Seafarers Log: Vol. 87 No. 9 (2025-09-01)

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

SEPTEMBER 2025 VOLUME 87, NO. 9

R R F C O N T R A C T S AWA R D E D • PA G E 2 / / PA U L H A L L C E N T E R C L A S S P H O T O S • PA G E S 1 8 - 1 9

Cable-Laying Vessel Joins SIU FleetCable-Laying Vessel Joins SIU Fleet

Reflagged Containership
Means New SIU Jobs

Seafarers are sailing aboard the newly reflagged CMA CGM Phoenix, which formally joined the U.S. fleet in late July. In the inset photo, SIU President David Heindel (standing fourth from left) meets with SIU
crew members aboard the containership before the flag-in ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina. Pictured from left are Joseph Horton, Joshua Mensah, Toinette Williams, President Heindel, (crouching)
Alexis Figueroa, Nathaniel Simmons, Fernandez Wilcox, and Raymond Murphy. Page 3.

The new cable-laying barge Marmac 306, pictured below, is one of the newest additions to the Seafarers-crewed fleet. The
Jones Act-compliant vessel is part of a joint project involving Crowley Wind Services and the energy company Nexans. Page 4.



SIU members will continue sailing aboard doz-
ens of U.S. Ready Reserve Force (RRF) vessels for the
next 10 years, following the recent announcement of
new contracts by the U.S. Maritime Administration
(MARAD).

The agency on July 30 reported that agreements
covering 51 vessels had been signed, with a combined
value of $6.2 billion.

For the SIU, the number of shipboard jobs will
largely remain unchanged, though the union did gain
around 40 billets when the “Cape Ts” (Taylor, Texas and
Trinity) are in full operating status.

As noted by MARAD, the RRF “provides strategic
sealift support for the rapid deployment of U.S. mili-
tary forces and equipment during conflicts, crises, and
emergencies.”

“The Ready Reserve Force supports our military
men and women and strengthens our supply chains,”
said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
“When our military is called to respond, the RRF
delivers the tanks, the trucks, and the supplies. These
ships don’t just support the mission – they are the
linchpin that makes the mission possible. National
security depends on strategic sealift, and strategic
sealift depends on the RRF.”

“Our contracts with seven ship managers will
ensure the fleet stays ready, reliable, and responsive,”
said Acting Maritime Administrator Sang Yi. “MARAD

has a tremendous responsibility to maintain the RRF
so that during critical military, humanitarian, and nat-
ural disaster operations, Americans can rely on these
vessels for logistics support.”

Vessel turnovers were expected to start around
press time. Under terms of the new agreements, the
following Seafarers-contracted companies will oper-
ate the vessels that are listed:

TOTE: Cape Taylor, Cape Texas, Cape Trinity, Pollux,
Regulus, Altair, Bellatrix, Pacific Tracker, Pacific Collec-
tor, Gordon, Gilliland, Cape Sabel, Cape San Juan, Cape
Starr.

Patriot Contract Services: Cape Victory, Cape Vin-
cent, Admiral Callahan, Cape Orlando, Cape Henry,
Cape Horn, Cape Hudson.

Ocean Duchess: Cape Inscription, Cape Intrepid,
Cape Isabel, Cape Island, Curtiss, Wright.

Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning: Mendonca,
Benavidez, Cape Arundel, Cape Cortes.

Pacific-Gulf Marine: Cornhusker State, Gopher
State, Cape Kennedy, Cape Knox, Keystone State, Gem
State.

Keystone: Cape Decision, Cape Diamond, Cape



Domingo, Cape Douglas, Cape Ducato, Cape Edmont,
Cape Race, Cape Ray, Cape Rise, Bob Hope, Brittin,
Fisher.

Sunrise Vessel Operations: Cape Washington, Cape
Wrath.

The fleet includes roll-on/roll-off vessels, auxiliary
crane ships and aviation maintenance vessels.

As further reported by MARAD, “The 10-year con-
tracts cover maintenance, repair, logistics support,
activation, operation, deactivation, crewing, and
management of RRF vessels, ensuring they are ready
to deploy at a moment’s notice…. RRF ships are a key
component of the Department of Defense’s strategic
sealift capability, transporting unit equipment, com-
bat support gear, and initial resupply during critical
surge periods.

“These MARAD-owned, contractor-operated ves-
sels are maintained in a high state of readiness and can
be activated within five days for worldwide deploy-
ment. Ships in priority readiness are staffed in reduced
operating status, with maintenance crews of about 10
merchant mariners. Once activated, these crews are
supplemented by additional mariners as needed.”

President’s Report

Congress is in recess as of this mid-August
writing, but the SIU and our maritime industry
allies are still very active on Capitol Hill, working to
advance and protect your interests and those of the
U.S. maritime industry.

As you may recall, one of our central objectives is
to help secure enactment of the SHIPS for America
Act, a bipartisan bill that promises to revitalize
multiple segments of our industry. We have reported
the following fact more than once, but it’s worth
repeating: The legislation does focus – in part – on
domestic (Jones Act) and international shipbuilding,
but it is wide-ranging. There’s more to it than
boosting vessel construction.

With that said, our current work also includes detailed, behind-the-scenes
promotion of the U.S. Maritime Security Program, the Jones Act, cargo
preference laws and more. These are among the staples that will help ensure
there are cargoes available for carriage on however many new vessels enter the
U.S.-flag fleet.

Depending on how long you’ve worked in the industry, you may have heard
this expression once or a hundred times: Cargo is king. Without cargo, we
could gain a huge number of vessels, but it wouldn’t matter. You can think
of it like the maritime version of the movie “Field of Dreams,” whose script
famously included the line, “If you build it, they will come.” I am very confident
that if there’s ample cargo for American-flag ships, the SIU will help meet any
manpower challenge.

Speaking of which, I’m sure many Seafarers have noticed the tremendous
progress we’ve made in the past year addressing our segment of what truly is
a global maritime manpower shortage. Our all-ports list is the smallest it has
been in years, and our affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland, is consistently
packed, both with apprentices and with upgraders. Our recruiting efforts are

paying off, and we won’t let up. By the way, your consistently outstanding work
aboard the ships and tugs makes it easier for us to promote the union and the
industry.
New Tonnage

This month’s LOG includes coverage of three new – and very different – types
of vessels that now employ Seafarers: a cargo ship, a tugboat, and a cable-laying
barge. These gains reflect our membership’s wide-ranging capabilities along
with the SIU’s perpetual striving to secure new work.

These aren’t isolated occurrences. This year alone, we have welcomed
new passenger ferries, an LNG carrier, and a general cargo ship. We anticipate
additional flag-ins before the end of the year, too. And, as with our political
outreach, we never stop working to facilitate gains in the deep sea, Great Lakes,
and inland sectors.
Workers’ Labor Day

Labor Day will have passed by the time many of you read this column, but
the lead-up to this year’s holiday was unique. The SIU planned to join with our
sisters and brothers from throughout organized labor at various Labor Day
events around the country aimed at underscoring the vital importance of trade
unions and workers’ rights.

These gatherings and demonstrations marked a high point of a nationwide
bus tour titled “It’s Better in a Union – Freedom, Fairness and Security.” As
part of the outreach, which began July 9 in the nation’s capital, the AFL-CIO
identified the holiday not merely as Labor Day, but as Workers’ Labor Day.

A central message of the campaign is that when working people join together
and fight for each other, we can win. Although there is no doubt that these are
challenging times, toughness defines working people, especially now. We’ve
got the most unified labor movement that we’ve had in decades, and working
people are hungrier than ever for a union on the job. More than 70 percent of
our citizens, including nearly nine in ten people younger than age 30, support
unions.

From factory floors and deckplates to federal agencies, unions have always
stood as the frontline advocates for working families. Through our persistence
and unity, we’ll remain a cornerstone of the American workforce.

2 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025

David Heindel

Cargo is King

SIU Jobs Secure with RRF Awards

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

Communications Director: Jordan Biscardo
Assistant Communications Director: Nick Merrill
Assistant Editor: Aja Neal
Administrative Support: Jenny Stokes

Copyright © 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 9 September 2025Seafarers LOG

Honoring Capt. Johnston

The SIU and its affiliated Paul Hall Center earlier this year joined in saluting Capt. Robert Johnston with an honorary union book.
Pictured at the presentation in Piney Point, Maryland, are (from left) SIU Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski, SIU President David
Heindel, and Capt. Johnston. Although he retired more than a decade ago as president and CEO of Overseas Shipholding Group,
Johnston remains active in the industry, including service as chairman of the American Maritime Association. His maritime career
dates to the 1960s; prior to coming ashore in 1976, he served on crude oil tankers and product carriers in positions ranging from
third mate to master.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 3SEAFARERS LOG • 3SEPTEMBER 2025

Stars and Stripes Raised aboard PhoenixStars and Stripes Raised aboard Phoenix

SIU members are sailing aboard the newly ref-
lagged CMA CGM Phoenix – the largest U.S.-flag
commercial containership.

SIU President David Heindel and Vice Pres-
ident Contracts George Tricker attended the
flag-in ceremony July 24 in Charleston, South
Carolina. The vessel, formerly named the APL
Phoenix and sailing under the flag of Singapore,
is operated by Osprey Ship Management, Inc.

“It was a short but meaningful event,” Heindel
stated. “We had the chance to meet with most of
the unlicensed crew on board, and morale was
strong. The vessel is modern, well-kept, and a
solid addition to the American-flag fleet.”

The CMA CGM Phoenix is the first of several
vessels that reportedly are expected to reflag
American in the months ahead.

During the ceremony, Acting U.S. Maritime
Administrator Sang Yi said, “Adding the CMA
CGM Phoenix into the U.S.-flagged fleet is a
powerful move toward reclaiming America’s mar-
itime strength. This is about more than ships; it’s
also about jobs, trade, and economic strength and
national security for Americans. By partnering

with innovative companies, we’re reinforcing
American competitiveness and protecting the
future of global commerce.”

First launched in 2013, the CMA CGM Phoe-
nix is a Neo-Panamax container ship measuring
approximately 1,079 feet long and 151 feet wide,
with a gross tonnage of 110,000 GT and a summer
deadweight capacity of about 130,000 tons. It has
a 9,300 TEU capacity.

“We’re proud to be investing in the future
of U.S. maritime power,” said Adeline Franger
Chouraqui, CEO of CMA CGM America. “This
milestone marks a new chapter in our long-term
commitment to the United States. By expanding
our U.S.-flagged fleet, we will create new jobs,
support American exports, and help strengthen
the nation’s maritime capabilities for years to
come.”

According to the company, the vessel will also
serve as a training platform for future mariners
and “will operate on the CMA CGM INDAMEX
Service, connecting the U.S. East Coast with Paki-
stan, India, and Sri Lanka.”

The vessel formerly sailed under the flag of Singapore, as the APL Phoenix. (Photo by Thorsten Aurin)

AB Javulin Pollard (right) greets SIU President David Heindel
before the ceremony.

Union officials join company, port and government personnel for the formal reflagging. Among those pictured are (from
far right) SIU VP George Tricker, SIU President David Heindel, and American Maritime Officers President Willie Barrere.

Pictured from left aboard the ship are ACU Toinette Williams, Steward/Baker
Nathaniel Simmons, SIU Jersey City Port Agent Osvaldo Ramos, Chief Cook
Raymond Murphy, and Recertified Bosun Joshua Mensah.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 44 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025

SIU members are sailing aboard the new Crowley
barge Marmac 306, a cable-laying vessel that is
Jones Act-compliant.

The barge is part of a joint endeavor involving
Crowley Wind Services and the energy company
Nexans.

In a joint news release, Crowley and Nexans
noted, “Dedicated to supporting the installation of
subsea transmission lines necessary for offshore
wind energy, telecommunications and other
major industrial applications, this collaboration
underscores both companies’ commitment to
providing solutions for the expansion of U.S. energy
sources and other industrial uses that require
underwater cabling.”

Built in Louisiana, the Marmac 306 is 300 feet
long. It is expected to “play a critical role in laying
and burying the subsea cables needed to deliver
energy from offshore to the grid onshore,” the release
continued. “The barge is the first to have vertical
injectors along with a dynamic positioning system
and a multiple-anchors positioning system, which

allow for accurate and efficient cable placement,
even in challenging conditions.

“The barge boasts a 3,500-ton capacity carousel
to lay and bury subsea cable using burial tools such
as a vertical injector, a jet sled, or a jetting ROV,
with the potential to be upgraded to 7,000 tons with
two carousels for bundle cable lay and burial. The
barge is positioned to support Equinor’s Empire
Wind offshore wind farm for New York and can be
configured to lay or repair cable for a multitude of
other subsea applications.”

“The SIU welcomes this exciting opportunity
and looks forward to providing dedicated, well-
trained mariners to help ensure the new vessel’s
success,” said SIU President David Heindel. “SIU
members have sailed aboard cable-laying vessels
for decades, so we are more than up to the task. This
is a worthwhile project that will boost American
shipboard manpower while reinforcing the great
importance of the Jones Act, which has protected
United States national, economic and homeland
security for more than a century.”

“AMO is proud to be the leading source for United
States Coast Guard licensed officers in the wind farm
space,” said American Maritime Officers President
Willie Barrere. “Our long-lasting partnership with
Crowley, and our new relationship with Nexans, will
help to provide clean, affordable and sustainable
energy to millions of Americans and will open the
door to future offshore projects.”

Pascal Radue, an executive with Nexans, stated,
“This barge will support our existing fleet of cable-
laying vessels … and we are pleased to be working
with Crowley on developing the capability to lay
nearshore subsea cable in the U.S.”

“The cable-lay barge will provide a productive
supply chain solution for offshore energy,
telecommunications and other sectors,” said
Graham Tyson, vice president of operations, Crowley
Wind Services. “Coupled with our U.S. maritime fleet
and mariners providing feeder services and other
logistics and project management capabilities, we
could not be better equipped to serve the needs of
industries seeking subsea cable solutions.”

She may not have been an SIU member, but Union Plus Representative Valerie Cole (pictured in 2019 in Piney Point, Maryland)
definitely was part of the Seafarers family. “Val” passed away July 28, at age 55, following a number of health challenges.
She served as the Union Plus representative for the SIU and for affiliate unions the United Industrial Workers and the Seafarers
Entertainment and Allied Trades Union for decades, and repeatedly visited hiring halls throughout the years in order to helpfully
promote and explain the Union Plus benefits available to Seafarers and their families. SIU President David Heindel and SIU
Union Plus Liaison Kristy Clements (a close friend of Val’s) were among the attendees at her memorial service.

SIU Mourns Valerie Cole

Cable-Laying Barge Means
New Jobs for Seafarers

The new barge is crewed by SIU and AMO members. (Photo by John Mansfield)

Labor Groups Seek Tax
Relief for Members

The SIU has teamed up with 20 other labor
organizations in asking United States House and
Senate leaders to correct a technical error in the tax
code which could cost individual union members
thousands of dollars each year.

As noted in a joint letter sent in late July to Senators
John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Chuck Shumer (D-
New York), along with Representatives Mike Johnson
(R-Louisiana) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York),
“As amended by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the
tax code allows most hourly workers to deduct up to
$25,000 of overtime pay from their annual income for
tax purposes. That represents as much as $6,000 in
tax savings per year for working families…. However,
the tax code uses an extremely limited and outdated
definition of overtime from the Fair Labor Standards
Act (FLSA) – a law that was never intended to be used
related to the tax code or the taxable treatment of
worker’s time. This definition exempts millions of
hourly workers and uses arbitrary formulas that begin
overtime at 55 hours of work or more each week.”

The letter continued, “Wedging this definition into
the tax code has left airline, motorcoach, railroad,
trucking, delivery, emergency response, and many
other workers out in the cold. The FLSA definition of
overtime completely excludes nearly all transportation
workers, including airline, rail, trucking, maritime
and others based off their employer and job duties.”

It is worth noting that the recently passed
legislation does not end taxes on all overtime pay.
Instead, it allows for a tax deduction that can lower
the federal income tax burden on such earnings.
Additionally, the deduction only applies to federal
income tax.

For now, the overtime component of the Big Bill
does not help mariners. The SIU and our allies are
pushing for new legislation that ensures all hourly
workers are eligible for the new financial benefit.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 5SEAFARERS LOG • 5SEPTEMBER 2025

Great Lakes Maritime Task Force Honors Rep. McClain
The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) on

Aug. 18 recognized Michigan Congresswoman Lisa
McClain (R) for her efforts advocating for the Great
Lakes Navigation System and those who live and
work on or near the Fourth Sea Coast.

A ceremony took place in Port Huron, Michigan,
with SIU Assistant Vice President Todd Brdak
in attendance. McClain received the task force’s
Legislator of the Year award.

The SIU is a GLMTF affiliate.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized as

Legislator of the Year by the Great Lakes Maritime
Task Force,” McClain said. “The Great Lakes are not
only a vital economic engine for our region, but a
national treasure that demands strong, informed
policy. I am proud to advance legislation in Congress
that strengthens maritime commerce, modernizes
our water infrastructure, and protects the long-
term sustainability of the Great Lakes. I will always
fight to ensure our Michigan ports, waterways, and
maritime workers have the support they need to
thrive.”

John Clemons, president of the GLMTF and
national vice president of the Seafarers-affiliated
American Maritime Officers, said, “Representative
McClain has been a relentless advocate for the
Great Lakes Navigation System. Whether she is
supporting the new heavy U.S. Coast Guard Great
Lakes icebreaker, funding for arguably the most
important infrastructure project ever at the Soo
Locks, or ensuring our lakes are mapped to the
highest modern standards, Representative McClain
leads the way for Michigan and the entire Great
Lakes.”

McClain’s district falls squarely in the crosshairs
of annual ice jam flooding that occurs on the St.
Clair River. The new heavy Great Lakes icebreaker
is a critical tool needed to alleviate those jams to
prevent flooding, the task force noted, and McClain

“has aggressively sought construction funding for
the vital asset.”

The construction of the new large navigational
lock in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, remains on track
for completion in 2030, “thanks in large part to
Representative McClain’s tenacious pursuit of U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers funding which has kept
costs under control and workers on the job. The
progress at the Soo Locks has been phenomenal
and serves as an ideal example for how a major
infrastructure project can be completed when
Congress provides bipartisan support,” the GLMTF
added.

Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’
Association and vice president of the GLMTF,
said, “It is a privilege to be here today to award
Representative McClain a well-deserved ‘thank you’

on behalf of the entire U.S. Great Lakes maritime
industry. Legislators like Congresswoman McClain
get things done and the Great Lakes are fortunate to
have such a powerful voice on Capitol Hill moving
our region forward.”

The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, with nearly
80 members, is the largest coalition to speak for
the Great Lakes Navigation System. Advocating for
domestic and international shipping, its members
represent labor and management from U.S.-flag
vessel operators, shipboard and longshore unions,
port authorities, cargo shippers, terminal operators,
shipyards, and other Great Lakes interests.

The Great Lakes commercial maritime industry
supports more than 147,000 American jobs in eight
Great Lakes states and generates more than $36
billion in economic activity.

U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Michigan) (fifth from left) and supporters including SIU Asst. VP Todd Brdak (left) at the award ceremony.

The SIU helped celebrate Great Lakes Towing’s (GLT) newest boat, the New York, during a July 31 ceremony in Cleveland. Pictured from left at the event are Maritime Partners CFO Stewart Andrade, SIU
Port Agent Tyson Little, SIU VP Bryan Powell, GLT President & CEO Joe Starck, GLT VP Gregg Thauvette, SIU Asst. VP Todd Brdak, and Maritime Partners VP Troy Bernier. (Maritime Partners recently acquired
GLT’s parent company, The Great Lakes Group, but there is no change to the SIU’s contract with GLT. All SIU jobs with the company remain secure.) (Tug photo, inset, by Bill Kloss)

New Boat Joins GLT FleetNew Boat Joins GLT Fleet



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 66 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025

In Their Own Words: SIU Women at Sea
Editor’s note: This article is

the fourth in an occasional series
spotlighting female mariners. Our
aim is to increase awareness about
maritime career opportunities, and
to underscore the fact that the U.S.
Merchant Marine is a viable path for
all people. This installment focuses on
Faith Gonse, a chief cook who sails
from the port in Norfolk, Virginia.

Q: What has your overall
experience been like as a female
Seafarer?

A: It’s been a great experience
overall, especially the last few years
that I’ve been sailing. Every career has
its ups and downs, but for the most
part, it’s been really rewarding, and I
love being at sea.

Q: Since the last time I talked to
you (her last LOG feature, which
ran in the February 2024 edition,
described how she and her son both
have made careers for themselves as
Seafarers), I think you were in the
process of taking a couple of classes
to become a chief cook. How is that
going?

A: I was taking a chief cook class,
yes. I’ve been cooking since we spoke
and I just came back from training
to upgrade for Advanced Galley Ops,
which is the first step on the path to
becoming a chief steward. Although I
mainly sail as a chief cook, I can still
pick up a steward job, or steward/
baker job to get that sea time – but
right now, I’m just going to do a couple
more tours cooking, because I really
enjoy cooking.

Q: What is a normal day like for
you when you’re sailing?

A: I’m an early bird so I wake up
really early and get myself together,
and grab some coffee. Then I go
downstairs and I pull whatever I need
for the day for each meal. Breakfast
is the first meal of the day, and my

steward mainly handles that, but we
work together as a team and I help
him serve breakfast. After that I start
preparing things for the next meals
of the day. When I’ve got the music
playing, I’m in my own world, in my
own zone, and I just cook up a storm
and enjoy what I do.

Q: So you get to do what you love.
You get to be at sea. You get to see a
lot of new places.

A: Absolutely.

Q: My next question kind of
coincides with that. Do you feel that
being a woman at sea offers you any
unique opportunities, and if so, what
are they?

A: As far as offering me any unique
opportunities, I feel like we get
rewarded with the same opportunities
men get. However, sometimes we do
have to work a little bit harder just to
prove ourselves, because we generally
get the misconception that, you know,
we don’t pull our weight. We’ve got to
work twice as hard and go above and
beyond because the last thing we want
anybody saying is, ‘Oh, she’s pulling
the girl card. She’s making everybody
else do her work for her.’ So, we have
to do our work with storage; I’m lifting
heavy things, I bring it all in and put
it all away. If I need your help, I’ll
ask you. I put in a little extra effort
because that’s how I work anyway, but
it needs to be like that on the ships
because of that stereotype.

Q: So, you are actively working
against that to kind of prove them
wrong?

A: Yes, I want to show them that we
(female mariners) can do this.

Q: Do you feel like there are any
unique challenges that you face as a
female seafarer? And then, if so, what
are they? And I think that your last
answer kind of ties into that.

A: You’ve got just a few old-
fashioned sailors that have been in
the business a long time that aren’t
really happy with women in the
industry, because in the past, I guess,
it has caused some problems, but
I wasn’t there for that. I just try to
stay focused on my job and keep my
nose in my own business, and stay to
myself for the most part, but when it
comes to doing my job and cooking, I
always greet people with a smile, but I
still take care of my business.

Q: It seems like you don't pay
much attention to people that have
something negative to say, but

you’re all for being a team player
with people who don’t act like that.
With this series, our goal is to paint
a realistic picture of what it’s like to
sail, because we want to encourage
more women to sail, and that way,
hopefully you won’t be such a
minority there and it will be more
diverse, and so people will be more
comfortable. That’s our goal, but we
need to hear an accurate experience
of what it’s like for women who
are sailing right now so we know
what we need to improve, and we
know what we want to focus on and
emphasize what’s going well, and we
know what challenges that we still
need to work on.

Seafarer Faith Gonse says she enjoys many different aspects of her maritime career.

Faith Gonse captured these images during various voyages that took her to (from left to right) Australia, Singapore, and Japan.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 7SEAFARERS LOG • 7SEPTEMBER 2025

In Their Own Words: SIU Women at Sea
A: For the most part, I’ve worked

with a great group of people. I’ve met
a group of amazing people throughout
my journey, and they have taught me a
lot. And, you know, I’ve kept in contact
with some of them because you can
make a lot of good friends and good
connections out there, and not just a
professional rapport, but you know,
on a friendship level. There are other
women who I’ve sailed with that I’ve
gotten to know, too which has been
very empowering.

Q: How many women are usually
sailing with you when you’re on a
ship? What are the numbers like? Is
it usually just you or are there maybe
a few other women aboard?

A: For the current ship that
I’m working with now I was the
only female on the crew of 17 until
another female came aboard. She was
awesome and a really hard worker.
On the ship prior to that that I was
on, which had a larger crew, there
were about three or four women
aboard. I can’t say too much about
that one though, because it was one
of the “secret” ships, but it had a lot of
sponsors and civilian contractors on
it, and probably at least half of them
were women. So, we can get anywhere
from five women on a ship, up to 15.

Q: Oh, that’s a lot. Okay so my
next question would be, would you
encourage other women to follow
in your footsteps as a Seafarer and

consider this career?

A: This job isn’t for everyone. You
gotta have a little bit of thick skin and
make good choices when you’re out
there, because it is a male-dominated
industry. Things happen, but for
the most part, I would definitely
encourage women to go through
the channels to become a Seafarer,
because it’s very rewarding. I’m
proud to say that I’m a mariner, and
I love being out to sea, and I would
recommend it.

Q: How long have you been doing
this, by the way?

A: Going on four years.

Q: Okay that’s a nice amount of
time to get an idea of all the things
you could do and see in this line of
work.

A: Well, I came in a little late in
the game, in my upper 40s and as a
mother. That’s another thing – when
you have children at home as a parent,
especially for women and moms,
it’s hard to be away from them. My
son graduated high school before
I actually went out, and then I got
him on the ship and into the sailing
industry, and then we got to sail
together for two years on the one ship.
It’s a good industry to work in, and I
just wanted to make sure that all the
kids were squared away before I took
off.

Q: I think that’s good, though, that
you were able to make that career
change later in life. Since your kids
are not as young, you don’t have to
worry about being away from them
as long, because they’re older and
more self-directed. Plus, the fact
that you sailed with your son and
can relate to him through working in
the same career is really cool. I think
you answered some of this before in
the previous questions, but what are
some other things that you like about
being a Seafarer, if there’s anything
that I missed?

A: I like the camaraderie. I like
being out to sea, on the ocean. I like
the job itself. I love cooking. I love
being a part of a union, and I love
that we have this wonderful school
(the Paul Hall Center) that we can go
to upgrade and better our careers.
Everybody’s been pretty welcoming
for that. I just got back from Piney
Point recently, actually.

Q: Love to hear that. What are
some improvements that you think
will help encourage more women to
consider careers at sea? Recently, I
was on an ITF call during Women’s
History Month, and they spoke about
some of the challenges that women
face while they are aboard ships. For
example, there might not be enough
bathrooms, or the bathroom for
women is super far away and they’re
on a post on the other side of the
ship. Or the PPE doesn’t fit because
it’s all tailored to men with bigger
hands and feet. Or they might not
have sanitary stuff stocked on the
boats, because they’re not thinking
about that, because there’ll be maybe
one or two women. So, in a similar
vein, if there are any improvements
that you think would help make it

more comfortable and manageable
for women to be sailing for several
months at a time, what do you think
they would be?

A: Honestly, I can’t. I’ve been
comfortable during my four years
at sea. I can’t really think of any
improvements just tailored for
women as a group. I don’t think there’s
anything that I would suggest.

Q: That’s great! My last question
would be, what is one thing that you
would like to share with any woman
who might be interested or on the
fence about starting a career in
sailing?

A: I’d tell them that you can make
your own hours work for you. You
can pick your own ship. You can
make your own money. You’ll have
enough money to own your own
home, own your own car, and be
completely independent and don’t
have to ask anybody for anything.
Sailing is amazing. You can travel the
world, meet great people, make great
money, learn new things, experience
new cultures, and eat new foods. It’s
amazing. It really is. I wouldn't trade it
for anything.

Chief Cook Faith Gonse and her son, OMU Christopher Gonse, both have found a home with the SIU. They are pictured at the hiring hall in Virginia, and aboard the USNS Mary Sears (Ocean Shipholdings)

“Sailing is amazing…. I like the camaraderie. “Sailing is amazing…. I like the camaraderie.
I like being out to sea, on the ocean. I like the I like being out to sea, on the ocean. I like the
job itself. I love cooking. I love being a part of job itself. I love cooking. I love being a part of
a union, and I love that we have this wonderful a union, and I love that we have this wonderful

school….” – Faith Gonseschool….” – Faith Gonse



8 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 88 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

A-BOOKS IN ALGONAC ‒ Two Seafarers recently obtained their respective A-seniority books at the hiring
hall. ABM Ali Mohamed is at right in photo above, left, with SIU Asst. VP Todd Brdak, while AB Kassem Saleh
is at right in the other photo, with Safety Director Jason Brown.

ALOHA-STATE GATHERING ‒ SIU VP West Coast Joe Vincenzo (left) meets
with SIU members who are employed by American Marine in Honolulu. With
Vincenzo are Seafarers Peter Birschbach, Traviz Eugenio, Sam Kaz, Andrew
McDonald, Bryson Oliveira, Brandon Peterson, and Michael Stone.

PROMOTING WORKERS’ RIGHTS ‒ The SIU recently took part in two noteworthy union events in Atlanta. In photo above, left, pictured July
23 at the AFL-CIO Southern Regional Convention are (from left) Nadry Martinez from the Puerto Rico Federation of Labor, SIU Asst. VP Amancio
Crespo, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and Puerto Rico Federation of Labor President Nelly Ayala. The remaining photo was taken at a subsequent
conference: the 25th National Convention of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Pictured from left are Victor Bonilla, VP of
the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and president of AMPR; Evelyn DeJesus, LCLAA national president and AFT executive VP; AFT President
Randi Weingarten; SIU Asst. VP Amancio Crespo; Mario Gomez, SIU office manager and LCLAA delegate; and Xochitl Cobarruvias, LCLAA executive
VP and USW official.

CAPE INTREPID ON THE MOVE ‒ SIU members recently helped relocate the Ocean Duchess-operated Ready Reserve Force vessel from Tacoma, Washington, to Beaumont, Texas.

ABOARD GEORGE III ‒ Recertified
Bosun Kissinfor Taylor takes a break
from a morning aloft on the Sunrise
Operations/Pasha vessel.

OS Saleh Mukbil, AB Joseph Tier, Recertified
Bosun LBJ TanoaSeafarers gather for a snapshot immediately after a shipboard union meeting.GUDE Adrian Hogan

AB Jonathan Tucker AB Tinika Anderson, SA Wilfredo Martinez, Chief Steward Delbra Singleton-Leslie
GUDE Adrian Hogan, Recertified Bosun LBJ Tanoa, Second Mate
Ben Rush



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 9SEAFARERS LOG • 9SEPTEMBER 2025

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

ABOARD GREEN DELTA ‒ These snapshots were taken July 9 when the Waterman vessel was in Tacoma, Washington. Pictured from left in the crew mess are Bosun David McRoy and ABM
Benjamin Watson. In the galley (also from left) are SA William Harrison, Steward/Baker Dequan Smith, and Chief Cook Tekeisha Brown. The last photo includes Bosun McRoy and STOS Ruby Jones.

ABOARD EL COQUI ‒ Pictured from left on the Intrepid vessel are Safety Director Ricky Rivera, Bosun
Joseph Dupre, QEE Edwin Velez, and Chief Cook Steven Lopez.

ABOARD OVERSEAS ANACORTES ‒ This Seafaring Selfie from the Overseas
Ship Management vessel includes SIU Patrolman Jack McElveen IV (left) along
with Chief Cook Manes Sainvil, Chief Steward Terrell McMillian, OS Kevin
O’Lone, OS Eric Planer, and SA Gionet Dennis.

ABOARD GREEN WAVE ‒ As seen aboard the Waterman ship in mid-July in Tacoma, Washington: Bosun Josesimo Balerite (on gangway); the bosun and AB Paul Calcaterra (in crew mess,
displaying their favorite monthly publication); Calcaterra and AB Fredy David (working stores); and Chief Cook Juan Boissett and Steward/Baker Mohamed Nour (in galley). Last but not least, from left
in the large group photo: Bosun Josesimo Balerite, AB Louis Holder, AB Fredy David, Chief Cook Juan Boissett, AB Paul Calcaterra, SA Ali Omar, (back, far right) STOS Josiah Tunkey, and (front, far
right) Steward/Baker Mohamed Nour.

ALOHA X2 ‒ During the July membership meeting in Honolulu, Seafarers bid farewell to SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone on his
retirement, and welcomed his successor, longtime official Joe Vincenzo. Pictured from left at the table are Vincenzo, Marrone,
SIU VP Hazel Galbiso, and Safety Director Amber Akana.

CONGRATS IN GARDEN STATE ‒ AB Jose Gonzalez
(left) obtains his A-seniority book at the hiring hall in
Jersey City, New Jersey. He’s pictured with SIU Asst. VP
Ray Henderson.



10 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202310 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

BOOKS RECEIVED IN LONE STAR STATE ‒ AB Kenny Rodriguez (left in photo above, left, with SIU Patrolman Kirk
Pegan) and QMED Evan Murff (right in remaining photo, with SIU Port Agent J.B. Niday) pick up their respective B books
at the Houston hiring hall.

WELCOME ASHORE IN HAWAII ‒ QMED Michael Bautista
(center), who sailed with the SIU for 38 years, picks up his first
pension check. He is pictured at the Honolulu hall with SIU VP Hazel
Galbiso (left) and Safety Director Amber Akana.

ABOARD ISLA BELLA ‒ Pictured from left on the TOTE vessel are Recertified
Steward Richard Jones, Safety Director Ricky Rivera, ABM Gary Boyd, Chief Cook
Yoaquin Gonzalez, QEE Jerome Culbreth, ABM Stanley Bailey, Oiler Landon Clemons,
and Recertified Bosun Tavell Love.

ABOARD LIBERTY PROMISE ‒ These snapshots from the Liberty Maritime ship were taken in the Pacific Northwest. ABM Hamzah Mohamed is pictured next to a pallet jack, while SA Wilfredo
Cosme Ayala is shown at a sink. STOS Anthony Crockett is at the gangway in reflective vest. STOS Matthew McLeod (coveralls) is in the remaining pic.

ABOARD MATSON ANCHORAGE ‒ Pictured aboard the ship in Tacoma, Washington, are (at the
gangway) AB Samuel Moore, (left to right in the crew mess) QMED Erl Jan Encina and SA Javier Wurttele,
and (remaining photo) Chief Cook Engracio Moratin.

TAKING THE OATH IN FLORIDA ‒ Being sworn in at the July membership meeting in Jacksonville,
Florida, are (from left) SA Chanta Rattler, OMU William Means Jr., ABB Tanner Page, ABG Deshante
Jackson, Oiler Jr Lee Eludo, Oiler Danny Challenger, and Storekeeper Tyrone Brown. Means received
his A-seniority book, while the other Seafarers got their respective B books. SIU Port Agent Ashley
Nelson is at right.

WITH SEAFARERS IN OAKLAND ‒ Taking the union oath during the
July membership meeting are (from left) STOS Brandon Bradley, Chief Cook
Kyara Nunez, and QEE Rahsaan Alexander. SIU Port Agent Duane Akers is at
right. Bradley and Nunez received their respective B-seniority books, while
Alexander obtained his A book.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 11SEAFARERS LOG • 11SEPTEMBER 2025

At Sea & Ashore with the SIU

SOLIDARITY ON WHEELS ‒ The SIU turned out for one of the first stops on the AFL-CIO’s “It’s Better in a Union:
Fighting for Freedom, Fairness and Security” bus tour, July 12 in Norfolk, Virginia. Pictured from left in the larger
group photo are SIU Port Agent Mario Torrey, SIU VP Sam Spain, Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris Crouse-Mays, and
USW Local 8888 President Charles Spivey. Torrey and Spain also are in the remaining photo, with Virginia Delegate
(and longtime workers’ rights advocate) Jeion Ward.

ABOARD PRIDE OF AMERICA ‒ Pictured aboard the only U.S.-
flag deep-sea cruise ship are (from left) union member Anthony
Moy, SIU VP Hazel Galbiso, member Michael Passarella, and SIU VP
Joe Vincenzo. (Editor’s note: Visit our social media pages for many
additional recent photos from the Pride of America.)

PROMOTING MARITIME ‒ On the recruiting
trail in Long Island are (from left) SIU Asst. VP Ray
Henderson and Patrolman James Bast.

BOOKS GALORE IN VIRGINIA ‒ Following the August membership meeting in Norfolk, Virginia, taking the oath (large group photo) are Seafarers (starting second from left) Chief Cook Vanessa
Osborne-Brumsey, ABG Jeremy Garcia, GUDE Jayson Davis, and Chief Cook Adam Bechtold. SIU VP Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi is at far left. Osborne-Brumsey received her A-seniority book, while
the other members obtained their respective full books. Also recently receiving their full books are GVA Trent Harris (right in photo above, right, with SIU Patrolman Josh Rawls) and GUDE Jasmine
Porter (right in remaining photo, also with Rawls).

ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL ‒ The SIU took part in
the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA)
“Navigate and Innovate” conference July 12-15 in
Long Beach, California. It’s a major recruiting event
for maritime (and other industries); this is the union’s
third time attending the conference. Several SIU-
contracted companies also participated, as did the
Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Officers and
the U.S. Military Sealift Command. Approximately
5,000 school counselors attend each conference. SIU
Director of Recruiting Ryan Covert is pictured at the
SIU/Paul Hall Center booth, talking to a guest.

ABOARD USNS SIMANEK ‒ Sailing aboard the Ocean Ships, Inc.
vessel are (from left) SIU hawsepiper Chief Mate Jason Davis, OS
Raekwann Lewis, Bosun Jose Argueta, OS Sam Preston, AB Larry
Mann, Bosun’s Mate Ibrahim Abubaker, and OS Noel Gay.



12 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202312 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025

AMERICAN PHOENIX (Phoenix
Crew Management), April 27 – Chair-
man Charles Hill, Secretary Abraham
Mills, Educational Director Michael
Blue, Deck Delegate Ricardo Guevara,
Engine Delegate Arlie Villasor, Stew-
ard Delegate Juan Boissett. Chairman
discussed union dues. Television on
board has been down for two months.
Secretary advised crew to get physicals
taken care of as soon as possible after
sign-off and encouraged them to do-
nate to SPAD (Seafarers Political Activ-
ities Donation). Educational director
reminded members to upgrade at the
SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Mar-
itime Training and Education, located
in Piney Point, Maryland. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Motion made by
chairman to align current vessel con-
tract with Standard Tanker Agreement.
Members would like to claim cash in
lieu of day off and for vacation pay to
be increased to 18 for 30 days.

ALASKAN NAVIGATOR (Alaska
Tanker Company, LLC), June 8 – Chair-
man Jerome Luckett, Secretary Albert
Sison, Educational Director Harry
Whitney, Engine Delegate Aljohn
Fernandez, Steward Delegate Nasr Al-
musab. Chairman directed crew to SIU
website for information pertaining to
shipping and union matters. Secretary
reiterated the importance of keeping
crew lounge clean and asked members
to keep personal belongings out of
clean linen room. Educational director
advised crew to check school sched-
ules for upgrading courses at the Piney
Point school. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. SA in need of new refrigera-

tor. Crew requested new dining chairs
and that basic toiletries be made avail-
able in the slop chest. Members would
like unlimited Wi-Fi access, 20 for 30
vacation, increased vision benefits,
and eligibility to retire with full bene-
fits at age 62 for those with qualifying
sea time. Crew suggested increasing SA
pay rate to match entry level pay rates
in all other departments and for con-
tracts to officially include 30-minute
breaks. Next port: Long Beach, Califor-
nia.

OVERSEAS SUN COAST (Overseas
Ship Management), June 8 – Chair-
man James Hall, Secretary Dustin
Haney, Educational Director Chuk-
wudi Alfred, Steward Delegate Quad
Cheatham. Crew reviewed old business
including reports from members hav-
ing trouble scheduling classes. Chair-
man directed crew to website for any
questions regarding benefits, includ-
ing vacation and retirement. Captain
to allow full use of food budget. Sec-
retary thanked everyone for a smooth
and stress-free work environment. Ed-
ucational director urged members to
upgrade as soon as possible and to be
sure to check sea time requirements
when signing up for classes. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Crew would
like 26 for 30 vacation, unlimited Wi-
Fi, movies for crew lounge and vented
clothes dryers to be installed in crew
laundry. Members expressed gratitude
for new mattresses, new refrigerator
and improved Wi-Fi.

OVERSEAS ANACORTES (Overseas
Ship Management), June 23 – Chair-

man Toribio Valentin, Secretary Ter-
rell McMillian, Educational Director
Victor Arzu, Deck Delegate Robert
Johnson, Engine Delegate Dennis Mor-
allo, Steward Delegate Manes Sainvil.
Chairman reminded members to up-
grade at the Paul Hall Center and to re-
quest reliefs early. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Crew laundry in poor con-
dition, with only one washing machine
for crew of 15. Wi-Fi needs improve-
ment. Secretary encouraged members
to renew documents and to upgrade at
the Piney Point school. Crew requested
updated washer and dryers.

AMERICAN PHOENIX (Phoenix
Crew Management), June 29 – Chair-
man Charles Hill, Secretary Abraham
Mills, Educational Director Steve-O
Tate, Deck Delegate Reynaldo Ber-
nardez, Engine Delegate Arlie Villa-
sor, Steward Delegate Marlin Carey.
Television problem was resolved with
new antenna and satellite. Chairman
reminded members about quarterly
dues increase and the importance of
keeping documents up to date. Secre-
tary encouraged crew to vote on pro-
posed contract and to keep mess hall
and laundry room clean. Educational
director advised crew to attend upgrad-
ing courses at the Paul Hall Center. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.

GLOBAL SENTINEL (Transoceanic
Cable Ship Company), July 5 – Chair-
man Lee Hardman, Secretary Jessica
Dunney, Educational Director Alek-
sey Vigovskiy. Chairman went over
pay raise sheet. He advised members
to handle medical certificates yearly

along with physicals. Fourth of July
BBQ was celebrated thanks to help
from deck department with break-
down and pig roast by engine depart-
ment. Educational director warned
crew against waiting too long to up-
grade. Paperwork should be filed as
soon as possible. Crew suggested mak-
ing improvements in common areas to
boost morale such as purchasing new
furniture and an entertainment con-
sole in lounge. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. Bosun would like clar-
ification about extra day of vacation
for not getting hurt since it was not
mentioned in past two contracts. Crew
asked for increases in boot allowance
and requested fresh fruit upon first
few days of arrival at port. Next port:
Baltimore.

MAERSK ATLANTA (Maersk Line,
Limited), July 6 – Chairman Ion Irimia,
Secretary Glenn Williams, Deck
Delegate Demichael Lewis, Engine
Delegate Vernon Humbles, Steward
Delegate Leonardo Bagnol. Chairman
thanked everyone for a nice trip. Secre-
tary reminded crew to put dirty linen
in laundry room before departure
and thanked the deck department for
their help with cleaning staterooms.
Members were directed to see SA for
clean linen. Educational director rec-
ommended that crew upgrade their
skills at the Piney Point school. Crew
reviewed ship’s fund and talked about
plans to purchase a coffee machine
and new refrigerator. No beefs or dis-
puted OT reported. Members requested
401k match benefit and increases in
pension.

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 Constitu-
tion of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and
Inland Waters makes specific provision
for safeguarding the membership’s money
and union finances. The constitution re-
quires a detailed audit by certified public
accountants every year, which is to be
submitted to the membership by the sec-
retary-treasurer. A yearly finance com-
mittee 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 recommenda-
tions and separate findings.

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

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

receipt requested. The proper address for
this is:

George Tricker, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp 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 tradition-
ally has refrained from publishing any
article serving the political purposes of
any individual in the union, officer or
member. It also has refrained from pub-
lishing articles deemed harmful to the
union or its collective membership. This
established policy has been reaffirmed by
membership action at the September 1960
meetings in all constitutional ports. The
responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is
vested in an editorial board which con-
sists of the executive board of the union.
The executive board may delegate, from
among its ranks, one individual to carry
out this responsibility.

PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies
are to be paid to anyone in any official ca-
pacity in the SIU unless an official union
receipt is given for same. Under no cir-
cumstances 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 mem-
ber is required to make a payment and is
given an official receipt, but feels that he
or she should not have been required to
make such payment, this should immedi-
ately 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 copies of this
constitution so as to familiarize them-
selves with its contents. Any time a mem-
ber feels any other member or officer is
attempting to deprive him or her of any
constitutional right or obligation by any
methods, such as dealing with charges,
trials, etc., as well as all other details, the
member so affected should immediately
notify headquarters.

EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are
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



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 13SEAFARERS LOG • 13SEPTEMBER 2025

Deck Department
Algonac 24 12 2 16 10 2 7 26 9 1
Anchorage 4 1 1 3 2 0 2 2 3 3
Baltimore 3 1 4 2 0 3 3 3 3 2
Fort Lauderdale 21 11 4 14 10 3 7 30 13 11
Guam 3 3 2 2 2 0 1 4 3 2
Harvey 6 2 8 10 2 2 3 7 5 8
Honolulu 2 2 0 7 3 1 0 2 2 1
Houston 28 16 13 30 19 6 17 45 24 13
Jacksonville 34 32 17 34 27 13 20 41 28 17
Jersey City 18 9 2 12 6 2 7 35 9 4
Joliet 1 3 1 2 2 0 0 1 2 2
Mobile 5 3 6 5 5 3 2 9 3 6
Norfolk 16 20 11 12 9 9 14 23 24 9
Oakland 8 3 1 4 3 1 2 12 5 3
Philadelphia 4 1 2 2 1 1 3 4 0 2
Piney Point 2 2 0 1 2 0 2 2 3 0
Puerto Rico 5 4 2 6 4 2 2 11 4 0
St. Louis 3 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 3 0
Tacoma 17 5 4 14 3 1 3 24 7 6
Wilmington 24 7 3 19 9 3 10 43 14 2

TOTAL 228 141 84 196 119 52 106 327 164 92

Engine Department
Algonac 4 4 1 2 3 0 2 6 2 3
Anchorage 3 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0
Baltimore 4 2 0 4 1 0 2 2 1 2
Fort Lauderdale 5 11 0 3 4 0 3 14 10 1
Guam 4 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
Harvey 4 4 1 1 2 0 0 5 2 2
Honolulu 3 1 2 4 4 1 1 6 3 3
Houston 6 7 5 10 7 3 6 8 7 13
Jacksonville 22 19 4 19 15 6 10 28 23 12
Jersey City 8 7 2 10 3 2 4 12 8 0
Joliet 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 0
Mobile 1 0 0 4 0 0 2 4 2 0
Norfolk 13 18 5 18 10 5 13 9 20 5
Oakland 3 4 3 4 1 4 3 2 6 3
Philadelphia 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 1
Piney Point 0 4 0 1 2 0 0 3 2 0
Puerto Rico 2 1 1 3 2 0 1 6 3 1
St. Louis 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Tacoma 11 7 0 5 5 0 3 16 3 1
Wilmington 11 13 1 11 10 3 6 18 6 3
TOTAL 106 106 26 104 69 25 56 147 104 50

Steward Department
Algonac 6 2 1 2 0 0 0 7 2 1
Anchorage 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0
Baltimore 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0
Fort Lauderdale 8 3 2 6 1 1 3 10 4 1
Guam 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 2 0
Harvey 5 3 0 2 1 0 0 4 4 0
Honolulu 7 2 0 4 0 0 3 10 2 0
Houston 11 12 3 16 6 1 8 14 15 5
Jacksonville 22 17 7 19 16 3 13 34 34 8
Jersey City 8 4 0 2 4 0 2 12 9 0
Joliet 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 0
Mobile 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 2 0
Norfolk 10 17 4 9 11 4 8 17 21 7
Oakland 9 5 1 9 5 1 6 15 6 1
Philadelphia 3 1 1 4 1 0 4 3 0 2
Piney Point 4 1 1 1 3 0 2 6 0 1
Puerto Rico 6 6 1 4 8 1 2 7 7 0
St. Louis 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0
Tacoma 7 3 1 3 3 0 3 13 5 1
Wilmington 19 7 1 18 4 4 11 27 8 1
TOTAL 129 88 23 103 67 16 68 186 129 28

Entry Department
Algonac 0 5 19 0 3 2 0 0 8 26
Anchorage 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 4
Baltimore 0 4 3 0 1 1 0 0 2 2
Fort Lauderdale 1 6 9 0 4 7 3 1 7 14
Guam 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 3
Harvey 1 2 4 0 3 2 0 1 1 6
Honolulu 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 0 4 7
Houston 5 10 16 3 10 4 2 6 18 25
Jacksonville 1 28 46 0 37 14 3 1 42 89
Jersey City 0 13 19 0 8 12 4 1 18 23
Joliet 0 2 0 0 2 2 3 0 0 1
Mobile 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
Norfolk 1 9 38 0 8 18 4 1 14 66
Oakland 0 6 14 0 7 3 4 0 10 26
Philadelphia 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 4
Piney Point 0 2 6 1 2 1 3 0 1 3
Puerto Rico 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 2
St. Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tacoma 2 6 6 1 4 4 1 3 7 8
Wilmington 0 11 23 0 9 12 0 0 12 39

TOTAL 11 110 215 6 103 87 28 14 149 348

GRAND TOTAL 474 445 348 409 358 180 258 674 546 518

“Total Registered” and “Total Shipped” data is cumulative from July 14 - August 14, 2025.
“Registered on the Beach” data is as of August 15, 2025.

Meeting date change due to holiday


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: Sept. 8, Oct. 6
Algonac Thursday: Sept. 18, Oct. 16
Baltimore Thursday: Sept. 11, Oct. 9
Guam Thursday: Sept. 25, Oct. 23
Honolulu Friday: Sept. 19, Oct. 17
Houston Monday: Sept. 15, Tuesday: Oct. 14
Jacksonville Thursday: Sept. 11, Oct. 9
Joliet Thursday: Sept. 18, Oct. 16
Mobile Wednesday: Sept. 17, Oct. 15
New Orleans Tuesday: Sept. 16, Oct. 14
Jersey City Tuesday: Sept. 9, Oct. 7
Norfolk Friday: Sept. 12, Oct. 10
Oakland Thursday: Sept. 18, Oct. 16
Philadelphia Wednesday: Sept. 10, Oct. 8
Port Everglades Thursday: Sept. 18, Oct. 16
San Juan Thursday: Sept. 11, Oct. 9
St. Louis Friday: Sept. 19, Oct. 17
Tacoma Friday: Sept. 26, Oct. 24
Wilmington Monday: Sept. 22, Oct. 20

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea

September & October
Membership Meetings



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1414 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025

Pic from the Past

Bosun Basilio Maldonedo works aboard the tanker Ogden Wabash (OMI Corp.) in 1982.

Inquiring SeafarerDavid Heindel, President
Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President

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

Joe Vincenzo, Vice President West Coast
Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast

Sam Spain, 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
2800 S. 20th Street, Building 12B, Suite A

Philadelphia, PA 19145
(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 steward recertification class.

Question: Why did you join the SIU, and why have you stuck with it?

Raul Napoles
Recertified Steward

I used to work in a restaurant, but I
saw a cruise ship in 1998 or 1999
and applied to be a cook aboard the
ship. I’ve been here for 25 years
because the SIU provides great
benefits, education, and opportuni-
ties. Working here was an opportu-
nity for me to get a better job and
make more money. I was even able
to get surgery for my heart with the
medical benefits that SIU provides.

Dylan Faile
Recertified Steward

I cut my teeth in the oil field and
then I was working for the SBX
project and wanted to join them,
and I joined the union to do that.
I’ve stuck around because every-
thing is constantly changing (in a
good way). I can’t even tell you how
many countries I’ve been to, but I
have been to five continents. I love
traveling and meeting new people
and having new experiences. The
more people you work with, the
more things you learn.

George Egbert
Recertified Steward

I joined the SIU to secure a good
life for me and my family. I’ve
gained experience and skills
through the SIU that I can apply
to everyday life, and I make good
money. You don’t have to be a
doctor or lawyer to make good
money.

Roberto Coronado
Recertified Steward

Before I joined the SIU, I worked on
foreign cruise ships, but the SIU offered
more opportunities to gain experience
in my career and make more money to
support my family and travel. This job
helps me continue to grow in my passion
for cooking and most importantly gives
me an opportunity to help my family,
especially my kids, earn their education so
they will be able to sustain their financial
freedom, live comfortably and travel, too.

Aurelio Esperanza
Recertified Steward

I joined the SIU because I knew it
would put me on the right track
for a successful future. Where
else can you go to find the kind
of quality training that is offered
at the Paul Hall Center? The SIU
looks out for you and makes sure
you have a job. Work hard and you
will be successful.

Matthew Conyac
Recertified Steward

After working various jobs, I was
looking for a career change. The
SIU offers many benefits including
advancement opportunities and
training that is hard to find. I’ve
stayed because of the vacation
time.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 15

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!

DEEP SEA
PAUL AMATO
Brother Paul Amato, 74, joined
the union in 2004, initially sail-
ing aboard the USNS Capella. He
worked in the deck department
and upgraded at the Paul Hall Cen-
ter on multiple occasions. Brother
Amato most recently shipped on
the Liberty and makes his home in
Jacksonville, Florida.

ALBA AYALA
Sister Alba Ayala, 66, started sail-
ing with the SIU in 2000 and first
worked on the Prudhoe Bay. She
shipped in the steward department
and upgraded at the Piney Point
school on multiple occasions. Sis-
ter Ayala last sailed on the Maersk
Denver. She resides in Kent,
Washington.

ALBERT BHARRAT
Brother Albert Bharrat, 71, signed
on with the SIU in 2002. He first
sailed with Penn Maritime and
worked in the deck department.
Brother Bharrat upgraded often at
the Paul Hall Center. He last sailed
on the Overseas Key West and is
a resident of Hope Mills, North
Carolina.

LEANDRO CACHO
Brother Leandro Cacho, 67,
embarked on his career with the
SIU in 1992 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
Cacho concluded his career aboard
the Maersk Chicago and lives in Midway, Florida.

DOMINGO CAZON
Brother Domingo Cazon, 67, signed
on with the union in 2001. He
initially sailed aboard the Kenai
and worked in the deck depart-
ment. Brother Cazon upgraded at
the union-affiliated Piney Point
School on multiple occasions. He
most recently shipped on the Cali-
fornia and is a Las Vegas resident.

JOHN DENTON
Brother John Denton, 71, started sailing with the SIU
in 1978. He first shipped on the Overseas Alaska and
sailed in the deck department. Brother Denton’s final
vessel was the Long Lines. He makes his home in
Marrero, Louisiana.

CARLOS ECLEVIA
Brother Carlos Eclevia, 65, joined
the Seafarers International Union
in 2001. A deck department mem-
ber, he first sailed aboard the
Maersk Arizona. Brother Eclevia
upgraded at the Paul Hall Center
on several occasions and most
recently shipped on the Cape
Edmont. He is a resident of Ladson, South Carolina.

ROBERT HALL
Brother Robert Hall, 71, began
sailing with the Seafarers in 2005
and first worked aboard the Louis
J. Hauge Jr. He upgraded on mul-
tiple occasions at the Piney Point
school and shipped in both the
deck and engine departments.
Brother Hall last sailed on the SBX
and makes his home in Hood River, Oregon.

RICK JAMES
Brother Rick James, 59, signed
on with the Seafarers in 1991. He
sailed in the deck department and
first shipped on the Cape Canav-
eral. Brother James upgraded his
skills at the Piney Point school
on numerous occasions. He most
recently sailed on the Cape Wash-
ington and lives in Green Cove Spring, Florida.

CLAUDIA KAMMEYER HALE
Sister Claudia Kammeyer Hale, 72,
joined the union in 1992 and first
sailed aboard the Independence.
She was a member of the steward
department and upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center on multiple occa-
sions. Sister Kammeyer Hale last
shipped on the USNS Charlton. She
resides in Port Haywood, Virginia.

VLADIMIR LOUTAEV
Brother Vladimir Loutaev, 77,
became an SIU member in 2006.
He was an engine department
member and upgraded on multiple
occasions at the Paul Hall Center.
Brother Loutaev’s first vessel was
the Pride of America; his last, the
Ocean Giant. He makes his home
in Granada Hills, California.

ORLANDO PIZARRO
Brother Orlando Pizarro, 71,
embarked on his career with the
Seafarers in 1989 when he shipped
on the President Kennedy. He
sailed in the steward department
and upgraded at the union-af-
filiated Piney Point school on
multiple occasions. Brother
Pizarro’s final vessel was the President Jackson. He
resides in Lomita, California.

GERALD RAY
Brother Gerald Ray, 67, started
sailing with the union in 1977, ini-
tially shipping on the Long Lines.
He sailed in the deck department
and upgraded his skills at the Paul
Hall Center on multiple occasions.
Brother Ray concluded his career
aboard the Alliance St. Louis. He
lives in Indialantic, Florida.

MATTHEW SAGAY
Brother Matthew Sagay, 71, joined the union in 2001.
A deck department member, he first sailed aboard
the Overseas Marilyn. Brother Sagay upgraded the
Piney Point school on several occasions. He most
recently shipped on the Alliance Norfolk and makes
his home in Houston.

PRENTISS SMITH
Brother Prentiss Smith, 65, began his SIU career
in 1980 when he sailed on the USNS Potomac. He
shipped in the engine department and upgraded at
the Paul Hall Center on multiple occasions. Brother
Smith’s final vessel was the Keystone State. He
resides in Sacramento, California.

LEO VENEGAS
Brother Leo Venegas, 55, signed
on with the SIU in 2001. A deck
department member, he first
sailed aboard the Sea Reliance.
Brother Venegas upgraded often
at the Piney Point school. He last
shipped on the Pacific Reliance
and settled in Kane, Pennsylvania.

ERIC VONZELL
Brother Eric Vonzell, 65, began sailing with the Sea-
farers in 1988. A deck department member, he first
worked with Asian Tug & Salvage. Brother Vonzell
concluded his career aboard the Bernard F. Fisher
and settled in Zion, Illinois.

STEPHEN VOTTA
Brother Stephen Votta, 68, joined
the Seafarers International Union
in 1983. He initially worked aboard
the Independence and sailed in the
deck department. Brother Votta
upgraded often at the Piney Point
school. He last shipped on the Lib-
erty Island and makes his home in
Lighthouse Point, Florida.

INLAND
TIMOTHY BLACK
Brother Timothy Black, 65, signed on with the SIU in
1979 when he shipped on the Hugh Gordon. He sailed
in the deck department and concluded his career
with Crowley Towing and Transportation. Brother
Black lives in Moreno Valley, California.

JOHN D’ALESSANDRO
Brother John D’Alessandro, 65,
became a member of the Seafarers
in 1991. He shipped in the engine
department and upgraded at the
Piney Point school on multiple
occasions. Brother D’Alessandro
first sailed on the Gus W Darnell.
He concluded his career aboard
the Legend and settled in Magnolia, Texas.

NMU
BILLY MCLAUGHLIN
Brother Billy McLaughlin, 70,
began sailing in 1979. He shipped
in the engine department and
upgraded his skills at the Paul
Hall Center on multiple occa-
sions. Brother McLaughlin was
the last director of education
before the 2001 NMU/SIU merger
and also worked as safety director of both the Port
of New York and New Jersey. He last sailed aboard
the Cape Domingo and makes his home in Quincy,
Massachusetts.

SEAFARERS LOG • 15SEPTEMBER 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
MARION COLLINS
Brother Marion Collins, 48, died
June 12. He began his career with
the Seafarers in 1999, initially
sailing aboard the Richard G. Mat-
thiesen. Brother Collins worked in
the engine department. He most
recently sailed on the Brenton Reef
and lived in Canton, Mississippi.

LEONTE CORDOVA
Pensioner Leonte Cordova, 88,
passed away July 27. He joined the
union in 1980 and first shipped
on the Houston. Brother Cordova
worked in the deck department. He
last sailed aboard the Robert E. Lee
and became a pensioner in 2002.
Brother Cordova made his home in
Terrytown, Louisiana.

P EVALD FAHLE
Pensioner P Evald Fahle, 79, died April 26. He signed
on with the SIU in 1966 when he shipped on the
Saphire Sandy. Brother Fahle worked in the engine
department and last sailed aboard the Consumer. He
started collecting his pension in 2011 and settled in
Newbury, Vermont.

HECTOR FREDERICK
Pensioner Hector Frederick, 80,
passed away June 27. He joined
the SIU in 1986 and first sailed
aboard the Sugar Islander. Brother
Frederick worked in the engine
department and last sailed on the
Overseas Luxmar. He went on pen-
sion in 2010 and made his home in
Houston.

ROMERO JOMOC
Pensioner Romero Jomoc, 70, died
January 30. He became a member
of the Seafarers International
Union in 2004 when he shipped
on the Paul Buck. Brother Jomoc
was a deck department member.
He last sailed aboard the Intrepid
and became a pensioner in 2019.
Brother Jomoc was a San Francisco resident.

VINCENT KIRKSEY
Pensioner Vincent Kirksey, 69,
passed away June 16. Brother
Kirksey signed on with the union
in 1976 when he shipped on the
Yukon. He worked in the engine
department and last shipped
aboard the Ocean Grand before
retiring in 2018. Brother Kirksey
lived in Eight Mile, Alabama.

PATRICK LEGRAS
Pensioner Patrick Legras, 72, died
July 21. He began his career with
the Seafarers International Union
in 1981, initially sailing aboard the
Independence. A steward depart-
ment member, he last shipped on
the Patriot in 2001. Brother Legras
began collecting his pension in
2023 and was a resident of Spanaway, Washington.

THOMAS LONG
Pensioner Thomas Long, 81, passed
away June 30. He donned the SIU
colors in 1961. An engine depart-
ment member, Brother Long was
first employed by Metro Petroleum.
He last sailed aboard the OMI
Champion in 1983. Brother Long
became a pensioner in 2009 and
made his home in Mobile, Alabama.

ROBERT MOBLEY
Brother Robert Mobley, 59, died
July 3. He became a member of the
SIU in 2003 when he sailed aboard
the Anders Maersk. Brother Mobley
worked in the deck department and
most recently shipped aboard the
Benavidez. He was a Philadelphia
resident.

ABDULALAH MOHAMED
Pensioner Abdulalah Mohamed,
83, passed away June 13. He signed
on with the union in 1979. Brother
Mohamed first shipped on the
Overseas New York and was a mem-
ber of the steward department. He
last sailed aboard the Lihue and
went on pension in 2012. Brother
Mohamed resided in Oakland, California.

JORGE MORA
Pensioner Jorge Mora, 82, died
July 25. He donned the SIU colors
in 1991 and first shipped on the
USNS Chauvenet. A member of the
steward department, Brother Mora
concluded his career aboard the
Maersk Iowa and retired in 2010.
He called Allentown, Pennsylvania,
home.

ANTONIO PRIZMIK
Pensioner Antonio Prizmik, 88,
passed away June 30. He became a
member of the union in 1965 when
he sailed aboard the Del Norte.
Brother Prizmik worked in the
steward department. He last sailed
aboard the SGT Matej Kocak before
going on pension in 1999. Brother
Prizmik lived in Orlando, Florida.

TERRY SMITH
Pensioner Terry Smith, 86, died
June 15. He joined the Seafarers
International Union in 1968 and
first sailed with Alcoa Steamship.
Brother Smith was a steward
department member. He concluded
his career aboard the Liberty Grace
and became a pensioner in 2004.
Brother Smith lived in Baytown, Texas.

CAROLYN THIFAULT
Pensioner Caroyln Thifault, 84,
passed away June 25. Sailing
first aboard the USNS Wright, she
donned the SIU colors in 1990. Sis-
ter Thifault worked in the steward
department and last shipped on the
Shughart. She went on pension in
2011 and resided in Marstons Mills, Massachusetts.

MICHELLE WATERS
Pensioner Michelle Waters, 65,
died June 17. She signed on with the
Seafarers in 1983. A steward depart-
ment member, she first shipped on
the Independence. Sister Waters last
sailed on the Cape Gibson in 2002.
She became a pensioner earlier this
year and lived in Merritt Island,
Florida.

EDWARD WHISENHANT
Pensioner Edward Whisenhant, 89,
passed away July 11. He embarked
on his career with the SIU in 1952,
initially sailing aboard the Corsair.
Brother Whisenhant worked in the
engine department and concluded
his career aboard the Overseas
Chicago. He began collecting his
pension in 2000 and called Chickasaw, Alabama,
home.

GREAT LAKES
TREVOR ROBINSON
Brother Trevor Robinson, 57, died
May 24. He joined the SIU in 1999,
initially sailing aboard the Sam
Laud. Brother Robinson was an
engine department member. He
last worked on the Pride of America
and made his home in Houston.

INLAND
DONALD GREGORY
Pensioner Donald Gregory, 89, died
July 4. He began sailing with the
Seafarers in 1975. Brother Gregory
sailed in both the deck and engine
departments. He was employed
with Moran Towing of Maryland for
his entire career. Brother Gregory
went on pension in 1998 and made
his home in Perry Hall, Maryland.

COREY HORNIG
Brother Corey Hornig, 48, passed
away May 26. He embarked on his
career with the union in 2007 when
he worked with Port Imperial Ferry.
Brother Hornig worked in the deck
department and most recently
shipped with Watco. He resided in
Kearny, New Jersey.

WILLIAM PALMER
Pensioner William Palmer, 83, died
June 13. He became a member of
the Seafarers International Union
in 1959. Brother Palmer first sailed
with G&H Towing and worked in
the deck department. He last sailed
aboard the Pacific Reliance before
becoming a pensioner in 2009.
Brother Palmer was a resident of Hitchcock, Texas.

16 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 1717 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 SEAFARERS LOG • 17SEPTEMBER 2025

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

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

DECK DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Lifeboatman/Water Survival Sept. 29 Oct. 10

RFPNW Oct. 13 Oct. 31

Able Seafarer - Deck Oct. 13 Oct. 31
Nov. 3 Nov. 21
Dec. 1 Dec. 19

ENGINE DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

FOWT Sept. 15 Oct. 10
Nov. 17 Dec. 12

RFPEW Oct. 13 Nov. 7
Nov. 10 Dec. 5

Junior Engineer Sept. 29 Nov. 21


ARCM Sept. 29 Oct. 10
Dec. 1 Dec. 12

Welding Oct. 6 Oct. 24


STEWARD DEPARTMENT UPGRADING COURSES

Certified Chief Cook Sept. 15 Nov. 21
Nov. 24 Jan. 30, 2026

Galley Operations Sept. 22 Oct. 17
Oct. 13 Nov. 7
Nov. 10 Dec. 5
Dec. 1 Dec. 26

ServSafe Management Nov. 17 Nov. 21

Advanced Galley Operations 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 Oct. 20 Oct. 20
Nov. 3 Nov. 3
Nov. 7 Nov. 7
Dec. 8 Dec. 8
Dec. 12 Dec. 12

Government Vessels Sept. 29 Oct. 3
Oct. 20 Oct. 24
Nov. 17 Nov. 21
Dec. 8 Dec. 12

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


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



18 SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 202318 • SEAFARERS LOG SEPTEMBER 2025

Paul Hall Center Class Photos

APPRENTICE WATER SURVIVAL CLASS #922 – Recently graduated: Lekeano Babb, Tristan Casarez, Genesis Diaz Jimenez, Jonathan Gil Paul, Kier Hansen, Joshua Harrell, Kevin Johnson, Keith
Jordan III, Freedom Le, Heaven McInnis, Eric Nieves Cortes, Tyler Singletary, Charles Stratton, Mirela Sutter, Leon Thompson-Repole, Jeffery Vega, Maxwell Walsh, Tre'von Warren and Isaiah Wells.

TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION (DL) – Graduated July 4: Dantley Bramble, Stuart Casal, Roger Cray Jr.,
Charlie Flynn, Joshua Gadbois, Patrick Hamilton, Nathaniel Harris, Nathaniel Hart, Stephen Langdon, Dylan
Levine, Orion Lloyd, Kainoa MacKenzie, Mitchell Mangold, Jhon-Paul Manzanares, Preston Mizer, Paul Rocha,
Jonathan Saili, Ameera Shakeel-Haadee, Michael Sterling, Ethan Sutton, Peter Tago and Elijah Wailehua.

CHIEF STEWARD – Graduated July 18 (not all are pictured): Joseph Huls,
Marcelino Pabito, Tony Pragosa, Andrea Sharpe and Nathaniel Simmons Jr.

RFPEW – Graduated July 11: Tristan Casarez, Emmanuel Grant, Keith Jordan III, Freedom
Le, Maxwell Walsh and Isaiah Wells.

RFPNW – Graduated July 4: Lekeano Babb, Genesis Diaz Jimenez, Jonathan Gil Paul, Kier
Hansen, Joshua Harrell, Kevin Johnson, Heaven McInnis, Tyler Singletary, Charles Stratton and
Leon Thompson-Repole.

ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION – Graduated July 18 (not all are pictured): Matthew Hargrove, Sean Jones,
Arron Millar, Daniel Moran, Dwuan Reed, Venise Spears, Arielle White and Mackenzie Wincelowicz.
Instructor Patrick Schoenberger is at the far left.GALLEY OPS – Graduated July 11: Eric Nieves Cortes and Mirela Sutter.



SEAFARERS LOG • OCTOBER 2023 19SEAFARERS LOG • 19SEPTEMBER 2025

Paul Hall Center Class Photos

SMALL ARMS – Graduated July 17 (not all are pictured): Burton Burnett, Michael Fay, Joseph
Hendricks, Damon Parker and Omar Rodgers.

GOVERNMENT VESSELS – Graduated July 25: Florence Brinson, Alphonso Dawson Jr., James
Demouy III, Amber Gordon, Korrey Green, Cleave Hope, Tonnette Howard, Ramon Lino, Kia Major,
Jose Martinez Jr., Terea Mayberry, James Pascocello, Francis Polite, Mark Romero, Raekwon
Simmons, William Storey II, Osbin Valencia-Melendez, Jonathan Walker, Leon Waters and Elaine
Watts.

BASIC SAFETY – Graduated July 11: Mark Romero.

SERVE SAFE – Graduated July 18: Traynard Davis, Teneka Farris, Bryant Jenkins, Jacqueline
Patterson and Damita Wooten.GALLEY OPS – Graduated July 11: Larry Troutman Jr. (left) and Shakaylah Miller.

FOWT – Among those pictured: Jose Abreu Jr., Brize Agbayani, Raymond Barnhart II,
Boaventura Barros III, Raenell Brewster, Jaleel Brown, Napoleon Butler, Shawn Byers, Dedrick
Carpenter Jr., Esteban Cisneros-Trevino, Adam Ferkula, Chidiadi Floyd, Alexis Gordon Brown,
Neil Hadley Jr., Justine Headen, Cotisha Long-Green, Kirill Massey, Darea McCarthy, Robiana
Murphy, Jose Perez Davila, Samuel Penn, Tyrice Peterson, Caleb Rawls, Chantanique Reid,
Michael Sutton, Collyn Swopes, Kenneth Watts Barry and Conor Westbrook.

TANK SHIP FAMILIARIZATION (DL) – Graduated July 18 (not all are pictured): Luis Flores
Ramos, Norman Hook, Cleave Hope, Ivan Kondakov, Martin Morales, Jaden Radcliff, Algernon
Reed, Samuel Schwimmer, Mark Stabler, Oscar Vencer III and Kellan Vonrabenstein.

RFPEW – Graduated July 11 (not all are pictured): Carlo Cafe, Anthony Creer, Lordito Cruz
Jr., Whitney Fulcher, Cleave Hope, Stephen Reed, Antoinette Rivera, Dion Sanchez Cubas and
James Sandoval.



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

SEAFARERS LOG
SEPTEMBER 2025 VOLUME 87, NO. 9

Seafarers aboard the Ready Reserve Force
vessel Gopher State (operated by Pacific-Gulf
Marine) recently stepped up for a key military
support exercise.

SIU members did their part as cargo handlers
from the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Logistics
Support Group (NAVELSG) and Navy Cargo
Handling Battalion One (NCHB-1) executed “a
critical vertical launch system (VLS) rearm,
including a missile reload evolution” involving
the Gopher State and the USS Farragut, the
Defense Department reported.

The operation, which took place in mid-
July, was part of an exercise formally named
Large Scale Exercise 2025 (LSE 25). According
to the Defense Department, this component
“demonstrated the vital role of expeditionary
logistics in supporting distributed maritime
operations and sustaining combat power at
sea.”

AB Julius Sykes stated, “It was a great
process of everybody communicating and
getting the cargo back and forth. I was happy
to be part of it. Things were very cooperative
between the SIU and the military. They said we
were very helpful.”

A Seafarer since 2007, Sykes said he and
other SIU members and officers “helped with
throwing the lines, shifting the ship forward
and aft, bunkering. It was great. Trying to find
the right measurements, lining up the ships
properly.”

He added that his training from the SIU-
affiliated Paul Hall Center proved useful during
the exercise. “It helped plenty,” Sykes said.
“Everything I learned at Piney Point was used,
from undocking and docking the ship, steering,
the call signs and more.”

“The ability to conduct safe and efficient
vertical missile rearm at sea is a critical
warfighting enabler,” said Lt. Cmdr. John Sefcik,
weapons officer aboard the Farragut. “What
NAVELSG brings to the fight is a highly trained
team capable of executing these complex
operations in dynamic maritime environments
– and that directly increases the fleet’s lethality
and operational reach.”

As reported by the Defense Visual
Information Distribution Service, “Anchored
alongside the guided-missile destroyer, Gopher
State utilized its heavy-lift cranes to transfer
missile canisters simultaneously to Farragut’s
fore and aft VLS cells, conducting a first-of-its-
kind rearm at sea. The demonstration, executed
by crane operators and cargo handlers from
NCHB-1’s Surface Cargo and Expeditionary
Reload Companies, highlighted the command’s
unique capability to deliver high-end logistics
in a contested environment….

“The two-ship operation was one of many
events contributing to LSE 25, a Department
of Defense-led global exercise designed
to enhance joint force agility, strengthen
allied interoperability, and demonstrate
multinational readiness across all domains.”

“Today marks a significant milestone in
the Navy’s ability to evolve and maintain our
warfighting advantage,” said Rear Adm. Charles
Kirol, commander, NAVELSG. “Rearming
warships at sea is a capability that adds
significant complexity for those who choose to
challenge us in conflict. NAVELSG has been at
the center of developing our Navy’s rearming
options – from routine pier-side operations to
expeditionary, non-permissive environments,
and now at sea, globally.”

SIU-Crewed Gopher State Excels in Military Exercise

Cargo handlers stand by on the destroyer USS Farragut as they prepare to receive
vertical launch system canisters during an exercise with the SIU-crewed Gopher
State. (U.S. Navy photo by Yeoman 1st Class Petty Officer Sozae Victormiles)

Personnel aboard the Gopher State continue the exercise July 17 in the Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo by Yeoman 1st Class Petty
Officer Sozae Victormiles)

A vertical launch system canister is guided into the missile deck of the USS Farragut.
(U.S. Navy photo by Yeoman 1st Class Petty Officer Sozae Victormiles)

The SIU-crewed Gopher State (right) teams up with the USS Farragut for an exercise that the Defense Department said
“underscored joint interoperability … at sea.” (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Duane Case)