financial and other information about these pension plans.
You can get a copy of your Plan’s Form 5500:
• Online: Visit www.efast.dol.gov to search for your Plan’s Form 5500.
• By Mail: Submit a written request to your plan administrator.
• By Phone: Call (202) 693-8673 to speak with a representative of the U.S. Depart
ment of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Public Disclosure
Room.

The Form 5500 does not include personal information, such as your accrued benefits. For
details about your accrued benefits, contact your plan administrator.

Continues on Page 11



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 7SEAFARERS LOG • 7JUNE 2025

SHIPS Act Will Bolster Industry
“...Our bill will revitalize the U.S. maritime indus-

try, grow our shipbuilding capacity, rebuild America’s
shipyard industrial base, and support nationwide
workforce development in this industry. This legis-
lation is critical to our warfighting capabilities and
keeping pace with China.”

Rep. Kelly noted, “Strengthening America’s ship-
building capacity and revitalizing our commercial
maritime industry is critical to national security and
economic resilience. Under President Trump’s leader-
ship, we’re prioritizing these vital sectors. I’m proud
to work alongside Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Todd
Young, and Congressman John Garamendi to help
safeguard our maritime future.”

Longtime maritime champion Garamendi stated,
“With China's growing influence in the global mar-
itime sector, the United States can no longer afford
to overlook our maritime industries. The SHIPS for
America Act will give our shipyards and merchant
mariners the tools they need to rebuild America’s mar-
itime industry and create good-paying American jobs.
I’m proud to lead this effort alongside Senator Kelly,
Senator Young, and Representative Kelly to strengthen
America’s national security, economic strength, and
global leadership on the high seas.”

Other cosponsors in the Senate include Sen. Lisa
Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. John Fetterman
(D-Pennsylvania).

Murkowski stated, “Because of our vast geography,
the maritime industry is uniquely vital to Alaska,
with many of our coastal communities relying on a
strong U.S.-flagged fleet for everything from every-
day logistics to commercial fishing and homeland
defense. I am proud to cosponsor the SHIPS Act, which
advances common-sense solutions that will invest in
the workforce and revitalize our nation’s shipbuilding,
increasing Alaska’s resilience and security.”

Fetterman said, “When it comes to maintaining
our competitive edge against China, failure is not an

option. The SHIPS for America Act will help the United
States compete with China’s production of ships while
creating new manufacturing jobs in shipyards across
the nation. Not only will this strengthen our national
security, but it’ll also grow our local economies and
support working families right here in Pennsylvania.
I’m proud to support this commonsense, bipartisan
legislation that will help us build more ships in Amer-
ica and stand up to China.”

Among many other achievements, the SHIPS for
America Act would:

• Coordinate U.S. maritime policy by estab-
lishing the position of Maritime Security Advisor
within the White House, who would lead an inter-
agency Maritime Security Board tasked with making
whole-of-government strategic decisions for how
to implement a National Maritime Strategy. The bill
also establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund that
would reinvest duties and fees paid by the maritime
industry into maritime security programs and infra-
structure supporting maritime commerce.

• Establish a national goal of expanding the U.S.-flag
international fleet by 250 ships in 10 years by creat-
ing the Strategic Commercial Fleet Program, which
would facilitate the development of a fleet of commer-
cially operated, U.S.-flagged, American-crewed, and
domestically built merchant vessels that can operate
competitively in international commerce.

• Enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-flagged
vessels in international commerce by establishing
a Rulemaking Committee on Commercial Maritime
Regulations and Standards to “cut through the U.S.
Coast Guard’s red tape that limits the international
competitiveness of U.S.-flagged vessels, modify duties
to make cargo on U.S.-flagged vessels more competi-
tive, requiring that government-funded cargo move
aboard U.S.-flagged vessels, and requiring a portion
of commercial goods imported from China to move
aboard U.S.-flagged vessels starting in 2030.”

• Expand the U.S. shipyard industrial base, for both
military and commercial oceangoing vessels, by estab-
lishing a 25 percent investment tax credit for shipyard
investments, transforming the Title XI Federal Ship
Financing Program into a revolving fund, and estab-
lishing a Shipbuilding Financial Incentives program
to support innovative approaches to domestic ship
building and ship repair.

• Make historic investments in the maritime work-
force by supporting a Maritime Workforce Promotion
and Recruitment Campaign, allowing mariners to
retain their credentials through a newly established
Merchant Marine Career Retention Program, invest-
ing in long-overdue infrastructure needs for the U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy, and supporting State
Maritime Academies and Centers for Excellence for

Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Educa-
tion. The bill also makes “long-overdue changes to
streamline and modernize the U.S. Coast Guard’s Mer-
chant Mariner Credentialing system.”

Schoeneman, in addition to his SIU duties, also
serves as chair of the coalition USA Maritime. In the
latter capacity, he commented, “The USA Maritime
coalition supports the SHIPS for America Act and
has been honored to work with Senators Kelly and
Young, and Congressmen Garamendi and Kelly as the
bill has taken shape over the last two years. This bill
represents the most comprehensive maritime policy
initiative in more than half a century. Now, more than
ever, the United States needs a strong, vibrant and
growing U.S. Merchant Marine, capable of carrying
a substantial portion of our foreign commerce and
supporting our military in time of war. This initiative
will ensure our country has the U.S.-flag ships and
American mariners needed to preserve, protect and
defend America and our economic security. We look
forward to continuing to work with Congress on this
legislation.”

Continued from Page 2

Sen. Mark Kelly
(D-Arizona)

Rep. John Garamendi
(D-California)

Sen. Todd Young
(R-Indiana)

Rep. Trent Kelly
(R-Mississippi)

Among those taking in the speeches are (far left) SIU President
David Heindel, (fourth from left in front) SIU Exec. VP Augie Tellez,
(far right in front) AMO President Willie Barrere, and (far right,
rear) Bosun Lucas Tiderman.

The SIU and its affiliated Paul Hall Center show up in force for the pro-maritime event.

U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Mississippi) (nearest person facing camera) chats with Paul Hall Center Apprentices prior to the news conference.

Immediately after the press gathering, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly
(D-Arizona) (left) asks Paul Hall Center Apprentices about their
training and their aspirations.



8 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 20238 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

DEEP SEA
DARREN BATES
Brother Darren Bates, 62, signed
on with the Seafarers Interna-
tional Union in 1990. He first sailed
on the Cape Hudson and upgraded
often at the Paul Hall Center.
Brother Bates was a deck depart-
ment member and most recently
shipped aboard the Resolve. He
calls Magnolia, Mississippi, home.

RODOLFO CALDO
Brother Rodolfo Caldo, 65, joined
the union in 2005 and initially
sailed aboard the Lawrence
Gianella. He worked in the engine
department and upgraded at the
Piney Point school on multiple
occasions. Brother Caldo last
shipped on the Horizon Spirit. He
makes his home in Lathrop, California.

ROBINSON EROMOSELE
Brother Robinson Eromosele, 76,
started sailing with the SIU in 2003
and first worked on the Wilson.
He shipped in the steward depart-
ment and upgraded at the Paul
Hall Center on several occasions.
Brother Eromosele last shipped
on the Liberty Glory. He resides in
Richmond, Texas.

BONIFACIO FORTES
Brother Bonifacio Fortes, 66,
became a member of the Sea-
farers International Union in
1992 and first sailed aboard the
Independence. He upgraded at the
Piney Point school on multiple
occasions and sailed in the deck
department. Brother Fortes most
recently shipped aboard the Alaskan Navigator and
settled in Stockton, California.

PABLO GARCIA
Brother Pablo Garcia, 65,
embarked on his career with the
SIU in 1994 when he sailed on the
Independence. He shipped in both
the deck and engine departments
and upgraded at the Paul Hall Cen-
ter on multiple occasions. Brother
Garcia last sailed aboard the
Maersk Sentosa. He lives in the Bronx, New York.

TIMOTHY HOLMES
Brother Timothy Holmes, 66,
joined the Seafarers International
Union in 1996. He initially sailed
on the USNS Bob Hope and worked
in the steward department.
Brother Holmes upgraded on mul-
tiple occasions at the Piney Point
school. His final vessel was the
USNS Henson. Brother Holmes resides in Chemung,
New York.

LUMUMBA LASANA
Brother Lumumba Lasana, 68, donned the SIU col-
ors in 1997. He first sailed aboard the USNS Able and
worked in the deck department. Brother Lasana last
sailed on the SBX and settled in Chesapeake, Virginia.

WILLIAM LEACHMAN
Brother William Leachman, 65,
started sailing with the SIU in 1993
and first worked on the Sealift
Arabian Sea. He shipped in the
deck department and upgraded at
the Piney Point school on multi-
ple occasions. Brother Leachman
concluded his career on the USNS
Fisher. He resides in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

PAUL MCDONELL
Brother Paul McDonell, 65, signed
on with the SIU in 2003 when he
sailed aboard the Leo. He worked
in the deck department and
upgraded on numerous occasions
at the Paul Hall Center. Brother
McDonell last shipped on the
Maersk Chesapeake. He is a resi-
dent of Lake Placid, Florida.

HUSSEIN MOHAMED
Brother Hussein Mohamed, 49,
joined the Seafarers International
Union in 1997 and first sailed
aboard the Independence. He
upgraded at the Piney Point school
on multiple occasions and sailed
in the deck department. Brother
Mohamed concluded his career
aboard the Maersk Kensington and settled in Melvin-
dale, Michigan.

MICHELLE WATERS
Sister Michelle Waters, 65, became
a member of the SIU in 1983 and
first shipped on the Independence.
She upgraded at the Piney Point
school on numerous occasions
and sailed in the steward depart-
ment. Sister Waters last sailed
on the Cape Gibson and settled in
Merritt Island, Florida.

INLAND
LESLIE HOLLOWELL
Brother Leslie Hollowell, 62, signed
on with the union in 1994, initially
working with Penn Maritime. He
sailed in the deck department and
upgraded on multiple occasions
at the Piney Point school. Brother
Hollowell was last employed with
Allied Transportation. He makes
his home in Greenville, North Carolina.

DAVID JOHNSON
Brother David Johnson, 63, joined
the union in 1999. A deck depart-
ment member, he worked with
G&H Towing for the entirety of his
career. Brother Johnson lives in
Tool, Texas.

FRANK KOSARICK
Brother Frank Kosarick, 66, began
sailing with the SIU in 2008. A
member of the deck department,
he originally sailed with Crow-
ley Towing and Transportation.
Brother Kosarick upgraded his
skills on multiple occasions at the
Paul Hall Center. He concluded his
career with Penn Maritime and settled in Fort Lau-
derdale, Florida.

GEORGE SCHUMPP
Brother George Schumpp, 66,
joined the union in 1994. He was a
member of the deck department
and upgraded at the Piney Point
school on numerous occasions.
Brother Schumpp was employed
with Port Imperial Ferry for the
duration of his career. He lives in
Fairlawn, New Jersey.

MARIA SMITH
Sister Maria Smith, 67, signed on with the Seafarers
in 1990. She shipped in the steward department
and upgraded her skills at the Paul Hall Center on
multiple occasions. Sister Smith sailed with Delta
Queen Steamboat for the duration of her career, most
recently aboard the Mississippi Queen. She resides in
Kenner, Louisiana.

ROBERT THORNE
Brother Robert Thorne, 66,
donned the SIU colors in 2008. He
upgraded at the Piney Point school
on multiple occasions. An engine
department member, Brother
Thorne worked for G&H Towing
for most of his career. He lives in
Kingwood, Texas.

PHILIP WRIGHT
Brother Philip Wright, 65, became
a member of the Seafarers Inter-
national Union in 1993 when he
worked for Crowley Towing and
Transportation. A deck depart-
ment member, he upgraded his
skills often at the Paul Hall Center.
Brother Wright most recently
sailed aboard the Courage. He makes his home in Key
Largo, Florida.

NMU
REYNALDO DEL MUNDO
Brother Reynaldo Del Mundo, 70,
joined the Seafarers International
Union during the 2001 NMU/SIU
merger. He shipped in the engine
department and concluded his
career aboard the Keystone Texas.
Brother Del Mundo lives in Alham-
bra, California.

PAUL RICHARD
Brother Paul Richard, 66, signed on with the union
during the 2001 NMU/SIU merger. He shipped in both
the deck and engine departments and last sailed on
the Cape Horn. He resides in Post Falls, Idaho.

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!



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 9SEAFARERS LOG • 9JUNE 2025

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

HONORING THE GREATEST GENERATION ‒ SIU Asst. VP Sam Spain helped salute the U.S. Merchant Mariners of World War II during this year’s American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV)
Convention, which took place in early April in Norfolk, Virginia. He’s pictured at right in photo above, left, with Rear Adm. Mark Buzby (USN, Ret.), one of the keynote speakers. Pictured from left in
photo above, right, are AMMV National Secretary (and former SIU member) Chris Edyvean, Spain, and SIU pensioner Michael Pooler, while the remaining snapshot includes (also from left) Sailors
Snug Harbor Executive Director Jay Brooks, SIU pensioner Clay Brown, and AMMV President Dru DiMattia.

ABOARD MATSON ANCHORAGE ‒ Pictured from left are Chief Cook Christopher Hopkins, SA Nasser Hajaji, and SIU
Patrolman Dennison Forsman.

MILESTONES IN MICHIGAN ‒ Three Seafarers recently picked up their respective A-seniority books at the hiring hall in Algonac, Michigan. Pictured at left, starting with photo at far left, are AB
Mohammed Obad, Steward/Baker Ammar Sailan, and AB Zaid Mesleh. Safety Director Jason Brown is at right in each snapshot.

CATCHING UP IN HOUSTON ‒ SIU
pensioner Arthur Ross (center) stops
by the hiring hall to grab a copy of his
favorite periodical and to chat with (from
left) Patrolman J.B. Niday and Safety
Director Kevin Sykes. Ross recently
turned 81. His last vessel was the Sulphur
Enterprise, in 2006.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1010 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

WELCOME ABOARD ‒ Crescent Towing Wheelman
Cody Nelson (right) receives his full book. He’s
pictured at the New Orleans hall with SIU Asst.
VP Chris Westbrook. (Nelson also just earned his
Master of Towing.)

WELCOME ASHORE IN NEW ORLEANS ‒
Crowley ATB Capt. Darren Bates (right) receives
his first pension check at the hiring hall. He sailed
with the SIU for 35 years. Congratulating him on
the milestone is SIU Asst. VP Chris Westbrook.

FAMILY TRADITION ‒ Seafaring often runs in families. At left is
GUDE Matthew Lehnen aboard the Mariner (Eco-Tankers), with his
uncle, SIU Patrolman Kelly Krick. “I am very proud of him,” Krick
noted, “and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience walking up the
gangway with him.”

ABOARD FLORIDA ‒ Pictured from left aboard the Intrepid tanker are (larger group photo) SA Naila King, Recertified Bosun Samuel Duah, ABG Daniel Flanagan, and ABB Lucas Anderson. From left in
the other non-ship photo: Chief Cook Crystal Cobbs, SA Naila King.

CLASSMATES RECONNECT ‒ Recertified Bosun Greg Jackson and Chief Mate/Hawsepiper Mark Holman were Piney
Point classmates back in 1980, and they ran into each other earlier this year while working for Pacific Gulf Marine.
Jackson (left in the recent photo, with Holman) said they “shared many sea stories.” In the class photo, Holman is
barely visible in back, near the center, while Jackson is easier to spot (front, far left).

TAKING THE OATH IN FLORIDA ‒ Being sworn in during the April
membership meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, are (from left, facing
camera) ABM Markham Campbell (B book), AB Campbell Busbey (B
book), Storekeeper Carl Bascara (A book), STOS Dion Bonner (B book)
and OS Samuel Hall (B book). SIU Port Agent Ashley Nelson is at left.

ABOARD SLNC YORK ‒ ACU Ryan Hatch is pictured aboard the Argent Marine vessel in Indian Island, Washington.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 11SEAFARERS LOG • 11JUNE 2025

9) Summary of Rules Governing Insolvent Plans
Federal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubled multiemployer
plans that become insolvent, either as ongoing plans or plans terminated by mass with-
drawal. 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 PBGC, below), the plan must apply to PBGC for financial assis-
tance. PBGC will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level.
Reduced benefits may be restored if the plan's financial condition improves.

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

10) Benefit Payments Guaranteed by PBGC
Only vested benefits—those that you’ve earned and cannot forfeit—are guaranteed.

What PBGC Guarantees
PBGC guarantees “basic benefits” including:
• Pension benefits at normal retirement age.
• Most early retirement benefits.
• Annuity benefits for survivors of plan participants.
• Disability benefits for disabilities that occurred before the earlier of the date
the plan terminated or the sponsor’s bankruptcy date.

What PBGC Does Not Guarantee
PBGC does not guarantee certain types of benefits, including:
• A participant’s pension benefit or benefit increase until it has been part of the

plan for 60 full months.
• Disability benefits in non-pay status.
• Non-pension benefits, such as health insurance, or death benefits.

Determining Guarantee Amounts
The maximum benefit PBGC guarantees is set by law. Your plan is covered by PBGC’s mul-
tiemployer program. The maximum PBGC guarantee is $35.75 per month, multiplied by a
participant's years of credited service.
PBGC guarantees a monthly benefit based on the plan’s monthly benefit accrual rate and
your years of credited service. The guarantee is calculated as follows:
1. Take 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan's monthly benefit accrual rate.
2. Take 75 percent of the next $33 of the accrual rate.
3. Add both amounts together.
4. Multiply the total by your years of credited service to determine your
guaranteed monthly benefit.

Example 1: Participant with a Monthly $600 Benefit and 10 Years of Service.
1. Find the accrual rate: $600/10 = $60 accrual rate.
2. Apply PBGC formula:
a. Take 100 percent of the first $11= $11
b. Take 75 percent of the next $33 = $24.75
3. Add the two amounts together: $11 + $24.75 = $35.75
4. Multiply by years of credited service: $35.75 x 10 years = $357.50
In this example, the participant's guaranteed monthly benefit is $357.50.

Example 2: Participant with a $200 Monthly Benefit and 10 Years of Service.
1. Find the accrual rate: $200/10 = $20 accrual rate.
2. Apply PBGC formula:
a. Take 100 percent of the first $11= $11
b. Take 75 percent of the next $9 = $6.75
3. Add the two amounts together: $11 + $6.75 = $17.75
4. Multiply by years of credited service: $17.75 x 10 years = $177.50
In this example, the participant's guaranteed monthly benefit is $177.50

Annual Funding Notice For Seafarers Pension Plan (Continued)
Continued from Page 6

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

ABOARD PACIFIC TRACKER ‒ Pictured from left aboard the TOTE vessel are ABMs Theodore Swift and Joey Benosa, and
Bosun Leroy Reed.

WELL-EARNED KUDOS ‒ SA Hyun Kim (right) recently
won the monthly recognition aboard the Alliance Fairfax
(Maersk Line, Limited) for outstanding shipmate and
cleanest room. Celebrating the occasion with her is
Chief Mate Chuck Hendricks. Recertified Steward Rocky
Dupraw said Kim “is by far the best SA I’ve ever had the
pleasure of working with. Along with her work ethic, she
has great attention to detail.”

FULL BOOK IN PINEY POINT ‒ OS Marlon
Gayle (left) receives his B book. He’s pictured
at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and Education, with SIU
Patrolman Josh Gail.

SHARING A SPECIAL MOMENT ‒ Talk about versatility:
Recertified Bosun Antjuan Webb. Sr., who earned a Doctor of
Religious Education degree, recently was installed as an assistant
pastor with his local church in Oakland, California. Celebrating the
occasion are (standing, from left) SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone,
SIU pensioners Donald Benjamin, Larry Toston, and Perry McCall,
Webb, SIU Patrolwoman Kathy Chester, SIU Oakland Port Agent
Duane Akers, and (in front) pensioner Gerald Archie.

PROMOTING SIU CAREERS ‒ The union’s efforts
to attract the next generation of mariners never stops,
as evidenced by this recent snapshot of (from left)
Recruiting Director Ryan Covert and SIU Asst. VP Todd
Brdak at a career expo in Detroit.



12 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202312 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

Pic from the Past

Wiper Nick Farinaccio checks out the engine room control board on the LNG carrier El Paso Sonatrach (El Paso Southern Tanker Co.) in late 1979.

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

Joe Vincenzo, Vice President
Government Services

Bryan Powell,
Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters

Pat Vandegrift, Vice President
Hazel Galbiso, Vice President

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) 549-4000

SIU DirectorySIU Directory

This month’s question was answered by members of the most recent SIU Tallying Committee.

Question: If you could change anything about the maritime industry, what would you change?

Jason Powell
Chief Electrician

I would like to [decrease] the
regulations on seafarers so
we can go to sea and be less
encumbered by the Coast
Guard.

Ronald J. Davis
Recertified Steward

Bring back more Ameri-
can-flag ships. We need
increased trade. We’ve got
to start building more ships,
catch up with China and pass
them.

Mubarek Ahmed
Bosun

Being able to hit the shore
faster, without getting held
up for hours. Your time off is
limited already, depending on
what your position is on the
ship. Hitting a port and just
giving your ID, like you were
at a domestic port, would be a
lot easier.

Anthony Jacobson
Recertified Steward

From a steward’s point of view,
these companies need to look
again at the food budgets and
make them realistic. Because
of all the inflation that’s been
happening, they’re not in line
with inflation.

Chandler Williams
AB

Just how slowly things
change in the industry. It can
be a slog. Keep up with what
seafarers are saying, so we
have more input.

Richard Benoit
AB

Try to [reduce] some of the
Coast Guard regulations. There
are way too many. I liked it
back in the old days, when you
got your documents and you
were good until you retired or
you upgraded.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 13SEAFARERS LOG • 13JUNE 2025

Notice

Seafarers and SIU pensioners are strongly
encouraged to make sure that their beneficiary
designations are up to date and accurate. If outdated
beneficiary information remains on file, it may result
in benefits being paid to one or more individuals
no longer intended by the member or pensioner to
receive those benefits. Unintended consequences
may arise if, for example, a designated beneficiary
has passed away, or if a member’s or pensioner’s
marital status has changed.

Seafarers and pensioners can update their
designated beneficiaries by contacting the SIU
Member Assistance Program (MAP) by phone: 1-(800)
252-4674 Option 2, or by email: map@seafarers.org in
order to obtain beneficiary forms.

Important Reminder for
Seafarers and Pensioners

Deck Department
Algonac 12 9 2 21 4 1 8 17 12 4
Anchorage 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 2 0
Baltimore 3 4 1 2 5 1 1 6 3 0
Fort Lauderdale 14 8 7 13 5 4 10 29 7 7
Guam 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 2 0
Harvey 5 4 3 4 6 3 6 12 7 4
Honolulu 6 2 0 2 0 0 0 12 4 0
Houston 27 17 9 26 13 7 18 44 30 19
Jacksonville 31 21 12 23 16 10 17 59 36 7
Jersey City 26 7 3 13 6 4 11 31 10 5
Joliet 0 4 0 1 1 1 0 6 7 1
Mobile 10 1 2 8 1 1 2 13 4 4
Norfolk 27 14 9 17 11 5 8 28 17 16
Oakland 8 4 0 3 2 1 2 12 7 1
Philadelphia 4 1 0 2 1 0 1 2 1 0
Piney Point 0 4 0 1 3 0 1 2 4 0
Puerto Rico 5 3 1 4 3 0 5 8 2 1
St. Louis 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 1 2 2
Tacoma 18 10 2 17 5 0 8 26 10 3
Wilmington 25 3 2 18 2 0 5 59 6 8

TOTAL 226 121 53 176 86 38 103 378 173 82

Engine Department
Algonac 2 0 0 2 1 1 2 5 4 0
Anchorage 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1
Baltimore 3 6 1 3 5 0 2 5 3 1
Fort Lauderdale 9 5 1 5 1 2 5 9 10 1
Guam 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0
Harvey 3 4 1 3 4 0 3 2 2 3
Honolulu 1 2 0 4 1 0 1 7 2 0
Houston 10 9 2 3 5 1 3 15 13 6
Jacksonville 21 26 5 11 13 2 9 29 21 6
Jersey City 6 1 4 4 2 3 3 11 4 2
Joliet 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0
Mobile 4 0 1 2 1 0 1 3 0 1
Norfolk 10 14 2 11 13 3 5 15 15 8
Oakland 4 4 1 3 3 0 2 4 5 3
Philadelphia 2 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 1
Piney Point 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 3 0 1
Puerto Rico 4 1 1 2 1 0 1 3 1 2
St. Louis 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0
Tacoma 7 2 2 6 2 0 2 7 6 2
Wilmington 7 3 3 7 3 2 3 15 5 10
TOTAL 101 81 27 72 60 16 42 139 93 48

Steward Department
Algonac 4 1 0 3 0 0 0 6 0 1
Anchorage 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Baltimore 1 2 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 0
Fort Lauderdale 6 3 3 5 4 0 2 9 5 3
Guam 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1
Harvey 2 4 0 1 6 1 5 3 8 0
Honolulu 4 1 1 5 2 0 3 5 3 1
Houston 12 7 4 7 7 1 8 19 10 7
Jacksonville 23 21 4 18 10 3 11 33 27 6
Jersey City 8 7 1 4 2 1 3 14 5 0
Joliet 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0
Mobile 4 0 0 3 1 0 1 5 0 0
Norfolk 23 9 5 13 4 3 6 23 19 7
Oakland 9 2 1 12 2 1 4 14 2 1
Philadelphia 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0
Piney Point 3 4 2 3 3 1 3 1 3 0
Puerto Rico 2 7 3 3 4 1 1 6 12 2
St. Louis 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tacoma 3 1 4 4 2 2 0 8 2 4
Wilmington 23 2 3 11 4 3 6 31 5 4
TOTAL 131 75 33 94 55 20 56 180 105 37

Entry Department
Algonac 1 6 13 0 3 6 2 3 4 17
Anchorage 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1
Baltimore 0 3 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 1
Fort Lauderdale 1 4 10 2 5 2 2 0 5 16
Guam 0 0 5 0 1 2 1 0 0 3
Harvey 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 0 1 6
Honolulu 0 2 3 0 1 3 0 0 2 4
Houston 4 17 14 1 13 3 3 7 26 28
Jacksonville 0 25 55 0 17 24 7 2 50 108
Jersey City 0 18 15 0 10 10 3 3 22 26
Joliet 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Mobile 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
Norfolk 0 7 40 0 3 14 5 0 11 52
Oakland 1 11 22 0 6 7 3 1 12 22
Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Piney Point 0 1 3 0 1 1 1 0 3 3
Puerto Rico 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
St. Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tacoma 1 4 11 3 4 4 0 3 11 14
Wilmington 1 16 23 2 6 8 0 0 14 31

TOTAL 9 116 218 8 74 90 29 19 165 335

GRAND TOTAL 467 393 331 350 275 164 230 716 536 502

“Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from April 14 - May 13, 2025.
“Registered on the Beach” data is as of May 14, 2025.

Schedule 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: June 2, July 7
Algonac Thursday: June 12, July17
Baltimore Thursday: June 5, July 10
Guam Friday: June 20, Thursday: July 24
Honolulu Friday: June 13, July 18
Houston Monday: June 9, July 14
Jacksonville Thursday: June 5, July 10
Joliet Thursday: June 12, July 17
Mobile Wednesday: June 11, July 16
New Orleans Tuesday: June 10, July 15
Jersey City Tuesday: June 3, July 8
Norfolk Friday: June 6, July 11
Oakland Thursday: June 12, July 17
Philadelphia Wednesday: June 4, July 9
Port Everglades Thursday: June 12, July 17
San Juan Thursday: June 5, July 10
St. Louis Friday: June 13, July 18
Tacoma Friday: June 20, July 25
Wilmington Monday: June 16, July 21

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea

June & July
Membership Meetings



14 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202314 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

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

DEEP SEA
JOHN ALICEA
Pensioner John Alicea, 69, passed
away February 22. He signed on
with the Seafarers International
Union in 2000 when he sailed
aboard the Independence. An
engine department member,
Brother Alicea last shipped on
the Ocean Jazz in 2021. He became
a pensioner in 2023 and settled in Port St. Lucie,
Florida.

DONALD BOATRIGHT
Pensioner Donald Boatright, 73,
died March 24. He started shipping
with the union in 1970, initially
working with Michigan Tankers
Inc. Brother Boatright was a deck
department member and con-
cluded his career aboard the Spirit.
He went on pension in 2010 and
resided in Pinole, California.

CARLOS BONEFONT
Pensioner Carlos Bonefont, 83,
passed away March 13. He joined
the SIU in 1960 when he sailed
on the Evelyn. Brother Bonefont
sailed in all three departments
and last shipped on the Horizon
Hawaii. He became a pensioner
in 2008 and made his home in
Amsterdam, New York.

ARNULFO CALDERON
Pensioner Arnulfo Calderon, 76,
died February 6. He signed on with
the union in 2001. Brother Calderon
first shipped on the Bernard F.
Fisher and was a member of the
deck department. He last sailed
aboard the Harry Martin and went
on pension in 2013. Brother Cal-
deron resided in the Bronx, New York.

DELFINO CASTRO
Pensioner Delfino Castro, 79,
passed away March 30. He donned
the SIU colors in 1995 and first
shipped on the Independence. A
member of the steward depart-
ment, Brother Castro concluded his
career aboard the Chemical Pioneer
and retired in 2012. He was a Hous-
ton resident.

LEON CATLIN
Pensioner Leon Catlin, 79, died
February 22. He became a member
of the union in 2001. Brother Catlin
worked in the steward department.
He sailed aboard the Delaware
Trader for his entire career before
going on pension in 2012. Brother
Catlin lived in Mobile, Alabama.

CRAIG CROFT
Pensioner Craig Croft, 58, passed
away February 2. He joined the SIU
in 1985, initially sailing with G&H
Towing. Brother Croft worked in
the engine department. He last
sailed aboard the Louisiana in 2021.
Brother Croft went on pension in
2023 and made his home in Hitch-
cock, Texas.

ALFREDO CUEVAS
Pensioner Alfredo Cuevas, 78,
died December 4. He joined the
Seafarers International Union in
1987 when he shipped on the USNS
Wyman. Brother Cuevas was an
engine department member. He
concluded his career aboard the
Maersk Missouri and became a pen-
sioner in 2015. Brother Cuevas made his home in the
Philippines.

JUANITO DANSALAN
Pensioner Juanito Dansalan, 83,
has passed away. Sailing first
aboard the USNS Harkness, he
donned the SIU colors in 1988.
Brother Dansalan worked in
the engine department and last
shipped on the Charger. He went on
pension in 2011 and resided in the
Philippines.

DANIEL GAMBOA
Pensioner Daniel Gamboa, 73, died
March 15. He signed on with the
Seafarers in 2002. A deck depart-
ment member, he first shipped on
the Cape Farewell. Brother Gamboa
last sailed on the Liberty Glory. He
became a pensioner in 2019 and set-
tled in Houston.

MICHAEL GAY
Pensioner Michael Gay, 73 passed away March 3. He
embarked on his career with the SIU in 1971, initially
sailing aboard the Yukon. Brother Gay worked in the
engine department and concluded his career aboard
the Ocean Freedom. He began collecting his pension
in 2014 and lived in Tallahassee, Florida.

GEORGE HOLLAND
Pensioner George Holland, 83, died
February 1. He joined the Seafar-
ers International Union in 1963.
Brother Holland first shipped with
Moore-McCormack Lines. A deck
department member, he last sailed
aboard the Navigator. Brother
Holland retired in 2002 and called
Lacey, Washington, home.

CHRISTIE JOHNSON
Pensioner Christie Johnson, 88,
passed away February 3. A deck
department member, he signed on
with the SIU in 1958. Brother John-
son first worked on the Beaugard.
He last shipped aboard the Liberty
Wave in 2000. Brother Johnson
went on pension the following year
and made his home in Eupora, Mississippi.

PAULA KALEIKINI
Pensioner Paula Kaleikini, 75, died February 11. She
became a member of the Seafarers International
Union in 1992. Sister Kaleikini first sailed aboard the
USNS Adventurous. She was a steward department
member and last shipped on the North Star. Sister
Kaleikini retired in 2015 and lived in Kapolei, Hawaii.

JOEL LECHEL
Pensioner Joel Lechel, 66, passed
away March 29. Brother Lechel
embarked on his career with the
Seafarers in 1979, initially sailing on
the Indiana Harbor. He worked in
the deck department. Brother Lech-
el’s final vessel was the Walter J.
McCarthy. He began collecting his
pension in 2010 and resided in Estero, Florida.

ROMUALD LOS
Pensioner Romuald Los, 91, passed
away March 6. He donned the SIU
colors in 1963 and first worked
aboard the Transeastern. A mem-
ber of the deck department, Brother
Los concluded his career aboard the
Freedom. He became a pensioner
in 1995 and settled in the United
Kingdom.

PIOTR MLYMARCZYK
Pensioner Piotr Mlymarczyk, 65,
died January 21. He joined the Sea-
farers International Union in 2003.
Brother Mlymarczyk first shipped
on the Gus Darnell. He was a deck
department member and last sailed
aboard the Matson Tacoma. Brother
Mlymarczyk became a pensioner in
2024 and made his home in Burien, Washington.

ROSINDO MORA
Pensioner Rosindo Mora, 100,
passed away February 11. Sailing
first aboard the Yaka, he donned
the SIU colors in 1951. Brother Mora
worked in the steward depart-
ment and last shipped aboard the
Crusader. He retired in 1990 and
resided in New Port Richey, Florida.

GUILLERMO QUINONES
Pensioner Guillermo Quinones, 71,
died March 4. He signed on with the
Seafarers in 1969. A deck depart-
ment member, he first shipped
on the Steel Apprentice. Brother
Quinones last sailed on the Value
in 1994. He became a pensioner
in 2018 and settled in Juana Diaz,
Puerto Rico.

TOMMIE SANFORD
Pensioner Tommie Sanford, 86,
passed away February 26. He
embarked on his career with the
SIU in 1958, initially sailing aboard
the La Salle. Brother Sanford
worked in the deck department and
concluded his career aboard the
Overseas Ohio in 1986. He began col-
lecting his pension in 2003 and lived in Colmesneil,
Texas.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1515 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 15JUNE 2025

JOSE SIALANA
Pensioner Jose Sialana, 72, died
February 16. He joined the Seafar-
ers International Union in 1991.
Brother Sialana first shipped on
the Independence. He worked in
the steward department and last
sailed aboard the Freedom. Brother
Sialana retired in 2018 and called
Pico River, California, home.

WARREN WRIGHT
Pensioner Warren Wright, 71,
passed away March 10. He signed
on with the SIU in 1978 when he
sailed on the Mohawk. Brother
Wright sailed in the engine depart-
ment and also worked on shore
gangs. He became a pensioner in
2018 and made his home in Newark,
Delaware.

ROGELIO YBARRA
Pensioner Rogelio Ybarra, 67, died
March 19. He became a member of
the Seafarers International Union
in 1978. Brother Ybarra first sailed
aboard the Connecticut. He worked
in both the deck and engine depart-
ments and last shipped on the
Overseas Chinook. Brother Ybarra
began collecting his pension in 2016 and settled in
Texas City, Texas.


GREAT LAKES
RONALD DANDREA
Pensioner Ronald Dandrea, 80,
passed away February 26. He
joined the Seafarers in 1977 and
first worked aboard the CL Aus-
tin. Brother Dandrea sailed in the
deck department. He became a
pensioner in 2009 after concluding
his career on the Walter J. McCa-
rthy. Brother Dandrea made his home in Duluth,
Minnesota.

DONALD DEVLIEGER
Pensioner Donald DeVlieger, 73,
died February 13. He donned the
SIU colors in 1970 and initially
worked aboard the JA Kling. Brother
DeVlieger last sailed aboard the
JAW Iglehart and retired in 2005. He
resided in Redford, Michigan.

ANDREW EGRESSY
Pensioner Andrew Egressy, 87,
passed away March 4. Brother
Egressy signed on with the SIU in
1999. He first sailed aboard the Sam
Laud and shipped in the engine
department. Brother Egressy con-
cluded his career aboard the St.
Mary’s Challenger and retired in
2008. He lived in East Concord, New York.

RONALD HALBERG
Pensioner Ronald Halberg, 75, died March 12.
He signed on with the SIU in 1971. Brother Hal-
berg worked in the steward department and was
employed with Arnold Transit Company for the dura-
tion of his career. He became a pensioner in 2013 and
made his home in Saint Ignace, Michigan.

INLAND
MEDFORD AUSTIN
Pensioner Medford Austin, 85,
passed away March 22. He began
sailing with the Seafarers in 1968. A
deck department member, Brother
Austin first was employed with Gulf
Atlantic Transport Corporation. He
concluded his career with Mariner
Towing and went on pension in
2011. Brother Austin called Frisco, North Carolina,
home.

DONALD AUTERY
Pensioner Donald Autery, 72, died
March 29. He embarked on his
career with the union in 1989 and
shipped in the deck department.
Brother Autery worked with Allied
Transportation until he became
a pensioner in 2011. He resided in
South Mills, North Carolina.

DAVID KEEFE
Pensioner David Keefe, 65, passed
away March 8. He became a mem-
ber of the Seafarers International
Union in 1990 when he sailed
aboard the Gulf Trader. Brother
Keefe was a deck department
member and concluded his career
working with Crowley Towing and
Transportation. He became a pensioner in 2016 and
lived in Jacksonville, Florida.

WAYNE PROUDLOVE
Pensioner Wayne Proudlove, 79, died February 28.
He began sailing with the SIU in 1969 when he was
employed with Berg Towing Company. Brother
Proudlove worked in the deck department. He last
sailed aboard the American Eagle in 1989. Brother
Proudlove started collecting his pension in 2014 and
called Rogersville, Tennessee, home.

LOUIS SMITH
Pensioner Louis Smith, 84, passed away February 21.
A deck department member, he joined the union in
1967 when he worked with National Marine Service.
Brother Smith was last employed with OSG Ship
Management and retired in 1993. He resided in River-
view, Florida.

NMU
CAROL ALLEN
Pensioner Carol Allen, 70, died
March 28. Brother Allen shipped
in the steward department. He
concluded his career aboard the
Chesapeake and began collecting
his pension in 2010. Brother Allen
called Milton, Massachusetts,
home.

FELTON BERCY
Pensioner Felton Bercy, 76, died
February 2. A deck department
member, Brother Bercy last shipped
on the Green Cove. He became a
pensioner in 2009 and lived in New
Orleans.

JOSEPH COSTA
Pensioner Joseph Costa, 94, passed away March 6.
Brother Costa began sailing in 1950. A deck depart-
ment member, he first shipped on the Islander.
Brother Costa concluded his career aboard the Eagle
and retired in 1995. He resided in Northborough,
Massachusetts.

JOHN DORSEY
Pensioner John Dorsey, 81, died March 2. Brother
Dorsey sailed as a deck department member. He last
shipped aboard the Denali and began collecting his
pension in 2003. Brother Dorsey made his home in
Rincon, Georgia.

PHILIP HAWES
Pensioner Philip Hawes, 78, passed
away March 5. Brother Hawes
sailed in the deck department. He
last shipped aboard the Energy
Enterprise before becoming a pen-
sioner in 2005. Brother Hawes lived
in Harahan, Louisiana.

JAMES HOCKING
Pensioner James Hocking, 75,
died February 26. Brother Hocking
worked in the deck department. He
retired in 2014 after concluding his
career with Woods Hole Shipping.
Brother Hocking resided in East Fal-
mouth, Massachusetts.

RICHARD JOHNSON
Brother Richard Johnson, 93, has
passed away. Brother Johnson
sailed in the engine department. He
last sailed aboard the Chesapeake
Bay and lived in Goose Creek, South
Carolina.

AGUEDO SABINO
Pensioner Aguedo Sabino, 81, died
January 19. Brother Sabino was a
deck department member and con-
cluded his career aboard the Energy
Enterprise. He became a pensioner
in 2009 and made his home in
Portugal.

ERNESTO SALANO
Pensioner Ernesto Salano, 97, passed away March 28.
Brother Salano worked in the deck department. He
sailed on his final vessel, the Delaware Trader, before
retiring in 1996. Brother Salano resided in Isabela,
Puerto Rico.



16 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202316 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

CALIFORNIA (Fairwater Tanker
Management), February 23 – Chair-
man Kenneth Abrahamson, Sec-
retary Dante Cruz , Educational
Director Demarkus McNabb, Deck
Delegate Leonard Ajoste, Engine
Delegate Latiffe Brooks, Steward
Delegate Rey Chang . Chairman
discussed the upcoming change of
ownership. SIU contract agreement
to stay in place. He reminded mem-
bers to clean rooms before signoff.
Educational director encouraged
crew to renew documents as early
as possible. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Members reviewed the
latest union constitutional changes,
including dues increases and four
new constitutional halls, as ap-
proved by rank-and-file members
during the most recent balloting
period. Crew asked for tour of duty
forms to be forwarded to ship. Vote
of thanks given to all for working
great together and special thanks
given to steward department for
providing excellent meals. Members
requested increases in both safety
boot allowances and vacation days
to 18 for 30. Next port: Long Beach,
California.

TORM TIMOTHY (Eco-Tankers
Crew Management, LLC), March
2 – Chairman Troy Glatter, Secre-
tary Jeremias Luenzo, Educational
Director Abasiama Essien-Ete .
Members welcomed new steward/
baker and reported excellent mo-
rale on board. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Crew discussed ship
launches and ship restrictions as
well as the Eco Tankers contract.
Bosun requested new pillows and
fitted sheets. Captain is trying to get
them in Singapore.

AMERICAN FREEDOM (Intrepid
Personnel & Provisioning), April
6 – Chairman Joshua Mensah, Sec-
retary Bruce Johnson, Deck Dele-
gate Dwuan Reed, Engine Delegate
Melgar Daguio, Steward Delegate
Andrew Miller. Educational direc-
tor advised crew to take advantage
of the upgrading opportunities at
the union-affiliated Paul Hall Cen-
ter in Piney Point, Maryland, and
to renew documents early. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Steward
department was commended for a
job well done. Chairman instructed
crew to keep TVs connected so they
work for the next member and re-
minded everyone to be considerate
of those who are sleeping when
closing doors. Members were re-
minded about phone use and ship-
board safety.

LIBERTY PASSION (Intrepid Per-
sonnel & Provisioning), April 6
– Chairman Duane Frosburg, Sec-
retary Jessica Davis, Deck Delegate
Efren Guerrero Cordova, Engine
Delegate Darwin Alvarez-Lopez,
Steward Delegate William Johnson.
New Wi-Fi routers to be installed
once ship returns to U.S., per chair-
man. Educational director encour-
aged members to upgrade their
skills at the Paul Hall Center and to
keep documents up to date. Mem-
bers requested online access for job
boards and/or fuel reimbursement
for those who travel long distances.
Crew asked for completion of duty
to not be deemed a quit in instances
where they do not get a relief. Mem-
bers suggested adding a larger TV,
gaming systems, better books and
DVDs to improve crew lounge.

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 Waters
District are administered in accordance
with the provisions of various trust fund
agreements. All these agreements specify
that the trustees in charge of these funds
shall equally consist of union and manage-
ment representatives and their alternates.
All expenditures and disbursements of
trust funds are made only upon approval
by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund
financial records are available at the head-
quarters 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 shipping or senior-
ity rights as contained in the contracts be-
tween the union and the employers, they
should notify the Seafarers 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 Spr ings, MD 20746

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

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

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

PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies
are to be paid to anyone in any official
capacity in the SIU unless an official

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

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

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

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

SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY
DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a separate
segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to

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

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

David Heindel, President
Seafarers International Union

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20746

Seafarer at Work

Bosun Kemer Rojas is pictured aboard the Maersk Durban.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 17

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 origi-
nal receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent
before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to:
Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, Email:upgrading@seafar-
ers.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.

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 • 17JUNE 2025

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

DECK DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Lifeboatman/Water Survival June 30 July 11
Sept. 29 Oct. 10

Able Seafarer - Deck Sept. 1 Sept. 19
Oct. 13 Oct. 31
Dec. 1 Dec. 19

ENGINE DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Welding July 14 Aug. 1
Aug. 25 Sept. 12
Oct. 6 Oct. 24

STEWARD DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Certified Chief Cook July 7 Sept. 12
Sept. 15 Nov. 21

ServSafe Management June 30 July 4
Sept. 8 Sept. 12
Nov. 17 Nov. 21

Advanced Galley Operations July 21 Aug. 15
Aug. 18 Sept. 12
Sept. 15 Oct. 10
Nov. 10 Dec. 5

Chief Steward Oct. 13 Nov. 7
Dec. 8 Jan. 2, 2026

OPEN/SAFETY UPGRADING COURSES

Basic Training Sept. 22 Sept. 26

Basic Training Revalidation June 30 June 30
July 25 July 25
Aug. 15 Aug. 15
Nov. 3 Nov. 3
Nov. 7 Nov. 7

Tank Ship - DL (PIC) July 14 July 18

Tank Ship Fam. - DL Aug. 11 Aug. 15
Sept. 29 Oct. 3
Oct. 20 Oct. 24

Tank Ship Fam./LG Aug. 4 Aug. 8
Sept. 22 Sept. 26
Oct. 27 Oct. 31

Engineers Needed
Chief Engineer/Engine Instructor (full- or part-time)

The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and
Education has opportunities for qualified individuals to come ashore
and use their seagoing experience to help prepare the next generation
of mariners. Our instructors’ professionalism helps sustain a unique

and dynamic environment throughout our campus in Piney Point,
Maryland.

If you’re potentially interested in applying to be an instructor, please
email monicaszepesi@seafarers.org with a copy of your credential.



18 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202318 • SEAFARERS LOG JUNE 2025

Paul Hall Center Class Photos

APPRENTICE WATER SURVIVAL CLASS #919 – Recently graduating: Fuad Ali, Sincere Davenport, Dominick Davis, Ralpheal Evans, Travis Flippin, Devan Gadson, Daniel Gonzalez Jr., Kemar Grant,
Harry Hurley, Reon James, Tomeria Kendrick, Karen Lira, Eric Nieves Jr., Lamillian Phillips, James Regan Jr., Demetrius Soto, Ishay Thomas, Trey Traughber, Noah Welch and Timothy Wheeler.

TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION – Graduated April 4: Cooper Allred, Dean Blake Jr., Andrew
Cook, Jason Deeb, Floyd Dixon III, Ian Elder, Enrique Fernandez Martinez, Nicholas Gammon,
Daniel Jones II, Conor Kennedy, Jack Knoll, Zachary Knox, Carlos Laureano Bonet, Boubacar
Mbaye, Shandria McClain, Courtland Montejo, Seth Norris, Joseph Prather and Ayinde Richards.

GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduating April 11 (not all are pictured): Wajdi Ali, Sequoya
Anderson, Thomas Bateman, Torina Brooks, Milton Buelto Fernandez, Dean Diaz Sr., Joy Eady,
Casey Frederick, Daniel Hanback, Ardeccia Hill, Marquis Hill, Richetta Jackson, Ekaterina
Jansone, Christian Jones, William Kilbuck, Arthur Kinsman, Steven Laubach, Angela Lewis,
Kharon Mitchell, Ali Qasem, Ta'tiyana Roberts, Kassem Salem Sr. and Benjamin Wilson.

DECK OPERATIONS – Graduated April 4: Raheem Ali, David Henneken, Darren Joseph,
Robert Kitchen III, Evan Koslofsky, Dennis Krevey Jr., Christopher Leasure, Stephen Pagan
Laureano, Alejandro Rivera Martinez, Hayden Scott and Jacob Watson.

FIRST AID – Graduated April 11 (not all are pictured): Abdulhak Ahmed, Tajle Johnson, Anthony
Pace, Yoali Salcedo and Justin Shepler.

FOWT – Among those graduating April 11: Ismael Andriamasy, D'Angelo Brown, Robert
Crain, Luke Eastman, Joshua Higdon, Brandon Jordan, Harry McKever II, Cristian Salazar
and Decontee Saypoh.

MARINE ELECTRICIAN – Graduated April 18: Micah Champion, Sherrod Frazier, Danielle
Gore, Eric Hondel, Damon Johnson, Sherman Kennon Jr., Zion Lyons, Dennis Malaran, Tracy
Mitchell Jr., Tyson Richardson, Marcelino Santos Bermeo and Sean Wilson.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 19SEAFARERS LOG • 19JUNE 2025

SERVE SAFE MGMT – Graduated April 25, from left to right: Emma DiGennaro
and LaToya Sanford-Leggs.

Paul Hall Center Class Photos

TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION (DL) – Among those graduating April 18: Lekeano
Babb, Tristan Casarez, Genesis Diaz Jimenez, Jonathan Gil Paul, Kier Hansen, Joshua
Harrell, Kevin Johnson, Keith Jordan III, Freedom Le, Heaven McInnis, Alec Neace, Eric
Nieves Cortes, Tyler Singletary, Charles Stratton, Mirela Sutter, Leon Thompson-Repole,
Jeffery Vega, Maxwell Walsh, Tre'von Warren and Isaiah Wells.

GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduated April 4: Frank Balitewicz, Averey Branch, Hunter Buster, Jadreanna Charleston, Jayvon Clayborn, Abdelhamid Dika, Charles Evans Jr., Cayden Foster, Austin
Gottschlich, David Hebb, Nasir Hinton, Savonce Jackson, Christopher Johnston, Joshua Jordan, Tristan Kinsella, David Levin, Michael Saputo, Tyrone Scott Jr., Terrell Slater, Natalia Smith, Jermerish
Standberry, Alayla Tilley and Darius Washington.

RFPNW – Graduated April 25: Sincere Davenport, Devan Gadson, Daniel Gonzalez Jr., Kemar
Grant, Tomeria Kendrick, Lamillian Phillips, James Regan Jr., Deandre Ryan and Timothy Wheeler.

CERTIFIED CHIEF COOK – Graduated April 25: Ronzell Collins, Grayson Goodwin,
Raheem Joseph, Kassidy Mays, Unique Owens, Kendric Payne, Kyunjre Randall,
Brittney Sharp and Natanael Velez Cordero.

TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION (LG) – Graduated April 11 (not all are pictured): Ahmed Ali, Scott
Brainard, Kyra Buggs, Joshua Collins, John Edwards Jr., Jermie Francis, Bobbie Gibbs, Mohammed Gir,
Carlos Gomez Hernandez, Deon Greenidge, Ja'von Harvey, Raphael Henson, Olivier Kozel, June Margaja,
Jeffrey Phillips, Erwin Renon, Saleh Saeed and Wilma Smith.

GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduated May 2: Cooper Allred, Dean Blake Jr., Andrew Cook, Jason
Deeb, Floyd Dixon III, Ian Elder, Enrique Fernandez Martinez, Nicholas Gammon, Daniel Jones II, Conor
Kennedy, Jack Knoll, Zachary Knox, Carlos Laureano Bonet, Boubacar Mbaye, Shandria McClain,
Courtland Montejo, Seth Norris and Joseph Prather.



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

SEAFARERS LOG
JUNE 2025 VOLUME 87, NO. 6

The SIU-crewed Ready Reserve
Force (RRF) vessel MV Cape Knox,
operated by Keystone Shipping
Company, recently mobilized under
a no-notice turbo activation – and
the crew exceeded all performance
expectations, according to vessel
master Capt. Darin L. Huggins.

The ship on Feb. 3 started
transforming from reduced operating
status (ROS) to full operating status
(FOS) for a 10-day sea trial. Huggins
noted that, hours after the initial
contact from the U.S. Maritime
Ad min istration, a follow-on
communication came from the
Military Sealift Command: load up and
deploy.

“The SIU and MEBA answered that
call, rapidly preparing the mighty
Knox for an overseas deployment
supporting multiple surge sealift
missions,” Huggins stated. “Over
the course of 90 days of exceptional
operational performance, the crew
delivered consistent results, earned
multiple Bravo Zulus, and enjoyed
some legendary BBQs.”

The SIU members who participated
in the Cape Knox activation included
Bosun Ivan Vargas, ABM Terry
Jackson, ABM Chester Pickens,
ABM Edward Copeland, ABM Willie
Dawston, ABM Saleh Almatari, OS
Jason Pierce, QEE Jurgen Gottschlich,
Oiler Joseph McClam, Oiler Jeremiah
Anderson, Oiler Christopher Fisher,
Steward/Baker Kenisha Neal, Chief
Cook Zion Bradford, SA Latianah
Griggs, SA Mohamed Diallo, GUDE
Kimcherria Henry, GUDE Benito

Figueroa, and GVA Dion Sanchez
Cubas.

“When I got on the ship on Feb.
5 in New Orleans, it was ROS at that
time. We were supposed to do a 10-
day activation, and it turned into an
actual mission,” said Pierce. “I was in
New Orleans for Super Bowl weekend,
so that was pretty cool, and then we
took the ship up to Charleston, South
Carolina. After that is when we got
activated for the mission.”

Pierce, who began his journey as a
Seafarer only a year ago, was aboard
the Cape Knox completing his first full
mission, outside of doing sea trials.
This was also Pierce’s first time out of
the country. “It was pretty exciting,” he
said. “I can't wait to do another one.”

Similarly, Gottschlich, a seasoned
Seafarer with decades of experience,
was content to have what might be his
final voyage before retirement aboard
the Cape Knox.

“This might be my last trip as a
merchant seaman so, fortunately, we
ended up with a great captain,” he said.
“When we were out anchor, he made
sure we had a launch to be able to go
to shore to release some of this stress
from working on the ship, 24/7. He
made the trip very pleasurable for us.”

“The last time this ship was
activated was two years prior, and
they did a round-the-world trip,” added
Gottschlich.

Transitioning a ship from ROS to
FOS creates a host of opportunities,
said Bosun Vargas. “ROS is great for
us. I'm a married man who has bills,
and a wife and kids, and this has been

helpful financially for us,” he said.
He continued, “ROS is less

demanding, with less activity and less
pressure. The responsibility with FOS
is higher, because we do have more
work to do. We have to perform to
the very best of our abilities, which is
always the case, but you could say we
have to do our jobs even more. Because
the ship is at sea and because we have
cargo, we have a higher responsibility.”

When a vessel is in ROS, the
mariners aboard the ship comprise
a skeleton crew, with only a handful
of mariners working while the vessel
waits for its next military support
voyage, Gottschlich explained. “There
are 11 of us…. We maintain the ship and
get it ready and make sure it's prepared
for its next activation,” he said.

“It was a pretty smooth transition
from ROS to FOS,” said Pierce. “There
were some long days, but we also
had some short days after we got
everything secured for sea. As far as the

mission goes, there were no incidents
or anything like that.”

Huggins said that the Cape Knox
“stands as proof: When the call comes,
the U.S. Merchant Marine – with SIU
and MEBA on board – will always
deliver. The mariners aboard the Cape
Knox stepped up and demonstrated
once again that the U.S. Merchant
Marine remains a vital asset in support
of our nation’s warfighters.”

Vargas said he was thankful the
mission went smoothly.

“We went to some dangerous places
where we were restricted to the ship,
but that was beneficial to us because
I feel that the union, the company
and the government were concerned
about our safety,” said Vargas. “It went
great. We have a great captain and
crew. Nobody got hurt, which is the
main thing, and everybody is safe. We
will make it back home safely to our
families.”

Cape Knox Gets It Done

Pictured above are many of the SIU members who sailed aboard the Keystone vessel during its
recent activation. Kneeling in the front row (left to right) are AB Saleh Almatari and Electrician Jurgen
Gottschlich. Standing behind them, from left to right are Bosun Ivan Vargas, AB Chester Pickens,
QMED Jeremiah Anderson, GUDE Kimcherria Henry, AB Willie Dawston, AB Terry Jackson, AB Edward
Copeland, QMED Christopher Fisher, OS Jason Pierce, and GUDE Benito Figuero.

The vessel (three photos directly above) upheld the United States Merchant Marine’s role as America’s fourth arm of defense.

Bosun Ivan VargasElectrician Jurgen GottschlichAB Sal Almatari and 2M Liam Reddan pose for a quick photo.
Chief Cook Zion Bradford grills
some chicken for the crew.