Seafarers Log: Vol. 61 No. 9 (1999-09-01)

September 1999

. SIU Will Crew
Nieuw Amsterdam
When Ship Transfers
To U.S. Flag In 2000

The Nieuw Amsterdam will become part of the American Hawaii Cruises fleet next year,
joining the SS Independence, which just celebrated its 1 oooth voyage (see story, page
24). Page 3.

More Jobs Acquired
By Alaska Tanker Co.
5 ARCO Ships, Plus 2 Others Increase Fleet to 16

Newest MSC
Roll-on/Roll-off
Christened
In San Diego
Seafarers Due to Climb
Gangway In November
_______ Page3

Global Link Gets the Job Done

After completing a three-month cable-laying job overseas, the SIU-crewed Global Link recently
returned to its berth in Baltimore. A recent visit to the ship found AB Geronimo Gonzales (pictured
here) and the other crew members readying the ship for its next assignment. Pages 12-13. ...___ __________ _



President's Report
Talks Continue

Last June, representatives from our union began talks with offi­
cials from the NMU on the possibility of their union merging with
ours.

At that time, I promised to keep you informed
on the progress of those meetings.

The negotiations are proceeding very well.
In the few months since the initial gathering

took place in the conference room at our head­
quarters, the group has met several times. They
have formed subcommittees which are looking

Michael Sacco into topics that affect members from both unions
such as seniority, job security and training and

upgrading. More meetings are scheduled this month.
As I have reported, the example we are following is the one set

when the Marine Cooks & Stewards merged with the SIU in 1978.
Like the NMU, the MC&S was an autonomous affiliate of the

Sill. The MC&S elected its own officials, operated under its own
constitution and negotiated its own contracts.

Then the time came when its officials felt it would be in the
best interest of the union and its members to become part of the
Sill. A document of merger was drafted between the MC&S and
the Sill. That statement was presented to the members of both
unions, who studied it, then voted to accept it.

Regarding the NMU, our two unions have several mutual inter­
ests which have allowed us to work with each other.

Already, Seafarers and NMU members are studying and
upgrading side-by-side at the Paul Hall Center. This effort has
worked out much better than anyone could have imagined. It has
been a wonderful opportunity for the members to realize how
much they truly have in common.

In last month's Seafarers LOG, we announced the new contract
with the Alaska Tanker Co. This marks the first time Seafarers and
NMU members will be sailing aboard vessels operated by the
same company.

Each step that has been taken since the NMU affiliated with the
Seafarers has met with success.

We already have moved further in the relationship between our
two unions than at any other time in our history. That is why I am
confident that future reports to you will reflect even more positive
news.

Lane Kirkland
Last month, we learned of the passing of a truly great man,

tremendous labor leader and friend to me and all of us in the SIU
-retired AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland.

Brother Kirkland held the highest position in the national labor
federation from 1979 to 1995. While I was fortunate to have
served with him as a vice president of the AFL-CIO during his last
four years in office, I worked with him for many years on a vari­
ety of issues, organizing efforts and picket lines before that.

Lane was a true believer in the working people of this country
and of the world. He got his start as a deck officer in the U.S. mer­
chant marine when World War II began. He understood the needs
and concerns of mariners and pushed for programs to help the
U.S.-flag fleet.

Lane will forever be remembered by the public for reunifying
the labor movement in the United States while providing support
for the fledgling Solidarity movement in Poland that eventually
led to the fall of the Soviet Iron Curtain.

However, I will always remember Lane as being there through­
out his career without question or pause for his fellow mariners. I
will miss my shipmate very much.

Volume 61, Number 9 September 1999

~''

The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org

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

Communications Director, Daniel Duncan; Managing
Editor, Jordan Biscardo; Associate Editor/Production,
Deborah A. Hirtes; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative
Support, Jeanne Textor.
Copyright © 1999 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD
All Rights Reserved.

2 Seafarers LOG

Retired AFL-CIO President
Lane Kirkland Dies at 77

·Former Merchant Mariner Headed
National Labor Federation for 16 Years

Lane Kirkland, president of the
AFL-CIO from 1979 to 1995 and
a former merchant mariner who
sailed during World War II, passed
away August 14. He was 77.

Kirkland died at his home in
Washington, D.C. after battling
lung cancer.

"He literally was a worldwide
labor leader, and he was a loyal
friend to the Seafarers and the
U.S. merchant marine," stated
SIU President Michael Sacco.
"Clearly, we're talking about an
exceptional person who dedicated
himself to improving the lives of
workers throughout the world.

"From reuniting the American
labor movement to fighting
against suppression of trade
unionism abroad, Lane Kirkland
leaves a remarkable legacy. He
truly will be missed."

AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland (left) welcomes SIU President
Michael Sacco to the national labor federation's executive council dur­
ing the 1991 AFL-CIO convention.

President Clinton described
Kirkland as "one of the towering
figures in the American labor
movement. For nearly five
decades, he was a guiding force
for workplace fairness, dignity
and innovation, and a catalyst for
international democracy.

"With skill, determination and
unparalleled intellect, he reunited
the major unions and reaffirmed
labor's place at the table of
American democracy," President
Clinton continued. "With his
unflagging support of free trade
unionism internationally, espe­
cially in Poland, he helped hasten
the fall of the Iron Curtain while
showing America that it is possi­
ble to stand up to communism
abroad while standing up for
working men and women here at
home."

AFL-CIO President John
Sweeney said, "Working people
around the world are better off
today because of Lane Kirkland's
strong advocacy on their behalf.
And the world is more free
because of his courage and lead­
ership."

A report by the Associated
Press noted that Kirkland had
struggled against cancer as far
back as the 1970s. He had several

cancer-related surgeries since
then, although his wife, Irena, told
a reporter that the former federa­
tion president "didn't suffer at the
end. His body just gave out."

A native of Camden, S.C.,
Kirkland enrolled at the U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy as a
teenager and subsequently sailed
as a member of the Masters, Mates
& Pilots. He shipped out for the
first time in June 1940 and gradu­
ated from the academy under its
hastened wartime procedures in
1942. He served as a deck officer
throughout World War II, sailing
in the North Atlantic, along
North Africa and in the Pacific.

During a 1993 speech at the
academy, Kirkland recalled an
interview where he was asked if
he was afraid of any decision he
made during his tenure with the
AFL-CIO.

"Afraid? I'll tell you what
afraid is. Afraid is a four-hour
night watch on the bridge of a
freighter in the middle of a
blacked-out convoy loaded with
high explosives and high octane
gasoline, in a full gale in mid­
winter in the North Atlantic, sur­
rounded by wolfpacks.

"Afraid is knowing that in an
another eight hours you are going
to have to do it all over again and
for many days and nights yet.
That's what afraid is, and I

haven't been afraid of
anything since."

When he came ashore
in 1946, Kirkland attend­
ed night school at
Georgetown University
while working at the
U.S. Navy's Hydro­
graphic Office. He
received his degree in
1948, the same year AFL
President William Green
spoke on campus and
recruited Kirkland for
the labor federation's
staff.

Assigned to the
research department, he
was given various
assignments which

Retired AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland
passed away last month. The former deck
officer led the national labor federation for
16 years. A strong supporter of the U.S.
merchant marine, Brother Kirkland leaves a
legacy of improving workers' lives in the
U.S. and around the world.

helped him catch the
attention of then Secre­
tary-Treasurer George
Meany. Six years after
Meany became president
of the merged American
Federation of Labor and
Congress of Industrial

Organizations (AFL-CIO) in
1955, Kirkland became Meany's
executive assistant.

In 1969, Kirkland became sec­
retary-treasurer of the federation.
He was elected president in 1979
and served eight consecutive two­
year terms.

His first challenge as president
was to bring under the AFL-CIO
banner those unions operating
independently. Returning to the
house of labor during his tenure
were the United Auto Workers,
the Teamsters, the United Mine
Workers, the International Long­
shore and Warehouse Union, the
Locomotive Engineers and the
Chemical Workers.

Kirkland headed the federation
during the turbulent Reagan years
when companies followed the
president's lead during the
PATCO air traffic controllers
walkout to "permanently replace"
striking workers. He worked with
that administration to find a way
to provide amnesty for the union
members "because the president
doesn't need to go on the field and
shoot the wounded," as he told a
Reagan aide.

While watching out for
America's working families,
Kirkland also had a keen interest in
the plight of workers worldwide.

Polish Solidarity leader Lech
Walesa stated his movement sur­
vived martial law in 1981 because
of the moral strength of the Pope
and the material and political aid
of the AFL-CIO. Starting with the
1980 Gdansk shipyard strike,
American unions smuggled some
$6 million worth of aid- mainly
printing equipment- into Poland.

He also worked hard to end the
oppression in South Africa and
was one of the first people Nelson
Mandela visited during his tour of
the United States upon his release
from jail.

Kirkland in 1993 received the
Presidential Medal of Freedom,
considered the nation's greatest
civilian honor.

In recent years, Kirkland often
worked with labor activists at the
George Meany Center for Labor
Studies, located in the Washington
suburb of Silver Spring, Md.

His survivors include his wife,
five children, five grandchildren
and two great-grandchildren. He
was buried in Arlington National
Cemetery.

September 1999



New Jobs Ahead for Seafarers
Alaska Tanker Co.
Increases Fleet by 7

The SIU-contracted
Alaska Tanker Company
(ATC) fleet is growing as
the company will operate
an additional seven tankers
beginning in October,
including five crude oil car­
riers presently operated by
ARCO.

That increases the ATC
fleet to 16 vessels, not
including three "Millen­
nium Class" tankers being
built in New Orleans. The
new builds have tentative
delivery dates ranging from
February 2000 to the first
quarter of 2001.

AHC to Reflo,g Cruise
Ship for Island Trade

SIU-contracted
American Classic Voyages,
parent company of Delta
Queen Steamboat and
American Hawaii Cruises
(AHC), last month an­
nounced its purchase of
Holland America Line's
Nieuw Amsterdam for
$114.5 million.

If all goes as planned,
the vessel will be trans­
ferred to AHC around this
time next year. The ship
will be reflagged under the
Stars and Stripes and will
be crewed by SIU mem­
bers. It is slated to sail the
Hawaiian Islands, like the
SIU-crewed SS Inde­
pendence (also operated by
AHC).

best-trained, most efficient
crews."

The Nieuw Amsterdam
requires a crew of approxi­
mately 400 and can accom­
modate 1,214 passengers. It
is part of American Classic
Voyages' "Project America,"
an endeavor that includes
the first new U.S.-flag,
U.S.-built deep sea cruise
ships since the 1950s.
Those two vessels, sched­
uled for delivery beginning
in 2003, are being con­
structed at union-contract­
ed Ingalls Shipbuilding.

"The Nieuw Amsterdam
is an exciting addition to
our program," said Rod­
erick McLeod, president
and CEO of Project Ameri­
ca. "This cruise ship will
offer consumers a new
U.S.-flag, U.S.-crewed
cruising option, building
the market for our two new
U.S.-flag, 1,900-passenger
cruise ships that will enter
service in 2003 and 2004."

All of the ATC ships are
covered by the SIU's
Standard Tanker Agree­
ment. Besides the ARCO
vessels, the newly contract­
ed fleet includes tankers
formerly operated by Over­
seas Shipholding Group
(OSG), Keystone, Intrepid
and MTL.

Continued on page 5

The Nieuw Amsterdam will be crewed by SIU members in the fall of 2000, pending com­
pletion of the vessel's purchase by American Classic Voyages. Details of the purchase are
expected to be finalized later this year.

"Obviously, this means
a very large number of new
jobs for the membership,"
stated SIU President
Michael Sacco. "I'm confi­
dent that the SIU will con­
tinue to provide American
Hawaii with the world's

Built in France and

Continued on page 5

New Report Emphasizes Importance of Jones Act Increasing Importance-

A new report released during a
Capitol Hill briefing reaffirms the
strong connection between the
U.S.-flag domestic fleet and the
nation's security.

sis or emergencies. by the U.S. government and other
sources.

Entitled "The United States
Jones Act Fleet and National
Security: America's Fourth Arm
of Defense," the 41-page state­
ment shows how the U.S.-flag
domestic fleet provides trained
mariners, keeps America's ship­
yards operating and maintains a
vital component of the nation's
infrastructure upon which the
military can draw in times of cri-

The document was issued in
late July by the Maritime
Cabotage Task Force, a coalition
of maritime labor, shipping com­
panies and other related concerns.
The SIU is a member of the task
force.

It also reprinted public state­
ments of support delivered by
elected and military officials
since the Persian Gulf War.

One of the facts provided by
the document was that nearly half
the crew members sailing aboard
two Ready Reserve Force vessels
called to duty in 1995 during the
Balkan crisis had worked imme­
diately before on Jones Act ships.
It further pointed out that 87 per­
cent of the U.S.-flag shipboard
employment opportunities are

The report examined the argu­
ments made by opponents of the
Jones Act-the 1920 law that
states freight moved from one
domestic port to another must be
carried aboard a U.S.-flag, US.­
built and U.S.-crewed vessel­
with facts and figures compiled

SIU Jobs Secured on 6 LNG Vessels
PRONAV Applies for Reflagging

Despite an application by PRONAV Ship
Management to reflag the eight LNG vessels cur­
rently crewed by Seafarers, the SIU will remain
aboard at least six of the ships, regardless of
whether the application is approved.

PRONAV began submitting the series of reflag­
ging applications to the U.S. Maritime Ad­
ministration (MarAd) in mid-August. The company
wants to transfer the eight LNG ships to the flag of
the Marshall Islands.

In communications sent last month to Seafarers
aboard the LNG ships, the union noted that-if
MarAd approves the reflagging-then the econom­
ic provisions (including benefits) of the SIU's
Standard Tanker Agreement will apply to six of the
vessels-the LNG Capricorn, LNG Gemini, LNG
Leo, LNG Taurus, LNG Virgo and LNG Libra. Other
parts of the existing contract covering the LNG
ships are modified only in references to the possible
reflagging.

Additionally, agreements have been signed to
ensure that the SIU contract will remain in place
even if the LNGs eventually are operated by a dif­
ferent company.

If the reflagging takes place, then crew members
who are not re-employed on the other two ves­
sels-the LNG Aries and LNG Aquarius-will
receive a severance payment.

PRONAV said it expects the switch to start in
mid-October, pending application approval.

In the detailed memorandum sent by SIU head­
quarters officials to Seafarers aboard the LNG ships,
the union pointed out that the reflagging originally
was scheduled to begin last year. The SIU had nego­
tiated a conditional but probable agreement where­
by six of the ships initially would remain under the
U.S. flag, with a phase-out schedule that ended in

September 1999

2003. At that time, the SIU crews would receive a
severance package.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances
involving contract negotiations between a U.S. offi­
cers union and PRONAV, the SIU reconsidered its
initial position that had precluded the possibility of
employment on the reflagged ships. As noted in the
memo, the once-likely conditional agreement
became jeopardized, making it possible that all eight
ships would be reflagged relatively quickly- and
leaving the SIU crews without any opportunity for
continued employment on those vessels.

Nevertheless, "We continue to strongly believe
that the LNG ships should remain under the U.S.
flag," states the memo. "The decision to accept con­
tinued employment on the reflagged vessels (should
MarAd approve the applications) was not an easy
one.

"Yet, when weighed against the alternatives, the
final decision was based on the ultimate benefit to
our members and their families. The application of
the Standard Tanker Agreement wages and benefits
will, for the first time, [apply] American labor stan­
dards on foreign-flag ships. The Agreement is no
less than that which is accepted by U.S.-flag SIU­
contracted tanker companies. It maintains our bene­
fits and will provide jobs and job security for five
more years while preserving our severance agree­
ment."

Importantly, the union pointed out that SIU's
crewing of the LNG ships will help provide a con­
tinued manpower pool of trained American
mariners for U.S. national defense purposes.
Further, the LNG vessels sail between foreign ports
(in Japan and Indonesia), and are not regarded as
militarily useful ships to the U.S.

Last month, the SIU also sent a union official to
meet with the LNG crews concerning the possible
reflagging and related questions.

aboard Jones Act vessels.
In its review of future ship­

building needs, the report project­
ed the U.S.-flag domestic fleet
could account for as much as 70
percent of the new construction in
American yards. This includes
barges as well as self-propelled
vessels.

On the financial side, with the
work beginning on the two new
passenger ships at Ingalls Ship­
building in Mississippi, the report
noted more money will be spent
on commercial shipbuilding than
non-combatant U.S. Navy con­
struction for the first time in
many years.

To emphasize the support for
the Jones Act, the document
quoted two chairmen of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff who served at dif­
ferent times in the decade.

Army General Colin Powell
stated in 1992, "The merchant
marine and our maritime industry
will be vital to our national secu­
rity for many years to come."
Five years later, Army General
John Shalikashvili added, "And
today, after two centuries our
merchant marine is every bit as
important, and every bit as vital,
to the commerce and to the
defense of our nation as it ever
has been."

To make sure the point was not
lost, a statement made earlier this

• '29% iif iiNiw (1>Jtt;iiHeI'l'llips

•Si)%.of(1l!l:lll«!Tbl roll·vnirnH-of!
\hip~

• 8!%(lf:<!lta11J.., ;·,

Slides drive home the importance
of the Jones Act during a recent
Capitol Hill briefing on the freight
cabotage law.

year by Air Force General
Charles T. "Tony" Robertson, the
head of the U.S. Transportation
Command, was included: "You
need to know that my bottom line
is the Jones Act is a proven per­
former that supports both our
nation's military security and its
economic soundness. I can't put it
any simpler than that."

(The Transportation Com­
mand, known as TRANSCOM,
oversees the movement of
American troops and their sup­
plies worfdwide.)

The text of a resolution in sup­
port of the Jones Act and signed
by more than 240 members of the
House of Representatives also
was presented.

Besides going to Congress, the
Maritime Cabotage Task Force
provided copies of the report to
the media.

SIU Will Crew New RO/RO
SIU members are scheduled to climb the gangway to new jobs

aboard the USNS Red Cloud in November.
The newly constructed, roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ship was chris­

tened last month at NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. The Watson-class
vessel is part of a 19-ship fleet (including 14 new builds and five con­
versions) designed to strengthen U.S. sealift capacity.

Maersk Line Limited of Norfolk, Va. will operate the USNS Red
Cloud.

Thousands of people attended the August 7 christening, which
highlighted San Diego's "fleet week" and the shipyard1s annual fami­
ly day. They watched as the 950-foot vessel was named in memory of
U.S. Army Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., a posthumous recipient of
the U.S. Army Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Korea in 1950.

Like the other ships in its class, the USNS Red Cloud features
390,000 square feet of cargo space. It is assigned to the U.S. Military
Sealift Command for prepositioning and other support of American
armed forces wherever needed.

Seafarers LOii 3



'Modern-Day Slave Ship'

Runaway-Flag Vessel Caught Smuggling
132 Chinese Aliens into United States

Officials from the U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) discovered 132
illegal Chinese immigrants­
many of them teenagers­
wedged into sealed compartments
in the bow of the runaway-flag
freighter Prince Nicolas last
month in Savannah, Ga.

INS agents continued their
investigation as this issue of the
Seafarers LOG went to press, but
seven people from the ship (four
crew members, three immigrants)
already have been charged in the
case. The immigrants reportedly
either paid or were going to pay
thousands of dollars apiece for
boarding the ship.

vessel.)
When INS agents went to the

ship the next day, a crew member
directed them to the hiding place.
One of the officials told the
Savannah Morning News that the
Prince Nicolas was "a modern­
day slave ship," while another
told the AP, "It reminded me of
something that would look like
slave quarters."

Investigators learned that the
three men who eventually
brought aboard the immigrants
had threatened the captain at
knife-point. The armed trio
reportedly vowed to kill not only
the captain, but also his family,
the entire crew and their families
if the captain forbade the immi­
grants from boarding the vessel.

An INS official told the
Associated Press that the Cyprus­
flagged, Chinese-owned Prince
Nicolas is part of a "very sophis­
ticated (smuggling) ring. I have
never in my 23 years with INS
seen anything this large or
sophisticated."

According to press reports, the
ship's captain on June 6 was
ordered by Dalian Jinxing
Shipping Co. to pick up "spare
parts" in the South China Sea.
Instead, three men and the 13 2
male immigrants (including any­
where from 19 to 51 teenagers)
came aboard the vessel, which
was transporting a cargo of crude
iron.

Court documents describe the
ship's atmosphere as wrought
with intimidation and tension.
They also "suggest a much wider
conspiracy, stretching across the
globe," according to an article in
the August 20 edition of the
Savannah newspaper.

AP Photo/Savannah Morning News, Bob Morris

A group of illegal aliens from China line up to be removed from the cargo ship Prince Nicolas in Savannah,
Ga. A total of 132 young Chinese men were found on board the Cyprus-registered ship.

In late July, a crew member
deserted the ship in Sweden and
informed authorities that the ves­
sel was bound for America. But,
as the ship reached the Georgia
coast on August 11, several
searches by the U.S. Coast Guard
failed to reveal the immigrants.

One report described them as
living and hiding in a 50-foot-by-
50-foot hole in the bow, bolted
from inside and welded shut on
top. That area was divided into
compartments 2 feet wide, 3 feet
long and 6 feet high, with holes in
the floor to be used as toilets.
(The only way in or out was
through two tiny, oval-shaped
openings that were sealed before
investigators first boarded the

At press time, the crew (26
Chinese, one Lithuanian and one
Filipino) were being kept in
regional detention centers, while
the immigrants were in an Atlanta

Support for Nursing Home Workers

jail. For now, they are being inter­
viewed by U.S. officials. Among
those not facing charges, possible
next steps include asylum or
deportation.

Seafarers, including Recertified Steward Judith Chester, march with Food and Commercial Workers
(UFCW) Local 400 members in front of the St. Mary's (Md.) County Courthouse in a show of solidarity
for Lexington Park nursing home workers who are seeking a new contract. Dependent health care cov­
erage became a heated issue when the head of the private facility supposedly told a worker if she want­
ed such coverage she should file for welfare. So the UFCW organized the rally with two workers enter­
ing the courthouse's welfare office to acquire applications. Contract talks continue.

4 Seafarers LOS

Latest Case Not Isolated
The case of the Prince Nicolas may shock some people, but it is

regrettably common.
China-based criminals for many years have orchestrated the ille­

gal immigration of their fellow citizens to the United States. Among
many other notable cases this decade are those of the Golden
Venture running aground in New York in 1993, with 300 Chinese
aboard; th~ seizing of five separate vessels the following year car­
rying more than 400 Chinese to various destinations in the U.S.;
and last year's interception of a fishing vessel off the West Coast
transporting more than 150 suspected illegal immigrants from
China.

As periodically noted in past issues of the Seafarers LOG, this
criminal cycle finds desperate individuals who pay as much as
$50,000 apiece to reach America. Those who arrive typically enter
long-term, slave-like agreements to repay their debt to the smug­
glers, often working at clothing factories or Chinese restaurants in
large cities.

Heart Attack Claims Beau James
A longtime fixture in the

Gulf, Theodore "Beau" James,
passed away July 24. He was 81
when he succumbed to a heart
attack.

Brother James began his
career with the SIU in 1947. The
Algiers, La. native joined the
union in the port of New
Orleans. He sailed in the stew­
ard department.

James was very active in
union organizing drives
throughout his career. He helped
set up galley operations at the
Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School in its early days and
attended a 1991 crews confer­
ence in Piney Point, Md.

Although he filed his retire­
ment papers in 1983, James
remained involved with the
union, especially in Houston. He
would cook for special func­
tions, help behind the counter,
run errands for fellow Seafarers
and oversee operations in the
hall's sign shop.

In the latter capacity, his
efforts became legendary. He
would gather the materials,
round up the volunteers and
show them what needed to be
done to produce thousands of
political yard signs.

Theodore "Beau" James

New Orleans Port Agent
Steve Judd remembered James
as someone who always extend­
ed a helping hand to others.

"One day when he was in our
hall, I asked him where he was
going," Judd stated. "He said he
was going to Houston to cut a
buddy's lawn because he could­
n't do it himself. That was ·a
five-hour trip one way. It took
two hours to cut the lawn, and
then he turned right around and
drove back that same day. That
was the kind of person Beau
James was."

Editors note: Recertified
Steward Daniel Payne pays a
special tribute to Brother James
on page 8.

September 1999



AfarAd Details Successes
Of MSP, Jones Act, RRF

global intermodal network that
includes not just vessels but also
logistics, management services,
infrastructure, terminals and
equipment, communications and
cargo-tracking networks, as well
as a cadre of well-trained, profes­
sional U.S. seafarers and shore­
side employees."

were transported in Fiscal Year
1998 under the Jones Act trade,
which is 14 percent of the domes­
tic inter-city cargo in America for
just 2 percent of the entire domes­
tic freight bill."

RRF Excels

Report to Congress Cites Security Benefits
Jones Act Support

The report credits the RRF for
excelling during a no-notice test
last September that involved 36
ships. "This represented the
largest RRF series of test activa­
tion exercises ever conducted by
DOD .... All 36 vessels were suc­
cessfully made ready for sea
within their required times."

The U.S. Maritime Admin­
istration's yearly report to
Congress states that the Maritime
Security Program (MSP) "is
working as intended to help
America retain an active U.S.­
flag merchant fleet comprising
modern, efficient and militarily
useful commercial dry cargo ves­
sels that can support national
security requirements and main­
tain a competitive U.S.-flag pres­
ence in international commerce.
The MSP also helps retain a labor
base of skilled and loyal
American seafarers who are
available to crew the U.S. gov­
ernment-owned strategic sealift
fleet, as well as the U.S. commer­
cial fleet, both in peace and war."

The report, issued earlier this
summer, also reaffirms the
Clinton administration's support
of the Jones Act, and commends
America's Ready Reserve Force
(RRF), which includes a number
of SIU-crewed ships, for "excep-

tional service and outstanding
performance" during the past
year.

Additionally, the report pro­
vides data on the U.S.-flag fleet,
which last year ranked 11th
worldwide on a deadweight ton­
nage basis and 17th in total num­
ber of ships.

MSP Benefits
Another benefit of the MSP, as

noted in the report, is the reflag­
ging of numerous ships under the
Stars and Stripes. "Since MSP
implementation in 1996, a total of
12 modern commercial liner ves­
sels, all less than I 0 years old,
have been reflagged to U.S. reg­
istry for participation in MSP,"
states the account. "Additionally,
three other containerships less
than 5 years of age were re­
flagged to the U.S. under MSP­
related legislation. The addition
of these 15 ships will greatly ben­
efit the goal of modernizing the

SIU-Crewed Fleet Grows·
Alaska Tankers
Continued from page 3

The union also reported that,
depending on the particular ship
involved, the manning scales for
ATC's fleet either will remain
unchanged or will increase.

"Some are being modified to
match the SIU's manning," noted
SIU Vice President Contracts
Augie Tellez. "For instance, on
the former OSG tankers the man­
ning is being increased by one
AB in order to return to a two AB
watchstanding configuration."

As reported in last month's
issue of the Seafarers LOG, ATC

AHC Voyages
Continued from page 3

launched in 1983, the Nieuw
Amsterdam is 704 feet long. It
features nine passenger decks,
five lounges, two restaurants, a
fully equipped spa and fitness
center, two outdoor pools, a 230-
seat theater and much more.

marks the first time SIU and
NMU members will sail aboard
vessels operated by the same
company. (The NMU is an affili­
ate of the Seafarers International
Union of North America.) Also,
contract provisions include the
creation of a trained manpower
pool, similar to the one used on
the SIU-crewed fleet of LNG
vessels.

The ARCO tankers range in
size from 70,000 to 262,000
deadweight tons. They load crude
oil at Alaska's Valdez Marine
Terminal and then deliver it to
ports in Washington state and
California.

Under provisions of the 1997
U.S.-Flag Cruise Ship Pilot
Project, AHC was extended the
opportunity to bring a reflagged
passenger ship into the Hawaiian
trade on an interim basis. The
Nieuw Amsterdam will be refitted
to meet American standards
before it joins the SS Inde­
pendence in the AHC fleet.

Carnival1s Updated Tally:
108 Sex Crimes in 5 Years
Alaska Sues Royal Caribbean for Pollution

On the heels of separate but startling disclosures in July involving
two Miami-based runaway-flag cruise lines, new reports last month
revealed additional problems for Carnival Cruise and Royal
Caribbean, respectively.

Carnival stated that its initial accounts of 62 sexual assaults aboard
its ships from 1993-98 were far fewer than the actual total of 108. The
company said it updated the data after investigating the additional
charges.

Carnival first acknowledged the attacks after a former employee
filed a lawsuit claiming she was raped and assaulted by an officer
aboard the ship Imagination last year. A lawyer for the woman ques­
tioned why some of the other alleged attacks were not brought to the
public's attention sooner.

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean, fresh off agreeing to pay a record
$18 million pollution fine stemming from its guilty pleas to 21 felony
counts in five U.S. cities and Puerto Rico, is being sued by Alaska.

The state filed a civil suit concerning admitted hazardous waste vio~
lations that may result in another multi-million dollar fine. Alaska
reportedly pursued this case because Royal Caribbean 's previous
guilty pleas prevented the state from filing its own criminal suit.

September 1999

U.S. merchant fleet and enhance
its competitiveness and sealift
readiness into the 21st century."

MarAd, which is responsible
for assuring that merchant ship­
ping is available in times of war
or national emergency, described
the MSP as "leveraging relatively
modest federal support dollars to
retain access to a robust U.S.
commercial maritime capitaliza­
tion base valued at more than
$8.5 billion."

Along those lines, the
Department of Transportation
agency cited effective coopera­
tion between government and the
industry. "By partnering with the
U.S.-flag commercial maritime
industry, the U.S. government
leverages assured access to a

Describing why the adminis­
tration supports the Jones Act
(which requires that cargoes
moving between U.S. ports be
transported on U.S.-crewed,
U.S.-flag, domestically built and
owned vessels), the report states
that the law "promotes reliable
domestic shipping service and
ensures the existence of a domes­
tic maritime industry completely
subject to U.S. control in time of
national emergency.

Meanwhile, MarAd also docu­
mented that the U.S.-flag, pri­
vately owned, deep-draft mer­
chant fleet (including some Great
Lakes vessels) totaled 3 51 vessels
in September 1998.

"The Jones Act generates
environmentally sound trans­
portation and thousands of jobs
for American citizens touching
every region of the nation. In
addition, more than 80 million
passengers and 1 billion tons of
cargo worth about $222 billion

Panama ranked first both in
number of ships ( 4,456) and
deadweight tonnage (144,120).

Worldwide, the report lists
27,730 oceangoing merchant
ships of 1,000 or more gross
tons.

Anti-Worker Forces Again Attempt
To Limit Labor's Political Activities

Less than one year after similar efforts were
defeated in more than 30 states, Congress may
consider a measure to limit the voice of work­
ing people in the electoral process.

The House of Representatives is scheduled
to consider a campaign finance reform bill
called the Bipartisan Campaign Finance
Reform Act of 1999 (HR 417) when it returns
to Washington after Labor Day. The legislation
contains an anti-worker amendment added last
month just as Congress left Capitol Hill for its
August recess.

The amendment, offered by Rep. William
Goodling (R-Pa.), would require a union to
obtain written permission from every repre­
sented worker before that union could spend
dues money on political activities. It also
would require employers to post notices in
workplaces spelling out the new law. Finally,
unions would be required to file additional
reports on their finances.

"We fought this battle last year throughout
the nation and won in each case," SIU
President Michael Sacco stated. "It was wrong
then and it is wrong now to consider any legis-

lation that tells working people their issues
can't be heard on Capitol Hill."

During last year's fight, spearheaded by
California's Proposition 226, independent
research groups discovered anti-worker forces
outspent labor by an 11 to 1 margin during the
1996 and 1998 election cycles.

The AFL-CIO pointed out the Goodling
Amendment is aimed only at unions. It takes
no action against any other group or organiza­
tion.

The labor federation noted no union dues
money is given to candidates or used in cam­
paigns for federal office because that is already
banned by the Federal Election Campaign Act.
All union political action committee money
(like the Seafarers' SPAD) is donated voluntar­
ily by union members entirely separate from
their dues.

The labor federation calculates the cost to
unions and their members to implement the
amendment, if it is passed, at $90 million.

A bill similar to the amendment was defeat­
ed in the House last year by an 80-vote margin.

Coast Guard Publishes Final Rule on User Fees
The U.S. Coast Guard last month issued the final

rule covering user fees for licenses, certificates of
registry and merchant mariner's documents (also
known as MMDs or z-cards ). The rule-which
takes effect October 4--is published in the Federal
Register dated August 5, 1999.

"This final rule will affect all mariners required
to hold a license or certificate of registry in accor­
dance with 46 CFR part I 0 or a merchant mariner's

If you apply for ...

Merchant Mariner's Document:

Original without endorsement .................

Original with endorsement ........... . ........

Endorsement for qualified rating ...............

Upgrade or Raise in Grade ...................

Renewal without endorsement for qualified rating ...

Renewal with endorsement for qualified rating .....

Renewal for continuity purposes ...............

Reissue, Replacement, and Duplicate ...........

document in accordance with 46 CFR part 12,"
reads the notice. "The Coast Guard revises the user
fees . . . based on the most recent recalculation of
program costs."

Part of the updated fee schedule is printed below.
More information is available from the Coast Guard
at (202) 267-0785. The complete rule also is avail­
able via the internet.

And you need ...

Evaluation Examination Issuance
Then the fee is: Then the fee is: Then the fee is:

$110 n/a $45

110 140 45

95 140 45

95 140 45

50 n/a 45

50 45 45

n/a n/a 45

n/a n/a 45

Seafarers LOG 5



, ---- - ---- - - - - -

t

Fire Fighten President Al Whitehead
Learnea His Union Lessons with the SIU

Al Whitehead learned a major
lesson about trade unionism
shortly after World War II when
he heard about a job on a Texaco
tanker.

At that time, he was between
ships and looking to sail while
the U.S.-flag merchant fleet that
supplied American and Allied
troops was being dismantled.

"I was told after the hall
closed to report to this tanker
because it needed a crew. I didn't
know what was going on, but it
was a job, so I headed for it."

What Whitehead found when
he got to the pier was a huge
brother from the SIU telling him
he did not want to go any further.
A picket line was in front of the
gangway because the vessel's
crew was on strike. He quickly
assessed the situation and decid­
ed to go home.

"I learned my lesson that day
never to cross a picket line,"
Whitehead recalled more than 40
years later. "To this day, I still
have not and will not cross one."

That was an important lesson
and statement because Whitehead
serves as the general president of
the International Association of
Fire Fighters (IAFF).

The path from sailing with the
SIU and the Sailors' Union of the
Pacific to leading an international
union of more than 230,000 pro­
fessional fire fighters has taken
many interesting twists and turns.

Yet, he still recalls his four
years at sea with great fondness,
including how he got his start.

Whitehead altered his birth

certificate so head could get
involved in the World War II
effort.

"I was 15 years old and my
older brother had gone to war. I
was worried the war was going
to be over before I was old
enough," he told a reporter for
the Seafarers LOG.

"I wanted to join the merchant
marine, but I was too young. So I
changed my birth certificate."

He lived in California and
heard the Seafarers and SUP in
San Francisco could get him a
merchant mariner's document and
on a ship, so he headed to the
hall. After a two-week training
session-including dish washing
and lifeboat instruction-in a San
Francisco college, he got his
papers and sailed as a messman.

Whitehead's first ship sailed
out of Wilmington, Calif. up the
coast to Alaska and the Aleutian
Islands.

"I had no idea what I was
even doing, but I recall getting
very seasick."

When that trip was completed,
he decided he would be better off
in the engine department. He
sailed as a wiper several times,
which carried him into the years
after the war. He was aboard a
tanker that sailed through the
Panama Canal to Venezuela, then
to New York.

When the vessel-part of the
War Emergency fleet-arrived in
Bayonne, N.J., the crew was dis­
missed but not given money to
return to California.

"We rode a bus to Kansas,

1--- -- r
;~ ra--
L - '----·

As president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Al
Whitehead lets those who visit his office know of his days at sea thanks
to his photo display of the ships upon which he sailed.

Ceremony Marks Start of Dredging

then hitchhiked aboard a B-25
from March Air Base to
Riverside," Whitehead noted.

Upon his return, a friend con­
vinced him to sail in the deck
department.

"I froze on deck. The ele­
ments were too cruel, standing
on the bow. I went back to being
a wiper."

Before signing off for the last
time, because jobs were becom­
ing too scarce, he upgraded to
fireman/watertender and oiler.

Another incident Whitehead
remembered during his years at
sea was the way his enthusiasm
for his job got him into trouble.

In order to get his probation­
ary union book, he was asked to
help an organizing drive for the
crews of Standard Oil tankers.

"I caught a job and got fired
almost immediately because I
kept talking up the union. I didn't
know to stay quiet and work
behind the scenes."

Whitehead explored other job
opportunities (apprentice carpen­
ter, utility lineman, railroad
brakeman-" All union jobs," he
pointed out) before becoming a
fire fighter in Los Angeles
County in 1954.

He joined the union, became
active in his local and eventually
served as the president of IAFF
Local 1014 for 12 years before
being elected general secretary­
treasurer of the international
union in 1982. As a fire fighter,
he rose to the rank of captain on
the Los Angeles County force.

Whitehead was elected IAFF
general president in 1988 and has
been reelected ever since. He
also is a vice president of the
AFL-CIO, serving with SIU
President Michael Sacco.

Through his years with the
IAFF, he never forgot his roots in
the SIU. A few years ago, he was
talking with an IAFF member in
San Francisco who mentioned he
had sailed in the 1950s. It turned
out he had sailed on the same
tanker as Whitehead, only a few
years apart.

The fire fighter showed
Whitehead a photo of the ship,
which started a one-year quest to
gain pictures of the seven vessels
upon which Whitehead had

The SIU and the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department were two of several maritime interests who
worked hard for years with local, state and federal officials to allow the dredging of the Port of New
York/New Jersey. Digging began in July when the union-built dredge New York was christened. Attending
the ceremony in Manhattan are (from left) SIU Vice Pres. Atlantic Coast Jack Caffey; MTD Vice Pres.
Jack Stewart; and Allen Francis, recording secretary for Operating Engineers Local 25 Marine Division.

6 Seafarers LOG

sailed. He had all of his dis­
charges, so he knew their names.
Fallowing numerous letters, calls
and visits around the country, he
acquired the photographs. They
are framed together and adorn a
prime location in his office.

(The names of the vessels are
the Edwin B. DeGolia, Chema­
wa, D. G. Scofield, Agriworld,
Cayuse, USNT Miss ion San
Gabriel and W.S. Miller.)

"I loved the union and I loved
sailing," Whitehead stated. "I
have some very nice memories
from those days."

A young Al Whitehead stands on
the deck of the Chemawa during
his sailing days after World War II.

Steelworkers End Strike
Steelworkers returned to work at Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding

early last month after approving a 58-month contract.
The agreement marked the end of a 16-1/2 week strike at the ship­

yard, where some 9,200 members of the United Steelworkers of
America (USWA) are employed in production and maintenance.

Both the union and the shipyard acknowledged that each side com­
promised to finalize the contract. The pact calls for a pay raise aver­
aging $3.10 an hour over its duration and also improves pension ben­
efits.

"It's time to put down the picket signs, pick up the tools and go
back with our heads held high," stated Arnold Outlaw, president of
USWA Local 8888, which represents the shipyard workers.

L.OCAL
8888

(//llI1C6
Sl"EEL
M;tl..K€~-:,

Social Security Admin.
Issues Yearly Statements
To 125 Million Workers

Starting next month, the
Social Security Administration
(SSA) is scheduled to begin what
it describes as "the largest cus­
tomized mailing ever undertaken
by a federal agency" when it
sends an annual statement to 125
million workers.

The four-page statement "is
designed to help workers with
financial planning by providing
estimates of their retirement, dis­
ability and survivors' benefits,"
according to the agency. "The
statement also will provide work­
ers an easy way to determine
whether their earnings are accu-

rately posted on their Social
Security records. This is an
important feature because Social
Security benefits are based on an
individual's career wage record."

The annual statement results
from legislative efforts spear­
headed by Senator Daniel Patrick
Moynihan (D-N.Y.). By law, the
SSA will send yearly reports to
workers ages 25 and older who
are not receiving Social Security
benefits.

Mailings will be staggered so
that individuals receive their
statements approximately three
months before their birth month.

September 1999



Family, Friends
Help Recertified
Stewards Excel
In Chosen Field

"There are few places in the
world-like the SIU-where you
can truly say that no matter what
your race, religion, sex or educa­
tional background, you can go as
far as you can take yourself. The
only thing stopping you is you."

Those were the remarks of
Vice President Contracts Augie
Tellez as he introduced the 11
graduating members of the recer­
tified steward class: Duane Ber­
geson, Russell Beyschau, Rafael
Cardenas, Judith Chester, Ruti
de Mont, Shawn Fujiwara,
Thomas Kreis, Perry McCall,
Louis Nicoud III, Daniel Payne
and Amanda Suncin.

Outside Support
But the life of a Seafarer is not

for everybody. It takes the strong
support of friends, family and the
Seafarers International Union to
help each individual who passes
through the doors of the Paul Hall
Center to become better at their
chosen profession.

At the August membership
meeting in Piney Point, Md., the
unity of family and friends was
evident as the 11 graduates were
called individually to the podium
to receive their graduation certifi­
cates for completion of the five­
week steward recertification
course, the highest level of edu­
cation the union offers for mem­
bers of the steward department.

First to the podium was Rafael
Cardenas. The 37-year-old, who
sails from Puerto Rico, recounted
his story of being forced to drop
out of college following an auto­
mobile accident in which both
legs were broken and then being
turned down for military service.
His uncle, a recertified bosun,
suggested he look into the trainee
program at the Paul Hall Center,
and in January 1984, Cardenas
started. He hasn't looked back
since.

Thanks to the SIU, Cardenas
said, he has traveled the world,
earned a good salary and reached
the pinnacle of his career.

This was the fifth time
Cardenas has returned to the
school to upgrade his skills. He
enjoyed meeting brothers and sis­
ters from different ports and shar­
ing their different cooking tech­
niques. He found the food
demonstrations to be especially
interesting and believes his new
knowledge will help him do a
better job aboard ship.

Cardenas advised the unli­
censed apprentices to study hard
and never be afraid to ask ques­
tions.

Course Change
Judith Chester, 46, began

working aboard American
Hawaii Cruises passenger vessels
in 1985-a job she believed real­
ly fit her lifestyle. She had made
a five-year plan, however, and
that involved moving on, perhaps
in the business field in which she
had obtained her college degree.

But her "guardian angels" had
a different plan for her, and 14
years later, Chester is still with
the SIU, now sailing from the
port of San Francisco. She has
sailed as a chief cook all over the
world, visiting exotic countries
like Egypt, Singapore, Japan,
Germany, Wales and Dubai-just
to name a few-and believes she
has finally found her niche in life,
a creative job that she loves. "I
am so thankful," she told the
group assembled for the meeting,

Recertified Steward Russell Beyschau says the facilities at the Paul
Hall Center have been great for him and his wife, Kelli, and their daugh­
ter, Kristianna (2 years, 3 months old).

September 1999

Following the membership meeting and the presentation of graduation certificates, the recertified stewards join
union officials on the stage for a group photo. From the left are Plans Administrator Lou Delma, Daniel Payne
and his son, Sammy, Perry McCall, Louis Nicoud Ill, Ruti de Mont, Assistant Vice President Contracts George
Tricker, Thomas Kreis, Russell Beyschau, Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez, Judith Chester, Duane
Bergeson, Shawn Fujiwara, Rafael Cardenas, Amanda Suncin and SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel.

"that I found a career which fits
me like a shoe."

Chester told the trainees that
they should ask themselves: Am I
ready for a life of adventure? Am
I ready to travel the world? To
meet people from all walks of
life? Am I willing to try my hard­
est to do the best job I can? Am I
willing to try to get along with the
people I work with and to work
together as a team? Am I ready to
experience the freedom that ship­
ping provides me?" She told them
that if they could answer yes to
those questions, then they are in
the right place.

Chester has returned to the
school four times to expand her
knowledge, and each time she has
found it a rewarding experience.
She was particularly impressed
with the new fire fighting and
safety school and feels confident
that she can be an active part of a
fire fighting team should an
emergency occur aboard ship.

Sailing from the port of
Tacoma, Shawn Fujiwara joined
the union in 1988, also sailing
aboard the SS Independence in
Hawaii. He planned to do this for
a couple years-and nearly 12
years later has now reached the
highest rating available to mem­
bers in the steward department.

Fujiwara, whose mother flew
from Hawaii to be with him on
this special day, first upgraded in
1990. It was then, the 35-year-old
claimed, that he decided to stay.
"In that time," he notes, "I have
been around the world and visited
16 countries and have seen things
most people only dream about."

Thanks Others
In addition to the SIU officials

and school instructors, Fujiwara
thanked the people who influ-

enced his life, including all the
stewards under whom he has
sailed and for believing in him
when he started to doubt himself.

Fujiwara says stewards have
one of the hardest jobs on the ship
and are often the forgotten ones,
but it is up to them to make sure
each meal is hot, hearty and that
the crew leaves with their bellies
full. "Remember," he jokingly
stated, "you are only as good as
your last doughnut."

To the unlicensed apprentices,
Fujiwara imparted the secret to
his success: "I never gave up, I
always cared, and I never forgot
where I came from or where I
was going."

He commended those trainees
who were studying for their
GEDs and noted they are all
embarking on the adventure of
their lifetime. He reminded them
that they will leave the school
with not only a job but also with

Ruti de Mont (left) and Judith Chester complete the refresher class in
fire fighting at the new Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School.

a skill. "The school is here for us,
it is up to us to use it."

Thomas Kreis, 57, joined the
SIU in 1970 in the port of Mobile
and now ships out of New
Orleans.

For nearly 30 years, Kreis
said, being a Seafarer has been a
good way of life. In returning to
the school for the third time, he
found the fire fighting and CPR
classes to be of particular benefit
and noted an even closer sense of
unity among Seafarers than in
years past.

"I'm proud to be here," he
stated, adding he would recom­
mend upgrading to fellow
Seafarers. "It will be a lot of hard
work, but nothing comes easy."

To everyone in the audience

Continued on page 8

Seafarers LOB 7



While learning more about how the union works for its members in the_ legislative proc~ss, the recertified stewards toured Capitol Hill. They were addressed by Rep. Ed Pastor (D­
Ariz.) (right photo) and also posed with the elected delegate from American Samoa, Eni F. H. Faleomavaega.

11 Recertified Stewards Speak of 'Past, Present, Future'
Continued from page 7

and to the trainees, in particular,
Kreis said, "Remember: whether
it's your first ship or your last
ship, respect is what makes us
strong."

Daniel Payne, 52, thanked the
union for allowing him to bring
his family with him when upgrad­
ing. "I'm away from my family
enough as it is, and it's been a real
blessing to be able to study and
have my family here," said the
Seafarer who sails from the port
of Houston.

He also thanked the trainees for
their hard work and told them to
keep it up and they would do fine.

Next Generation
Amanda Suncin, 46, joined the

SIU in San Francisco in 1977 and
now sails from Tacoma, Wash.

"I feel very honored and privi­
leged to be here today," she said,
"and for the opportunity to join
the maritime industry in 1977
because I wanted to follow in my
father's footsteps. I am very
proud of my father because I feel

that all of the sacrifices he made
and the picket lines he walked
helped create better working con­
ditions of which we're reaping the
benefits today." [Suncin's father,
Fernando, was a member of the
Marine Fireman's union.}

Suncin continued the theme of
unity when she said, "My father
and our fathers before us are the
past; we as upgraders are the pre­
sent; and the trainees are the
future of our union. As a unit and
with teamwork, we can continue
the legacy that our fathers fought
so hard for."

Suncin thanked the SIU offi­
cials for their work in keeping the
union strong and said she enjoyed
visiting the Capitol and seeing
how SPAD contributions help
every SIU member.

She thanked her family for their
support, especially her 9-year-old
daughter who does not always
understand that her mother must
leave for long periods of time.

Suncin said she learned a lot in
the recertification course and
found the fire fighting, first aid
and STCW classes particularly

Passing Dawn Memories ••• and Recipes
Stewards play a very impor­

tant part in shipboard life. But
some may be more memorable
than others. For Recertified
Steward Daniel Payne, one
such man was Pensioner
Theodore "Beau" James, who
died July 24 at the age of 81.

Payne says that it was a
great privilege to have known

Daniel Payne thanked the
union for allowing him to bring
his wife, Aurora, and son,
Sammy (7), with him to the
school while he was upgrading.

B Seafarers LOS

Jam es, and he only hopes he
will be as much of a help to
other Seafarers and the labor
movement as James was.

The new recertified steward
offers one of the late steward's
recipes to help keep his memo­
ry alive.

Beau James' World's Fair
Dinner Rolls

(makes 4 rolls)
1 quart milk
3 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoon salt
% cup butter
3 quarts bread flour
3 eggs
2 Tablespoon yeast
2 Tablespoon baking powder

Scald milk and then cool.
Dissolve yeast in lukewarm
milk, add sugar, 1 'Y2 quarts flour
and the butter. Rise in a warm
place until light. Add baking
powder and salt to balance of
flour mix and then add to wet
mix. Knead well. Place in a
greased bowl, rise until dou­
bled. Knead again. Shape rolls.
Let rise until doubled in size.
Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20
minutes.

rewarding. Her advice to those
entering the profession is to never
be afraid to ask questions, and
said she hoped she would get to
meet them aboard ship sometime
soon.

This is the third time Duane
Bergeson, 3 9, has returned to the
Paul Hall Center for upgrading,
and he says it gets better each
time.

He learned how important
STCW is to the union and how it
could help protect the U.S. mer­
chant fleet from foreign en­
croachment.

Bergeson, who sails from the
port of Tacoma, summed up his
experiences by paraphrasing the
worlds of actor Arnold
Schwarzenegger: "I'll be back."

Returns to Center
Russell Beyschau, who was a

trainee in class 397 in 1984, has
returned to the school six times to
upgrade. His home port is Piney
Point.

The 33-year-old Beyschau
said the facilities at the Paul Hall
Center have been great for both
him and his family. "I have
enjoyed each time here at the
school and look forward to the
next."

The recertified steward said he
would recommend upgrading to
his fellow Seafarers because of
what it has given him-a chance
to see the world and visit places
other people can only dream of
and make a great living at the
same time.

He reminded the apprentices
that the SIU is a "great organiza­
tion" and the upgrading facilities
are a benefit of which they should
take advantage.

"Dreams do come true," said
Perry McCall, 38. When he start­
ed as a trainee at the school in
1982, he told himself he wanted
to go to the top, he wanted to be
the best he could be in the culi­
nary arts field. And every chance
he got, he returned to upgrade.

McCall sails from San
Francisco.

"I once sat where you are
now," he said to the unlicensed
apprentices. "If you're eager and
ready to learn," then you also will
advance.

Another of the recertified
stewards who began their SIU
career sailing aboard the
Independence in Hawaii is Ruti

Chef Instructor Ed White (standing in rear) works with the new class of
recertified stewards.

de Mont. After flying out to
Kauai for her first job as a GU,
she almost missed the ship-but
that was 14 years ago!

The one thing she regrets, she
noted, was that it took her eight
years before she came to the
school to upgrade for the first
time. Mostly, she said, she lacked
self-confidence.

"Once I finally got here, I
overcame my fears very quickly,"
she said, and urged the trainees
not to make the same mistake.
"As soon as you have the seatime
you need," she stressed, "make
the effort to come back here and
upgrade."

Confidence
The 40-year-old de Mont has

returned numerous times-total­
ing more than a year of training
and instruction-and says it has
helped her grow as a person and
become confident in her profes­
sion.

In her closing remarks, de
Mont, who continues to sail from
Honolulu, left three simple words
for all upgraders and unlicensed
apprentices to take with them on
their next ship: "Can I help?"

Much of the self-confidence
gained by the students completing
the steward recertification course

is based on their work in the gal­
ley labs where they created, prac­
ticed and prepared new recipes,
experimented with different cook­
ing techniques and learned nutri­
tion and the sanitary practices so
necessary aboard ship.

They also toured Capitol Hill
and the union headquarters in
Camp Springs, where they met
with representatives of the
union's various departments.
These meetings were designed to
enhance their understanding of
the union's operations and pro­
vide them with the latest informa­
tion from each department so that
they, in tum, can relay it to their
fellow crew members aboard
their next ship.

Last up to the podium to
receive his certificate was Louis
Nicoud III, 43, who joined the
SIU as a trainee in 1982 and
worked his way up the ladder
from SA to recertified steward.

Nicoud, who sails from the port
of Wilmington, Calif., thanked the
SIU and its officials for all the
"sacrifices they have made" to
ensure the success of its members
into the new millennium.

"I have no doubt," he stated,
"that the 21st century will be as
strong and shipping as good, if
not better, than today."

September 1999



Prime Topics at Piiiey Point: Safety, STCW

Bill Eglinton, director of vocational education at the school and a fre­
quent participant in international STCW meetings, discusses the con­
vention's ramifications for steward department Seafarers.

Lakes Seafarers
Work Through
Cargo Slump

Seafarers on the Great Lakes are maintaining full schedules, but the
steel crisis continues to impact cargo movement there.

Through July, Lakes vessels had moved about 5 million fewer tons
of cargo compared with the same period last year. Some of the
decrease is due to short-term factors (including ship repairs and low
water levels), but more stems from the continued dumping of foreign
steel into the United States.

The dumping (illegally selling steel at less than production cost)
has caused a reduction of domestic steel production. This particularly
has impacted the iron ore and stone trades.

Trade unions and industry groups are working to combat the unfair
trading practices.

September 1999

Above: Pictured aboard
the cement carrier
Townsend in Detroit are
(from left) Conveyorman
Fred Hart, AB Vladislav
Pitsinko and AB John
Vegh.
Left: Applying muscle to
the task at hand is
Bosun Phillip Piper,
aided by Conveyorman
Fred Hart aboard the
Townsend.

The impact of the 1995
amendments to the International
Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping (STCW) for
mariners is evident in the many
courses available at the Paul Hall
Center for Maritime Training
and Education, located in Piney
Point, Md.

STCW has influenced every­
thing from the school's entry
program to its most advanced

safety courses, which have been
updated to meet the latest
requirements. It also led to the
center securing new accredita­
tion from the American Council
on Education, along with various
approvals from the U.S. Coast
Guard.

Pictured on this page are stu­
dents who recently took courses
at the school. The photos were
supplied by instructor Russ
Levin.

Though officially retired, Romeo
Lupinacci (standing) still lends his
invaluable experience to instruc­
tors and upgraders. Here the
master executive chef, for years a
fixture at the school, makes sure
that Seafarers are satisfied with
lunch.

To Seal arers
Who Joined

In 1938 or 1939

The Seafarers LOG

Officials from the American Council on Education examine Paul Hall
Center courses to determine which ones warrant college credit recom­
mendations. Pictured from left to right are Beth Wroblewski of
American Service Technology, Dr. Clay Warren, Celeste Sichenze,
Capt. Lee Kincaid and Charles Munsch.

would like to hear from you
as soon as possible con­
cerning an upcoming article
that involves the union's
history. Please contact the
LOG office at (301) 899-
0675, or write to us at 5201
Auth Way, Camp Springs,
MD 20746 and let us know
how we may contact you.
We appreciate your assis­
tance and hope to hear from
you soon.

Bosun Sets Record Straight

SEAFARERS:

Recertified Bosun Jerry Borucki politely informed the
Seafarers LOG that we made a mistake in the May
issue (photo caption, page 20). ''That was not the Sea­
Land Trader, it was the tanker Boston," the bosun wrote.
"We don't load the Sea-Land Trader in Valdez." The
longtime Seafarer gave us a second chance with these
photos. Above: Borucki (right) poses with Third Mate
Mahoney while the Sea-Land Trader (we really mean it
this time) discharges cargo in Hong Kong. At left (from
left): ABs Norm Taylor and Allan Campbell are pictured
with Bosun Borucki on the stern.

YOUR DONATION PROVIDES JOB SECURITY

INTO THE NEXT MILLENNIUM.

SUPPORT SPAD

Seafarers LOG 9



Activity Abounds
In Port

John Haller (top photo) and Mike Kirby are reefer mechan­
ics at Petty's Island, a Crowley facility in Pennsauken, N.J.
across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, where SIU
members load and unload barges and ships and maintain
containers, among other jobs.

Of Philadelphia Above left: On the deck of the Maritrans tanker
Integrity are (from left) AB Rodney Roberson,
SIU Representative Joe Mieluchowski and AB
Joe Arnold. In photo above, AB Edgard
Martinez stands gangway watch while the ship
was at the Marcus Hook dock.

In photo at left, Captain Roger Taylor and Senior Deckhand
Ed Zolynski dock the River/ink (above) at Penns Landing in
Philadelphia. Operated by McGovern Marine, the River/ink is
an SIU-crewed passenger ferry that runs between Camden,
N.J. and Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is a busy port
for Seafarers who sail in the
union's inland and deep sea
divisions, and the SIU pres­
ence in and around the city's
waterfront areas is very much
in evidence.

SIU members can be found
crewing and performing main­
tenance work on the ocean­
going ships, tankers, tugs and
barges that sail into the port as
well as the local passenger
ferry linking the city with
Camden, N.J.

Mate Mike Daniels (left) and Cook Gary Mason work aboard Express
Marina's tug Consort.

Among the SIU-contracted
inland companies operating in
the area are Crowley, Moran,
Maritrans (which also oper­
ates deep sea tankers),
McAllister and Express
Marine. In addition, Crowley,
Sea-Land and NPR, Inc. oper­
ate port facilities to assist in
the upkeep of their equipment.

!.

10 Seafarers LOB

The Maritrans 300 (left) is one of
many barges operated by the
company. At right, the Mayaguez,
an NPR, Inc. vessel , is unloaded
at the Packer Ave. terminal in
Philadelphia.

Following a payoff aboard the Intrepid tanker Courier, (from left) Chief
Cook Michael Kozak, Bosun G. Israel Bonefont and OMU Michael
Haller relax in the ship's lounge.

AB Pat Lavin does some chipping on the Carolina, which was tem­
porarily laid up in Philadelphia.

September 1999



I

i

S-L Con111mer Crew Agrees:
Everyone Loves a Cookout

All the hard work is worth the effort when
you know one of Chief Cook William "Bill"
Pitt's cookouts is not far behind.

According to DEU John Cooper (who sent
the Seafarers LOG the photos on this page), the
Sea-Land Consumer crewed in Norfolk, Va.,
loaded cargo in Jacksonville, Fla. and headed to
San Juan, P.R. to unload. NPR, Inc. 's Humacao

also was in port at the time, and the crew mem­
bers from both vessels were able to get off their
respective ships and enjoy some of the sights of
the port city.

En route to New York, where the Sea-Land
Consumer paid off, everyone pitched in to do
their part in making the ship's barbecue a suc­
cess.

Everyone helps at cookout time. Above, AB Larry Bradley
cleans the deck while (below) Assistant Cook Rachel
Cutler-Washington surveys the area to see what still
needs to be done.

Ready to go ashore in Puerto Rico are DEU John Cooper,
OMU Robert Brown and ABs Bennie Spencer and Larry
Bradley.

Electrician Howard Hendra Jr. spruces
up his fo'c's'le before going ashore in
Puerto Rico.

The Sea-Land Consumer pays off upon arrival in New York. SIU Patrolman
Jack Sheehan (seated) updates Bosun Frank Adams, AB Steve Ledermann
and OMU Mohsin A. Yafai on the latest union news.

Officers and crew alike share in the delicious grilled food.

Three of the consumers waiting for the cookout to begin are (from left) AB Juan Ayala, OMU Valentin M.
Martinez and OMU Silvio J. Iglesias.

September 1999

Right: Chief
Engineer
Thomas

Dutton (left)
heads for the
grill, manned

by Chief Cook
Bill Pitt.

Left: Capt. Peter
Balley joins his
crew on the ship's
stern for some good
food.

Seafarers LOG 11



LINK
NEW YORK

NY
SIU members aboard the Global Link recently helped execute a project called "Columbus 3" that involved laying cable between
Florida and Africa. The job took about 90 days.

AB Lyle Davis

12 Seafarers LOS

j Left: AB Steve
'J Roquemore

Right: OMU Knolly
Wiltshire

Below: SA Jose Garcia
Bulnes (left) and SA

Mosleh Mosleh

Chief Cook Tom Scheider (left) and Cook/Baker Ray Toro

Global
3-Mon

Vessel Ret
T

he SIU-crewed cable
returned to its berth in
three-month assignme

However, the completion
between Florida and Africa
crew members' work. A shi
found Seafarers vigorously e
and upkeep of the vessel.

Additionally, a number of
Global Link recently comple
ing the International Safety

"We're on stand-by, sow
nance, training for cable proj
body's skills," noted Recerti
Isenstadt. "We also host a lo
from schoolchildren to teleco

Aboard the Global Link, cable is stored in dee
through machinery that helps guide it to the ocean
in the area pictured directly above.

September 1999



~i11k Crew

rns to Port of Baltimore
hip Global Link recently
Baltimore following a
t overseas.
f that cable-laying job
id not signal an end to the
board visit in mid-August
gaged in maintenance

ed a two-day class cover­
anagement Code (ISM).

're doing general mainte­
cts and updating every-

1ed Bosun Brian
of tour groups, everyone

unications companies."

compartments (right), then fed
floor. Part of the work takes place

September 1999

Before the three-month assignment, the Global Link
(operated by Tyco International) had been stationed in
the Caribbean for approximately 18 months. While
there, the ship moved a depot from St. Thomas to St.
Croix.

"During off hours, we took advantage of being at
the islands," said Isenstadt. "Some of the crew learned
how to scuba dive."

Chief Electrician Peter Littman pointed out that, no
matter where the ship is docked, preventive mainte­
nance is crucial. He observed that the Global Links
computerized inventory helps in that regard.

"There are a lot of things that can go wrong, so we
really stay on top of it," he observed.

"It's a good environment on this ship, with good
people," Littman added.

Above: OMU Bill Young

Left: Electrician Frank
Coburn

Right: AB Geronimo
Gonzales

Right:
Splicer/Joiner

Lovell Smith

Seafarers LOS 13



Washington Post Profiles New Fire Fighting School

Local News

The Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety
School continues to draw attention for its unique
purpose. Last month, The Washington Post fea­
tured the facility in its August 22 section dedicat­
ed to the happenings in southern Maryland.

The article, carried on three pages, included
several color photographs of Seafarers from
apprentice class 592 learning how to attack fires
in an engine room, on a petroleum barge and from
a helicopter. Each of these procedures is taught to
all students taking fire fighting at the new school.

The article informed its readers about the other
aspects of the school: damage control, search­
and-rescue, first aid and safety, water survival and
much more.

Readers of The Washington Post from southern Maryland learned about the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School,
thanks to a three-page article with color photographs in the paper's August 22 edition.

Apprentices Keolamanloaohawaiiloa Mowat and
Shannon Bonefont describe their training experi­
ences to reporter Jessie Mangaliman (far right).
Instructor Anthony Hammett listens.

Personal Greetings for Holiday Issue of the LOG
As has been done in past years, this December's edition of the Seafarers LOG will include the ever­
popular holiday greetings from active and retired Seafarers and their families to other members of
the seafaring community and their fam il ies.
To ensure that your holiday message is published, please follow the instructions below:
D PRINT or lYPE (in 25 words or less) the message in the space provided. Photographs also are

welcome. (Please print-if we cannot read your message, it will not be included.)

D Be sure your greeting is in the holiday spirit.

D Do not send more than three entries per person. (This form may be reproduced.)

D Be sure to include your name as well as the name of the person to whom you are sending the
greeting. (Your name is necessary since the notices are listed alphabetical ly by the sender's last
name.) Include your phone number in case there are any questions.

D The holiday greetings must be received no later than Monday, November 15, 1999.

D Send your entries to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. You also
may FAX copies directly to the LOG at (301) 702-4407.

Additionally, forms may be filled out in any un ion ha ll and turned in to the officia l at the counter--or
may be given to the boarding patrolman during a vessel's payoff.
The holiday greetings section of the December LOG is a favorite feature for many, so be sure to get
your message in on time.

To:

HOLIDAY MESSAGE
(Please Print)

From: -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

Sender's Telephone Number:

Message:

Check the block which describes your status with the SIU:
D Active Seafarer D Family Member of Active Seafarer
D ·Retired Seafarer D Family Member of Retired Seafarer

Other:_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-
9199

14 Seafarers LOS

BACK TO SCHOOL DAYS
Scholarship to Help 7 Members, Dependents

With the arrival of the 1999
school year, three SIU members
and four dependents of Seafarers
are among those heading through
the portals of higher education.

These seven students are real­
izing their dreams of a higher
education with financial assis­
tance from the Seafarers Welfare
Plan Scholarship Program ... and
so can you!

All Seafarers and their spouses
and children who plan to attend
college next year-autumn of
2000-are encouraged to com­
plete a scholarship application.
The deadline for submission of
all required paperwork is April
15, 2000.

One of the three scholarships
reserved for SIU members is in
the amount of $15,000 and is
intended to help cover the cost of
attending a four-year, college­
level course of study. The other
two are for $6,000 each and are

intended as two-year awards for
study at a post-secondary voca­
tional school or community col­
lege. Four scholarships are
awarded in the amount of
$15,000 to the spouses and de­
pendent children of Seafarers.

The first step in finding out
more about the scholarship pro­
gram, eligibility requirements
and the application process is to
send for the Seafarers
Scholarship Program booklet.
The booklet contains all the nec­
essary information a prospective
student will need to complete the
application. To receive a copy of
this guide, fill out the coupon
below and return it to the address
listed on the form.

Upcoming issue of the
Seafarers LOG will have more
articles about the scholarship pro­
gram, but you can get a head start
by sending away for your schol­
arship program booklet now.

r--------------------------------------------------,

Please send me the 2000 SIU Scholarship Program booklet
which contains eligibility information, procedures for apply­
ing and a copy of the application form.

Name~------------------~
Mariner's Social Security Number _________ _

Street Address

City, State, Zip Code ____________ _

Telephone Number

This application is for: D Self D Dependent

Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program,
Seafarers Welfare Plan,

5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746
9199

--------------------------------------------------~

September 1999



Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea
JULY 16 - AUGUST 15, 1999

*TOTAL REGISTERED
All Groups

Class A Class B Class C

Port
New York
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
Mobile
New Orleans
Jacksonville
San Francisco
Wilmington
Seattle
Puerto Rico
Honolulu

Houston
St. Louis
Piney Point
Algonac

Totals

Port
New York
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
Mobile
New Orleans
Jacksonville
San Francisco
Wilmington
Seattle
Puerto Rico
Honolulu
Houston
St. Louis
Piney Point
Algonac
Totals

Port

26
3
5

18
9

25
35
21
17
30
11
13
27

3
1
0

244

IO
1
6

11
8
9

22
12
4

10
2
7

22
1

3
0

128

New York 9
Philadelphia I
Baltimore 6
Norfolk 3
Mobile 6
New Orleans 13
Jacksonville 20
San Francisco 23
Wilmington 19
Seattle 25
Puerto Rico
Honolulu 12
Houston 14
St. 'Louis 0
Piney Point 3
Algonac 0
Totals 155

Port
New York
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
Mobile
New Orleans
Jacksonville
San Francisco
Wilmington
Seattle
Puerto Rico
Honolulu
Houston
St. Louis
Piney Point
Algonac
Totals

7

2

4

4
5
0
9

7
2
0

1
1

46

Totals All
Departments 573

8

5
10
6

13
16
10
8
7
4
7

10
3
4
2

114

7
2
5
8
4

11
11
6
3
2
5
4
9
0

0
78

2
0

1
3
5
4
4
3
4

1
5
5
2
6
0

46

27
2
3

14
7
8

11
16
8

12
2

31

9
0

16
1

167

405

5
2
2
9
8
4
8
5
6
4

5
3

6
7
0
0

74

2

3

2
6

4
3

3
4
1
0
0
0

32

0
0

3

I
3
0

0
0
0
9
2
l
0
0

21

17

I
5
0

13

11
5
6
4

1
69
5
l

16
0

155

282

TOTAL SHIPPED
AU Groups

Class A Class B Class C

21

2
5
8
8

23
35
15
18
26

8
10
26

0
0
2

207

DECK DEPARTMENT
IO
2
5

10
· 4
16
11
3

10
8
3
4

) l

3
2
2

104

4

2
14
6
6
8
3
3
2
5
4
5
0
2
0

65

Trip
Reliefs

6
0

2
5
6

lO

I
8

13
5
1

10

1
71

ENGINE DEPARTMENT
6 8

2
8 6
4
8
9

21
8
4

14
3
6

17
l
2
0

112

8
2

10
8
7
6

4
5
0
4
0

72

3
I
0
4
l
3
3
2
4
2
0
0
0

26

1
0
3
6
3
3

10
5
3
8
2
3
2
l
2
0

52

STEWARD DEPARTMENT
10 2 I 5
2 0 1 0
3
3
8

6
11
21
13
16

1
8

10
0

0
113

0
6
0

10
4
1
3

0
7
2
0
6
0

42

0
2
0
0

0
0
0
0
9
0
l
0
0

15

ENTRY DEPARTMENT

2
1

5
9
7
9

10
0
3
5
0

0
58

0 14 5 0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0

4

5
5
2
4

2
3
1

0
0
0

28

460

2
2

12

3
6
8
8
4

10
4

28
6
0

10
1

118

336

0
4
7
0
7
4
0

3
8
2

63
l
0

9
0

113

219 181

**REGISTERED ON BEACH
AU Groups

Class A Class B Class C

36
9
9

17
15
27
56
32
32
49
22
12
44

5
4
2

371

22
3
5

12
11
15
26
16
12
19
9
6

26
2
4
0

188

23

3
5
9

7
12
31
37
26
39
2

20
20

1
2
0

237

14
1
l

1
5
4

13
8

14
5

10
3
0

l
1

82

878

18
0
8

19
8

16
18
11

16
9
3
8

18
3
4
2

161

13
2
5
8

11
8

14
7

12
5
5
6
9
0
3
0

108

9
0
2
6
6
7
7
6
7
3

7
6
2
8
I

78

47
1

3
11
11
12

26
30
19
15

1
36
16
1
9
I

239

586

10
2
1
9
7

4
12
4

10
3
2
2

I I
10

2
90

6

4
1
3

11

1
5
2

5

1
2
0
0

44

0

4
2

2
4
0

1
8
2
1

2
0

30

44
3
2

10
2

14
22
6

17
6
2

94
11
2

13
0

248

412

*"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port.
**"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port.

September 1999

Octobel' & November 1999
Membership Meetings

Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters

Piney Point ............. Monday: October 4, November 8

Algonac .................. Friday: October 8, November 12

Baltimore ................ Thursday: October 7
Friday: November 12*
(*change created by Veterans Day holiday)

Duluth ..................... Wednesday: October 13, November 17

Honolulu ................. Friday: October 15, November 19

Houston .................. Monday: October 11, November 15

Jacksonville ............ Thursday: October 7
Friday, November 12*
(*change created by Veterans Day holiday)

Jersey City .............. Wednesday: October 20, November 24

Mobile .................... Wednesday: October 13, November 17

New Bedford .......... Tuesday: October 19, November 23

New Orleans ........... Tuesday: October 12, November 16

New York ................ Tuesday: October 5, November 9

Norfolk ................... Thursday: October 7
Friday, November 12*
(*change created by Veterans Day holiday)

Philadelphia ............ Wednesday: October 6, November 10

San Francisco ......... Thursday: October 14, November 18

San Juan .................. Thursday: October 7
Friday, November 12*
(*change created by Veterans Day holiday)

St. Louis ................. Friday: October 15, November 19

Tacoma ................... Friday: October 22, November 26

Wilmington ............... Monday, October 18, November 22

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

Correction

In the photo above, which appeared in the May issue of
the Seafarers LOG, one of the names was incorrect. The
caption should have identified (from left) AB Donnie
W. Collins II, retired SIU Port Agent Joe Perez and AB
Charlie Touzet.

LOG-A-RHYTHMS

Ode to the Chef
by C.J. Sandy

"Thats not my job," was never heard

"What would you like, " always the word

Pasta pesto, exotic stir-fry

Sushi, Chinese dishes and Thai

Had King Harry s Court e'er ate

What graced the humble seaman s plate

Above and beyond Valdez Peaks

Forever! Cucumbers and leeks.

This poem was written by AB C.J. Sandy as a tribute
to the great job performed by Chief Cook Blair
Humes aboard the ATC Ohio.

Seafarers LOG 15



t

' !~.
!

Sllafarets lntemallonal Union
IJlret:lary

Michael Sacco
President

John Fay
Executive Vice President

David Heindel
Secretary-Tr~urer

Augustin Tellez
Vice President Contracts

Jack Caffey
Vice President Atlantic Coast

Byron Kelley
Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters

Dean Corgey
Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone
Vice President West Coast

Kermett Mangram
Vice President Government Services . ..

HEADQUARTERS
5201 Auth Way

Camp Springs, MD 20746
(301) 899-0675

ALGONAC
520 St Clair River Dr.
Algonac, MI 4800 I

(810) 794-4988

ANCHORAGE
72 l Sesame St., # l C

Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 561-4988

BALTIMORE
1216 E. Baltimore St

Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 327-4900

DULUTH
705 Medical Arts Building

Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-4110

HONOLULU
606 Kalihi St.

Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 845-5222

HOUSTON
1221 Pierce St.

Houston, TX 77002
(713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE
3315 Liberty St.

Jacksonville, FL 32206
(904) 353-0987

JERSEY CITY
99 Montgomery St.

Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 435-9424

MOBILE
1640 Dauphin island Pkwy.

Mobile, AL 36605
(334) 478-0916

NEW BEDFORD
48 Union St.

New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-5404

NEW ORLEANS
391 t Lapalco Blvd.
Harvey, LA 70058

(504) 328-7545

NEW YORK
635 Fourth Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11232
(718) 499-6600

NORFOLK
115 Th:ird St.

Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 622-1892

PIDLADELPHIA
2604 S. 4 St.

Philadelphia, PA 19 I 48
(215) 336-3818

PINEY POINT
P.O . .Box 75

Piney Point, MD 20674
(301 ) 994-00 l 0

PORT EVERGLADES
1221 S. Andrews Ave.

ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 522-7984

SAN FRANCISCO
350 Fremont St.

San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-5855

Government Services Division
(415) 861-3400

SANTURCE
1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16Y:i

Santurce, PR 00907
(787) 721-4033

ST. LOUIS
4581 Gravois Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63116
(314) 7 52-6500

TACOMA
3411 South Union Ave.

Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 272-7774

WILMINGTON
510 N. Broad Ave.

Wilmington, CA 90744
(310) 549-4000

16 Seafal'el'S LOS

Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes
JULY 16 - AUGUST 15, 1999

L - Lakes NP - Non Priority CL - Company/Lakes

*TOTAL REGISTERED TOTAL SHIPPED **REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups All Groups All Groups

Class CL Class L Class NP Class CL Class L Class NP Class CL Class L Class NP

Port DECK DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 22 12 0 16 9 0 6 3
Port ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 10 7 0 9 6 0 1 1

Port STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 4 4 0 4 1 0 0 3
Port ENTRY DEPARTMENT
Algonac 0 16 19 0 13 11 0 3 8

Totals All Depts 0 52 42 0 42 27 0 10 15
*"Tota] Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port.
**"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port.

Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters
JULY 16 - AUGUST 15, 1999

*TOTAL REGISTERED TOTAL SHIPPED **REGISTERED ON BEACH
All Groups All Groups All Groups

Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B

Region DECK DEPARTMENT
Atlantic Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gulf Coast 2 0 3 0 0 0 1 0
Lakes, Inland Waters 44 0 0 24 0 0 20 0

West Coast 1 0 6 7 3 5 4
Totals 47 0 9 31 1 3 26 4
Region ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Atlantic Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
Gulf Coast 0 0 2 0 0 0 I 0
Lakes, Inland Waters 26 0 0 15 0 0 11 0
West Coast 1 0 0 5 0 2 2 0
Totals 7 0 2 20 0 2 14 0
Region STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Atlantic Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Gulf Coast 5 0 0 3 0 0 13 l
Lakes, Inland Waters 25 0 0 7 0 0 18 0
West Coast 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

Totals 30 0 0 11 0 1 31 1

Totals AU Depts 84 0 11 62 1 6 71 5

*"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port.
**"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port.

PIC-FROM-THE-PAST
This photo was sent to

the Seafarers LOG by
Pensioner Malcolm M.
Cross of Torrance, Calif.

The photo was taken
December 31 , 1947-
New Year's Eve-aboard
the Alcoa Pointer.

Cross states that the
ship was in Halifax, Nova
Scotia during the Christ­
mas holiday. He is pictured
in the front row at left and
hopes ''the rest of the gang
is still around."

Standing in the back,
from left, are AB Elmer
Whidden, Bosun Nat
Newsom, OS "Chick"
Evans and AB Carl Jarve.
Kneeling in the front row
are AB Malcolm Cross,
OS Earl Parnell, AB Ed
Evans, AB Ed Hayston
and OS Bob Guthrie.

Cross, now 83, joined
the SIU in 1944 in the port
of New York.

Class C

0
3
0

12
15

0
2
0
1
3

0
0
0
0
0

18

September 1999



Welcome Ashore
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 waterways 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.

S ixteen Seafarers are
announcing their retirements
this month. Among this

group are two recertified stewards
and one recertified bosun.
Representing 114 combined years
of active union membership,
Recertified Stewards Emanuel
M. Douroudous and Jesse B.
Natividad and Recertified Bosun
Benedict Veiner are graduates of
the highest level of training avail­
able to members in the steward
and deck departments, respective­
ly, at the SJU's training school in
Piney Point, Md.

Including the three recertified
graduates, 12 of those signing off
sailed in the deep sea division,
three navigated the inland water­
ways and one plied the Great
Lakes.

On this page, the Seafarers
LOG presents brief biographical
accounts of this month's pension­
ers.

DEEP SEA
EMANUEL
M.DOU­
ROUDOUS,
61, joined the
Seafarers in
1970 in the
port of New
York, first
sailing aboard

the Seatrain Delaware. Born in
Greece, the steward department
member upgraded his skills at the
SIU's training school in Piney
Point, Md. and graduated from
the steward recertification pro­
gram there in 1987. Brother
Douroudous last sailed aboard the
Sea-Land Voyager. He makes his
home in Seattle.

JUANITO
FIEL, 63,
graduated from
the Marine
Cooks &
Stewards
(MC&S) train­
ing school in
1965 and
joined that union in the port of

San Franci co. His first ship was
the President Cleveland, an
American President Lines vessel.
Born in the Philippines, the stew­
ard department member last
sailed aboard the Matson Naviga­
tion Co.'s Mokihana. Brother Fiel
has retired to Tracy, Calif.

EDUARDO
GONZALES,
68, began his
career with the
Seafarers in
1978 in the
port of New
Orleans. A
native of

Honduras, he ailed in the stew­
ard department and upgraded his
skills at the union's educational
facilities in Piney Point, Md.
Brother Gonzales last shipped
aboard a Waterman Steamship
Corp. vessel. He calls Chalmette,
La. home.

ALEJAN­
DRO MAR­
TINEZ, 66,
graduated from
the Andrew
Furuseth
Training
School in 1964
and joined the
SIU in the port of Baltimore.
During his career, he worked in
all three departments. He last
sailed in 1992 in the deck depart -
ment aboard the Golden Monarch,
operated by Westchester Marine.
From 1952 to 1954, he served in
the U.S. Army. A native of Puerto
Rico, he has retired to Ponce.

RONALD
REGAN
MOORE,55,
graduated
from the
Andrew
Furuseth
Training
School in

1962 and joined the Seafarers in
the port of Mobile, Ala. His first
ship was the Del Valle, operated

by Delta Steamship Co. The
Alabama native worked in the
steward department and upgraded
his skills at the union's school in
Piney Point, Md. Brother Moore
last sailed aboard the Robert E.
Lee, a Waterman Steamship Corp.
vessel. He calls Mobile home.

JESSE B. NATIVIDAD, 80,
joined the MC&S in 1967 in the
port of San Francisco. Born in the
Philippines, he shipped in the
steward department and upgraded
his skilJs at the Seafarers Harry
Lundeberg School, where he
graduated from the steward recer­
tification program in 1980. He
was a veteran of World War II,
having served in the U.S. Army
from 1941 to 1948. Brother
Natividad last sailed aboard Bay
Ship Management's Sandy Bay.
He makes his home in MilJbrae,
Calif.

RUDOLPH
WILLIAM
NURMI JR.,
62, began sail­
ing with the
Seafarers in
1967 from the
port of New
Orleans,
aboard the Yellowstone. A native
of Louisiana, he worked in the
engine department and upgraded
frequently at the union's school in
Piney Point. During the period
from 1954 to 1967, he served in
the U.S. Navy and then in the Air
Force. Brother Nurmi last sailed
in 1994 aboard the USNS Wilkes,
operated by Bay Ship Manage­
ment. He has retired to Baytown,
Texas.

JOSE
ISADOR
ORTEGA, 68,
started his
career with the
SIU in 1956 in
the port of
New York. His
first ship was

the Steel Vendor, operated by

Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG their own making. What do you do with old, sec­
ondhand computers?

1947 Unlike a man, whose working life is about 45
NEW YORK - The presence of hundreds of years, computers, which can cost over $600,000

white-capped Seafarers prevented strikebreakers each, are old and ready for a pension in perhaps five
from forcing their way rr.===================================:=il years. Since most com-
through picket lines puters are leased instead
established by the CIO .. ~u. tr of sold outright, they find
Shipyard Workers around _ ftfi~ their way home again like
two Brooklyn plants of • old hound dogs ....
the Bethlehem Steel .f· The problem of aged
Company. computers will grow as

The lines were set up more and more new
by Locals 12 and 1 3 models hit the market.
more than 12 weeks ago, but early this week the Perhaps eventually they can solve the problem by
company stated that it would "throw its gates open" simply hooking all the old machines together and let­
to any employees who wanted to return, a move that ting them figure it out for themselves.
the union immediately branded as "strike-breaking."

The regional representative of the Shipyard
Workers called upon the Seafarers for help and, with
the same speed that the SIU has shown in the past,
aid was dispatched to the 29th Street and 56th
Street, Brooklyn, plants of the company.

All the SIU members who went to join the picket
lines did so on a volunteer basis.

1962
(Editor's note: This editorial excerpt indicates that his­
tory, at least in part, repeats itself.)

Computer manufacturers, who claim to solve all
sorts of problems for others through automation, are
now facing a big problem and, poetically, it's one of

September 1999

1979
(From Paul Half's president's report)

For us there is no bluffing in politics. We have to
have a full house every time to bring home a winner.

In this game, brothers, SPAD is our chips. And
like in any poker game, you can't go in with a small
bankroll. If you do, you're as good as dead ....

There is no question that the membership's sup­
port of SPAD has already increased our ability to
function politically. Our overall goal is to have every
SIU member participate in the SPAD check-off pro­
gram .... For those who have not signed the check-off
authorization, it's time to start giving serious consid­
eration to doing so.

Isthmian Lines, Inc. Brother
Ortega sailed in the steward
department and upgraded his
skills at the Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and Education
in Piney Point, Md. He last sailed
as a chief cook aboard the
Overseas Ohio. Born in Colo­
rado, he makes his home in
Jalisco, Mexico.

JOSEPH
ORTIZ JR.,
65, joined the
Seafarers in
1982 in the
port of Hono­
lulu. His first
ship was the
Oceanic
Independence, operated by
American Hawaii Cruises. A
native of Hawaii, he worked in
the engine department and
upgraded his skills at the union's
school in Piney Point, Md. From
1951 to 1954, he served in the
U.S. Coast Guard. Brother Ortiz
last sailed in 1994 aboard the
Sea-Land Consumer and has
retired to Haleiwa, Hawaii.

JOAQUIN
PASS APE RA,
58, graduated
from the
Andrew
Furuseth
Training
School in 1962
and joined the

SIU in the port of New York. His
first ship was the Monarch of the
Seas, a Waterman Steamship
Corp. vessel. Born in Puerto
Rico, he worked in the deck
department and last sailed aboard
the USNS Perseverance, operated
by Interocean Ugland
Management Corp. Brother
Passapera calls Humacao, P.R.
home.

ANTONIO
PRIZMIK,
63, started his
career with the
Seafarers in
1965 in the
port of New
Orleans, first
sailing aboard
the Del Norte. He began working
in the deck department and later
transferred to the steward depart­
ment. Brother Prizmik last sailed
aboard the Sgt. Matej Kocak.
Born in Brazil, he makes his
home in Orlando, Fla.

BENEDICT VEINER, 75, first
sailed with the SIU in 1944. The
New Jersey native worked in the
deck department and upgraded
his skills at the Seafarers Harry
Lundeberg School, where he
graduated from the bosun recer­
tification course in 1984. Brother

Veiner last
sailed aboard
the Nedlloyd
Holland, a
Sea-Land
Service, Inc.
vessel. He has
retired to
Palatka, Fla.

INLAND

BYRON
DALE
DAVIDSON,
56, first sailed
with the
Seafarers in
1968. Born in
Colorado, he
worked in the
deck department as a captain.
From 1960 to 1964, he served in
the U.S. Army. Boatman
Davidson last shipped aboard a
Crowley Towing and
Transportation Co. vessel and has
retired to Cypress, Texas.

WILLIAMF.
HUNTER, 68,
began his
career with the
SIU in 1971.
A native of
Massachusetts,
he sailed as a
captain. Prior

to his retirement, he shipped
aboard a Crowley Marine
Services vessel. Brother Hunter
makes his home in Diberville,
Miss.

BOBBY
BLAIR
LEWIS, 62,
joined the
Seafarers in
1956 in the
port of
Norfolk, Va.
Born in North
Carolina, he sailed as a captain.
Prior to his retirement, he
worked aboard the Escort, an
Express Marine Co. vessel.
Boatman Lewis calJs Lowland,
N.C. home.

GREAT LAKES

MUSSLffi
BEN KAS­
SIM, 65,
joined the SIU
in 1966 in the
port of
Detroit. A
native of
Arabia, he

worked in all three departments
during his career. He last sailed in
1980 aboard the Richard J. Reiss,
operated by Erie Sand Steamship
Co. Brother Kassim makes his
home in Detroit.

Liberty Ship Seeks Volunteer Crew
The Liberty ship John W Brown, based in Baltimore, seeks volun­

teers to crew the vessel for segments of a trip throughout the Great
Lakes planned for next year. The voyage tentatively is scheduled to
begin in May 2000 and end in August.

Volunteer mariners with current z-cards are needed to fulfill Coast
Guard regulations for crew complement.

The non-profit group operating the vessel also is producing an 18-
month calendar featuring historic photos of various Liberty ships. All
proceeds will go toward funding the Lakes voyage.

For more information about the trip, or to order the calendar, con­
tact Project Liberty at (410) 661-1550 or (410) 558-0646.

Seafarers LOS 17

=



,-- -- --- --- · ----------~--

!
I
I
I
I
I
t
I

f
t ~
I
f

' I
final Departures

t
I
r

DEEP SEA

GEORGE D. ARRLEDGE
Pensioner George Donald Arrledge,
70, passed away July 13. Brother
Arrledge first sailed with the SIU in
1951. A native of Ohio, he worked
in the deck department. Prior to
retiring in October 1994, he sailed
aboard the USNS Altair, operated by
Bay Shipping. From 1951to1955,
he served in the U.S. Air Force.
Brother Arrledge was a resident of
Vrrginia Beach, Va.

YUNG JEONG CHU
Pensioner Yung
Jeong Chu, 80,
died February
28. Born in
China, he
joined the
Marine Cooks
& Stewards
(MC&S) in the
port of San

Francisco. He sailed as a member of
the steward department and began
receiving his pension in October
1973. Brother Chu made his home
in San Francisco.

CARMINE G. FANTACONE
Pensioner Carmine George
Fantacone, 80, passed away June 21.
A native of New York, he joined the
MC&S in 1959 in the port of San
Francisco. Brother Fantacone sailed
in the steward department and
retired in March 1978. He was a res­
ident of Yountville, Calif.

DANIEL E. FICCA
Daniel Eugene
Ficca, 42, died
June 8. Brother
Ficca graduated
from the Sea­
farers Harry
Lundeberg
School's entry

., If, ~ level training
\ · · program in

1974 and joined the SIU in Piney
Point, Md. His first ship was the Los
Angeles, a Sea-Land Service vessel.
Sailing as a member of the engine
department, he frequently upgraded
his s.Ialls at the school. Virginia
Beach, Va. was home to Brother
Ficca.

AURELIO A. FLORES
Pensioner
Aurelio A.
Flores, 83,
passed away
June 30. Born
in Mexico, he
first sailed with
the SIU in 1951
aboard the City
of Alma, operat­

ed hy Waterman Steamship Corp.
Brother Flores worked in the stew­
ard department, last sailing aboard
the Connecticut. He was a veteran of
World War Il, having served in the
U.S. Anny from 1942 to 1948. A
resident of Pasadena, Texas, Brother
Flores started receiving his pension
in July 1982.

DAVID FLORES
Pensioner
David Flores,
75, died June
27. A native of
Hawaii, he
joined the
MC&S in 1945,
first sailing
aboard the
Stephen J.

Field. The steward department mem­
ber last shipped in 1989 as a chief
cook aboard the President Harrison,
operated by American President
Lines. Brother Flores was a resident
of Bremerton, Wash. and retired in
January 1990.

18 Seafarers LD6

GLADSTONE W. FORD
Pensioner
Gladstone W.
Ford, 89,
passed away
April 27. A
charter member
of the Sea­
farers, he joined
the union in the

~__.__..__,____.""""""........., port of Boston
in November 1938. During his
career, he sailed in the steward
department and was active in union
organizing drives. Brother Ford
made his home in Roo evelt, N.Y.
and began receiving his pension in
August 1974.

ERIC H. FREDERICKSON
Pensioner Eric
Howard
Frederickson,
59, died June
25. Brother
Frederickson
first sailed with
the SIU in 1970
from his native
New York. He

sailed in the engine department and
upgraded his skills at the Paul Hall
Center in Piney Point, Md. Prior to
his retirement in March 1996, he
worked aboard the Sea-Land
Enterprise. Brother Frederickson
was a resident of Las Vegas, Nev.

RICHARD V. GEILING
Pensioner
Richard Victor
Geiling, 75,
passed away
June 17. Born
in Illinois, he
joined the
Seafarers in
1951 in the port
of New York.

He sailed as a member of the stew­
ard department and upgraded his
skills at the union's school in Piney
Point, Md., graduating from the
steward recertification program there
in 1987. During his career, he was
active in union organizing drives. A
resident of Shoreline, Wash., he
retired in September 1991.

GEORGE T. GILL III
George
Tompkins Gill
Ill, 29, died
June 14. He
graduated from
the Paul Hall
Center for
Maritime
Training and
Education in

1993, Class 507, and joined the SIU
in Piney Point, Md. His first hip
was the LNG Aquarius. Brother Gill
sailed in the engine department and
upgraded his skills at the school. He
was a resident of Richmond, Va.

ISAAC B. GIVENS
Pensioner Isaac Bates Givens, 80,
passed away April 13. Brother
Givens began hi career with the
MC&S from the port of Wilmington,
Calif. Born in Louisiana, he worked
in the steward department. A resi­
dent of Wilmington, be began
receiving his pension in February
1977.

SCOTTY GREENLEE

Scotty
Greenlee, 28,
died March 27.
A native of
South Carolina,
he graduated
from the
Seafarer Harry
Lundeberg
School' entry

level training program in 1991 and
started his career with the SIU in

Piney Point, Md. The Cape Bon,
operated by Interocean Manage­
ment, was his first ship. Brother
Greenlee sailed in the engine depart­
ment and upgraded his skills at the
school. He wa a resident of
Baltimore.

ROBERT "ROMA" L. HARDY
Pensioner Robert "Roma" Lee
Hardy, 76, pas ed away June 7. Born
in Texas, he joined the MC&S in
1945, first sailing aboard the Kodiak
Victory. Prior to his retirement in
March 1971, he worked in the stew­
ard department on the President
Wilson, an American President Lines
vessel. Brother Hardy made his
home in San Francisco.

KIM DOY LEONG
Pensioner Kim
Doy Leong, 72,
died April l. He
joined the
MC&S in 1957
in the port of
San Francisco.
Born in China,
he sailed in the
steward depart­

ment as a chief cook. A resident of
San Francisco, he started receiving
his pension in April 1979.

CHARLESR.LOVELAND
Pensioner
Charles Ray­
mond Loveland,
70, passed away
July 14. After a
20-year career
in the U.S.
Navy, he began
sailing with the
SIU in 1968

from the port of San Francisco
aboard the Southwestern Victory.
Born in Montana, he sailed in the
deck department and upgraded his
skill at the Paul Hall Center. Prior
to his retirement in June 1995, he
worked aboard the Northern Lights,
operated by Interocean Manage­
ment. Brother Loveland was a resi­
dent of Kent, Wash.

BOBIE E. McMICHAEL
Pensioner
Bobie Eugene
McMichael, 70,
died June 29. A
native of
Mississippi, he
started sailing
with the SIU in
1953 in the port

.............. ~ ........ _.....L.-........... of New
Orleans, first working aboard the
Del Norte, a Delta Steamship Co.
vessel. During his career, he sailed
in the engine department and was
active in union organizing drives.
From 1946 to 1948, he served in the
U.S. Navy. Brother McMichael was
a resident of Sparks, Nev. and start­
ed receiving his pension in Septem­
ber 1993.

GILBERT M. MILLSAP
Gilbert Marion
Millsap, 67,
passed away
June 15.
Brother Millsap
began his
career with the
Seafarers in
1990 in the port

Iii of Houston. His
first hip was the USNS H.H. Hess, a
Marship Operator vessel. Brother
Millsap sailed in the engine depart­
ment and upgraded his skills at the
union' chool in Piney Point, Md.
From 1949 to 1953, he served in the
U.S. Army. Born in South Carolina,
he made hi home in Tacoma, Wash.

LEROY M. NICHOLAS
Pensioner Leroy Maurice Nicholas,

82, died July 7.
A charter mem­
ber of the SIU,
he joined the
union in Janu­
ary 1939 in the
port of Mobile,
Ala. The Ala­
bama native
worked in the

steward department, last sailing as a
chief steward. During his career, he
was active in union organizing dri­
ves. Prior to his retirement in
November 1979, he worked aboard
the Sea-Land Economy. Brother
Nicholas was a resident of New
Orleans and a veteran of World War
II, having served in the U.S. Marine
Corps from 1942 to 1946.

JAMES A. PARKER
Pensioner James Adam Parker, 77,
pa sed away March 21. He joined
the MC&S in the port of Seattle.
Born in Arkansas, he sailed as a
member of the steward department
and began receiving his pension in
August 1971. Brother Parker made
his home in Seattle.

NELSON O. ROJAS
Pensioner
Nelson Orlando
Rojas, 63, died
June 28. Born
in Chile, he
graduated from
the Andrew
Furuseth
Training School
in 1962 and

joined the Seafarers in the port of
New Orleans. His first ship was the
Henry. Brother Rojas began working
in the steward department and later
transferred to the deck department.
During his career, he attended an
educational conference in Piney
Point, Md. Before retiring in April
1991, he sailed aboard the Stonewall
Jackson, a Waterman Steamship
Corp. vessel. Brother Rojas was a
resident of Metairie, La.

ROBERT L. SCOTT
Robert Lee
Scott, 55,
passed away
June 9. A native
and resident of
Mobile, Ala., he
graduated from
the Andrew
Furuseth
Training School

in 1964 and joined the Seafarers in
the port of New York. His first ship
was the Cathy. Brother Scott sailed
in the steward department and
upgraded his skills at the Seafarers
Harry Lundeberg School, where he
graduated from the steward recertifi­
cation program in 1989. His last
ship was the Julius Hammer.

RICHARD T. SMITH
Richard
Theodore
Smith, 60, died
June 25.
Brother Smith
graduated from
the Andrew
Furuseth
Training School
in 1963 and

joined the SIU in the port of New
York. His first ship was the Steel
Executive, operated by Isthmian
Line , Inc. The Penn ylvania native
ailed in the deck department. He

wa a re ident of Oakland, Calif.

STEVE A. SOOFI
Pen ioner Steve A. Soofi, 67, pa sed
away June 22. He began his career
with the Seafarers in 1976 in the
port of Seattle. Born in Yemen, he
ailed in the steward department and

upgraded his skills at the union's
school in Piney Point, Md. His first

l~~--~~I ship was the
Newark Bay,
operated by
Sea-Land
Service, Inc.
and his last ship
was the
President
Jefferson, an

..__ ____ _...,.~b:J American

President Lines vessel. A resident of
Detroit, Brother Soofi began receiv­
ing his pen ion in October 1996.

DANIEL A. STEWART
Pensioner
Daniel Amos
Stewart, 62,
died May 5. A
native of
Florida, he first
sailed with the
SIU in 1966
aboard the
Volusia, operat­

ed by Suwannee Steamship Co.
Prior to his retirement in February
1998, the deck department member
worked aboard the Sea-Land
Quality. From 1954 to 1961, he
served in the U.S. Navy. Brother
Stewart made his home in Houston.

ANTHONY TOSADO
Pensioner
Anthony
Tosado, 73,
passed away
June 17. He
joined the
Seafarers in
1944 in his

o . uring
his career, he was active in um
organizing drives. Brother Tosado
worked in the deck department, last
sailing aboard the Sea-Land
Developer. A resident of Miami
Beach, Fla., he started receiving his
pension in November 1986.

CHUNG GENE WON
Pensioner Chung Gene Won, 78,
died June 5. Born in Chimi, he start­
ed his career with the MC&S in
1961 in the port of San Francisco.
The steward department member's
first ship was Matson Navigation
Co.'s Lurline. Brother Won retired in
March 1984 and was a resident of
San Franci co.

INLAND

ROBERT BLAKE
Pensioner
Robert Blake,
78, passed away
July 13. Boat­
man Blake
started his sail­
ing career in
1949 and joined
the Seafarers in
1962 in the port

of Philadelphia. Born in Connecti­
cut, he sailed in the engine depart­
ment, last working aboard a Taylor
and Anderson Co. vessel. A resident
of Essington, Pa., he began receiving
his pension in June 1989.

NATHAN RAY BRANCH

Nathan Ray
Branch, 51,
died May 24. A
native of
Florida, he
began his career
with the SIU in
1967 from the
port of
Houston.

Boatman Branch sailed as a captain
and upgraded his skills at the
Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School.
He made his home in Tenaha, Texa .

Continued on page 22

September 1999



Digest of Shipboard
Union Meetings

The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard
minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space

limitations, some will be omitted.

Ships minutes first are reviewed by the union's contract department.
Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union

upon receipt of the ships' minutes. The minutes are then forwarded
to the Seafarers LOG for publication.

1st LT. JACK LUMMUS
(American Overseas Marine), April
10-Chairman Chris Kalinowki,
Secretary Donna J. Scott,
Educational Director John Yarber,
Deck Delegate Ali Alifaqih, Engine
Delegate Mike Coombes.
Discussion held on money purchase
pension plan, necessity of obtaining
STCW endorsements and having
TRBs signed by appropriate person
aboard ship. Educational director
noted importance of upgrading skills
at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point,
Md., especially to obtain proper cer­
tification required for registering
and shipping. New ship's fund set
up at meeting. Deck delegate
requested clarification on seawatch­
es and steward delegate reminded
everyone to clean rooms before get­
ting off ship. He also noted hand­
books regarding union's plans avail­
able in deck department office.
Chairman said Seafarers LOG has
information for members in all
departments, including latest
upgrading information. Since ship
seldom ports where there is a union
hall or representative, everyone
should read LOG. ext ports: Guam
and Saipan.

HMICAPELOOKOUTSHOALS
(IUM), April 28-Chairman
Michael Eaton, Secretary Alan W.
Bartley, Educational Director
Larry M. Phillips, Deck Delegate
Brad Seibel, Steward Delegate
William Chorney. Chairman
reminded crew members to check z­
cards for expiration date and also
obtain STCW endorsements.
Secretary and educational director
stressed need to upgrade at Piney
Point and help keep union strong by
contributing to SPAD. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Request
made for steward assistant to do
rooms and sanitary so chief steward
can concentrate on cooking. Next
port: Long Beach, Calif.

SEA-LAND EXPLORER (Sea­
Land Service), April 25-Chairman
Raymond Yager, Secretary Gary
Meiser, Educational Director
Raymona P. Gayton, Deck
Delegate James C. Henry, Steward
Delegate Amin A. Mohamed.
Chairman announced ship en route
from Yokohama, Japan to Long
Beach, Calif. for payoff. He also
mentioned those who knew
William B. Hom (Tom-Tom) were
saddened by his death in February.
Educational director advised mem­
bers to further their education at
Paul Hall Center and to donate to
SPAD. Treasurer announced $1,100
in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed
OT reported. In discussion of
President's Report in LOG, AB
Henry spoke for everyone when he
expressed pleasure at having new
jobs on U.S.-built ships. Washing
machine fixed; floor tile in chief
electrician's room needs repair. AB
Mark A. Stevens gave special
thanks to deck department for all
they do; also to Chief Cook Danny
Guerrero and GSU Mohamed for
their extra work. Next ports: Long
Beach and Oakland, Calif.

GLOBAL LINK (Tyco), May 27-
Chairman Jose S. Gomez,
Secretary Lanette Lopez,

September 1999

Educational Director Franklin
Coburn, Deck Delegate Melvin L.
Singletary, Steward Delegate Eric
Van Benthuysen. Chairman noted
crew members busy preparing ship
for Coast Guard inspection. Last
week, ship went through random
drug test procedures. All went well
and crew members have done fine
job with assigned duties. Educa­
tional director made everyone aware
of upcoming classes at Paul Hall
Center. Treasurer announced $2,200
in ship's fund. No beefs, disputed
OT or safety hazards reported.

HM/ ASTRACHEM (IUM), May
30-Chairman Stanley Daranda,
Secretary Luis Escobar,
Educational Director Nelson Lazo,
Deck Delegate Jose Canales,
Engine Delegate Keeper Brown,
Steward Delegate Fausto D.
Aranda. Chairman announced ship
to pay off in Savannah, Ga, then
head to Guayama, P.R. Secretary
urged crew members to take advan­
tage of free education available at
Piney Point and thanked deck
department members for job well
done. Educational director suggest­
ed attending courses at Piney Point
to upgrade skills. No beefs or dis­
puted OT reported. Request made to
fix air conditioning and washing
machine. Vote of thanks given to
steward department for excellent
meals.

HM/ DYNACHEM (IUM}-May
31-Chairman Robert J. Coleman,
Secretary Ronald Tarantino,
Educational Director Eron G. Hall
Jr., Deck Delegate Billy D.
Watson, Steward Delegate James
Harris. Chairman announced pay­
off June 1. All four unlicensed
apprentices will get off in Florida;
four new ones expected aboard.
Chairman reminded members of
opening of Joseph Sacco Fire
Fighting School in Piney Point.
Educational director advised crew
to check expiration dates on all doc­
uments needed to ship out.
Treasurer noted all contributions for
satellite system, weight room and
movie fund greatly appreciated and
should be given to captain. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Clarification requested from head­
quarters on butterworthing.
Discussion held about NMU mem­
bers sharing school and jobs aboard
ship. With news of new passenger
ships on horizon, crew felt NMU
would be welcomed workforce.
New VCR requested for crew
lounge. Steward department given
vote of thanks for good job-too
good a job, in fact, since members
are complaining of gaining weight.
Next port: Port Everglades, Fla.

HUMACAO (NPR, Inc.), May
27-Chairman David Murray,
Secretary Raymond L. Jones,
Educational Director Angel S.
Hernandez. Chairman requested
clarification of new drug testing
policy and questioned who is to
sign off on TRBs. Secretary stated
payoff in San Juan May 28.
Educational director urged all hands
to get necessary training for STCW
endorsement, such as fire fighting.
Treasurer announced $10 in ship's
fund. No beefs or disputed OT

reported. Suggestion made and for­
warded to contracts department to
have welfare plan pay for depen­
dents' prescriptions. Another
request made was to have company
provide transportation from ship to
gate for safety reasons. Steward
department given vote of thanks.

LNG LIBRA (PRONAV), May
23-Chairman Bert Gillis,
Secretary John Gibbons,
Educational Director Jeff Yarmola,
Deck Delegate Jesse Natividad,
Engine Delegate Marcos Hill,
Steward Delegate John Bukowsky.
Chairman led discussion on possi­
ble reflagging of LNG vessels.
Secretary added that until further
word is received, crew members
should continue doing their usual
professional jobs. Chairman sug­
gested when going ashore in
Indonesia, everyone should keep
safety in mind and travel in pairs.
He also reminded crew when on the
beach, they should attend SIU
monthly meetings. Educational
director stressed benefits of upgrad­
ing at Piney Point and advised
members to check z-cards and
renew, if necessary. No beefs or dis­
puted OT reported. Recommenda­
ion made for crew to support SPAD
and read LOG to stay abreast of
current events in maritime industry.

MARINE COLUMBIA (Intrepid
Ship Management), May 29-
Chairman Anthony J. Sabatini,
Secretary Anthony St. Clair,
Educational Director Ronald
Gordon, Deck Delegate Leo P.
Bognoson, Engine Delegate
Detricke Kelly, Steward Delegate
John F. Huyett. Chairman led dis­
cussion about Alaska Tanker Corp.
taking over from Intrepid and of
STCW endorsements needed by
2002. He also warned crew mem­
bers using pilot's ladder to be care­
ful when going ashore in Hawaii
due to heavy swells. Educational
director urged crew to upgrade
skills at Piney Point. Suggestion
made to use $1,350 in ship's fund
for new sound system and larger
TV. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Vote of thanks given to
steward department for good job.
Next port: Hawaii.

ROBERT E. LEE (Waterman
Steamship), May 30-Chairman
Eugene Grantham, Secretary
Miguel Pabon, Educational
Director Thomas P. Arthur, Deck
Delegate Albert W. Austin Jr.,
Engine Delegate Abraham
Carbajal, Steward Delegate Ralph
Thomas. No beefs or disputed OT
reported. All three departments
were thanked for good job. Vessel
will pay off June 6 at Governor
Nichols Pier in New Orleans, La.

ROVER (Intrepid Ship Manage­
ment), May 23-Chairman
Inocencio Desaville, Secretary
Juan B. Gonzalez, Educational
Director Clyde Smith, Steward
Delegate Leoncio Castro. Bosun
reported chief mate very happy with
job done by deck department. He
also reported everyone thankful to
SIU for getting this ship running
again and providing more jobs for
members. Educational director
encouraged crew to keep upgrading,
especially those members who want
to continue sailing aboard tankers.
He also mentioned importance of
keeping all shipboard areas in sani­
tary condition. Request made by
deck delegate for chief mate to
issue respirators for those painting
in pump room. Another request
made for union to issue insurance
identity cards to eliminate present
confusion when visiting doctor or
hospital. Vote of thanks given to
SIU President Mike Sacco for his
continuing fight for jobs and for
future of merchant marine industry.

Thanks also given to steward
department for clean galley and job
well done.

SEA-LAND PATRIOT (Sea-Land
Service), May 22-Chairman
Robert F. Garcia, Secretary
Robert Miller, Educational
Director Bozidar Balic, Deck
Delegate Mathew J. Bevak, Engine
Delegate C. H. Kennedy, Steward

purchase of stores, Singapore, per­
haps. Next port: New Orleans.

MAERSK CONSTELLATION
(Maersk Line), June 27-Chairman
Frank Hedge, Secretary Khamis
Mageed, Educational Director
Larry Cochrane. Chairman read
President's Report from LOG. He
asked everyone to report safety haz­
ards to bosun and thanked crew for

Astrachem Crew on Caribbean Run

The HM/ Astrachem held a payoff recently in the port of Guayama,
P.R. It may be the last payoff for the IUM vessel in the Caribbean
region if, as has been mentioned, the ship's run is changed.
Included in the photograph are Bosun Stanley Daranda, ABs Jaime
Rodriguez, Ismael Roman, Michael Edwards, Joel Gonzalez and
Noel Otero, Chief Pumpman Alvin J. Markowitz, 2nd Pumpman
Demetrus Simmons, Oilers Nestor V. Martinez, Ronald Miller and
Keeper Brown, Wiper Jesse A. Osborne, Chief Steward Luis Esco­
bar, Chief Cook Fausto D. Aranda and UMM Jose De los Santos.

Delegate Ernest Polk. Chairman
led discussion on President's Report
in May LOG. Crew members
thanked union for getting new jobs
and requested clarification on wage
scale for working aboard govern­
ment vessels. Educational director
posted updated schedule of classes
available at Paul Hall Center and
encouraged everyone to stay on top
of new rules and regulations needed
to ship. No beefs or disputed OT.
Next ports: Panama; Elizabeth, .J.;
and Long Beach, Calif.

/TB NEW YORK (Sheridan
Transportation), June 13-
Chairman Stephen Argay,
Secretary Theodore E·. Quammie,
Educational Director John K.
Bimpong, Deck Delegate Terry N.
Arbwah, Engine Delegate Rafael
Pagan, Steward Delegate E.
Amasha. Chairman noted first for­
eign voyage was excellent and plen­
ty of work completed in all depart­
ments. He also addressed need for
information from headquarters
about vacation pay. Educational
director encouraged members to
take advantage of educational facili­
ties at Piney Point. No beefs or dis­
puted OT reported. Bosun to pick
up tire tubes for overhaul of crew
bike. Vote of thanks given to stew­
ard department. Next port: Corpus
Christi, Texas.

LIBERTY SPIRIT (Liberty
Maritime), June 6-Chairman
Michael D. Hill, Secretary Paula
Kaleikini, Educational Director
Thomas Keseru, Deck Delegate
Ron Owens, Engine Delegate
Mario P. Ruiz, Steward Delegate
Stephanie Smith. Chairman
thanked crew for good trip. He also
thartked unlicensed apprentices for
job well done and encouraged them
to keep training. He reminded
everyone to see captain for TRB
signoff and vacation papers.
Educational director urged crew to
upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center.
Some disputed OT reported by deck
delegate; none reported in engine or
steward departments. New VCR
and rewinder requested for crew
lounge as well as a few comfortable
chairs. Additional medical supplies
needed aboard ship, realized after
some crew members became ill
after leaving Pakistan. Also sug­
gested using alternate country for

good job during Coast Guard
inspection in Hawaii. All hands
were well prepared. Secretary
announced 3 percent raise for those
aboard Maersk Constellation as of
June 8. He also mentioned need for
replacement of ice machine and
freezer for crew mess hall.
Educational director stressed impor­
tance of upgrading skills at Piney
Point and of obtaining TRBs in
order to register. STCW endorse­
ments also needed by 2002. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Bosun thanked crew , especially
steward department, for memorable
trip. Next port: Concord, Calif.

MAJ. STEPHEN W. PLESS
(Waterman Steamship), June 6--­
Chairman Robert E. Hagood,
Secretary Douglas A.
Hundshamer, Deck Delegate Bill
Kratsas, Engine Delegate Robert
Woods, Steward Delegate Andelair
F. Betties. Chairman stated crew
change scheduled to take place in
Ibiza, Spain June 10. Oncoming
crew will board vessel on l 000
launch and offgoing crew will catch
noon launch, stay at Royal Plaza
Hotel and fly out June 11. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Chairman
encouraged all to read monthly
LOG, with special attention to
President's Report. Vote of thanks
given to steward department for
excellent cookout and delicious
meals during entire voyage.

2nd LT. JOHN P. BOBO
(Amsea), June 21-Chairman
William Bratton, Secretary Rich
Gray, Educational Director
Charles Betz, Deck Delegat:e Phil
Breslin, Engine Delegate Michael
Stearman, Steward Delegate
Doray Saberon. Chairman spoke of
procedures to update TRB and
renew z-cards. Also discussed was
information on money purchase pen­
sion plan and how to contribute.
Secretary announced $935 in ship's
fund, possibly to be used for satellite
system aboard vessel. Educational
director talked about importance of
going to Piney Point to upgrade and
how courses taught there will be of
use to membership in future. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Crew advised to read Seafarers
LOG for important maritime
issues. Next ports: Malaga, Spain,
Naples, Italy; and Rota, Spain.

Seafarers LOG 19

__...



,-- -~--

1
I

Paul Hall Center Graduating Classes

SEAFARERS

HARRY LUNDEBERG SCHOOL
t

:V."' < LIFEBOAT CLASS
·&f'" =-~ !; g 1 ~--==
;"'·· ...,,~ .... "- -

Unlicensed Apprentice Safety Class 591- Graduating from the safety class are
unlicensed apprentices from class 591. They are (from left} Romel Holland, Jeremy Sutton,
Brandon Mines, Miles Ireland Jr., Brandon Scalzo, Bobby Ellis Jr., Adam Williams and
Blaine Harkins.

Advanced Fire Fighting - Pictured above are members of the first advanced fire
fighting class to have completed their course work on July 2 at the new Joseph Sacco Fire
Fighting and Safety School. From the left are
Stormie Combs (instructor), Mark Watson, Richard
Blakey, Darren Bates, Sacarias Suaso, Jose
Montero, Marvin St. Georges and William Daly.

20 Seafarers LOG

Deck Engine Utility -
Phase 3 of the unlicensed
apprentice program finds stu­
dents visiting the U.S.
Capitol. Included in this group
are Adel Alameri , Ray Avie
Jr., Antonio Cooks, Victor
Harvey, Edric Hernandez,
Randy Ledesma, Jason Pratt,
Bert Reynolds, Kenneth
Salgado, Rachel Sanner and
Dennis Wilson .

Galley Familiarization - Members of unlicensed apprentice class 590 recently
completed a class to familiarize them with the workings of a galley. They are (from left,
first row) Travis Jarvis, Kristopher Anderson, Rashad King, Brett Parkins, Kevin
Johnson, David Green, (second row) Mitch Gustafson Jr., Robert Parker, Raheem
Owens, Shannon Twigg (instructor), Jess Chalker and Angel Melendez.

STCW Basic Safety and Water Survival - Upgrading Seafarers who
successfully completed the water survival class necessary for their STCW
endorsements are (from left) Joseph Canlas, Dean Mcfarlane, Jose Liwag, Arnido
Sindac, Moses Adegunwa, Alba Ayala, Sacharias Suaso, Hassan Mohamed, Roy
Martinez, Peter Poree Jr. and Casey Taylor (instructor). The same students are
seen below in the pool at the new Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School.
Their instructors, Mitch Oakley and Beth Wroblewski, are in the water.

September 1999



Pa u I H·a II C e n t e r G r a d u a t i n 9 C I a s s e s

Tankerman (PIC) Barge Course - Maritrans boatmen completing the tanker­
man (PIC) barge course in Philadelphia from June 4 through June 7 are (from left, first row)
Matt Frankowski, Ken Ferguson, Joseph Hilton, Michael Tobin, (second row) Keith
Beaulieu, Wallace Pooler, David Wilson, Don Higginbotham, (third row) John Mullett,
Robert Greggs and Arturo Sangin.

Galley Operations - Finishing one of the required two-week modules in the galley
operations curriculum are (from left) Willy Crear, Chef Ed White (instructor), Stephanie
Hendrick, Michael Watts, Saleh Ahmed, Wayne Howard, Mohamed Mosa and Raymond
Brown Jr.

From the left are Edward Tully, Dan Assidi, Cleotilde Mejia, Chef Bob Baumgarten
(instructor), Guy Prescott and Jonn Noel.

September1999

Lifeboat Safety

Earning their lifeboat endorsements are Alfonso Salazar, Neston Ramirez, Harold
Lewis, Willard Bell, Duane Reeder, David Loison, Ali Al-Kassemi and Daniel Englund.

Another group working toward completion of their lifeboat endorsements include
Earnest Green (coxswain), Avis Hawkins, Ruben Siclot, William Adams, Bobby Ellis
Jr., Christopher Corpuz, Blaine Harkins and Curtis Isaac.

From front to back and left to right are Brandon Scallon, Romel Holland, Sean Cripps,
Myles Ireland Jr., Brandon Mines, Joseph Ellsworth, Lolita Thomas and Jeremy
Sutton as coxswain.

Seafarers LOG 21



Letters to the Editor Know Your Rights
(Editors note: the Seafarers

LOG reserves the right to edit let­
ters for grammar as well as space
provisions without changing the
wr;ter s intent. The LOG wel­
comes letters from members, pen­
sioners, their families and ship­
mates and will publish them on a
timely basis.)

For the Record
I enjoyed your article about

nautical terms and their origins
[June 1999 LOG]; however, I
have a few comments.

First, "starboard" comes from
the Norse word "styrbord" or the
side from where the ship was

steered (styr =steer). Through the
years, it was adopted in England
and became "starboard."

Second, "port" comes from the
same source; that is, port is the
side without any obstruction (rud­
der) and therefore was used to tie
up against a dock. In the Norse
word "barboard," the "bar"
means without anything.

Last, "boatswain" also comes
from Norse. "Swain" is the Saxon
version of "svenn" which was a
servant to the king in his court.
This was adapted to "boatsvenn"
or servant of the ship.

Kent Amberson
USNS Bowditch

Seat arers International Union
PPO Providers

Billing/Payment/Correspondence: Physical Address:
Virginia Mason 91-0565539
P.O. Box 91046
Seattle, WA 98111-9146

Methodist 23-2829095
2301 South Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148

St. Mary's 94-3296802
P.O. Box 60000, File #72572
San Francisco, CA 94160-2572

Straub 99-0331208
888 S. King St.
Honolulu, HI 96813

St. Joseph's 7 4-1117346
P.O. Box 840963
Dallas, TX 75284-0963

Torrance 95-1644042
P.O. Box 13717
Torrance, CA 90503

St. Vincent's 59-0624449
P.O. Box 45167
Jacksonville, FL 32232

St. Luke's 22-2517154
P.O. Box 3000
New Bedford, MA 02741-1300

Virginia Mason Med. Ctr.
925 Seneca St.
Seattle, WA 98101

Methodist Hospital
(same address as at left)

St. Mary's Hospital
450 Stanyan St
San Francisco, CA 94117

Straub Hospital
(same address as at left)

St. Joseph's Hospital
1919 LaBranch
Houston, TX 77002

Torrance Mem. Med. Ctr.
3330 Lomita Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505

St. Vincent's Med. Ctr.
1800 Barrs St.
Jacksonville, FL 32203

St. Luke's Hospital
101 Page St.
New Bedford, MA 02741

Are You ReceivinLf Your
Important • ?

In order to ensure that each
active SIU member and pension­
er receives a copy of the
Seafarers LOG every month-as
well as other important mail such
as W-2 forms, pension and health
insurance checks and bulletins or
notices-a correct home address
must be on file with the union.

If you have moved recently or
feel that you are not getting your
union mail, please use the form
on this page to update your home
address.

Your home address is your

permanent address, and this is
where all official union docu­
ments will be mailed (unless oth­
erwise specified).

If you are getting more than
one copy of the LOG delivered to
you, if you have changed your
address, or if your name or
address is misprinted or incom­
plete, please fill out the form and
send it to:

Seafarers International Union
Address Correction Dept.
520 l Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746

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

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds
of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes
and Inland Waters District are
administered in accordance with
the provisions of various trust fund
agreements. All these agreements
specify that the trustees in charge of
these funds shall equally consist of
union and management representa­
tives and their alternates. All
expenditures and disbursements of
trust funds are made only upon
approval by a majority of the
trustees. All trust fund financial
records are available at the head­
quarters of the various trust funds .

SHIPPING RIGHTS. A mem­
ber's shipping rights and seniority
are protected exclusively by con­
tracts between the union and the
employers. Members should get to
know their shipping rights. Copies
of these contracts are posted and
available in all union halls. If mem­
bers believe there have been viola­
tions of their shipping or seniority
rights as contained in the contracts
between the union and the employ­
ers, they should notify the Seafarers
Appeals Board by certified mail ,
return receipt requested. The proper
address 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 writing direct­
ly to the union or to the Seafarers
Appeals Board.

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

r---------------------------------------------------,
HOME ADDRESS FORM 9199

(Please Print)

Name:

Phone No.: __j..__ __ _L_ ______________________ _

Address: ____________________________ ~

Social Security No.: ____ I ____ I ___ _ Book No.:

D Active SIU D Pensioner

D Other

This will be my permanent address for all official union mailings.
This address should remain in the union file unless otherwise changed by me personally.

L---------------------------------------------------~
22 Seafarers LOG

official fails to protect their con­
tractual rights properly, he or she
should contact the nearest SIU port
agent.

EDITORIAL POLICY - THE
SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers
LOG traditionally has refrained
from publishing any article serving
the political purposes of any indi­
vidual in the union, officer or mem­
ber. It also has refrained from pub­
lishing articles deemed harmful to
the union or its collective member­
ship. This established policy has
been reaffirmed by membership
action at the September 1960 meet­
ings in all constitutional ports. The
responsibility for Seafarers LOG
policy is vested in an editorial
board which consists of the execu­
tive 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 circum­
stances should any member pay any
money for any reason unless he is
given such receipt. In the event
anyone attempts to require any such
payment be made without supply­
ing a receipt, or if a member is
required to make a payment and is
given an official receipt, but feels
that he or she should not have been
required to make such payment,
this should immediately be reported
to union headquarters.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
AND OBLIGATIONS. 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 constitutional right or obliga­
tion by any methods, such as deal­
ing with charges, trials, etc., as well
as all other details, the member so
affected should immediately notify
headquarters.

EQUAL RIGHTS. All members
are guaranteed equal rights in
employment and as members of the
SIU. These rights are clearly set
forth in the SIU constitution and in

Final Departures
Continued from page 18

ARTHUR DAVID HANN
Pensioner Arthur David Hann, 63 ,
passed away May 20. He joined the
Seafarers in 1979 in the port of
Wilmington, Calif. The
Massachusetts native worked in the
engine department as a chief engi­
neer, last sailing aboard a Crowley
Towing and Transportation Co. ves­
sel. A resident of Olar, S.C.,
Boatman Hann began receiving his
pension in March 1999. From 1952
to 1960, he served in both the U.S.
Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy.

ROBERT F. McKNIGHT
....-----,.,------., Pensioner

Robert Francis
McKnight, 81 ,
died July 5. A
native of
Pennsylvania,
he began his
career with the
SIU in 1967 in

Y.t~~~~!l......ILB the port of
Philadelphia. His fir t ship was the
Commander, operated by Marine
Carrier . The deck department mem­
ber tarted sailing in the deep sea
division and later transferred to
inland vessels. Prior to retiring in
October 1982, Boatman McKnight
worked aboard an Interstate Oil

the contracts which the union has
negotiated with the employers.
Consequently, no member may be
discriminated against because of
race, creed, color, sex, national or
geographic origin.

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

SEAFARERS POLITICAL
ACTIVITY DONATION
SPAD. SPAD is a separate segre­
gated fund. Its proceeds are used to
further its objects and purposes
including, but not limited to, fur­
thering the political, social and eco­
nomic interests of maritime work­
ers, the preservation and furthering
of the American merchant marine
with improved employment oppor­
tunities for seamen and boatmen
and the advancement of trade union
concepts. In connection with such
objects, SPAD supports and con­
tributes to political candidates for
elective office. All contributions are
voluntary. No contribution may be
solicited or received because of
force, job discrimination, financial
reprisal, or threat of such conduct,
or as a condition of membership in
the union or of employment. If a
contribution is made by reason of
the above improper conduct, the
member should notify the Seafarers
International Union or SPAD by
certified mail within 30 days of the
contribution for investigation and
appropriate action and refund, if
· . A member should sup-
port SPA and further his
or her economic, p · · l and
social interests, and American
union concepts.

NOTIFYING THE UNION-If
at any time a member feels that any
of the above rights have been vio­
lated, or that he or she has been
denied the constitutional right of
access to union records or informa­
tion, the member should · 1-

ately notify SIU P · nt Michael
Sacco a uarters by certified
mai , return receipt requested. The
address is:

Michael Sacco, President
Seafarers International Union

5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746.

Transport Co. ves el. He was a resi­
dent of Philadelphia.

JOHN THOMAS SOULE
John Thomas Soule, 42, died March
9. Born in Tennessee, he graduated
from the Seafarers Harry
Lundeberg School's entry level
training program, Class 297, in
1980 and started his SIU career in
Piney Point, Md. Boatman Soule
sailed in the deck department and
upgraded his skills at the school.
He last sailed in 1993 aboard a ves­
sel operated by Maritrans Operating
Partners L.P. He was a resident of
Anderson, S.C.

ROY ALTON SQUIRES
Pensioner Roy
Alton Squires,
80, passed
away June 30.
Boatman
Squires joined
the Seafarers in
1954 in the port
of Norfolk, Va.
During his

career, he upgraded his skills in the
deck department from tankerman to
captain. A veteran of World War II,
he served in the U.S. Army from
1940 to 1946. Prior to his retirement
in March 1981, he sailed aboard a
Mariner Towing Co. vessel.
Boatman Squires made his home in
Clarendon, N.C.

September 1999



SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER
1999 UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE

The following is the schedule for classes from September through the end of the year
at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All pro­
grams are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American
maritime industry.

Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the
maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security.

Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their
course's start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the
start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for
Saturday.

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

Deck Upgrading Courses

Course

Able Seaman

Radar Observer/Unlimited

Radar Recertification (one day)

Automatic Radar Plotting Aids
(ARPA)

Start Date

September 20

October 4

October 15

October 18

Engine Upgrading Courses

Course

Fireman/Watertender & Oiler

Marine Electrical Maintenance I

QMED

Start Date

October 11

September 20

September 13

Power Plant Maintenance September 27

Refrij!eraaon Systems Maintenance November 8

Steward Upgrading Courses

Course Start Date

Date of Completion

October 29

October 15

October 23

Date of Completion

November 19

October 29

December 3

November 5

December 17

Galley Operations/
Advanced Galley Operations
(Every week)

September 6, 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
December 6, 13, 20, 27

Certified Chief Cook/
Chief Steward
(Every other week)

September 6, 20
October 4, 18
November 1, 15, 29
December 13, 27

Safety Specialty Courses

Course Start Date Date of Completion

Tanker Familiarization/
Assistant Cargo (DL)

September 27
November 1

October 15
November 19

Basic Firefighting September 27
October 18
November 22

October 1
October 22
November 26

Advanced Firefighting September 13
November 8

September 24
November19

Government Vessels September 6
September 27
November 1
November 8
November 29

September 24
October 15
November 19
November 26
December 17

Lifeboatman/Water Survival September 6
October 4
November 1
November 29

September 17
October 15
November 12
December 10

STCW Basic Safety (refresher) September 20
September 27
October 25
November 1
November 8
November 22
November 29
December 13

September 24
October 1
October 29

Welding October 4

Academic Department Courses

. November 5
November 12
November 26
December 3
December 17

October 22

General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition,
basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one
week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and
Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study.

UPGRADING IS A KEY TO YOUR
FUTURE. REVIEW THE COURSE

SCHEDULE AND MAKE ARRANGE­

MENTS TO TAKE A CLASS SOON. THE
STAFF AT THE PAUL HALL CENTER IS

CONTINUALLY UPDATING THE COURSE
CONTENTS TO KEEP ABREAST OF

CHANGES IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY.

ck-
--~---------------------------------------

UPGRADING APPLICATION

Telephone __________ _ Date of Birth - ----- - - --

Deep Sea Member D Lakes Member D Inland Waters Member 0

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

Social Security # _______ __ _ Book# _________ _

Seniority _____________ Department ________ _

U.S. Citizen: Yes D No D Home Port

Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held _______________ _

Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? D Yes D No

If yes, class#------------------------­

Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? D Yes D No

If yes, course(s) taken ---------------------­

Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement?

D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes D No CPR: D Yes D No

Primary language spoken ____________________ _

September 1999

With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty
(I 20) days seatimefor the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date
your class starts, US MMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indi­
cating your department and seniority, and qualifying seati11Je for the course if it is
Coast Guard tested. All FOWT. AB and QMED applicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard
fee of $135 with their aaplication. The pavment should be made with a money order only.
pavable to LMSS.

COURSE
BEGIN
DATE

END
DATE

LAST VESSEL: _____________ _ Rating: ____ _

Date On: ___________ _ Date Off:

SIGNATURE ___________ _ DATE

NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you
present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any ques­
tions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point.

RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education,
Admissions Office, PO. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189.

The Seafarers Hany Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and
Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise quali­
fied, of 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.

9199

Seafarers LOG 23



Volume 61 Number 9

Thinking About College?
The Seafarers Welfare Plan is offering seven
scholarships in 2000 to three Seafarers and

four dependents of SIU members.
See page 14 for additional infonnation.

Training Expanded for New Crui1e Sbip1
U.S. Coast Guard-Certified Courses Taught in Port of Honolulu

Instructor Ben Cusic emphasizes a point (left photo) during the water survival/lifeboat
class at the Honolulu hall in June and (at right) works with Assistant Cook Emo
Aulelava to crank the davit on the SS Independence.

While Seafarers continue to perform
their jobs aboard the SS Independence,
construction soon will start on the next
generation of U.S.-flag cruise ships to
sail around the Hawaiian islands.

The first of two 840-foot, 1,900-pas­
senger vessels is expected to begin ser­
vice for American Hawaii Cruises in
2003.

The 5,000 jobs that eventually will be
created upon completion of the two ves­
sels will not only supply top-notch crew
members for the new cruise ships, they
also will serve as a large base of seafar­
ers for times of national emergency.

In looking ahead to meet the needs of
the new passenger cruise ships, the
Seafarers International Union in partner­
ship with the Paul Hall Center for
Maritime Training and Education and
American Hawaii Cruises is creating
training opportunities for SIU members
in the port of Honolulu.

The first step involved remodeling
classrooms at the SIU hall in Honolulu
to meet U.S. Coast Guard standards for
certified training. David Hammet and

Mickey Hayden, technicians from the
Paul Hall Center, performed the work
earlier this year and also built a self-con­
tained maze in a shipping container that
will be used for basic fire fighting and
STCW training.

Ben Cusic, an instructor at the Paul
Hall Center, taught the fust
course-Water Survival/Lifeboat-at the
new facilities. SIU members attended
the class from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. June
14 through June 19.

On Saturday, June 20, the students
assembled on board the SS Inde­
pendence for practical instruction and
final testing using the vessel's davits,
lifeboats, pool and rafts. American
Hawaii Cruises' Vice President for
Training Bill Anonsen coordinated use
of the facilities and equipment aboard
the SIU-crewed ship.

Upon successful completion of the
course, students were presented with
certificates from the Paul Hall Center
and their TRBs received the appropriate
citation stating that they had completed
this U.S. Coast Guard-certified course.

The luxury pool aboard the SS Independence was the site for practical instruction in
water safety and survival techniques. Below, upgraders study in the newly remodeled
classroom at the Honolulu hall.

·on of Independence

Celebrating the past 20 years of U.S.-flag cruise shipping as well as the future of the
industry are, from left, SIU West Coast VP Nick Marrone, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii),
Unlicensed Apprentice Randy Ledesma and Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii).

Marking almost 20 years of cruise ser­
vice in the Hawaiian Islands, the SIU­
crewed SS Independence celebrated its
l ,Oooth voyage last month.

"Voyage 1,000 is an opportunity to
note the promising potential of cruising
for Hawaii," said T.E. Carman, Executive
Vice President of American Hawaii
Cruises.

Twenty years ago, there was no U.S.
deep sea passenger ship. However, a joint
effort involving the SIU, Cove Ship
Management, Hawaii's congressional
delegation and others brought the

Independence back under the American
flag.

"Again, the SIU is involved in a joint
venture," stated SIU West Coast Vice
President Nick Marrone.

"Now, American Hawaii Cruises-and
its parent company, American Classic
Voyages-is building two new cruise
ships .... When the American workers are
finished building those vessels, American
mariners-including Seafarers-will
proudly climb the gangway to begin a
new era of sailing in the next millenni­
um," Marrone said.


MDS02370
MDS02371
MDS02372
MDS02373
MDS02374
MDS02375
MDS02376
MDS02377
MDS02378
MDS02379
MDS02380
MDS02381
MDS02382
MDS02383
MDS02384
MDS02385
MDS02386
MDS02387
MDS02388
MDS02389
MDS02390
MDS02391
MDS02392
MDS02393