Seafarers Log: Vol. 81 No. 4 (2019-04-01)

APRIL 2019 VOLUME 81, NO. 4

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

‘Sail-In’ a Success
Pages 4-5

Congress Voices Jones Act Support
Page 3

Matson Christens Vessel
Page 2

Jones Act Means 650,000 American Jobs
Cabotage Law Contributes $154 Billion to Nation’s Economy Annually – Page 2

MTD Charts Course for Strengthening
Maritime Industry, Workers’ Rights
The Maritime Trades Department (MTD) Executive Board tackled numerous key issues during its recent
meeting in Orlando, Florida – a two-day session that energized attendees. While many important topics were
discussed, some of the most prominent ones included the Jones Act, labor solidarity, grassroots political ac-
tion, and helping American military veterans. MTD President Michael Sacco (left), who also is president of the
SIU, addresses the audience members, many of whom are shown in the photo below. Our extensive coverage
begins with President Sacco’s column on Page 2, and continues on Pages 12-17 and 28.

Seafarers on Feb. 22 helped celebrate the
christening of Crowley Maritime’s new ConRo
Taíno in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Vessel spon-
sor Clara Crowley is pictured below, while the
group photo at right features SIU members,
AMO officers, Crowley executives and the
company’s terminal team. Page 3. (Photos
courtesy Crowley Maritime)

Crowley’s Taíno
Christened
In Puerto Rico

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 1 3/19/2019 3:48:03 PM



2 Seafarers LOG April 2019

The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the
Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters,
AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; 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 Auth
Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746.

Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo;
Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant
Editor, Nick Merrill; Piney Point Photographer, Harry
Gieske; Administrative Support, Jenny Stokes; Content
Curator, Mark Clements.

Copyright © 2019 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights
Reserved.

Volume 81 Number 4 April 2019

The SIU online: www.seafarers.org

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

President’s Report

Reversed to White
Reversed to White

Anyone who attended the most recent meeting of the Maritime
Trades Department Executive Board must have come away encour-
aged and energized. As reported in detail throughout this edition of the
LOG, we heard from representatives of the administration, the mili-
tary, the labor movement and Congress. Collectively, their remarks
underscored support for the U.S. Merchant Marine, workplace safety
and workers’ rights as well as the critical importance of grassroots

political action.
As an Air Force veteran and president of the

MTD, I also appreciated speeches and discus-
sions at the meetings centered on how to help our
men and women from the armed forces find good
jobs once they finish their service. The AFL-CIO
Union Veterans Council is doing solid, meaning-
ful work in this effort (the MTD is a charter mem-
ber of the council), but it’s not a small task.

On that note, I extend my thanks and apprecia-
tion to President Trump for signing an executive
order designed to help veterans transition into ci-
vilian maritime careers (see Page 6). Our military

leaders have been sounding the alarm about a manpower shortage in
our industry that threatens sustained sealift capability. The executive
order – something the SIU has backed for a while – can only help ease
that shortage. Credit and thanks also go to Transportation Secretary
Elaine Chao, Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby, Deputy Maritime
Administrator Richard Balzano and Dr. Peter Navarro, director of the
Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy. Each of them backed the
order and helped advance it to the Oval Office.

Meanwhile, what would one of these monthly columns be without
an update on the Jones Act? For those of you reading the print edition,
be sure to check out the article on this page about a new study from
PricewaterhouseCoopers on America’s freight cabotage law.

The research found that the Jones Act now supports almost
650,000 American jobs while contributing $154 billion to the U.S.
economy each year. Keep that in mind as the misguided attacks
against this law continue.

While the study focused on jobs and economic impacts, the Jones
Act is even more important than those eye-popping numbers suggest.
It helps sustain our pool of dedicated, reliable, well-trained, U.S.-
citizen mariners. It keeps our country’s shipbuilding capacity afloat.
It helps safeguard our coasts and inland waterways. That last point
shouldn’t be overlooked. Michael Hebert from the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection agency has stated, “There’s no way that we could
enforce our national security laws without the Jones Act.”

Despite all of those facts, our industry remains vigilant in defend-
ing the Jones Act, which has served our nation well for nearly a
century. There are free-traders and foreign-flag interests that simply
don’t care about the law’s value, and they’re out to weaken American
security while eliminating U.S. jobs.

We won’t let it happen, but our success depends on a combination
of sustained political action and continuing to do reliable work every
day aboard Jones Act vessels. Concerning the former point, be sure
to read this month’s article about Congressmen Bennie Thompson
(D-Mississippi) and Brian Mast (R-Florida) at the MTD, and see
what they said about electing people who’ll listen to us and support
us. Both congressmen also reminded us that we need to educate all
elected officials about the maritime industry. (See our Sail-In coverage
on Pages 4-5.)

Brothers and sisters, I remain optimistic about the future of our
union and our industry. As long as we’re willing to stand up for the
U.S. Merchant Marine and put in the work, we’ll succeed.

Michael Sacco

Uplifting MTD Meeting

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

A new study leaves no doubt
that the Jones Act is vital for U.S.
national, economic and home-
land security.

The Transportation Institute
(TI) on March 4 announced that
the domestic maritime industry
now employs almost 650,000
Americans across all 50 states
and contributes $154 billion to
the nation’s economic growth
annually. That data comes from
an extensive study by Pricewa-
terhouseCoopers.

The Jones Act guarantees that
the transportation of merchan-
dise between two U.S. points
is carried out by vessels that
are crewed, built, flagged and
owned American. Supported
by broad bipartisan majorities
in Congress and top U.S. na-
tional security officials, the
freight cabotage law promotes
the maintenance of the nation’s
vitally important maritime in-
dustrial base, ensuring that
American jobs are not shipped
overseas and that defense capa-
bilities and readiness not out-
sourced to foreign nations.

SIU President Michael Sacco

stated, “This report confirms what
we have been saying for decades.
The Jones Act is a vital and indis-
pensable law that benefits American
workers, the American economy
and the American people.”

The TI is a leading maritime
association which advocates and
works for sound national mari-
time policy in the United States.
TI Chairman and President James
L. Henry stated, “From shipyards
to the high seas, the maritime in-
dustry is indisputably contribut-
ing to the American economy
in a major way. This new study
shows the spectacular impact that
our industry has on our nation’s
overall wellbeing, especially by
providing livelihoods to 650,000
hard-working Americans, thou-
sands of whom proudly served
in our military. We simply would
not be as strong as we are without
the veteran community, and it’s
a source of great pride that our
growth is benefitting them and
their families. Needless to say,
the report underscores just how
indispensable the Jones Act con-
tinues to be for the security and
prosperity of our entire country.”

According to the study, the
Jones Act creates $41 billion in
labor income for American work-
ers each year and adds $72 bil-
lion annually to the value of U.S.
economic output. The study fur-
ther finds that one shipyard job
creates four jobs elsewhere in the
economy

The 40,000 vessels that com-
prise the Jones Act fleet move
nearly one billion tons of cargo
annually – or roughly a quarter of
the nation’s freight – along U.S.
internal waterways, across the
Great Lakes, and over the oceans
to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico,
and the U.S. territories. Shipped
goods include a variety of prod-
ucts, from raw materials and
commodities like coal and crude
oil to consumer products that fill
the shelves of grocery stores na-
tionwide.

TI described the Jones Act as
“the quintessential ‘Buy Ameri-
can, Hire American’ law, one that
puts American workers first and
is critically important for guaran-
teeing our national security and
maintaining our defense indus-
trial base.”

New Jones Act Study Confirms
Economic Value, Job Growth
Industry Employs Nearly 650,000 Americans

Matson’s Kaimana Hila Christened

New SIU jobs are on the way
following the recent christening
of a union-built containership.

Matson’s Kaimana Hila for-
mally was welcomed March 9 at
Philly Shipyard. U.S. Rep. Tulsi
Gabbard (D-Hawaii) served as
the vessel’s sponsor.

The new vessel is the sister
ship of the SIU-crewed Daniel
K. Inouye, which was christened
in June and went into service
in November 2018. Accord-
ing to Matson, Kaimana Hila
“is a Hawaiian transliteration
for Diamond Head, the name of
Hawaii’s iconic landmark crater
near Waikiki Beach.”

Matson further reported that
the two Aloha Class ships were
built at a total cost of approxi-
mately $418 million, and are
the first of four new vessels that
Matson will put into its Hawaii
service (part of the Jones Act
trade) during the next 18 months.

“This is a proud day for ev-

eryone at Matson,” said Matt
Cox, Matson’s chairman and
chief executive officer, during
the shipyard ceremony. “Daniel
K. Inouye has performed well in
its first four months of service,
and we are excited to have Kai-
mana Hila joining it soon. These
new vessels herald the beginning
of a new era in our Hawaii ser-
vice and will allow us to serve
our customers better than ever
for decades to come.”

Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Ship-
yard president and CEO, said,
“I’d like to extend my gratitude
to Matson. Construction of the
Kaimana Hila, and its earlier
sister ship, has provided good,
skilled work for nearly 1,500
people at Philly Shipyard over
the last three years. We are im-
mensely proud to provide an-
other quality and safe vessel that
Matson can be proud of for years
to come.”

The ceremony was attended

by approximately 70 represen-
tatives of Matson and the ship-
yard.

Weighing in at more than
51,400 metric tons, the 850-foot
long and 3,600 TEU capacity
Kaimana Hila and Daniel K. In-
ouye are Matson’s largest ships
and the largest containerships
ever constructed in the U.S. They
are also Matson’s fastest vessels,
with a top speed of nearly 24
knots. This feature helps ensure
on-time deliveries in Hawaii
from Matson’s three West Coast
terminals in Seattle, Washington;
Oakland, California; and Long
Beach, California.

In addition, both Aloha Class
vessels incorporate the latest en-
vironmentally friendly technol-
ogy, including dual-fuel engines
that can be adapted to use lique-
fied natural gas (LNG), double-
hull fuel tanks, freshwater ballast
systems and a more fuel-efficient
hull design.

Jones Act Vessel Built by Union Labor at Philly Shipyard

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) (front in photo at right) does the honors at the ship christening
as Matson Chairman/CEO Matt Cox (left) looks on. Vessel is pictured at left late last year during its float-
out. (Photos courtesy of Matson)

54924_APR2K1LOG_X.indd 2 3/21/2019 4:52:28 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 3

Two of the year’s first congressional
hearings on the maritime industry re-
flected strong bipartisan support for the
U.S. Merchant Marine as a whole and
for the Jones Act in particular.

SIU Executive Vice President Augie
Tellez testified on behalf of maritime
labor during a March 6 hearing con-
ducted by the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation.
The hearing’s title was “U.S. Maritime
and Shipbuilding Industries: Strategies
to Improve Regulation, Economic Op-
portunities, and Competitiveness.”

Tellez was on a panel that also in-
cluded Rear Adm. Michal Alfultis,
Ph.D, president, State University of
New York Maritime College; Jennifer
Carpenter, executive vice president and
COO, American Waterways Operators;
John Crowley, president, National As-
sociation of Waterfront Employers; and
Michael Roberts, senior vice president
and general counsel, Crowley Maritime,
on behalf of the American Maritime
Partnership. An earlier panel included
Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant com-
mandant for prevention policy, United
States Coast Guard; and Rear Adm.
Mark H. Buzby, (USN Ret.), adminis-
trator, Maritime Administration.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transporta-
tion simultaneously conducted a hearing
titled “The State of the American Mari-
time Industry.”

Like others, Tellez addressed the
manpower crisis facing the industry.

He said that while the U.S. Merchant
Marine always answers the call during
crises, “we have to make sure that there
is an industry in which to employ them”
at all times.

“We are at a critical time,” Tellez told
the subcommittee. “To reverse that criti-

cal situation, I think it’s time for some
bold moves – boldness in the sense that
it will create untold opportunities for
American seafarers.”

He called for strengthening cargo
preference laws, including a boost to
100 percent of government-impelled,
non-military cargoes. “Let every federal
agency buy, build and ship American,”
he declared.

Tellez also urged extension and
expansion of the Maritime Security
Program, along with passage of an
LNG-related bill introduced last year
by U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-Cal-
ifornia) that would “create thousands
of jobs on land in the shipyards, at sea,
create a true trade for American compa-
nies to be involved in, and silence those
Jones Act waiver demands for the trans-
portation of energy.”

He also described ways to be “cre-
ative in recapitalization and the utiliza-
tion of our Ready Reserve Force.”

He concluded, “The time is now
to make these bold moves. We cannot
wait.”

Chair of the House Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure Peter
DeFazio (D-Oregon) opened the hear-

Jones Act Support Evident in Hearings
SIU Exec. VP Testifies on Behalf of American Maritime Labor

SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez testifies at the March 6 House hearing.

Seafarers were on hand to help wel-
come a new, state-of-the-art Crowley ves-
sel in Puerto Rico.

The company on Feb. 22 christened
the U.S.-flag combination container/roll
on-roll off (ConRo) ship MV Taíno in San
Juan.

Clara Crowley, daughter of Chairman
and CEO Tom Crowley and board mem-
ber Christine Crowley, served as the ship’s
sponsor and broke the ceremonial bottle of
champagne on the bow of the Taíno at the
company’s Isla Grande Terminal before
several hundred employees, customers
and dignitaries as well as crew members.
It was the first time a container ship had
been christened in San Juan in recent
memory.

SIU Port Agent Amancio Crespo, who
attended the event, stated, “This new Jones
Act ship is a welcome addition not only
for our union but also for the people of

Puerto Rico. It means jobs for Seafarers
and the continuation of a new era of what
Crowley has rightfully called world-class
supply chain services in the U.S. main-
land-Puerto Rico trade.”

“We are thrilled to christen this mag-
nificent new ship here with our employ-
ees, customers and people of Puerto Rico,
whom she will serve for many years to
come,” said Tom Crowley. “Taíno is a
source of pride for us all and in particular
the men and women who built and/or crew
her, many of whom are Puerto Rican.”

The Taíno is among the first of its kind
to be powered by liquefied natural gas
(LNG), like its sister Commitment Class
ship MV El Coquí, which entered service
in 2018. LNG is a substantially cleaner
fuel source that provides industry-leading
environmental performance.

The Taíno is named for the native
Puerto Ricans who lived off the land with

great appreciation and respect for their en-
vironment, and the El Coquí is named for
the popular indigenous frog on the island.

Both ships are 720 feet long, 26,500
deadweight tons (DWT), and able to trans-
port up to 2,400 twenty-foot-equivalent
container units (TEUs) at cruising speeds
of greater than 22 knots – offering fast, 55-
hour transits that reached an industry-lead-
ing on-time arrival rate of 98 percent in
the first month of this year. Each ship has
enclosed, ventilated decks with capacity
for 400 cars and large vehicles, a feature
unique in the Puerto Rico trade.

Both Jones Act ships were constructed
at VT Halter Marine in Pascagoula,
Mississippi.

To enhance supply chain velocity with
these ships, Crowley also made significant
investments in terminal and related infra-
structure on the mainland and in Puerto
Rico. At Isla Grande, the company added a
new, 900-foot pier and three ship-to-shore
gantry cranes – the first newly constructed
cranes for San Juan Harbor in more than
50 years. The company also implemented
a new terminal operating system and
added container staging areas and handling
equipment for both refrigerated and dry
cargo – all while reducing gate turn times.

“This major investment, which is
resulting in jobs, a positive economic
impact, a cleaner environment and world-
class supply chain services for Puerto Rico
shippers, would not have been possible
without the Jones Act,” said Tom Crow-
ley. “While the act ensures that we have a
robust shipbuilding capability and skilled
merchant mariners in the U.S. essential to
our national defense, it has also created a
commercial shipping market between the
mainland and Puerto Rico that is highly
competitive, customized and dedicated.
We should be strengthening this critically
important maritime law, not tearing it
down as some special interest groups es-
pousing highly inaccurate and misleading
information would like to do.”

Among the first SIU members to sail
aboard the Taíno were Bosun Jamar
Harley, ABs Iker Urruchi Lugo,
Dominique Johnson, Emil Norales,
Arthur Patterson, Julio Perez and
Sonny Perez, Electrician Carlos Par-
rilla, QMEDs Sherrod Frazier and
Victor Rios Lopez, Oiler Angel Cin-
tron, Recertified Steward Kim Strate,
Chief Cook Luis Perez Acosta, and SAs
Nicoll Quinones-Rodriguez and Steven
Lopez Ferrer.

Union-Contracted Crowley Christens
LNG-Powered Taino in Puerto Rico

Vessel Signals New SIU Jobs, Reliable Service for Territory

The LNG-powered Taíno is a Jones Act ship that helps boost
U.S. national, economic and homeland security. In photo at left,
SIU personnel including Port Agent Amancio Crespo (kneeling
in front, right) gather near the vessel the day it was christened
in San Juan.

Continued on Page 6

54924_APR2K1LOG_X.indd 3 3/21/2019 4:52:29 PM



4 Seafarers LOG April 2019

For the tenth year in a row, representatives
from the SIU and other maritime industry lead-
ers recently ventured to Capitol Hill for the an-
nual Maritime Congressional Sail-In.

The yearly grassroots event (the most recent
one took place March 6) has become a crucial
mainstay for the American maritime industry,
which is heavily regulated. It consists of meet-
ings with legislators from both sides of the aisle
as well as their respective staffs. Each Sail-In
group normally features representatives from
different components of the industry, including
labor, management and other partners.

This year, 34 groups attended more than
180 meetings to discuss pressing maritime is-
sues. Representing the SIU were Executive Vice
President Augie Tellez, Vice President Con-
tracts George Tricker, Vice President Gulf Coast
Dean Corgey, Vice President West Coast Nick
Marrone, Vice President Atlantic Coast Joseph
Soresi, Assistant Vice Presidents Nick Celona,
Kris Hopkins, Bryan Powell, Mike Russo and
Pat Vandegrift, Port Agents Todd Brdak, Aman-
cio Crespo, John Hoskins, Nick Marrone II,
Ashley Nelson, Victor Nunez, Mark von Sie-
gel, Chris Westbrook, Joe Baselice and Jimmy

White, Patrolman Ray Henderson and Political
Consultant Terry Turner. This year’s Sail-In saw
the most SIU participation in the event’s history,
with representatives from the union in 21 of the
34 groups.

In addition to the SIU representatives, the
meeting groups included leaders from every
major seafaring union, various Jones Act ship-
ping companies and organizations, the Navy
League of the United States, several state mari-
time academies and other allies of the U.S. Mer-
chant Marine.

Topics brought to the attention of the law-

makers included proposals to extend and ex-
pand the Maritime Security Program; increase
the required percentages for U.S.-flag transport
of non-military, government-impelled cargoes;
protect the Jones Act; and recognize World War
II U.S. Merchant Mariners with a congressional
gold medal.

The Sail-In concluded with a rooftop recep-
tion at the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Asso-
ciation (MEBA) office. There, U.S. Rep. John
Garamendi (D-California) addressed the guests,
and reiterated his commitment to the maritime
industry and U.S.-flag shipping.

‘Sail-In’ Sends Maritime Message to D.C.
Annual Event on Capitol Hill Promotes U.S. Merchant Marine

Maritime Lawyer Brad Gilman, MEBA’s Pat Bevers, and SIU
Port Agent Jimmy White (right) pictured with a legislative aide
from Senator Shelly Moore Capito’s (R-West Virginia) office.

SIU Asst. VP Bryan Powell (second from right), Great Lakes Dredge and Dock
VP William Hanson, MM&P VP Great Lakes Tom Bell and the Lake Carri-
ers’ Association Director of Regulatory Affairs Tom Rayburn are pictured with
members of Senator Martin Heinrich’s (D-New Mexico) staff.

From left: TOTE Ship Management
Director Eunice Young, SIU Patrol-
man Ray Henderson and AWO’s
Patrick Parsons wait for their meet-
ing with Representative Dustin
‘Dusty’ Johnson (R-South Dakota).

From left: Liberty Shipping Group President Robert Wellner,
Transportation Institute Director of Operations Rich Berkow-
itz, Rep. Abby Finkenauer’s (D-Iowa) Legislative Director Tyler
Wilson, SIU Port Agent Mark von Siegel and SUNY Maritime
Executive Director of External Affairs Mary Muecke.

From left: AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department
President James Hart, AFL-CIO Maritime Trades
Department Exec. Secretary-Treasurer Daniel
Duncan, Congressman Paul Cook (R-California)
and Dutra Group Dredging Business Manager Will
Wallgren.

From left: AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department President James
Hart, Dutra Group Dredging Business Manager Will Wallgren,
Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska), IBU of the Pacific Presi-
dent Marina Secchitano, ILWU Government Affairs Director
Lindsey McLaughlin and AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department
Exec. Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan.

From left: Saltchuk VP of Government Affairs Chris Coakley, Congressman Tom
Cole’s (R-Oklahoma) Deputy Chief of Staff Maria R.M. Bowie, SIU Port Agent Ashley
Nelson and Crowley Director of Labor Relations Ira Douglas.

SIU Port Agent Todd Brdak (second from right) is pictured with AMP’s Mark Ruge, Interlake
Steamship Company President Mark Barker, International Shipmasters’ Association’s Scott
Skrzypczak and a member of Rep. Bob Gibbs’ (R-Ohio) staff.

From left: Crowley Maritime Capt. Nick St. Jean, Transportation Institute Vice President of
Governmental Affairs Sara Fuentes, Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s Legislative Fellow
Kristen A. Gibson, Navy League Congressional Relations Manager Ryan Simon and SIU
VP Contracts George Tricker.

SIU Asst. Vice President Pat Vandegrift (third from right), Navy League VP Legislative
Affairs Jonathan Kaskin, Crowley VP Government Services J. Sanford Brickman, Bold
Ocean LLC’s Chief Technical Officer Logan Hearn and two members of Congressman
Peter Viscloskey’s (D-Indiana) office.

54924_APR2K1LOG_X.indd 4 3/21/2019 4:52:33 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 5

From left: AMO Chief Engineer Mike Hoffman, American President Lines President Eric
Mensing, TOTE Director of Communications Christopher Smith, Congressman Chris Smith
(R-New Jersey), SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez and Maersk Vice President U.S. Govern-
ment Relations Doug Morgante

SIU VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey (third from left), Central Gulf Lines Director of Internal
and Government Business Shelton Metcalf, MEBA VP Gulf Coast Erin Neville Bertram,
Meridian.us President Jonathan McConnell, U.S. Ocean LLC President and CEO Will Ter-
rill and a staff member from Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart’s (R-Florida) office.

From left: Liberty Maritime Executive VP-U.S. Flag Chip Jaenichen, Robertson Monagle’s
Sebastian O’Kelly, staffer from the Office of Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana), AMO Capt.
Tomas Malo and SIU Port Agent Nick Marrone II.

From left: Crowley executive Anthony Naccarato, American Maritime Officers Service’s
Brenda Otterson, staffer from office of Congressman Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas),
Maersk Line, Limited VP Ed Hanley, ARC Senior Director - Sales and Marketing Chris
Barber and SIU Port Agent Victor Nunez.

SIU VP West Coast Nick Marrone (center), APL Director Legislative Affairs Tim Perry,
Council of American Master Mariners National President Jeff Cowan, MFOW President
Anthony Poplawski and a staffer from Representative Katie Hill’s (D-California) office. SIU Port Agent Amancio Crespo (second from right) is pictured along with AMP’s Darrell

Conner, Crowley Vice Presidents Kerri McClellan and Art Mead, AMO Capt. Kevin Stith and
a staffer from Representative Nydia M. Velazquez’s (D-New York) office.

SIU Port Agent Chris Westbrook (center), along with AMP’s Jim Sartucci, Louisiana Federal
Pilots President Greg Bush, Seabulk Chief Mate Kitty Segert, Great Lakes Maritime Acad-
emy’s Mike Surgalski and Representative Russ Felcher’s (R-Idaho) legislative assistant
Steve Ackerman.

SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona (third from right) and SIU Port Agent Joe Baselice (second
from right), with MEBA Legislative and Political Director Erick Siahaan, MFOW Vice
President Cajun Callais, MM&P Pacific Coast Agent Jeremy Hope, Sailors’ Union of the
Pacific President Emeritus Gunnar Lundeberg and Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-
Pennsylvania)(center).

From left, SIU Consultant Lanier Avant, Senior Political Consultant Terry Turner and MEBA
Branch Agent Jeff Duncan meet with a member of Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s (D-
Wisconsin) staff.

SIU Asst. VP Mike Russo (third from left), pictured with Bold Ocean LLC’s Government Affairs
Director Jeff Williams, Bold Ocean LLC’s Marine Personnel Manager Michaela Burroughs
Barker, Crowley Maritime Marine Recruiting Manager Jenny Johnson, SUNY Maritime Chief
of Staff Mark Wooley and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Maryland) (center).

SIU Port Agent John Hoskins (second from right) is pictured with Maritime Institute
Counsel Steve Wines, MEBA Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo, Bold Ocean LLC’s
Vice President Keith Zelinsky, MM&P Communications Director Lisa Rosenthal
and a staff member from Representative Anthony Brown’s (D-Maryland) office.

From left: American President Lines President Eric Mensing, Con-
gressman Joe Courtney (D-Connecticut), Maersk VP U.S. Govern-
ment Relations Doug Morgante, TOTE Director of Communications
Christopher Smith and AMO Chief Engineer Mike Hoffman.

54924_APRI K1LOG.indd 5 3/19/2019 4:03:38 PM



6 Seafarers LOG April 2019

ing by addressing the recent execu-
tive order signed by President Trump
that facilitates military veterans’ entry
into the industry. “I applaud the Presi-
dent for signing an executive order
on Monday to support the transition
of active duty service members and
military veterans to careers in the U.S.
Merchant Marine,” he said. “It would
be a cruel irony, however, if the next
action taken by this administration
were to waive the Jones Act and simul-
taneously eliminate future job oppor-
tunities for those very same veterans
and separating active duty service
members. I feel very strongly about
the Jones Act.”

Subcommittee Chair Sean Patrick
Maloney (D-New York) recognized
the importance of the Jones Act, stat-
ing, “We cannot become compla-
cent in our defense of the Jones Act,
which remains a critical component
of U.S. maritime strategy.” He also
highlighted the importance of the
Jones Act for providing the vessels
and manpower in times of need: “The
U.S. Merchant Marine acts as a naval
auxiliary to deliver troops and war
material to military operations abroad.
Throughout our history, the Army has
relied on U.S.-flagged commercial
vessels to carry weapons and supplies
and ferry troops to the battlefield.
During Operations Enduring Freedom
and Iraqi Freedom, U.S.-flagged com-

mercial vessels transported 90 percent
of sustainment cargoes moved to Af-
ghanistan and Iraq.”

Also expressing support for the
Jones Act was Rep. Chris Pappas (D-
New Hampshire), who asked, “What
would the maritime industry look like
without the Jones Act?”

Buzby responded, “We would not
have a maritime industry without the
Jones Act. Quite plain and simple.”

Pappas concluded, “The Jones Act
seems to be working. I’m a big supporter.”

During the Senate hearing, Chair-
man Roger F. Wicker (R-Mississippi)
noted there are 41,000 Jones Act-qual-
ified vessels operating in the domestic
trades, adding that “properly enforc-
ing the Jones Act is important for eco-
nomic and national security.”

Ranking Member Maria Cantwell
(D-Washington) addressed the impor-
tance of a strong American domestic
fleet to maintain a robust shipbuilding
industry and industrial base, and urged
the committee that “in addition to the
strong support of the Jones Act, this
committee should consider supporting
investments in vessel recapitalization
programs.”

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) high-
lighted the national security aspect of
the Jones Act, noting the importance
of “having the merchant mariners
ready in case they are in need.”

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) like-
wise acknowledged the significance of
the Jones Act for military readiness,
adding that the law is “vital to the se-
curity and safety of the United States.”

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis-
consin) emphasized that the Ameri-
can maritime industry represents “a
critical national security asset for the
United States.” Baldwin went on to
discuss a bill she introduced, the Made
in America Shipbuilding Act, and re-
vealed she plans on reintroducing it
“very soon.”

Reminding witnesses that a number
of committee members sent a letter
to the White House emphasizing the
importance of the Jones Act, Sen. Dan
Sullivan (R-Alaska) highlighted the
role of the Jones Act in national secu-
rity and noted that Korea, China, and
Japan all have laws that are like the
“Jones Act on steroids” which are in
place to protect domestic economies,
jobs, and national security.

Jones Act Receives Strong
Bipartisan Support During

Congressional Hearings
Continued from Page 3

Executive Order Aims to Boost Maritime Industry
An executive order signed by Pres-

ident Trump on March 4 will make it
easier for military personnel to transi-
tion into the U.S. Merchant Marine.

The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center
for Maritime Training and Education
was represented at the signing cer-
emony in the Oval Office. Apprentice
Corey Daniel Reseburg was one of 18
individuals standing behind President
Trump as he signed the order. Attendees
also included Transportation Secretary
Elaine L. Chao, Labor Secretary Alex-
ander Acosta, Maritime Administrator
Mark Buzby, Deputy Maritime Admin-
istrator Richard Balzano, and other
mariners.

The Supporting the Transition of
Active Duty Service Members and Mil-
itary Veterans into the Merchant Ma-
rine order states: “It’s the policy of the

United States to support practices and
programs that ensure that members of
the United States Armed Forces re-
ceive appropriate credit for the military
training and experience towards cre-
dentialing requirements as a Merchant
Mariner. And it’s further the policy of
the United States to establish and main-
tain an effective Merchant Marine pro-
gram by providing sufficient support
and resources to active-duty and sepa-
rating service members who pursue or
possess Merchant Mariner credentials.”

According to Peter Navarro, who
is assistant to the president for manu-
facturing and trade policy as well as
director of the Office of Trade and
Manufacturing Policy, the order “makes
it easier for sea service veterans to get
high-paying, high-skilled jobs as mari-
ners by waiving government-issued li-

censing fees and by crediting military
training in the National Maritime Center
credentialing system.”

In addition, Navarro wrote in an
opinion piece for Fox News that the
order “helps enable veterans apply their
education and experience on military
ships toward the mariner credential-
ing curriculum, thereby removing other
costly barriers.”

He added during a press call, “In
these ways, it incentivizes our nation’s
most experienced seamen to enter the
U.S. Merchant Marine, which is some-
times called the nation’s Fourth Arm of
Defense. Currently, we face a shortfall
of Merchant Mariners that may have se-
rious national security implications.”

Veterans Administration Secretary
Robert Wilkie noted, “By fast-tracking
the transition into the Merchant Ma-

rine of trained and credentialed service
members, President Trump is meeting an
important national security need while
providing meaningful, well-paying jobs
to our nation’s heroes.” (Wilkie stated
his grandfather had been a mariner.)

The SIU has been working for years
with the Defense Department and the
military services to transition the skills
and credentials earned while serving
in the armed forces directly to civil-
ian merchant mariner documents and
licenses. The regularly has participated
in the American Maritime Partner-
ship’s “Military2Maritime” program
that affords veterans the opportunity to
maximize their professional strengths
by meeting with representatives from
maritime companies, training schools,
unions and others to learn about careers
in maritime industry.

President Trump displays the signed executive order on March 4. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao is standing fifth from left, while Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby is third
from left. Paul Hall Center Apprentice Corey Daniel Reseburg is seventh from right. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

54924_APR2K1LOG_X.indd 6 3/21/2019 4:52:33 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 7

Spotlight on Mariner Health

Ingredients
60 pounds shrimp, medium sized
50 cloves garlic, minced fine
6 cups olive oil
1 gallon celery, 1-2” pan-diagonally sliced
1 gallon onion, 1-2” pan-thinly sliced
4 cups red and green bell pepper
½ cup fresh ginger root, grated*
6 cups cashew, whole
1 gallon mushrooms, 1-2” pan-sliced
1 gallon water, cold
2 cups low-sodium soy sauce
3 cups white wine
1 cup lemon juice
4 cups peas, frozen
2 cups cornstarch
Salt and pepper, to taste

*One-fourth teaspoon ground ginger may be sub-
stituted and added with soy sauce

Preparation
Cook the shrimp over medium-high heat in
batches. Set aside for later step.
Heat garlic in oil in large skittle or wok for 1 min-
ute; remove garlic. Add celery, onion and ginger;
cook and stir 2 minutes. Add bell peppers and
mushrooms; cook and stir 1 minute. Add in the
cooked shrimp, peas, and the cashews.
To make the sauce: combine water, soy sauce,

wine, lemon juice, and cornstarch; cook and stir
until sauce boils and thickens. Add the shrimp and
vegetable mixture.
Salt to taste. Serve over hot rice.

Nutrition Information
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 327 cal-
ories; 14g fat (40.6 percent calories from fat); 38g
protein; 8g carbohydrate; 1g dietary fiber; 276mg
cholesterol; 415mg sodium. Exchanges: 0 grain
(starch); 5 lean meat; ½ vegetable; 0 fruit; 2 fat.

Provided by Chef Robert “RJ” Johnson of the
Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Edu-
cation’s Lundeberg School of Seamanship

Healthful Recipe
Asian Shrimp & Cashews

Servings: 150

Editor’s note: This article is
provided by the Seafarers Health
and Benefits Plan Medical Depart-
ment.

Crohn’s disease belongs to a
group of conditions known as in-
flammatory bowel diseases with
chronic inflammation of the gas-
trointestinal tract. It affects about
3.2 per 1,000 people in Europe and
North America.

It tends to start in the teen years
and early twenties, although it can
occur at any age. Males and fe-
males are equally affected.

Crohn’s disease is not the same
as ulcerative colitis. The symptoms
of these two diseases are similar,
but the areas affected in the GI tract
are different.

Crohn’s most commonly affects
the end of the small bowel (the
ileum) and the beginning of the
colon. It can also affect the entire
thickness of the bowel wall.

Signs and symptoms often in-
clude abdominal pain, diarrhea
(which may be bloody at times),
fever, weakness, and weight loss.

Other complications may be
seen outside the GI tract and in-
clude anemia, skin rashes, arthri-
tis, and inflammation of the eyes.
Bowel obstructions may occur as
the complication of chronic inflam-
mation increases.

The cause of Crohn’s disease is
unknown. It is thought to be from
a combination of environmental is-
sues, immune system problems, and

possibly bacterial factors in some
genetically susceptible people.

Tobacco smokers are twice as
likely to develop Crohn’s disease
as nonsmokers. It also can begin as
gastroenteritis.

Diagnosis is bases on biopsies,
appearance of the bowel wall, med-
ical testing and imaging, and the
patient’s description of the disease.

There are no medications or
surgical procedures that can cure
Crohn’s disease. Treatment is in-
tended to help with symptoms, help
to maintain remissions, and prevent
relapse. Corticosteroids may be
used for brief periods of time along
with other medications to help re-
lieve the discomfort of the condi-
tion.

Colonoscopies are recom-
mended every three to five years to
keep a check on the bowels for pos-
sible complications of abscesses,
bowel obstructions, and any de-
velopment of the early stages of
cancer.

One in five people with this
disease are admitted to the hospi-
tal each year. Half of those with
Crohn’s disease will require sur-
gery.

A high-calorie, lactose-free and
low-fat/low-fiber diet is recom-
mended for these patients. Avoid
foods with seeds in them and drink
plenty of fluids daily. Keep a check
on your weight, especially during
flare ups. See your doctor as in-
structed and exercise regularly to
keep up your strength.

Understanding Crohn’s Disease

The advantages of quitting smoking
are well known, but quitting is difficult.
If you are thinking of quitting, the Sea-
farers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP)
has a benefit to help you. The Plan offers
tobacco cessation benefits, in partnership
with CIGNA, to assist you in your effort to
stop smoking or using tobacco. This pro-
gram is available to all eligible members,
their spouses, and their children over age
18.

The program includes nicotine replace-
ment, as well as coaching services, and
other online tools and resources. Anyone
who enrolls in the program will receive
an eight-week supply of nicotine patches
or 12 weeks of nicotine gum. To enroll,
contact CIGNA/CareAllies at 1-866-417-
7848.

Tobacco is the leading cause of prevent-
able disease and death in the U.S. The ben-
efits of quitting smoking include reduced
risk of cancer, lung disease, stroke, heart
disease, eye disease and osteoporosis.
Smoking not only harms the smoker, but
exposure to secondhand smoke increases
health risk to non-smokers as well. Each
year, thousands of young children and ba-
bies become ill because they live in the
home of a smoker. More information about
the risks of tobacco and the benefits of quit-
ting are available at www.smokefree.gov.

If you or a member of your family are
trying to stop smoking or using tobacco,
we encourage you to take advantage of this
benefit, which was introduced in 2016. If
you have any questions about this benefit,
please contact the Plan at 1-800-252-4674.

SHBP Offers Tobacco
Cessation Benefits

Notice/ReminderCulinary 2.0 Classes Going Strong
At Union-Affiliated Paul Hall Center

The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and Education continues
to offer Culinary 2.0 classes designed to help
students not only hone their skills but also fa-
cilitate shipping opportunities.

Specifically, while every new member
of the steward department who completes
their apprenticeship at the Paul Hall Center’s
Lundeberg School of Seamanship will have
successfully passed Culinary 2.0, it’s impor-
tant to remember that those already sailing
as chief cooks and chief stewards must also
take the coursework in order to exercise pref-
erence and priority beginning next year (un-
less they have received training after January
1, 2017 at the Piney Point, Maryland-based
campus). This includes permanent stewards.

All of the current steward department
courses have been redesigned to the new
standards of Culinary 2.0, which serves as
a blanket term for the new galley classes
and curriculums. For those already sailing
as chief cooks and chief stewards, there are
two new revalidation courses that have been
designed to ensure a consistent level of culi-
nary training and efficiency: Orientation/As-
sessment Chief Steward 2.0 and Orientation/
Assessment Chief Cook 2.0.

Shipping Rule 5.A.(6), which will go
into effect January 1, 2020, states, “Within
each class of seniority in the Steward De-
partment, priority shall be given to those
seamen who possess an advanced Culinary
2.0 certificate from the Seafarers Harry Lun-

deberg School of Seamanship, in the event
such program is being offered and that the
seaman is registered in Group I, Steward
Department.”

According to SIU Vice President Con-
tracts George Tricker, “The intent of this
assessment is not to disqualify a seaman’s
ability to retain employment, but to identify
targeted training needs and/or skills that re-
quire remediation. Individuals who do not
receive the Culinary 2.0 Orientation/Assess-
ment Certificate will still be eligible to return
to their permanent position.”

Mariners seeking to enroll in Culinary
2.0 courses should be aware that class size
is limited, and should plan ahead in order to
secure a spot.

Chef John Dobson demonstrates proper technique to students in Piney Point, Maryland.

54924_APR2K1LOG_X.indd 7 3/21/2019 4:52:36 PM



8 Seafarers LOG April 2019

At Sea and Ashore With the SIU

SENATOR BACKS MARITIME – SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona (left) is pictured with
U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) at a reception on the West Coast in February.
A longtime friend of the SIU, the senator reiterated her strong backing of the U.S.
Merchant Marine.

ALOHA FROM PINEY POINT – These students at the union-affiliated school in southern Mary-
land found their way to Piney Point via the Marimed Foundation program for native Hawaiians.
Pictured from left at the Paul Hall Center are Apprentices Rhendall Thatcher, Chauncey Kuka-
hiko, Kirk Puchert and Jessina Fernandez, Chief Cook Dominique Villanueva-Kaaiahau and
Wiper Chanel Peters.

MEETING WITH CONGRESSMEN – SIU Patrolman Ray
Henderson (left in both photos) recently met with U.S. Reps.
Albio Sires (above) (D-New Jersey) and Max Rose (below)
(D-New York) to discuss the importance of the Jones Act.

TALKING JONES ACT IN PUERTO RICO – SIU Port Agent Amancio Crespo (second from right) on Feb. 25 partici-
pated in a meeting with the Hon. Larry Seilhamer (center), vice president of the Puerto Rico Senate, and others. They
discussed the importance of the Jones Act and how it benefits the territory. Also pictured from left are Puerto Rico
AFL-CIO President Jose Baez, TOTE VP Eduardo Pagan and Puerto Rico AFL-CIO Political Director Josue Montijo.

ACTIVE IN LAKES REGION – In photo above, a donation of $1,000 from the Michigan Maritime Trades Port Council
is presented to the Greater Detroit Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association. The donation went to families who
were suffering undue hardship during the government shutdown. Pictured from left are SIU Asst. VP Bryan Powell,
Port Council President Jeannette Bradshaw, MKCS Eric Bonneau, OSCS Gabe Settel and SIU Port Agent Todd Brdak
(who also services as secretary-treasurer of the port council). The photo below is from a meeting with Kevin Hrit,
regional director for U.S. Sen. Gary Peters. The meeting took place at the Detroit Port Authority office. Pictured from
left are Brdak, Hrit, Bradshaw and Powell.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 8 3/19/2019 3:48:25 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 9

At Sea and Ashore With the SIU

SUPPORTING TEACHERS – Oakland,
California-area Seafarers demonstrated
with striking Teachers in late February and
early March. The educators returned to
work March 4, following a highly success-
ful, seven-day job action. Among the SIU
members pictured at the rallies are Recer-
tified Bosun Artis Williams, Bosun Antjuan
Webb, ACU Saleh Sewileh, Recertified
Steward Joseph Gallo and FOWT Fran-
cisco Valle. SIU West Coast VP Nick Mar-
rone and Port Agent Nick Marrone II also
are pictured.

SIU VP MEETS WITH CIVMARS – SIU VP Government Services Kate Hunt (standing at right) confers with members of the SIU Government Services Division in Norfolk, Virginia.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 9 3/19/2019 3:48:26 PM



10 Seafarers LOG April 2019

At Sea and Ashore With the SIU

SEABULK BOATMEN
BACK SPAD – A number
of inland Seafarers from
Seabulk Towing recently
signed up to participate in
SPAD, the union’s volun-
tary political action fund.
These photos were taken
in Port Arthur, Texas.
Among those pictured
(photo at right, from left)
are Mate Justin Briggs, AB
Theron Brittain, SIU Asst.
VP Mike Russo, Chief En-
gineer Richard Johnson
and Capt. Jamie Norswor-
thy.

ABOARD SAGAMORE – Pictured aboard the Sealift Inc. vessel in Concord,
California, are (photo at left, from left) AB Mark Louie Manalansan and Port
Agent Nick Marrone II, and (photo at right, standing) Chief Cook Rhonda
Williams, AB Pedro Ambe, Bosun Neftali Erausquin, Patrolman Adrian Frac-
carolli, SA Eugenia Porter and (front) Steward/Baker Mohamed Nour.

ABOARD ALLIANCE FAIRFAX – SIU members and MM&P members are
pictured aboard the Maersk Line, Limited vessel. Photo includes Capt. Nich-
olas Anthony Marcantonio, AB Adbul Saleh, SA Monassar Saleh, Bosun
Victor Eligio, Electrician Paul Pagano, Steward/Baker Robert Seim, Chief
Cook Elida Miguel, AB Boyce Wilson, Second Mate Erik Gustafson and
Third Mate Earl Nelson.

ABOARD EVERGREEN STATE – Pictured from left aboard the Crowley-
operated vessel in Selby, California, are AB Paul Longley, SIU Oakland Port
Agent Nick Marrone II, SA Tyrone Hall, Chief Steward Francisco Madsen,
Chief Cook Ashley Nguyen, QEP Kyle Miller, AB Joseph Stea, AB Brian Mc-
Carty and AB Reginald MacOn.

SUPPORTING FURLOUGHED FEDERAL WORKERS – These snapshots (above, at top
right and immediately below) were taken at a second food drive (Jan. 29) for federal
workers, hosted at the SIU hall in Honolulu. SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso reports that for

this drive, there
were 47 volun-
teers f rom the
fo l low ing o rga-
n iza t ions : S IU ,
A F G E , M M & P,
MEBA, MFOW,
HGEA, ILWU, Ha-
wai i Masons &
Plasterers, State
AFL-CIO, Hawaii
Port Council, Ma-
rimed, China Town
Lyon’s Club, Sal-
vation Army, and
Congresswoman
Gabbard’s staff.

NEW DECORATION IN SAN JUAN – As Port Agent Amancio Crespo (right)
described it, this illuminated SIU logo is “a gift to remember.” It was given to the
union by Crespo’s friend Raymon Vargas (left) for display at the new hiring hall.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 10 3/19/2019 3:48:29 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 11

At Sea and Ashore With the SIU
FULL BOOKS IN JACKSONVILLE – Receiving their full books (photo at left, from left) are SIU members Clarence Miller, Darius
Edwards and Marcus Foster, and (remaining photo) Seafarers Lomarro West and Bernard Mainor. Port Agent Ashley Nelson
administers the union oath in both photos.

WELCOME ASHORE IN MOBILE – Recertified
Bosun Calvin Miles (left) picks up his first pension
check at the hiring hall in Mobile, Alabama. Miles
began sailing with the SIU in 1975. He’s pictured
with Port Agent Jimmy White.

A-BOOK IN HONOLULU – Bosun Maximo Agu-
iran (left) receives his A-seniority book at the
hiring hall. Congratulating him is Shureen Yatch-
menoff, administrative assistant.

A-BOOK IN PHILLY – ACU Ragab Ayed (right)
receives his A-seniority book from Port Agent Joe
Baselice at the hiring hall.

ABOARD EL COQUI – Pictured aboard the Crowley ship in Puerto Rico (photo above at left, from left) are Chief Cook Kevin
Valentin, SIU Administrative Assistant Maria Gomez and Recertified Steward Juan Vallejo. From left in other photo are SIU Port
Agent Amancio Crespo, AB Kemer Rojas, Recertified Bosun Abel Vazquez, AB Victor Cortes and Vallejo.

MSC COMMANDER’S SURPRISE VISIT
TO USS – The commanding officer of the
U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) re-
cently stopped at the United Seamen’s Ser-
vice (USS) center in Yokohama, Japan, to help present a plaque of appreciation.
Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne (left) and Michael Morris (right), MSC director of total
force management, gave the commendation to Jack Spiwak (center) of the USS.

GUARANTEED TO BRING A SMILE – Pictured
above is Avery Bucalo, daughter of SIU Patrol-
man Adam Bucalo. The clothing was a gift from
Avery’s birthday. At four months (and three days),
she has now grown into it.

ABOARD HORIZON ANCHORAGE – Pic-
tured aboard the Matson ship in the Pacific
Northwest is Steward/Baker Ingra Maddox.

ABOARD MAERSK DENVER – Recertified
Bosun James Walker (rear) and AB Roque
Lambert appear unfazed by the snowy
weather in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey.

APPRENTICE ON
MAERSK IDAHO –
Daniel Wood does his
part to keep the vessel
running smoothly. He’s
an apprentice from the
SIU-affiliated Paul Hall
Center for Maritime
Training and Educa-
tion, located in Piney
Point, Maryland.

A-BOOK IN JER-
SEY – QMED Wil-
liam Harrison (right)
picks up his A-se-
niority book at the
hall in Jersey City,
New Jersey. Con-
gratulating him is
Patrolman Ray Hen-
derson.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 11 3/19/2019 3:48:32 PM



12 Seafarers LOG April 2019

2019 Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO Executive Board Meeting, February 21-22, Orlando, Florida

MTD President Cites Labor’s Resurgence

When he opened the winter meet-
ing of the Maritime Trades Department
(MTD) executive board, Michael Sacco
emphasized two ongoing struggles of
paramount importance to working fami-
lies.

Sacco is president of both the SIU
and the MTD – the latter a constitutional
department of the AFL-CIO. The MTD
is composed of 21 international unions
and 21 port maritime councils in the
United States and Canada represent-
ing nearly 5 million working men and
women. The board met Feb. 21-22 in
Orlando, Florida.

“One of the most positive stories for
the MTD and the entire labor movement,
I believe, is how we’ve responded to
last summer’s Supreme Court ruling in
Janus vs. AFSCME,” Sacco said to the
board members and guests. “This was
supposed to be the beginning of the end
for unions. But as one national columnist
recently put it: ‘So much for the labor
movement’s funeral.’”

He pointed out that large unions
including the American Federation of
Teachers and the American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees

have gained members since the ruling,
which allows for free riders.

“The Janus ruling is still a farce, and
nobody is pretending it’s good news
for labor,” Sacco continued. “But you
know what? I think it shook us out of
the doldrums in a lot of ways. It made
us re-educate people about why unions
are so important. It made us ramp up our
engagement, and the results have been
very positive…. I think we’re headed in
the right direction.”

He then focused on a relatively new,
well-funded campaign aimed at repeal-
ing the Jones Act – a law that’s vital to
U.S. national, economic and homeland
security. The misguided attacks are
“nothing new, even though they will be
on a larger scale. We’re fighting this
battle every day,” he said.

Sacco wrapped up his opening re-
marks with a quick reflection on the
recent government shutdown. “Dur-
ing that time, our affiliates and port
councils really stepped up to support
the people who were out of work and
those who were forced to work without
a paycheck,” he recalled. “We collected
gift cards and food donations coast to

coast and in Hawaii. We rallied in the
streets and we marched at airports and
elsewhere to stand up for the rank-and-
file worker, no matter if they were union
members or not.

“There is no doubt that our collective
actions and those of the affected work-
ers themselves ended the shutdown,” he

continued. “We showed our strength, but
we also showed solidarity and compas-
sion for our fellow man. That’s what the
labor movement is all about. That’s what
the MTD is all about. And that’s why I
know we’ll always have a bright future
as long as we’re willing to stand together
and work for it.”

Sacco Urges Affiliates to Remain
Vigilant in Ongoing Jones Act Fight

SIU President Michael Sacco, who also serves as president of the Maritime Trades De-
patment (MTD) addresses those in attendance at the Feb. 21-22 MTD executive board
meeting in Orlando, Florida.

One of the top officials from the AFL-
CIO encouraged the MTD executive
board to examine key aspects of evolving
workplace technology while not losing
sight of the power of solidarity.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz
Shuler opened her speech Feb. 21 by
thanking MTD President Michael Sacco
for his leadership. She then spoke about
the important tasks that the MTD and
its affiliates handle, referencing the ses-
sion’s prior speakers.

Shuler said, “The work that you do

is truly leading our labor movement, as
I watch the presentations and the slide
shows and all of the cataloguing of the
work that goes on in this country. You
make this country run. I think it’s a
little-known secret, and sometimes we
don’t get to recognize and appreciate
the work that you do enough.”

She then spoke on the future of
work, and preparing for the future of
labor in America: “Work is changing
... and we need to think about how our
unions are going to change with it. How

are we going to modernize? How are
we going to grow?”

Shuler detailed several steps the fed-
eration is taking to incorporate cutting-
edge technology for the betterment of
workers. She said the labor movement
supports efficiency and advancement,
but also stands up for the roles of work-
ing families moving forward.

The secretary-treasurer then de-
scribed recent worker actions by teach-
ers and hotel workers, respectively. The
successful strikes serve as reminders
that collective action is effective.

“Even though there’s this narrative in
our country around rugged individualism
and people pulling themselves up by the
bootstraps, yes, that is part of our culture
as Americans,” she continued. “But we
also know that we are stronger together.
And no one knows this better than the
labor movement. It’s what we stand for,
especially the maritime trades unions.”

She also credited the MTD and its
affiliates and port councils for their
hurricane relief efforts that began in
2017. “When Hurricanes Irma, Harvey
and Maria hit, you sprang into action,”
Shuler recalled. “And it can’t be said
enough, the contribution that you made,
because even before the storms hit
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, your
members were loading and unloading
U.S.-flagged and -crewed ships and
barges to help the islands prepare for
the storms. That was before they hit.
And then after the storms, you came
through again, working with Jones Act,
union-contracted companies to deliver
and offload more than 40,000 contain-
ers full of equipment to help restore the

islands’ power and water and infrastruc-
ture and public services, not to mention
life-saving supplies. Thank you.

“But you didn’t stop there,” she
added. “Of course, U.S.-flag ships
with Seafarer crews worked with our
friends at the AFT to provide more than
100,000 water filters to the people of
Puerto Rico. That was well after the
storm, and of course you delivered
more than 15,000 books to the school-
children in the Virgin Islands, all while
fending off attacks on the Jones Act. We
all know, during disasters, that’s when
they come attacking bedrock labor pro-
tections. We’ve seen it before, and I’m
sure we’ll see it again.”

Shuler pointed out that public opinion of
unions is at a 20-year high, with 62 percent
of Americans saying they back organized
labor, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Additionally, she provided data
on union training, and used the SIU-
affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education as an example,
saying, “The labor movement is the
second-largest provider of training in
this country, behind the U.S. military....
We’re the ones training and upgrading
people’s skills to get them into better
jobs. And every time I go to the Paul
Hall Center out in Piney Point, Mary-
land, I am reminded of this. And I mar-
vel at the technology you use and the
programs you have. More than 70 U.S.
Coast Guard-approved courses, more
than 17,000 apprentices trained, more
than 135,000 skills upgrades and more
than 2,000 high school diplomas. That
deserves a round of applause!”

She concluded, “Our role in creat-
ing the highly skilled, best-trained
workforce in this country is the key to
the future of the labor movement. I say
that because we have our apprentice-
ship programs, we have our job training
programs. When those programs grow,
and we get more workers in, the labor
movement grows with it, and employ-
ers are supplied with the highest-caliber
workers that labor can offer.”

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer
Focuses on Future of Work

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler

54924_APR2K1LOG_X.indd 12 3/21/2019 4:52:37 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 13

2019 Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO Executive Board Meeting, February 21-22, Orlando, Florida

U.S. Congressmen Bennie Thompson
(D-Mississippi) and Brian Mast (R-Flor-
ida) have different public-speaking styles,
but they offered similarly passionate mes-
sages when addressing the MTD execu-
tive board last month.

Both of them expressed strong support
for the Jones Act and the U.S. Merchant
Marine. They also stressed the importance
of grassroots political action.

Thompson, chair of the House Home-
land Security Committee, spoke Feb. 21
in his typically engaging, folksy style. He
said the nation’s freight cabotage law “is
fine (in terms of congressional support),
but you have to be vigilant.”

He then cited the misinformation cam-
paign that happened after Hurricane Maria.

“The moment it hit, the first consider-
ation was to relax the Jones Act, because
‘we can’t get enough goods to help the
good Americans who live in Puerto Rico’.
Now, if you believe that comment, I’ve

got some beachfront property I want to
sell you in Oklahoma,” Thompson stated.
“I went to Puerto Rico three days after
Hurricane Maria, and I saw stuff on the
docks delivered by Jones Act vessels. The
question wasn’t how you get it there. The
question was, once it gets there, what are
you going to do with it? [People] blamed
the Jones Act for a problem that had noth-
ing to do with it.”

Thompson also discussed his long-
standing, positive working relationship
with organized labor and mentioned his
100 percent labor voting record.

“It’s important for you to invest in
people who will tell you the truth,” he
said. “A lot of us wouldn’t be in Congress
without labor’s support…. Not only do
you dance with the ones who brung you,
you stay with them. It’s in your best inter-
est to help send good people to Washing-
ton – good people who don’t forget how
they got there and who sent them.”

Thompson mentioned an upcoming
trip he’s making to Puerto Rico and stated
that, there and elsewhere in his travels, he
always wants organized labor at the table.

“That’s why it’s so important for you
to convince your members that they
should invest in your PACs,” he ex-
plained. “Because if you don’t invest in
leadership, the enemy will defeat you.
When I’m in the meeting and I hear the
company line, I turn to my friends in
labor and say, ‘Is that right, what he’s
saying?’ That’s a powerful statement, but
that’s also somebody not forgetting how
they got where they are.

“It’s important for you to convince
your members that they have to support
the political action committee, because
that’s really part of your voice, and be-
cause if you cede that territory to the
opposition, you’re going to have real
problems,” he added.

Thompson concluded by noting that

despite technological changes in the mari-
time industry, “Those folks who work
on the docks and on the ships help keep
America safe…. You are the eyes and ears
that technology can never replace.”

Similarly, Mast – brimming with
enthusiasm and patriotism – said of the
members of MTD unions, “Without your
efforts to move bulk, to push barges, to
ship cargo, to move containers like the
Post Office moves letters around the
country … moving autos, fuel … our
economy and our way of life would grind
to a halt.”

He talked about trade policies and their
complexities, adding, “I want equality
for our country. We want free trade – we
want reciprocal trade.”

Turning his attention to the Jones Act,
Mast said, “Our defense and support of
the Jones Act is very important to me.”

Mast, a U.S. Army veteran who earned
medals including The Bronze Star Medal,
The Army Commendation Medal for Valor,
The Purple Heart Medal, and The Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, said that when
he served overseas, and for all veterans,
“everything that we need to do that job –
from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the
Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan and all points
in between – has been delivered by the
trades that you all represent, the men and
women you represent. If we get rid of the
Jones Act, the next bit of policy, the next
bit of work that you will see in the United
States of America will be the United States
of America’s ambassador to the UN going
into the UN with his thumb in the air the
next time that we’re in a conflict, saying,
‘Can I hitch a ride?’ That is not the policy
we need in this country, and that is one of
the most important reasons the Jones Act
has to stay in place. To make sure that we
are doing everything to defend our mari-
time industry from being destroyed.”

Like Thompson, Mast urged the MTD
to “elect people who are going to listen to
what you have to say.”

Mast added that policies have long-
reaching effects and take time to imple-
ment. He said there’s nothing wrong
with honest debate and disagreement, but
people should still be cordial.

He concluded, “Keep doing what
you’re doing. Keep up the fight.”

Congressmen Back Jones Act, Emphasize
Crucial Need for Grassroots Political Action

U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (R-Florida)

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) sent a video greeting to the MTD executive board. She reiterated her strong support for
the American maritime industry and workers’ rights. Above, board members and guests observe the senator’s video.

Senator Sends Pro-Maritime Message

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 13 3/19/2019 3:48:35 PM



14 Seafarers LOG April 2019

2019 Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO Executive Board Meeting, February 21-22, Orlando, Florida

The head of the U.S. Maritime Ad-
ministration (MARAD) thoroughly
understands the challenges facing Amer-
ica’s maritime industry, but remains opti-
mistic about its future.

Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby
delivered that message Feb. 21 as the
first guest speaker to address the MTD
executive board this year.

The setting was nothing new for the
retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, who
formerly served as commanding officer
of the U.S. Military Sealift Command.
As Buzby appreciatively pointed out, he
has been attending MTD meetings for a
decade.

“I’m very sincere when I say how
much I’ve enjoyed working with and
getting to know the leadership of the
MTD over the years,” he said. “We have
a level of trust that allows for some very
frank discussions, and I think that’s for
the benefit of all of us. Your executive
committee provides an incalculable ser-
vice to the maritime industry ashore and
to the merchant marine afloat, promot-
ing not only a comprehensive legislative
agenda but, perhaps more importantly,
educating the congress, the administra-
tion, the international community and the
American public about a vitally impor-
tant industry.”

He reiterated the unwavering support
of his boss, U.S. Secretary of Transporta-
tion Elaine L. Chao, another longtime
friend of the SIU.

Buzby detailed many of the obstacles
the industry is dealing with, including
a manpower shortage and an urgent
need to recapitalize the Ready Reserve
Force (RRF) vessels and other sealift
ships. Nevertheless, he stated, “I really
am optimistic. We’re making some real
headway in getting our merchant marine
strengthened. All of my energy and focus
and that of my staff is to ensure that the
U.S. Merchant Marine continues to move
forward – that our story is told forcefully
and truthfully. I can also promise that
we’ll continue to work shoulder to shoul-
der with all of you for the benefit of our

mariners, because it’s our mariners who
often are taken for granted and are the
key to our nation’s sealift.”

He pointed out that the industry “did
pretty well” in the recent appropriations
bill, which included full funding for the
Maritime Security Program and a boost
for the RRF, among other positive out-
comes.

“I attribute our success this year to
the great working relationships we have
with labor and with all the facets of the
maritime industry, and certainly key
members of Congress who understand
the importance of a strong maritime sec-
tor,” Buzby said, adding that the industry
enjoys bipartisan backing.

Specifically discussing the ages of

various U.S.-flag military support ships,
Buzby described the RRF as “a key part
of TRANSCOM’s ability to execute its
wartime mission of deploying and sus-
taining our nation’s combat forces. The
Navy’s plan to recapitalize that force of
46 ships plus 15 sealift ships that MSC
runs is gaining some headway. Congress
gets it; they’re pushing hard. They want
it to happen faster. We’ve had several
members of Congress down on the
ships to talk to our mariners and hear
firsthand the challenges they have with
maintaining these 44-and-a-half-year-old
average-age ships. These are the ships
we are going to depend on to move our
armed forces overseas in a crisis or na-
tional emergency, and we have to be able

to depend on them.”
He also said RRF ships, most with

SIU crews, in the last three years have
been activated and used more than dur-
ing any other peacetime stretch.

Buzby has spent lots of time visiting
vessels in the past year. Reflecting on
those trips and interactions, he said. “A
real bright spot in all this work that’s
being done to maintain these ships is
our mariners. They are doing a tremen-
dous job. They totally understand the
role they play in national security. They
know that when they go out there and
tear a pump apart or chip rust on deck
to make sure that ship is ready to go,
they are actually making a vital contri-
bution to our nation’s security, should
the call come – and it will come at some
point…. They work their butts off.
Their spirit is good, and there are smiles
on their faces, and they understand the
importance of what it is they do, and
are happy to be doing it. I don’t think
that’s something that’s unique to the
RRF crews. Talk to our MSP mariners,
talk to our Jones Act mariners, they get
it, too. They understand how it’s all part
of the web that is our maritime industry
that is so vital both to our national and
economic security.”

The maritime administrator also said
that the industry must continue defend-
ing the Jones Act, which faces a “recent
heightened level of organized attacks….
We’re fighting at MARAD, and Secre-
tary Chao has been tenacious in defend-
ing the Jones Act. There is no wavering
in her at all…. The Jones Act is a bed-
rock, foundational piece of legislation
for our industry.”

He added, “I think Congress, by and
large, is behind us. Everyone that I’ve
spoken with is for it and understands it.
There are a few voices out there that are
crying in the wilderness, but we really
can’t take that for granted. Clearly, we
have to continue to drive home the criti-
cality of the Jones Act, because the Jones
Act is jobs. The Jones Act and national
security go hand in hand.”

‘Vital to our National and Economic Security’
Maritime Administrator Buzby Optimistic About Industry’s Future

Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, (USN, Ret.)
U.S. Maritime Administrator

AFT Reiterates Jones Act Support

Jessica Smith (above), chief of staff for the American Federation of Teachers (AFT),
addressed the MTD board Feb. 22. A former SIU communications director and spe-
cial assistant to SIU President Michael Sacco, Smith praised Sacco for his out-
standing leadership, tenacity and compassion. She conveyed the solid support of
AFT President Randi Weingarten for the Jones Act. Smith also reported that MTD
affiliates, along with SIU-contracted TOTE, helped deliver more than 100,000 water
purifiers to Puerto Rico as part of the project named Operation Agua. Additionally,
she noted, Seafarers, members of the SIU-affiliated United Industrial Workers, and
SIU-contracted Crowley have helped provide meals and school supplies for teach-
ers in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She also thanked the MTD for backing several recent
teacher strikes.

William Doyle (above), CEO and Executive Director of the Dredging Contractors of
America, addressed those in attendance at the MTD executive board winter meeting
on Feb. 21. A marine engineer by trade, Doyle sailed as a U.S. Merchant Marine of-
ficer before earning his law degree. He also served in three different administrations
as a Federal Maritime Commissioner where he led several trade delegations. He
spoke on the importance of his current role, promoting a greater understanding of
the benefits of taking care of our ports and waterways, as well as making sure the
Jones Act stays protected. He also indicated that his organization, including its union
employees, fully supports the important work of the American Maritime Partnership
(AMP).

Dredging Contractors Express Solidarity

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 14 3/19/2019 3:48:36 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 15

2019 Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO Executive Board Meeting, February 21-22, Orlando, Florida

A high-ranking U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) officer credited maritime labor
for its all-around work and also de-
scribed how the agency is constantly
working to help ensure safety at sea.

USCG Assistant Commandant for
Prevention Policy, Rear Adm. John
Nadeau, spoke on the second day of the
MTD winter meetings, and began by
acknowledging the maritime industry for
its service and support.

“Let me start by thanking you,” said
Nadeau. “Thanking you for what you
do for us, for what you do for all the
veterans, for speaking out, taking care of
us when we need it, taking care of those
who have served, looking out and mak-
ing sure we have the strong maritime
community in this country which so
dearly needs it. So, thank you.”

He then turned to a topic those assem-
bled were all too familiar with: the tragic
loss of the El Faro. “Many of you know
about the El Faro. It was a 40-year-old
U.S.-flag steamship that sank on Octo-
ber 1, 2015,” he said. “And I know that
there were 17 members of the SIU on
board that were lost tragically. The ves-
sel had no outstanding deficiencies, and
it was inspected by the Coast Guard just
six months before it got underway. ABS
(American Bureau of Shipping), who
we rely on for many surveys, had been
on only three weeks before to do some
boiler inspections.”

After briefly describing the sinking,
Nadeau focused on the Coast Guard’s

plans for averting a similar tragedy in
the future. He said, “We want to learn
from this, and we did. We learned a lot.
The Marine Board [issued] 36 recom-
mendations, a lot of which have to do
with regulations, some of them policy....

One of the biggest things you’ll see is
(eventual elimination of) open lifeboats.
Unfortunately, this vessel still had open
lifeboats. They’re still allowed, it was
within regulation, but if you look back
to the Marine Electric, back to the mid-

80’s, it also had open lifeboats. We had
tried to get rid of open lifeboats, we were
not successful, as we could not – believe
it or not – justify the cost of outfitting
all ships with open lifeboats with closed
ones.”

He also discussed some of the ad-
ditional testing done by the Coast Guard
on board U.S.-flag vessels that had al-
ready passed their inspections.

“We’re committed to continuing this
work,” Nadeau stated. “The industry has
been extremely receptive to us, and we
are working in partnership with everyone
to raise the level of safety.”

Changing subjects, he closed by say-
ing, “This nation has a gift. And that
gift consists of 95,000 miles of coast-
line, 25,000 miles of inland waterways,
50,000 aids to navigation markings, 360
ports throughout that allows thousands
of vessels to move safely every single
minute of every single day. And because
we’re able to do that safely in this coun-
try – which most countries don’t have
that gift – they generate $4.6 trillion in
economic activity for this country every
year. This system supports 23 million
U.S. jobs. That is a tremendous gift,
most people in this country don’t realize
that, and we celebrate that and are proud
to be a part of the team that stands up to
protect this gift. To make sure it’s there
in perpetuity, so that we have that gift....
This gift is crucial, not only to the eco-
nomic prosperity of this country, but to
our national defense.”

The top executive at a major U.S.-
flag shipping company told the MTD
executive board he is confident that all
components of the industry are work-
ing cooperatively to promote American
mariners and vessels.

Sam Norton, president and CEO of
SIU-contracted Overseas Shipholding
Group (OSG), addressed the board Feb.
21. Besides commending the collabora-
tive efforts of labor, management and
government, he described his company’s

strong emphasis on safety. Norton also
stated that OSG is committed to helping
expand the U.S. tanker fleet as well as
providing long-term job opportunities
for American crews.

“The main message that I want to
share with you is, although I’m mindful
that in history, it has not always been the
case that labor and management have
been seeing eye-to-eye, and there are
definitely times when we each have our
own respective positions that we have

to mind. Nonetheless, my experience
at OSG has left with me a very strong
feeling that our partnership with labor
today is as strong as it’s ever been,”
Norton said.

He mentioned working on several is-
sues together with labor, including SIU
Executive Vice President Augie Tellez,
and finding success.

Next, Norton explained that OSG
maintains more than 450 billets that sup-
port more than 1,100 union jobs. The
company is an owner/operator of tankers
and ATBs, 19 of which sail in the Jones
Act trade. “We’re very proud to be a
very large employer and a supporter of
the unions,” he noted.

He then described safety as “our big-
gest job: making sure that our ships are
well-managed, safe working environ-
ments and that everyone who partici-
pates in those environments understands
the significance of keeping an eye out
for all of the people that work around
them and maintaining a high level of
situational awareness of all times.”

Norton said that communications are
“where I think our interests are indeed
most closely aligned. Recognizing the
things that are very important to the
Jones Act, the U.S. flag, national secu-
rity, making sure that we work together
to communicate our priorities and com-
municate the things that make our orga-
nizations work well together.”

Describing OSG’s future, Norton re-
ported they are building two new vessels
in Korea that will be flagged American;
building two new, large barges in the
U.S.; and also working to expand pos-
sibilities for U.S. vessels outside of the
Jones Act fleet. He said the industry as
a whole must address what is “a rec-
ognized significant shortfall of tanker
capacity to support readiness and sealift
requirements.”

Expanding U.S. tanker fleet is “an
area where I see a confluence of our
primary objectives – yours and ours –
together with MARAD’s,” Norton said.

He added, “It is our very strong con-
tention that the single greatest resource
that needs to be developed in anticipa-
tion of meeting the needs of the Defense
Department and national security in the
future is developing experienced and
qualified manpower to be able to man
the equipment that would be needed in a
time of crisis.”

Just as Maritime Administrator Mark
Buzby discussed earlier the same day,
Norton touched on the need to recapi-
talize the sealift fleet. He also stressed
“the importance of being able to provide
credible employment opportunities.…
This is something that is really critical to
all of our futures and something that we
as an organization are committed to….
We want to work in partnership with
MARAD and with you to be able to
provide the means and the ongoing com-
mercial ability to operate those ships so
that we can build those jobs.”

Coast Guard Rear Adm. Nadeau Thanks Industry,
Reaffirms Agency’s Full Commitment to Safety

Company Exec. Stresses
Partnerships, Safety

Rear Adm. John Nadeau
U.S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy

“It has not always been the
case that labor and manage-
ment have been seeing eye-to-
eye, and there are definitely
times when we each have our
own respective positions that
we have to mind. Nonetheless,
my experience at OSG has lef t
with me a very strong feeling
that our partnership with labor
today is as strong as it’s ever
been.” - Sam Norton, president and CEO
of Overseas Shipholding Group

Sam Norton
President and CEO, Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG)

54924_APR2K1LOG_X.indd 15 3/21/2019 4:52:38 PM



16 Seafarers LOG April 2019

James Conigliaro
General Vice President

Machinists

Jim Given
President

SIU of Canada

Gunnar Lundeberg
President Emeritus

SUP

Jack Hayn
Asst. to the President

Painters

Brett McCoy
UA

Director of Metal Trades

Bernie Hostein
Asst. to the President

Steelworkers

Patrice Caron
Executive VP

SIU of Canada

Joseph Condo
Vice President

TCU

Anthony Poplawski
President
MFOW

James Hart
President

Metal Trades

David Heindel
Secretary-Treasurer

SIU

Dr. Everette Kelley
Secretary-Treasurer

AFGE

Daniel Duncan
Secretary-Treasurer

MTD

Hazel Galbiso
Port Maritime Council

Hawaii

Kate Hunt
VP Government Services

SIU

Geoge Tricker
VP Contracts

SIU

Joesph Soresi
VP Atlantic Coast

SIU

Tommy Orzechowski
VP Great Lakes

SIU

Dean Corgey
VP Gulf Coast

SIU

Nick Marrone
VP West Coast

SIU

MTD President Michael Sacco (right) welcomes U.S. Congressman Brian
Mast (R-Florida) to the podium. Looking on at left is MTD VP Jerry Abell.

Jeannette Bradshaw
Port Maritime Council

Michigan

Paul Doell
President

AMO

Augie Tellez
Executive VP

SIU

James Henry
Chairman & President
Transportation Institute

Scott Reeves
Port Maritime Council

Philadelphia

Robert Scardelletti
President

TCU

Steve Bertelli
Secretary-Treasurer

Bakery Workers

Levi Allen
Secretary-Treasurer

Mine Workers

2019 Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO Executive Board Meeting, February 21-22, Orlando, Florida

Lisa Bolton
VP Telecommunications

CWA

Glenn Middleton
Vice President

AFSCME

Larry Holbert
International Rep.

SMART

Karen Horton-Gennette
National Director

UIW

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 16 3/19/2019 3:48:47 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 17

2019 Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO Executive Board Meeting, February 21-22, Orlando, Florida

Union Veterans Council Leader:
‘Being in a Union Means Dignity’

Will Attig, the executive director of the Union Veter-
ans Council, AFL-CIO (to which the SIU is affiliated),
used his time at the Maritime Trades Department winter
meeting to discuss the importance of supporting and
enabling veteran workers though union membership and
grassroots movements.

A combat veteran, Attig began by thanking those as-
sembled for unanimously voting to adopt a resolution
which supported troops and veterans. He then said, “Labor
has a strong history that runs hand in hand with our veter-
ans community. We trace our original unions in America
to Civil War veterans coming home to major cities after
fighting together to preserve this nation, and banding to-
gether for another fight, and that was workers’ rights.”

He continued, “It’s no surprise that in 2019, in 15
states, veteran union density is over 18 percent. That’s
something to be proud of.... And the highest number of
veterans in unions, the industry that represents the most,
is the transportation industry, and I think you all need a
round of applause for that.”

Next, he offered up a question to the assembled
crowd: “What’s the most important thing that a union
gives to you? Or, if you’re an industry person who’s
here to support our workers, what does having a stable
job with good benefits mean to you?” He then played

a video featuring union veterans describing their union
experiences.

“Right now, there are 1.2 million active working vet-
erans inside of labor,” said Attig. “And they’ve reaped
the benefits of what we do in rooms like this every single
day, by being able to provide a stable, gainful life to their
families, and achieve the American Dream they went and
fought for.

“When I sum up what being in a union means to me,
it’s dignity,” he continued. “It’s the ability to live out
my life, enjoy it, work hard for my country that I fought
for, and be stable.” He then described his life and career,
both in the military and after he left and entered the ci-
vilian workforce.

Unions make a difference for veterans in many ways,
he said, not the least of which is fighting for and secur-
ing good pay. “Our unions are leading the way,” Attig
stated. “On average, if you’re a veteran that has a union
card in your pocket, you make $12,000 more a year
(compared to unrepresented veteran workers). That’s
because of all the fighting that we do.”

Attig wrapped up his presentation by highlight-
ing the various ways the Union Veterans Council
is working to protect working veterans, and empha-
sized the need to identify those workers who are
already union: “Go back and tell your veterans about
the Union Veterans Council. Get them to sign up....
Because if we give our veterans just a little push, it
means a lot.”

MTD President Michael Sacco, a U.S. Air Force vet-
eran, also spoke about two examples of the SIU taking
care of veterans and active-duty military families: “For
the last seven years, my union – the SIU – has spon-
sored an annual fishing tournament in Maryland called
the Seafarers Waterfront Classic. This event generates
money for a group named the American Military Veter-
ans, whose members were wounded in the line of duty.
During that time, we have raised more than $400,000
for the veterans. They’ve used the money to help pro-
vide different forms of therapy for their members.
They’ve used some of it to grow from a small office to

a 3,000-square-foot facility in Cape Coral, Florida. And
they’ve used some of it to host feeding programs and
other outreach for those less fortunate in the veterans
community.”

Sacco continued, “The SIU’s Tacoma operation par-
ticipates in a program called Santa’s Castle. This is a toy
drive for military families, mostly lower-enlisted ranks.
We’ve been part of it for 12 straight years, and during
that time, our members and officials and our companies
have collectively donated around $100,000 worth of
Christmas presents for military children.”

The MTD is a charter member of the Union Veterans
Council.

Will Attig
Executive Director, Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO

To join the Union Veterans Council, visit
www.UnionVeterans.org

MTD Executive Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan (above) tells the executive board
that the department is increasing grassroots efforts in the U.S. and Canada, primarily
through its port councils. The MTD has 18 such councils in the U.S. and three in Can-
ada. Duncan reported that long-dormant port councils have restarted or are already in
the process of doing so in Baltimore; Norfolk, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; and San
Juan, Puerto Rico. The MTD also is starting a new council in Nova Scotia. “While labor
cannot compete financially with big-money donors, we have manpower,” Duncan said.
“As more and more money gets involved in campaigns, it’s going to take more and
more manpower to counter it. We are the manpower to counter it.”

Port Councils Ramping Up Allen Addresses Pension Crisis

United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Secretary-Treasurer Levi Allen (above)
spoke Feb. 22 and largely focused on the pensions of the UMWA members, spe-
cifically describing an ongoing court case with Mission Coal Company. He briefly
mentioned the UMWA’s fight with the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation
(PBGC), and the greater importance of that looming insolvency: “You know what
an undertow is. You know when a big ship goes down, it’ll drag you down with it.
If the UMWA 1974 Pension Fund becomes insolvent in 2022, it’s going to drag
the PBGC down with it. What that will do is cause $5.8 billion annually in benefits
that come out of the PBGC to be in jeopardy of not being paid out anymore….
You didn’t cause this. None of the unions in this room caused this. There are
scams out there that have allowed people to get out of the debts that they owe to
American workers, and we’re fighting against that.”

For More MTD
Coverage, See Page 28

54924_APR2K1LOG_X.indd 17 3/21/2019 4:52:40 PM



18 Seafarers LOG April 2019

With Seafarers on the Great Lakes
The photos on this page were submitted by SIU Algonac Port Agent Todd Brdak, and

were taken during servicing visits to the SIU-crewed H. Lee White and Joyce VanEn-
kevort. The H. Lee White is operated by American Steamship Company and the Joyce
VanEnkevort is operated by VanEnkevort Tug & Barge.

H. Lee White

Joyce VanEnkevort

AB Mohamed Ali (left) poses for a photo with Port Agent Todd Brdak. AB Wheelsman Norman Rodriguez

Chief Cook Najeeb Ginah Crew members climb aboard the H. Lee White. SA Hussein Al-Qari displays a fruit tray.

SIU Asst. VP Bryan Powell (left) chats with AB Pete
VanEnkevort.

Deckhand Brian Murray loads iron ore
taconite pellets.

The Joyce VanEnkevort takes on a cargo
of ore in Two Harbors, Michigan. The Joyce VanEnkevort

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 18 3/19/2019 3:48:55 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 19

February 13, 2019 - March 13, 2019

Total Registered Total Shipped Registered on Beach
All Groups All Groups Trip All Groups

Port A B C A B C Reliefs A B C

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea

Piney Point...........................................Monday: April 8, May 6
Algonac...............................................Friday: April 12, May 10
Baltimore..........................................Thursday: April 11, May 9
Guam..............................................Thursday: April 25, May 23

Honolulu.............................................Friday: April 19, May 17

Houston..............................................Monday: April 15, May 13

Jacksonville......................................Thursday: April 11, May 9

Joliet...............................................Thursday: April 18, May 16

Mobile.........................................Wednesday: April 17, May 15

New Orleans......................................Tuesday: April 16, May 14

Jersey City...........................................Tuesday: April 9, May 7

Norfolk.............................................Thursday: April 11, May 9

Oakland..........................................Thursday: April 18, May 16

Philadelphia..................................Wednesday: April 10, May 8

Port Everglades..............................Thursday: April 18, May 16

San Juan..........................................Thursday: April 11, May 9

St. Louis..............................................Friday: April 19, May 17

Tacoma................................................Friday: April 26, May 24

Wilmington............................................Monday: April 22, May 20

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

April & May
Membership Meetings

Deck Department
Algonac 16 4 0 24 8 0 1 42 20 1
Anchorage 1 3 2 3 3 0 0 3 1 5
Baltimore 0 2 2 3 1 1 3 8 3 1
Fort Lauderdale 19 7 1 15 6 1 13 33 15 6
Guam 3 1 0 5 1 0 0 3 3 1
Harvey 10 5 5 10 5 1 6 16 3 8
Honolulu 9 9 0 7 5 0 2 15 11 0
Houston 50 27 15 25 15 8 18 105 24 27
Jacksonville 23 25 10 20 16 4 16 63 39 11
Jersey City 39 11 4 35 6 3 16 75 21 7
Joliet 3 4 2 3 2 1 0 6 5 1
Mobile 7 4 1 6 4 1 5 16 9 4
Norfolk 18 10 6 9 9 6 7 23 14 13
Oakland 10 5 1 5 4 1 1 21 7 5
Philadelphia 3 2 1 2 2 0 0 6 4 1
Piney Point 2 3 0 1 0 1 1 5 4 0
Puerto Rico 5 1 3 3 5 2 2 10 9 2
Tacoma 15 11 5 19 2 3 8 39 20 10
St. Louis 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 2 2
Wilmington 27 9 10 23 2 4 9 50 20 13
TOTALS 264 144 68 218 96 37 108 547 234 118

Engine Department
Algonac 3 3 0 9 2 0 1 1 4 2
Anchorage 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Baltimore 2 4 0 1 2 1 1 2 3 0
Fort Lauderdale 7 9 0 6 6 0 3 16 13 2
Guam 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
Harvey 1 4 0 1 4 0 1 5 2 1
Honolulu 2 2 0 11 4 0 2 29 5 3
Houston 11 10 4 4 8 1 5 23 16 6
Jacksonville 16 12 1 12 8 0 8 25 27 1
Jersey City 8 6 2 7 4 1 3 18 10 4
Joliet 3 3 1 4 2 0 0 2 1 2
Mobile 4 4 1 1 2 0 1 10 6 1
Norfolk 6 10 5 9 9 4 4 17 17 13
Oakland 4 2 3 5 2 1 2 6 9 3
Philadelphia 4 1 0 3 2 0 1 4 0 0
Piney Point 4 2 0 1 2 0 1 4 3 0
Puerto Rico 2 4 0 2 1 2 2 4 4 0
Tacoma 17 6 2 11 11 0 8 23 8 3
St. Louis 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 4 3 0
Wilmington 13 3 1 9 5 0 6 25 20 2
TOTAL 110 86 21 99 75 10 50 218 153 44

Steward Department
Algonac 3 2 0 6 3 0 0 9 1 0
Anchorage 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Baltimore 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 0
Fort Lauderdale 8 4 0 6 2 0 6 18 10 1
Guam 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Harvey 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 6 2 2
Honolulu 9 3 0 7 1 0 2 23 3 0
Houston 19 3 0 16 3 0 5 27 7 3
Jacksonville 17 9 4 12 5 1 5 24 15 5
Jersey City 14 3 1 7 1 0 2 20 5 1
Joliet 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 0
Mobile 2 4 0 1 2 0 2 3 3 0
Norfolk 15 10 0 16 5 1 6 23 17 0
Oakland 6 6 2 17 2 1 3 24 7 2
Philadelphia 2 0 2 4 0 1 0 1 0 1
Piney Point 2 2 2 0 1 0 1 7 3 1
Puerto Rico 2 5 0 2 2 0 1 3 6 0
Tacoma 14 0 1 12 0 1 4 24 2 2
St. Louis 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 1
Wilmington 22 9 0 10 6 0 7 35 11 1
TOTALS 143 65 14 116 36 5 45 258 95 20

Entry Department
Algonac 0 6 7 0 11 6 0 2 14 13
Anchorage 0 1 3 1 2 0 0 0 2 3
Baltimore 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 4
Fort Lauderdale 0 2 0 0 2 1 4 1 3 5
Guam 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
Harvey 0 1 2 1 3 1 2 1 2 4
Honolulu 1 3 3 0 3 2 1 3 8 5
Houston 3 11 8 3 9 3 3 5 25 19
Jacksonville 2 27 28 3 18 10 4 2 37 63
Jersey City 1 16 9 2 6 3 1 3 33 21
Joliet 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Mobile 1 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 2
Norfolk 1 15 18 1 12 18 2 0 25 34
Oakland 2 6 11 1 7 2 0 2 12 16
Philadelphia 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Piney Point 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 1
Puerto Rico 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1
Tacoma 3 2 8 5 8 6 1 5 15 20
St. Louis 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 2
Wilmington 1 11 6 1 12 6 4 1 31 29
TOTALS 16 106 113 20 96 61 24 26 214 245

GRAND TOTAL: 533 401 216 453 303 113 227 1,049 696 427

Editor’s note: The following news release was issued by the
United States Coast Guard on March 1. The text of the “attached
letter” is included. Both of these items are posted on the SIU website
(under the NEWS tab) and on the National Maritime Center website.

Update 4 – Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Ap-
propriations and Partial Government Shutdown

To mitigate the impact caused by the lapse in appropriations and
shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the fol-
lowing updated actions are being taken:

Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) and Medical Certifica-
tions (National Endorsements only) that expire in December 2018,
January 2019, February 2019, March 2019, or April 2019 are ex-
tended as valid until May 31, 2019. Mariners who are actively work-
ing on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry
the expired credential with a copy of the attached letter.

The following items that expire in December 2018, January 2019,
or February 2019 are extended to April 30, 2019: Additional Infor-
mation (AI) letters, Qualified Assessor (QA) letters, Designated Ex-
aminer (DE) letters, Proctor approval letters, Approval to Test (ATT)
letters, and mariner training course certificates.

For mariners whose 90-day testing cycles were interrupted by
Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26,
2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the
90-day period.

If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Cus-
tomer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing
IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Dear U.S. Mariner,
Due to the federal government’s partial lapse in appropriations for

fiscal year 2019, the Coast Guard is unable to process mariner cre-
dentials in a timely manner. To provide relief to impacted mariners
and under the authority of 46 United States Code § 7507 and § 7508,
the Coast Guard is granting extensions effective immediately to Na-
tional Endorsements and Medical Certificates until May 31, 2019,
for mariners whose credentials expire in December 2018, January
2019, February 2019, March 2019, or April 2019.

All mariners sailing under the authority of their National
Endorsement(s) should print and retain a copy of this letter with
their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and Medical Certificate
to produce it upon request by the U.S. Coast Guard, other agencies
or officials. The National Maritime Center (NMC) does not intend
to issue any separate or new MMCs to correspond to this extension
for mariners sailing domestically. This extension does not apply to
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
(STCW) endorsements.

Applications submitted before or during the partial government
shutdown will be processed as soon as possible once the NMC is
reopened and is legally authorized to begin operations.

If you have questions, visit the NMC website or contact the NMC
Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by
e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC
(427-5662).

K.R. Martin, Captain
U.S. Coast Guard Commanding Officer

U.S. Coast Guard Issues
Shutdown Update #4

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 19 3/19/2019 3:48:55 PM



20 Seafarers LOG April 2019

Michael Sacco, President
Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President

David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer
George Tricker, Vice President Contracts

Tom Orzechowski,
Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters
Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast

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

Kate Hunt,
Vice President Government Services

HEADQUARTERS
5201 Auth Way, 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 St., 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 Ave., 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

Seafarers International
Union Directory Inquiring Seafarer

This month’s question was answered by members in Piney Point, Maryland.

Chenequa Rodriguez
AB

I joined the SIU after a fam-
ily member of mine was supposed
to come to Piney Point but didn’t
make it. I got curious, looked into it,
and signed up. I graduated in 2009
– Class #706 – and I’m glad I did.
I’ve stayed because I love the travel,
meeting new people and experienc-
ing new cultures as part of my job.

Karleen Grenier
AB

I had wanted a career change, and
a family member of mine told me
about the union. They said I’d love
working in the galley, but after be-
ginning my training as an apprentice,
I realized I was torn between being
either a deck or engine member. I
would definitely say that Piney Point
is the place to go for training in this
industry, and I’m so glad I joined.

Erwin Asinas
Chief Cook

For one thing, I like the lifestyle
of different ships and different places
all the time. Those working on ships
need to eat, and being able to help the
crew is a great motivation. At the end
of the day, the compensation is why
you stay with any job, but you have
to love what you do, otherwise it’ll
be a terrible experience

Macey Horne
AB

I joined because I have a lot of
family in the union, and they all
spoke highly of the SIU and the in-
dustry. Now that I’m a full AB, I love
sailing and working on ships. I love
seeing new places and meeting new
people. I’m excited to be a mariner.

Question: Why did you choose the maritime industry, and what do you enjoy about it?

Rashawn Arrington
Oiler

I chose the industry because I like
to travel. I was looking for a career,
found out about the SIU and joined.
It was a great choice. Being in the
union helps me stay focused on my
career and my future. And seafaring
is a career, not a job. It’s been a great
experience so far.

Tresten Porter
Oiler

I chose this industry as a good mix
of travel, good pay and job security.
Being a Seafarer is a great way to
support my family, and gives me a
career path I can follow to the top. As
a graduate of Class #828, I can say
the training here at the Paul Hall Cen-
ter is a wonderful program, and really
gets you in a good, focused state of
mind for the work ahead.

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

Pic From The Past

This undated photo from the LOG archives is believed to be from the 1950s. It was taken at a United Seamen’s Service (USS)
club in Genoa, Italy, where Seafarers Edwin S. Harris (center) and Gottfried Metting Jr. were shopping for gifts. Pictured at left
is Ginetta Mafforni, a local USS staff member. The Seafarers were from the Liberty ship George A. Lawson, which was launched
in February 1945 and sank in 1964.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 20 3/19/2019 3:48:58 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 21

DEEP SEA

LINDA BARBER
Sister Linda Barber, 65, became
a member of the union in 1997
when she shipped on the Long
Lines. She primarily sailed in the
steward department and upgraded
on multiple occasions at the Piney
Point school. Sister Barber most
recently sailed on the California.
She resides in Wauna, Washing-
ton.

HECTOR BARNES
Brother Hector Barnes, 68, joined
the SIU in 1992, first sailing on
the USNS Wil-
kes. He sailed
in the deck
department and
upgraded often
at the Paul Hall
Center. Brother
Barnes last
shipped on the
Horizon Pa-
cific and lives in San Juan, Puerto
Rico.

MATHEW BEVAK
Brother Mathew Bevak, 62, em-
barked on his SIU career in 1978.
He first sailed aboard the St. Louis
and was a member of the deck de-
partment. Brother Bevak upgraded
at the union-affiliated Piney Point
school on several occasions. He
most recently shipped on the
Safmarine Ngami and resides in
Apache Junction, Arizona.

WILLIAM CARNEY
Brother William Carney, 66,
became an SIU member in 2004

when he shipped
on the Pride
of Aloha. He
worked in the
deck department
and upgraded
on numerous
occasions at
the Paul Hall
Center. Brother

Carney most recently shipped on
the Maersk Atlanta. He lives in
Bolton Landing, New York.

ALFONZA DAVIS
Brother Alfonza Davis, 65, signed
on with the SIU in 2001 and ini-
tially worked
on the Steven
L. Bennett.
He upgraded
often at the
Paul Hall Cen-
ter and sailed
in the engine
department.
Brother Davis
concluded his
career aboard the John Page. He
makes his home in Cocoa, Florida.

DAN DAVISON
Brother Dan Davison, 68, joined
the Seafarers during the 2001
SIU/NMU merger. His first ves-
sel was the Mormac Sun and he
sailed in the deck department.

Brother Davison enhanced his
skills in 2001 when he upgraded
at the Piney Point school. He
last shipped on the St. Louis
Express before settling in New
Orleans.

LEOPOLD DAWSON
Brother Leopold Dawson, 67,
began his ca-
reer with the
Seafarers in
2011, first sail-
ing on the Wil-
liam R. Button.
He shipped as
an engine de-
partment mem-
ber and most
recently sailed on the American
Liberty. Brother Dawson resides
in Laplace, Louisiana.

JOHNNIE EDWARDS
Brother Johnnie Edwards, 61,

donned the SIU
colors in 1982
when he sailed
on the LNG
Virgo. A mem-
ber of the deck
department, he
upgraded often
at the Piney
Point school.

Brother Edwards was most re-
cently employed with American
Service Technology. He is a
Houston resident.

RUBEN GAMBOA
Brother Ruben Gamboa, 70,
joined the Sea-
farers in 1999,
initially ship-
ping aboard the
William Baugh.
A deck depart-
ment member,
he upgraded
on several
occasions at
the Paul Hall
Center. Brother Gamboa most
recently shipped on the Franklin
J. Phillips. He makes his home
in Jersey City, New Jersey.

ROBERTO GONZALEZ
Brother Roberto Gonzalez, 65,
signed on with the union during
the 2001 NMU/SIU merger. He
was a deck department member
and first sailed on the Yorktown
Express. Brother Gonzalez up-
graded at the maritime training
center located in Piney Point,
Maryland. He concluded his ca-
reer on the Charleston Express
before settling in Guayanilla,
Puerto Rico.

ROBERT GRUBBS
Brother Robert Grubbs, 60, be-
came an SIU member in 1979
when he sailed on the Sea-Land
Boston. He worked as a deck de-
partment member and upgraded
often at the union-affiliated
Piney Point school. Brother
Grubbs last shipped on the El
Morro. He resides in Jackson-
ville, Florida.

GEORGE MAZZOLA
Brother George Mazzola, 65,
joined the union in 1972, when
he worked for
Interocean
American Ship-
ping. Primarily
sailing in the
deck depart-
ment, he up-
graded often at
the Piney Point
school. Brother
Mazzola last sailed on the USNS
Denebola. He lives in District
Heights, Maryland.

WILLIAM MCGEE
Brother William McGee, 64,
donned the SIU colors in 1990.

He sailed in
the steward
department and
upgraded on
multiple occa-
sions at the Paul
Hall Center.
Brother McGee’s
first vessel was
the Stephen W.

Pless; his last, the Sunshine State.
He resides in Monroe, Louisiana.

ROBERT PACHECO
Brother Robert Pacheco, 67,
signed on with the SIU in 1972.
He primarily
worked in the
deck department
and initially
sailed on the
Seattle. Brother
Pacheco up-
graded on mul-
tiple occasions
at the Piney
Point school be-
fore concluding his career aboard
the Horizon Pacific. He calls Du-
rango, Colorado, home.

NORA PORTER
Sister Nora Porter, 65, became an
SIU member in 2001 when she
sailed on the Baldomero Lopez.
She shipped in both the stew-
ard and deck departments and
upgraded often at the Paul Hall
Center. Sister Porter’s final vessel
was the Alliance St. Louis. She is
a resident of Jacksonville, Florida.

SANTA PATURZO STANLEY
Sister Santa Paturzo Stanley, 66,
embarked on her SIU career in
1978 when she sailed on the Santa

Mariana. She
was a steward
department
member and
upgraded on
numerous oc-
casions at the
Paul Hall Center.
Sister Paturzo
Stanley last

sailed aboard the Great Land and
makes her home in North Bend,
Washington.

ALULA TEFERI
Brother Alula Teferi, 65, joined

the union in
1992, first
sailing aboard
the Charles
L Brown. He
worked in the
deck department
and upgraded
his skills at the
Piney Point
school in 1996. Brother Teferi last
sailed on the Golden State. He
lives in Houston.

WILLIAM THOMAS
Brother William Thomas, 65,
signed on with the SIU in 1996,

initially work-
ing with Moran
Towing of Mary-
land in the in-
land division. He
upgraded often
at the Piney
Point school and
sailed in both the
deck and engine
departments.

Brother Thomas concluded his ca-
reer aboard the Liberty. He makes
his home in Baltimore.

GREAT LAKES

JOSEPH HANCE
Brother Joseph Hance, 62, started
shipping with the Seafarers in
1978, aboard
the Adam E.
Cornelius. He
sailed in the
deck department
and frequently
upgraded at the
Paul Hall Center.
He concluded
his career on the
American Mariner and lives in
Lorain, Ohio.

BOYD MESSER
Brother Boyd Messer, 65, signed
on with the SIU in 1974, initially
shipping on the Adam E. Corne-
lius. He primarily sailed in the
deck department and upgraded at
the Piney Point school in 2008.
Brother Messer last sailed on the
American Mariner. He makes his
home in Gulliver, Michigan.

MICHAEL SLAGHT
Brother Michael Slaght, 62,
donned the SIU colors in 1974,
initially working with H&M Lake
Transport. He was a deck depart-
ment member and concluded his
career working for Great Lakes
Towing. Brother Slaght resides in
Marysville, Michigan.

INLAND

CURTIS ABSHIRE
Brother Curtis
Abshire, 57,
joined the SIU
in 1984. He
worked in both
the deck and
engine depart-
ments and was
first employed

with HVIDE Marine. Brother
Abshire’s final vessel was Seabulk
Towing’s Buccaneer. He calls
Hemphill, Texas, home.

WILLIAM DAVIS
Brother William Davis, 59, began
his career with the Seafarers in
1981, first shipping with Orgulf
Transport. He sailed as a deck
department member and up-
graded on multiple occasions at
the Piney Point school. Brother
Davis last worked for Key Marine
and makes his home in Beaufort,
North Carolina.

WHITNEY HARGRAVE
Brother Whitney Hargrave, 62,
signed on with the Seafarers in
1987. He sailed in the engine de-
partment, and worked for G&H
Towing. Brother Hargrave was
employed with the same company
for the duration of his career. He
lives in Santa Fe, Texas.

THOMAS POTTER

Brother Thomas Potter, 68, signed
on with the SIU
in 1973 when he
worked for Mari-
trans. He was a
deck department
member and
last worked for
Mariner Towing.
Brother Potter
is a resident of
Plymouth, North Carolina.

RAYMOND SCHWARTZ
Brother Raymond Schwartz, 64,

joined the SIU
in 1979. A deck
department
member, he was
employed with
Crescent Tow-
ing and Salvage
for his entire
career. Brother
Schwartz makes

his home in Covington, Louisiana.

JERRY YANCEY
Brother Jerry Yancey, 65, began
his career with the Seafarers in
2001 when he
sailed on the
Seabulk Power.
He sailed in the
deck department
and upgraded
at the Paul Hall
Center in 2013.
Brother Yancey
most recently
sailed on Seabulk Towing’s
Athena and resides in Woodville,
Texas.

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

Welcome Ashore

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 21 3/19/2019 3:49:00 PM



22 Seafarers LOG April 2019

Final
Departures

DEEP SEA

MIGUEL AGUILAR
Pensioner Miguel Aguilar, 90, died
February 5. Born in Honduras, he
embarked on his
SIU career in 1972
when he sailed
on the Platte. A
steward department
member, Brother
Aguilar last sailed
aboard the Leader.
He went on pension
in 1995 and was a resident of Rock-
ingham, North Carolina.

THOMAS COLBERT
Pensioner Thomas Colbert, 78,
passed away February 13. He

became an SIU
member in 1959,
initially working
with Boston Tow-
ing Boat Company.
Brother Colbert was
a deck department
member and most
recently sailed on

the Sam Houston. He retired in 1993
and resided in Bay St. Louis, Mis-
sissippi.

GUILLERMO DOMINGUEZ
Pensioner Guillermo Dominguez,
93, died December 30. He started
his SIU career in
1968, initially ship-
ping aboard the
Western Hunter.
A steward depart-
ment member,
Brother Dominguez
last sailed on the
Patriot. He began
collecting his pension in 1993 and
settled in the Philippines.

JAMES DRYDEN
Pensioner James Dryden, 77, passed
away January 21. He joined the

union in 1961,
when he shipped
aboard the Yaka.
Brother Dryden
sailed in the engine
department and
also worked on
shore gangs. He last
sailed on the Long

Beach and retired in 2002. Brother
Dryden called Liberty, Texas, home.

ALFONSA ELIGIO
Pensioner Alfonsa Eligio, 69, died
October 31. She donned the SIU
colors in 2003, initially sailing
aboard the Maersk Maine. Sister
Eligio sailed in the steward depart-
ment, most recently aboard the APL
Cyprine. She retired in 2014 and
made her home in Bronx, New York.

CATALINO GONZALEZ
Pensioner Catalino Gonzalez, 94,
passed away Febru-
ary 3. He embarked
on his SIU career
in 1967 when he
shipped on the
Depauw Victory.
Brother Gonzalez
sailed in all three

departments. He last sailed on the
Humacao before becoming a pen-
sioner in 1992. Brother Gonzalez
was a resident of Carolina, Puerto
Rico.

SHELDON GREENBERG
Pensioner Sheldon Greenberg, 66,
died February 4. He joined the
union in 1978, first
sailing aboard the
Bradford Island.
Brother Greenberg
shipped in both the
deck and engine
departments, most
recently aboard the
Maersk Michigan.
He began collecting his pension in
2010 and made his home in Orange
Park, Florida.

DOMINGO GUEVARA
Pensioner Domingo Guevara, 87,
passed away June 12. He donned the
SIU colors in 1978 and first sailed
aboard Marlin Steamship Compay’s
Mary. Brother Guevara sailed in all
three departments and last worked
on the Newark Bay. He retired in
1995 and resided in Tumaco, Co-
lumbia.

TONY HILL
Brother Tony Hill, 48, died Janu-
ary 29. He became an SIU member

in 1990 and first
sailed on the USNS
Pollux. Brother
Hill sailed in both
the steward and
engine departments
and most recently
shipped on the
Matej Kocak. He

lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

HARLAN HULST
Brother Harlan Hulst, 67, passed
away January 5. He joined the union
in 1996 when he shipped on the Mc-
Donnell. Brother Hulst was a deck
department member. His last ship
was the Green Bay, and he lived in
San Diego.

LEON JEKOT
Pensioner Leon Jekot, 77, died
February 22. Initially working for
Sea Liberties, he
became a member
of the SIU in 1960.
Brother Jekot was
a deck department
member and con-
cluded his career
aboard the USNS
Capella. He went
on pension in 2003 and resided in
Jefferson City, Tennessee.

HENRY JONES
Pensioner Henry Jones, 85, passed
away February 1. He began sail-
ing with the SIU in 1964 when he

worked for G&H
Towing. Brother
Jones was a
deck department
member and last
shipped on the
OMI Rover. He
became a pensioner

in 1996 and called Richmond,
Texas, home.

KENNETH LAWS
Pensioner Kenneth Laws, 78, passed
away January 12. Born in Philadel-
phia, he joined the union in 2002
when he sailed on the Cleveland
Tankers ship Gemini. Brother Laws
was a steward department member.
He concluded his career aboard the
Cape Knox and became a pensioner
in 2012. He lived in Old Orchard
Beach, Maine.

EARL MACOM
Pensioner Earl Macom, 75, died
January 4. He was
born in Poplar
Bluff, Missouri, and
joined the union
in 1965. Brother
Macom was an
engine department
member. His first
vessel was the Topa
Topa; his last, the
USNS Chesapeake. Brother Macom
lived in Morrill, Maine.

JAMES SLOAN
Pensioner James Sloan, 73, died
February 10. He embarked on his

SIU career in 1999,
initially sailing on
the Green Dale.
An engine depart-
ment member,
Brother Sloan last
sailed aboard the
Marstan. He went
on pension in 2015

and was a resident of Royersford,
Pennsylvania.

CARLOS SOLINAP
Pensioner Carlos Solinap, 69,
passed away Febru-
ary 15. He became
an SIU member
during the 2001
SIU/NMU merger.
Brother Solinap’s
first SIU vessel was
the Green Cove; his
last, the Shughart.
The steward depart-
ment member retired in 2015 and
settled in Las Vegas.

GERALD WESTPHAL
Pensioner Gerald Westphal, 71,
died February 5. He joined the

union in 1969
when he shipped
with H&M Lake
Transport. Brother
Westphal was a
member of the
deck department
and also worked
on shore gangs. He
concluded his ca-

reer on the Sea-Land Performance,
and retired in 2002. Brother West-
phal lived in West Allis, Wiscon-
sin.

RONALD WILLIAMS
Pensioner Ronald Williams, 60,
passed away November 19. He be-
came an SIU member in 1978, ini-
tially sailing aboard the Allegiance.

Brother Williams
sailed in the en-
gine department,
most recently on
the El Yunque. He
retired in 2014 and
called Jacksonville,
Florida, home.

GREAT LAKES

WILLIAM AGNELLO
Pensioner William Agnello, 72, died
February 7. He started his career
with the SIU in
1970 when he
shipped on the
Otto Reiss. Brother
Agnello worked
in the steward
department and
last shipped on the
Buffalo. He retired
in 2007 and made his home in Lan-
caster, New York.

MICHAEL LOCK
Pensioner Michael Lock, 64, died
December 21. Born in Port Huron,
Michigan, he joined the SIU in 1976
when he worked for H&M Lake
Towing. Brother Lock sailed in the
deck department, most recently with
Great Lakes Towing. He retired in
2017 and resided in Lambertville,
Michigan.

INLAND

JOSEPH BABIN
Pensioner Joseph Babin, 91,
passed away December 25. Born in

Galveston, Texas,
he signed on with
the SIU in 1962.
Brother Babin
sailed in the engine
department and
was employed with
G&H Towing for
the majority of his
career. He became a

pensioner in 1984 and called Spring,
Texas, home.

MICHAEL FURMAN
Pensioner Michael Furman, 69,
passed away February 14. He joined
the union in 1967
and first worked
for OSG Ship
Management.
Brother Furman
sailed in both the
deck and engine
departments. He
remained with the
same company for
the majority of his career before re-
tiring in 2013. Brother Furman was
a Baltimore resident.

TIMOTHY GEGENHEIMER
Pensioner Timo-
thy Gegenheimer,
67, passed away
February 1. He
became an SIU
member in 1976
when he worked
with Crescent

Towing and Salvage. Brother Ge-
genheimer was a member of the
deck department. He continued to
work for the same company until
becoming a pensioner in 2013.
Brother Gegenheimer made his
home in New Orleans.

EUGENE HOLDER
Pensioner Eugene Holder, 91, died
January 9. He signed on with the
union in 1965, first working for Al-
lied Transportation. Brother Holder
sailed in the deck department. After
concluding his career with Mariner
Towing, he retired in 1990. He
called Danville, Virginia, home.

ROBERT HURST
Pensioner Robert Hurst, 76,
passed away January 13. He
joined the SIU in 1977 when
he worked for Virginia Pilot
Corporation. A deck department
member, Brother Hurst was em-
ployed with the same company
for the duration of his career. He
started collecting his pension in
2007 and lived in Cobbs Creek,
Virginia.

NMU

RUFINO ARZU
Pensioner Rufino Arzu, 93, passed
away August 19.
He began his career
during World War
II in 1943 when he
sailed aboard the
Gracioso. Brother
Arzu’s last vessel
was the American
Kentucky. After ac-
cumulating more than 10,500 days’
sea time, he retired in 1986 and
lived in Westbury, New York.

In addition to the foregoing individ-
uals, the following union members
have also passed away. Insufficient
information was available to de-
velop summaries of their respective
careers.
Name Age DOD
Antunez, Joselito 91 12/26/2018
Brooks, Andrew 94 02/21/2019
Brown, Alphonso 98 12/23/2018
Burns, Nehemiah 85 02/14/2019
Figueroa, Pablo 103 02/24/2019
Francis, Albert 98 02/03/2019
Garay, Richard 91 02/11/2019
Hall, Donovan 82 01/26/2019
Linley, Joseph 82 01/04/2019
Medrano, Juan 92 02/15/2019
Michael, Glenn 94 02/23/2019
Nealy, John 92 01/16/2019
Radomski, Frank 93 02/23/2019
Robles, Roman 88 01/23/2019
Shew, Robert 99 01/06/2019
Soper, Michael 69 11/29/2018
Villanueva, Pedro 75 02/05/2019
Watson, Shelton 91 01/12/2019

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 22 3/19/2019 3:49:02 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 23

Know Your Rights

Digest of Shipboard
Union Meetings

INDEPENDENCE II (TOTE
Services), December 2 – Chair-
man David Denizac, Secretary
Christian Borroto Lopez, Deck
Delegate George Siegel, En-
gine Delegate Donell Criswell,
Steward Delegate Todd Curry.
Chairman advised all members
to read president’s report in Sea-
farers LOG. Galley stovetops
and ovens in need of repair.
Educational director encour-
aged members to take advantage
of upgrading opportunities at
Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education in Piney
Point, Maryland. Crew expressed
concern with slop chest mer-
chandise, citing high prices and
sale of expired items.

OVERSEAS SANTORINI
(Overseas Ship Management),
December 9 – Chairman Paul
Altenor, Secretary Donna Sal-
ing, Educational Director Ken-
neth Cabrera, Deck Delegate
Gwendolyn Garcia, Steward
Delegate Manes Sainvil. Chair-
man thanked deck department
for their hard work and positive
attitudes. Secretary reminded
members to clean their rooms
and exchange linen when depart-
ing ship. Educational director
reminded crew to keep up to
date on documents. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Steward
department also thanked for ex-
cellent work.

GREEN BAY (Central Gulf
Lines), December 15 – Chairman
Robinson Crusoe, Secretary
George Farala, Educational
Director George Beaufils, Deck
Delegate Tony Olaya, Engine
Delegate Kevin Chenault,
Steward Delegate Gizelle Jones.

Bosun encouraged crew to con-
tinue working safely. Secretary
mentioned importance of good
leadership as it relates to safe
work practices. No beefs or dis-
puted OT reported. Ship in need
of a better oven. Members made
request pertaining to time off.
Next Port: Honolulu.

SEABULK CHALLENGER
(Seabulk Tankers), December
30 – Chairman Charles Hill,
Educational Director Ran-
dolph Scott, Deck Delegate
Joshua Gonzalez, Engine Del-
egate Roberto Sabio, Steward
Delegate William White.
Chairman pleased with crew.
He urged all members to con-
tinue to support SIU. No beefs
or OT disputed. Members
asked for WiFi availability on
crew deck. Crew requested
more gym equipment.

GOLDEN STATE (Intrepid
Personnel and Provisioning),
January 3 – Chairman Philip
McGeoghegan, Secretary
Wendy Fearing, Steward Del-
egate Robeson Carrier. Crew
discussed requests for new linens
and pillows on board. Chair-
man reported a smooth-running
ship – great crew and great food.
Educational director reminded
members to check expiration
dates on documents. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Members
reviewed SIU President Michael
Sacco’s column covering elec-
tion results. Ship ventilation
needs cleaning. Crew motioned
for a raise in pension and wages.
New microwave requested for
mess hall; deck in need of repair
in crew quarters. Next port: Port
Arthur, Texas.

OVERSEAS CASCADE (Over-
seas Ship Management), January
10 – Chairman Jovan Williams,
Secretary Breon Lucas, Educa-
tional Director/Engine Delegate
Richard Striverson, Deck Del-
egate Brian Gauntt, Steward
Delegate Ambrose Gabriel Jr.
Members reviewed contract and
were reminded to keep docu-
ments up to date. Educational
director suggested upgrading
as often as possible. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Crew
discussed desired changes to
vacation benefits. Each member
requests a refrigerator in their
room as well as new mattresses
and pillows. Steward department
praised for a job well done dur-
ing the holiday feast.

CALIFORNIA (Intrepid Person-
nel and Provisioning), January
14 – Chairman Kenneth Abra-
hamson, Secretary Shawn
Fujiwara, Educational Director
Joshua Zelinsky. Chairman
went over new medical benefits
information. He advised mem-
bers to contact medical depart-
ment for current information and
to always use network-preferred
provider in addition to touching
base with them before seeking
major medical attention. Chair-
man reminded crew to keep up
with housekeeping and discussed
crew laundry procedures. He
asked members to keep room
heaters on low and to consult
with 1st engineer when pur-
chasing personal heaters and
refrigerators to avoid tripping
electrical breakers. Members are
encouraged to use union portal
for latest updates on individual
information. Chief steward
thanked everyone for their ef-

forts to keep ship clean. Educa-
tional director discussed effect of
government shutdown. He urged
crew to upgrade their skills at
the Piney Point school to obtain
better jobs. Educational director
also encouraged members to use
union portal for latest informa-
tion including sea time. Mem-
bers were encouraged to check
accuracy of sea time. No beefs or
disputed OT reported.

OVERSEAS TAMPA (Overseas
Ship Management), January 20
– Chairman Raymond Johnson,
Secretary Alphonzo Berry,
Deck Delegate Falando Wil-
liams, Steward Delegate Juan
Palacios Clother. Members
will soon have access to Wi-Fi
and refrigerators in every room.
Chairman advised members
to keep up on documents and
pointed out possible difficulty
due to government shutdown.
Educational director reminded
crew to upgrade at Piney Point.
Crew discussed new tonnage and
election results. Members re-
quested new washer and dryers.

USNS PATHFINDER (Ocean
Shipholdings), January 27 –
Chairman Kelly Doyle, Sec-
retary Donnell Lewis, Deck
Delegate Jonathan Howard,
Steward Delegate Lonnie Jones.
Chairman reviewed new medical
benefits. Educational director
urged members to upgrade. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Crew has access to Wi-Fi and ad-
ditional TV channels.

ISLA BELLA (TOTE Services),
January 30 – Chairman Timothy
Fogg, Secretary Richard Jones,
Deck Delegate Gary Boyd,

Steward Delegate Adalberto
Colon Rosa. Wi-Fi and cable
connection improved. More
routers added to ship. Secretary
reported good morale on ship.
Educational director discussed
government shutdown. He en-
couraged members to upgrade
as often as possible. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Steward
department was thanked for a job
well done. Next Port: Jackson-
ville, Florida.

TAINO (Crowley), January
30 – Chairman Wilfredo Velez,
Secretary Kimberly Strate,
Educational Director Carlos
Parrilla, Deck Delegate Arthur
Patterson, Engine Delegate
Sherrod Frazier Steward Del-
egate Luis Santiago Sotero.
Washing machines repaired.
Members noted proper amount
for laundry detergent. Drawer
latches to be fixed as soon as
possible. Educational direc-
tor advised members to allow
ample time for document renew-
als and certifications. Agencies
are behind due to government
shutdown. Deck delegate encour-
aged members to support SPAD
and the Jones Act. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Crew re-
quested Wi-Fi and an increase to
the pension plan.

NATIONAL GLORY (Crow-
ley), January 31 – Chairman
Robert Natividad, Secretary
Steve Concepcion. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Members
were reminded that every issue
of the Seafarers LOG is available
online (in addition to the printed
version). Dryer is being repaired.
Crew gave vote of thanks to gal-
ley gang for job well done.

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

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

FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Constitution
of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Wa-
ters District makes specific provision for safe-
guarding the membership’s money and union
finances. The constitution requires a detailed
audit by certified public accountants every year,
which is to be submitted to the membership by
the secretary-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 rec-
ommendations. The annual financial committee
will be elected during the April 8 headquarters
membership meeting to review the 2018 records.
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 provi-
sions 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 disbursements of trust
funds are made only upon approval by a major-
ity of the trustees. All trust fund financial records
are available at the headquarters of the various
trust funds.

SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s shipping
rights and seniority are protected exclusively by
contracts between the union and the employ-
ers. Members should get to know their shipping
rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and
available in all union halls. If members believe
there have been violations of their shipping or
seniority rights as 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 ad-
dress for this is:

Augustin Tellez, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746

Full copies of contracts as referred to are
available to members at all times, either by writ-
ing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Ap-
peals Board.

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

EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEAFAR-
ERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally 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 pol-
icy is vested in an editorial board which consists
of the executive board of the union. The execu-

tive board may delegate, from among its ranks,
one individual to carry out this responsibility.


PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to

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

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OB-
LIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Constitution
are available in all union halls. All members
should obtain copies of this constitution so as
to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any
time a member feels any other member or officer
is attempting to deprive him or her of any consti-
tutional right or obligation by any methods, such
as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all
other details, the member so affected should im-
mediately notify headquarters.

EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaran-
teed equal rights in employment and as members
of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in
the SIU Constitution and in the contracts which
the union has negotiated with the employers.
Consequently, no member may be discriminated
against because of race, creed, color, sex, na-
tional 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 seg-
regated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its
objects and purposes including, but not limited
to, furthering the political, social and economic
interests of maritime workers, the preservation
and furthering of the American merchant ma-
rine with improved employment opportunities
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 con-
tributions are voluntary. No contribution may be
solicited or received because of force, job dis-
crimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such
conduct, or as a condition of membership in the
union or of employment. If a contribution is
made by reason of the above improper conduct,
the member should notify the Seafarers Interna-
tional 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
interests, and American trade union concepts.

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

Michael Sacco, President
Seafarers International Union

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 23 3/19/2019 3:49:02 PM



24 Seafarers LOG April 2019

Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information
The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime

Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, for the next several months. All
programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting
the American maritime industry.

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

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

Gap Closing Courses

Leadership & Managerial Skills June 29 July 5

Storekeeper Courses

MSC Storekeeper Basic April 13 May 3

MSC Supply Configuration Management May 4 May 31


Deck Department Upgrading Courses

Able Seafarer Deck April 27 May 24

AB to Mate Modules Modules must be taken in order. Those who
are not in the mates program cannot apply
for these courses. Contact the Admissions
Office for further details.

Advanced Meteorology May 4 May 10

Advanced Shiphandling May 11 May 24

Advanced Stability April 27 May 3

ARPA April 27 May 3
May 25 May 31

ECDIS April 13 April 19

Fast Rescue Boat June 1 June 7

GMDSS July 20 August 2

Lifeboat May 4 May 17
June 1 June 14
June 29 July 12
July 27 August 9
August 24 September 6
September 21 October 4
October 19 November 1
November 16 November 29
December 14 December 27

Radar Observer April 13 April 26
May 11 May 24

Radar Renewal (one day) Contact the PHC Admissions Office

RFPNW May 25 June 21

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

Engine Department Upgrading Courses

Advanced Refer Containers May 18 May 31

BAPO May 25 June 21

Engineroom Resource Management June 22 June 28

FOWT April 27 May 24

Junior Engineer June 22 August 16

Marine Electrician May 18 July 12

Marine Refer Tech July 13 August 23

MEECE June 1 June 14

Welding May 18 June 7
June 8 June 28
July 20 August 9


Steward Department Courses

Certified Chief Cook Modules run every other week. The next
class will start April 15.

Chief Steward April 27 June 14

Galley Operations May 25 June 21

Orientation/Assessment Chief Cook 2.0 April 27 May 3
May 18 May 24

Orientation/Assessment Chief Steward 2.0 April 13 April 19
May 4 May 10


Safety Upgrading Courses

Basic Training/Basic FF April 13 April 19
May 25 May 31

Basic Training Revalidation May 3 May 3

Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation June 22 June 28

Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting June 8 June 14

Government Vessels April 27 May 3
May 4 May 10
June 8 June 14
June 22 June 28

Medical Care Provider April 20 April 26
June 1 June 7

Tank Ship Familiarization - DL June 8 June 14

Tank Ship Familiarization - LG April 20 April 26
June 1 June 7

UPGRADING APPLICATION

Name_________________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________
Date of Birth___________________________________________________________________
Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o

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

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

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

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

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

____________________________ _______________ ________________________

LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________

Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________

SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________

NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if
you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any
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, 45353 St. George Ave., Piney Point, MD 20674; or
fax to (301) 994-2189.

The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits stu-
dents, who are otherwise qualified, or any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with
applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or
activities. 4/19

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 24 3/19/2019 3:49:03 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 25

Paul Hall Center Classes

Students who have regis-
tered for classes at the Paul
Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education, but
later discover - for whatever
reason - that they can’t attend,
should inform the admissions
department immediately so
arrangements can be made to
have other students take their
places.

Important Notice
To All Students

Apprentice Water Survival Class
#845 – Graduated December 28
(photo at left, in alphabetical order):
Juan Carlos Chevalier, Arielle Collier,
Erl Jan Encina, Liam Flanagan, Solo-
mon Foster Jr., Quandell Freeman,
Lee Kinler, Thomas Koncul, Jahcoassy
Jahmon Leo, Mark McCarthy, Samuel
Ortiz Reyes, Jarek Stephan Ramon
Santos, Cody Rawlings, Stewart Sykes
Jr., Tara Trillo and Daniel Wood.

Master 100 Ton – Graduated November 2 (above, in alphabetical order):
Abdul Aziz, Carmelo Martinez and John O’Dowd.

Leadership & Management Skills – Graduated October 19 (above, in alphabetical order): Norman
Argallon Arquillano, Jose Roberto Encarnacion and Michael O’Connell. Instructor Christopher Morgan
is at the far right.

MSC Storekeeper Basic – Graduated October 19 (above, in alphabetical order): Annie Bivens, Daniel
Bynum, Shardaysha Giles, Antrell Jordan, Michael Maldonado, Jamison McIntyre, Robert Ott and Thomas
Caroline. Their instructor, Matthew Rogers, is at the far right.

Engineroom Resource Management – Graduated October 12: Jose
Roberto Encarnacion (center) and Norman Argallon Arquillano. Instruc-
tor Christopher Morgan is at left.

Government Vessels – Graduated
November 16 (photo at right, in al-
phabetical order): Gery Byrd, He-
berth Carvalho Da Cruz, Michael
Gary, Olympia Harley, Alan Jacob-
son, Surait Hussein Kajuna, Abdul-
lah Saleh, Fahd Hassen Saleh,
Aleksey Gavrilovich Vigovskiy and
Randy Estepa Wurr.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 25 3/19/2019 3:49:04 PM



26 Seafarers LOG April 2019

Paul Hall Center Classes

Junior Engineer – Graduated November 23 (above, in alphabetical order): Christian Bryant,
Paul Ianni, Paul Klear, Sebastian Krowicki, Nicolae Marinescu, Abdulkhalek Siddiq Mohsen,
Mark Richardson, Josepy Ritchey, Isaac Stoutamire, Keon Sumlar and Kyle Williamson. Instruc-
tor Christopher Morgan is at the far left.

Marine Refrigeration Tech – Graduated November 16 (above, in alphabetical
order): Tousif Ahmed, Abdulaziz Mohamed Nagi Alsinai, Vernon Humbles, Carlos
Mohler Vega, Jaquel Nesmith, Justin Nicholson, Michael Souza, Jeffrey Thrash,
Kareem Walters and Edward Williams.

FOWT (Basic Steam Plant Operation) – Graduated November 16 (above,
in alphabetical order): Rashawn Arrington, Peter Durangparang, Merville Lari-
osa Gallema and Roy Villanueva. Instructor John Wiegman III is at the far left.

UA to Able Seaman (Deck) – Graduated November 16 (above, in alphabetical order): Jordan Bates,
Mason Cook, Benjamin Curran, Kayla Doiron, John Hodges and Alphonso Johnson Jr. Instructor Wal-
ton Grooms is at the far right.

Search & Rescue – Graduated November 9 (above, in alphabetical order):
Glenn Agustin, Robert Bryson III, Johnathon Gager, Shoal Nervo, Harry Schre-
fer III and Gavin Scott.

MSC Supply Configuration Management – Graduated November 16 (above, in alphabetical
order): Annie Bivens, Daniel Bynum, Shardaysha Giles, Antrell Jordan, Michael Maldonado,
Jamison McIntyre, Robert Ott and Caroline Thomas. Matthew Thomas, their instructor, is at the
far right.

Basic Training (Basic Firefighting) – Graduated October 12 (above, in alphabetical
order): Cris Arceno Arsenio, Bradley Bagwell, Sharon Baham, Latiffe Brooks, Rodriques
Carson, Carlos Jose Castillo, Glenard Chaney Jr., Daniel Davenport, Darren Elder, Memo
Elfeky, Kelvin Johnson, Domenick Longmire, Michael Mahoney and Mykel Potter. Instruc-
tors Michael Roberts and Joseph Zienda are at the far right and far left, respectively.

Basic Training (Advanced Firefighting Revalidation) – Graduated October 12 (above,
in alphabetical order): Robert CarrollKevin Cooper, Douglas Covil, Robert Kieffer, Jamie
Norsworthy, Lewis O’Neal, Jonas Robinson, Rebecca Tallman and Michael Wilson. Joseph
Zienda, their instructor, is at the far left.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 26 3/19/2019 3:49:07 PM



April 2019 Seafarers LOG 27

Paul Hall Center Classes
SUA (Galley Operations) – Grad-
uated October 5 (photo at left, in
alphabetical order): Alexandra Er-
ickson, Paisami Gay, Daniel How-
ard, Lamarai Jones, Shadonna
Jones, EsStonia Moore, Eugenia
Porter, Noah Susumu Santiago-
Stephens, Lareesa Warren, Jessica
Williams, Kendra Williams and Jarid
Wilson.

SUA (Galley Opera-
tions) – Graduated No-
vember 2 (photo at right,
in alphabetical order):
Reginald Howard, Billie
Mahealani Kawelo, Alize
Lassiter, Christian Louis,
Gerardo Kaindoy Melano,
Wilfredo Ramos Silva,
James Scott, Tahn Stuart,
Nicholas Tacy, Jalisa Wil-
liams and Derek Wilson.

Chief Steward 2.0 – Graduated October 19 (above, in alphabetical order): Tommy Bel-
vin, Karl Meyer, Mark Salvador Scardino and Velicia Williams.

Galley Operations – Graduated October 5 (above, from left): Stevon Taylor, Porcia John-
son and Tuliga Fuega.

Chief Steward – Graduated November 9: (above, from left), Merly Ford,
real Coronel and Delia Miral Peters.

Certified Chief Cook (Module 3) – Graduated November 30 (above, from left): John Billington, Alvinmar
Iremedio Aldana, Dindo Prellagera Reforsado and Norma Painitan Baucan.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 27 3/19/2019 3:49:09 PM



Editor’s note: The following state-
ment was unanimously adopted by the
executive board of the Maritime Trades
Department (MTD) during its winter
meeting, which took place Feb. 21-22 in
Orlando, Florida. See pages 12-17 for
complete coverage of the meeting.

Jones Act: More Vital Than Ever
Without question, one of the highlights

of last year’s MTD Executive Board
meeting was the formal announcement
by Seafarers’ Rights International Execu-
tive Director Deirdre Fitzpatrick that her
organization had completed a years-long
study on cabtage laws around the world.

Fully released last September, the
study revealed that 91 countries – repre-
senting 80 percent of the world’s coastal
United Nations maritime states – main-
tain some form of cabotage law. The
report states that these laws are not iden-
tical, and describes the Jones Act as the

model for others. It also demonstrates
that cabotage laws exist across all politi-
cal, economic and legal systems.

Last summer featured a major study
specifically focusing on America’s
freight cabotage law and Puerto Rico.
Economists from Boston-based Reeve &
Associates and San Juan-based Estudios
Técnicos, Inc. on July 18 released a joint
report, “The Impact of the Jones Act on
Puerto Rico,” that concluded the Jones
Act has no impact on either retail prices
or the cost of living in Puerto Rico.

In addition, the report found that the
state-of-the-art maritime technology,
Puerto Rico-focused investments, and
dedicated closed-loop service offered by
Jones Act carriers provide a significant
positive economic impact to the island, at

freight rates lower or comparable to simi-
lar services to other Caribbean Islands.

These findings factually shot down
claims from Jones Act opponents, who
seemingly blame the time-tested law for
every problem under the sun and whose
main strategy apparently is to repeat lies
loudly and often.

Nevertheless, attacks on the Jones Act
continue, both in the commonwealth and
on Capitol Hill. Most visibly, the Cato
Institute is waging an open campaign to
weaken or repeal the law, one which is
vital to America’s national, economic
and homeland security. In fact, it spon-
sored a lightly attended forum a few
months ago featuring none other than
former FMC chairman Rob Quartel, an
avowed enemy of the Jones Act.

For years if not decades, the most
common attacks on the Jones Act fo-
cused on the U.S.-build provision. This
has long been seen as the proverbial
“camel’s nose under the tent,” and the
MTD has been at the forefront of suc-
cessfully beating back those misguided
efforts.

Today, however, Puerto Rico is front
and center. Since our last meeting, we’ve
contended with everything from harmful
proposed resolutions to threats of legisla-
tion that would exempt Puerto Rico from
the Jones Act, either for a few years or
permanently.

In a few isolated cases, we’ve learned
that some of the efforts to weaken or
kill the Jones Act simply are based on a
misunderstanding of the facts. In those
instances, our movement and our indus-
try collectively have done solid work in
educating people and moving them to the
truthful side of this issue.

Far more often, however, the orga-

nizations and individuals behind the at-
tacks are just looking to score political
points, and/or harm the U.S. Merchant
Marine and American-flag operators
while boosting foreign flags. They don’t
let facts stand in the way.

The facts are that the Jones Act has
served the best interests of the United
States for almost a century. It helps
maintain nearly half-a-million American
jobs by requiring that cargo moving be-
tween domestic ports is carried aboard
vessels that are crewed, built, flagged
and owned American.

Fortunately, many supporters rec-
ognize the value of this venerable law.
To cite just one recent example, here’s
what the Congressional Black Caucus
Institute’s 2019 Annual Report has to

say: The Jones Act “keeps well-paying
maritime jobs in American hands and
serves as a homeland security force
multiplier. Mariners on domestic vessels
are fully vetted and credentialed U.S.
citizens that serve as extra eyes and ears
on the water, helping report and deter
threats to homeland security. The U.S.
Military Sealift Command depends on
the country’s mariners to provide quick
mobilization of sealift capacity in the
event of a national emergency, and the
Department of Defense has consistently
emphasized the military importance of a
strong domestic shipbuilding industry. In
addition, vessels in the U.S. domestic
trade are subject to the full array of U.S.
safety, environmental, labor, immigra-
tion and tax laws, in contrast to foreign

vessels that may operate under flags of
convenience to avoid labor, regulatory
and tax obligations.”

Meanwhile, we would be remiss
in not tipping our cap to the Seafar-
ers International Union of Canada and
the leadership of its president, MTD
Executive Board Member Jim Given.
Brother Given continues to lead a very
successful battle to promote and protect
cabotage laws north of the border. The
results have included more jobs and job
security for our brothers and sisters in
Canada.

The MTD, its affiliates and its Port
Maritime Councils will continue to in-
vest every possible resource in the fight
to protect the Jones Act and indeed to
defend cabotage laws around the world.

Paul Hall Center
Class Photos
Pages 25-27

APRIL 2019 VOLUME 81, NO. 4

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

MTD: America Needs the Jones Act

For more coverage of the 2019 MTD meeting in Orlando, Florida, see Pages 12-17

Making Their Respective Marks During MTD Winter Meeting

Although they never took the podium, those pictured in these three photos played significant roles
during the Feb. 21-22 MTD executive board winter meeting in Orlando, Florida. Above is the cadre
(not all are pictured) of individuals who served as Sergeants at Arms during the event. Included
(from left) are Port Agent Jimmy White, Asst. VP Mike Russo, Port Agent Nick Marrone II, Port
Agent Chris Westbrook, Port Agent Joe Baselice, Port Agent Mark von Siegel, Port Agent Victor
Nunez and Asst. VP Nick Celona, their leader. In photo at left is SIU Executive Secretary Brittanie
Potter, who captivated the crowd with her singing of the national anthem. The photo below shows
members of the audience. Throughout the two-day event, they were attentive and courteous, giv-
ing each speaker and presenter their undivided attention. And, as the photo shows, they were not
bashful when it came to showing their approval of the proceedings.

54924_APRI 2K1LOG.indd 28 3/19/2019 3:49:11 PM