http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/1d7486cb88f463857e3bf8a001077b75.PDF 752bd9b12bfbf19cb16c20d5511706f5 PDF Text Text C-iv:-i •-.*- .'t ;•, • -t-'fc'.'iiiif, J-•4ai>::'i-:i:i'- -'•- -'V/ 8 • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTiRNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC GULF, UKES AND INUND WATERS DlSTRia • AFKIO Volume 56, Number 10 . •> v- October 1994 Farm Clique Blocks 3rcot/i>r> US Ship Biii Debate Opponents Itse Rare Gimmick To Provont Sonato Action •-« -H^CJ i/) rn .-ir* a -H t/> ^3> Xi-i H—« HO ;rnu>'-«;o •-« -iDD 71H-T> I t-* > CO Pena Vows to Continue Fight Sec'y of Transportation Pena n • Secretary said the administration would continue its push and urged the audience of shipping com­ pany representatives, maritime union officios, congressional staff members, admiralty lawyers and other industry professionals, to keep driving for the bill. He promised to do his part and called on all supporters of a strong U.S. shipping capability to "redouble" their efforts to secure the legislation. Npting that the^ bill before the Senate (which had passed the House in early August by a vote of 294-122) was the result of cooperative work Continued on page 3 O T) i-( I /» Page 3 On the heels of a maneuver by farm-state senators to block a vote in the Senate on a bill promoting U.S. shipping, Secretary of Transpor­ tation Federico Pena pledged to persevere until the legislation was enacted. "We will fight to bring the Maritime Security and Trade Act to a vote this year until the last gavel falls," he said to a September 28 meeting of the Propeller Club in Washington, D.C. He said the administration "led by Bill Clinton himself has worked hard and fought hard to revitalize American maritime industries, from shipbuilding to shipping. The Transportation :r.: Lnz: 3"^ os: ry> Q"^ Tl's> o 3 O. • • •••'i 21 '"^t V,' • y'B'' •Ji" Ji: •% ^'0 • M •. vfc? - . Si •1: �: - 2 SEAFARERS LOG President's Report It's Time for Change OCTORER1994 House Enacts Package Of Maritime Measuns By Vote of 402-13, Reps. Adopt Inland Safety, A very significant step was taken last month by the House Mer­ chant Marine and Fisheries Committee when it enacted a comprehen­ sive safety program for marine transport on the nation's rivers and coasts. A day after the com­ mittee acted on the bill, the Towing Vessel Navigational Safety Act was accepted by the full House where it was attached to a bill which provides Coast Guard funding for the next two Included in one piece of legis­ the Towing Vessel Navigational ways and for those who live and years. This month, it will be up to the Senate to lation passed by the House of Safety Act of 1994, had been work along their shores," he said pass similar legislation. It would demonstrate good judgment on the part Representatives on September 22 reported out of committee the day in summary. House Merchant Marine and were a number of measures that before, September 21 (see article of the Senate to go on record supporting safer in­ Fisheries Committee Ranking had been sought by American below). land waterways. A rash of accidents involving tug­ Minority Member Jack Fields (Rmaritime interests. The comprehensive provision Michael Sacco boats has put the public spotlight on the deficiencies Texas) cited the spate of inland H.R. 4422, the Coast Guard requires towing vessels to have a — of domestic waterbome transportation. accidents that had been reported Authorization Act of 1994, radar system, an electronic posi­ Until the Mauvilla rammed a i-ailroad bridge on September 22, 1993, causing Amtrak's Sunset Limited to plunge into a river, leaving authorizes $3.2 billion for the tion-fixing device, a sonic depth in the press in the last two years. 47 passengers dead, the public was unaware that some 5,000 towing agency's expenditures over the finder, a compass or swing meter, "The increased safety require­ vessels operating on American waters do not have to use radar, carry a next two years. When the bill adequate towing wire and as­ ments contained in this act will compass or even have charts aboard that provide valuable details on came up on the floor, the leader­ sociated equipment and up-to- not only protect innocent in­ waterway conditions. dividuals, but will also help keep ship of the House Merchant date navigational charts. A Coast Guard study on towing vessel manning, conducted in the Marine and Fisheries Committee, It also establishes a licensing our nation's ports free of obstruc­ wake of the Mauvilla tragedy and recently submitt^ to Congress, in­ which has jurisdiction over Coast program for towing vessel tions and open to conunerce," he dicates that human error is the main cause of accidents involving Guard and maritime matters, operators and pilots and requires noted. those kind of boats. The SIU also has studied Coast Guard data on added as amendments several all unlicensed towboat personnel marine casualties. The union's analysis of the Coast Guard data comes measures that had formerly been to hold merchant marine docu­ Regulatory Reform to the same conclusion. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the Title VII of the bill (formerly before Congress as independent ments. Protection for boatmen Coast Guard's casualty statistics indicate that on towing vessels, H.R. 4959) essentially provides who publicly cite safety hazards bills, including the Towing Ves­ human factors are the primary reason for 58 percent of all accidents. for measures that will make the is incorporated in the legislation. sel Navigational Safety Act. (It should be noted that among the things the Coast Guard calls Coast Guard regulations that for violators of inland As passed by the House, H.R. Penalties "human factors" are the following categories—bypassing of available govern ships built in U.S. yards safety laws and regulations have 4422: safety devices, inattention to duty, intoxication by either alcohol or and U.S.-flag ships similar to in­ been increased under the bill. Ad­ • strengthens safety proce­ drugs, taking calculated risks, lack of training, lack of experience, ternational standards. ditionally, Title VI proposes that dures in the inland marine sector carelessness, making an error in judgment, operator error, fatigue,' This legislation has long been • streamlines U.S. Coast within a year the Coast Guard stress, physical or mental impairment, inadequate supervision, failing Guard requirements for U.S.-flag develop a model vessel inspec­ called for by U.S.-flag ship to comply with rules and regulations.) The union also found in its study of the Coast Guard casualty data vessels and makes the agency's tion program to submit to Con­ operators who view it as a prereq­ uisite to being competitive in the regulations more compatible with gress for their approval. that on deep sea vessels and Great Lakes ships, the number of acci­ dents primarily caused by human factors stood at 31 percent and 36 In moving the amendment, world shipping and shipbuilding international standards percent, respectively. These statistics are striking in their difference • institutes policies that will Gerry E. Studds (D-Mass.), who industries. fixrm the number of accidents primarily caused by human factors on Legislators, in crafting the bill, encourage development of an chairs the House Merchant towing vessels. American-flag cmise ship fleet Marine and Fisheries Committee, had attempted to address the con­ The towing safety bill includes many steps to see to it that the • ends foreign domination of noted the appropriateness of pas­ cerns of ship operators while human beings involved in the operation of an inland vessel are proper­ the cruise-to-nowhere industry sage of an inland safety bill. balancing safety needs. ly qualified for the job. For Seafarers who earn their living working The bill allows U.S. ship "This issue comes before the • increases recreational boat­ aboard towing vessels, this is welcome news. Nothing is as important ing safety House on the one-year anniver­ operators to voluntarily comply as ensuring that the safety of fellow crewmembers is safeguarded. • requires that Coast Guard sary of the tragic Amtrak accident with the International Safety The inland safety bill contains provisions that are directed at in­ vessels be repaired in American in Mobile, Ala. That accident, Management (ISM) Code of creasing the proficiency standards of the men and women who work shipyards and which resulted in the deaths of 47 Chapter IX Of the Annex to the on towing vessels. First, the bill requires that the Coast Guard estab­ • provides veterans benefits to citizens, was caused by the col­ International Convention for the lish licensing requirements for masters and mates in the towing in­ dustry. To earn a masters license, individuals will have to demonstrate WWII merchant mariners who lision of an uninspected, ill- Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), liave not been eligible for benefits equipped, and poorly operated 1974. It also authorizes the Coast an ability to operate a towing vessel and to use a radar system, towing vessel with a railroad Guard to accept ship inspection up to now. electronic position-fixing devices, depth finders, navigational charts bridge," said Studds. reports issued from organizations and other equipment. Towing Safety "The adoption of these new deemed qualified to do so by the Second, for those crewmembers who are not licensed as masters Title VI of H.R. 4422, requirements will ensure greater and mates, the bill mandates that they hold Coast Guard merchant Continued on page 6 originally known as H.R. 3282, safety for the users of our water­ mariner documents. To obtain a merchant mariner document, an in­ dividual must take an oath to adhere to all applicable laws, show evidence of a drag-fiee urinalysis test, be subject to a check of the National Driver Register for information on alcohol use, submit to a criminal record check with the FBI and show evidence ofU.S. citizenship or, if not a U.S. citizen, show proof of lawful entry and permanent residence in the United States. The document is valid for five years, after which it must be renewed. It can be revoked or suspended by the Coast Guard. A legislator's last-minute at­ The bill also requires that forwarded to the full House. The The document basically weeds out people in the industry who are a tempt to strike a proposed re­ marine casualties be reported as next day, the House adopted H.R. danger to their fellow crewmembers and the safety of a vessel. From the union's standpoint of protecting the guys on a ship or boat, a docu­ quirement that unlicensed quickly as possible and no later 3282 as an amendment to the ment is an important safety measure. All hands are served by the mer­ matmen be issued merchant than five days from the occur­ Coast Guard Authorization Act of mariner documents by the U.S. rence and prohibits discrimina­ 1994 (H.R. 4422). That bill was chant mariner document reuirement. oast Guard from an inland tion against boatmen who report enacted by a vote of 402 to 13. Having reliable, qualified personnel handling a towing vessel not only safety bill was defeated by a 30 to safety violations or refuse to vio­ is a benefit to those who work on marine equipment. It benefits vessel Spurred by Disaster 5 vote of the House Merchant late safety statutes. The top penal­ operators as well, who are assured that equipment woth of hundreds of Vlarine and Fisheries Committee. ty for violations of the law has Action on the bill took place thousands of dollars is being operated by qualified individuals. The vote, which took place on been changed from $1,000 to exactly one year after 47 people All of the statistics and other data may at times seem complex, but they add up to a very convincing, common-sense conclusion: It is time September 21, nulliUed an $25,000 by the legislation. were killed in an Amtrak train for the towing industry to advance its requirements for vessel personnel. amendment offered by Repre­ derailment near Mobile, Ala.— Studds Substitute Those of us who work on boats and ships know that when 58 percent of sentative W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (Dan accident directly resulting the accidents are being caused by human error, it is time for change. a.) to the Towing Vessel The bill debated by the House from the tug Mauvilla and its We urge the Senate to immediately pass legislation similar to what Navigational Safety Act, known Merchant Marine and Fisheries barge striking a railroad bridge was last adopted by the House and not to wait for another body count as H.R. 3282, that would have Committee was a substitute for and knocking it out of alignment. before passing a bill that already is overdue. exempted deckhands of towing the original H.R. 3282 introduced That particular incident vessels from the merchant by Representative Tauzin. The sparked the inland safety legisla­ mariner document requirement substitute, proposed by Commit­ tion. Giving further impetus to the October 1994 Volume 56. Number 10 outlined in the bill. tee Chairman Gerry E. Studds, bill was a report issued after the In addition to the provision added the sections on protecting accident by the National that boatmen hold merchant mariners who refuse to violate Transportation Safety Board mariner documents (known as z- safety laws, strengthening the (NTSB)—an independent federal The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 0160-2047) is published cards), the legislation calls for manning and licensing require­ agency charged with investigat­ monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 navigational safety equipment to ments, increasing civil penalties, ing accidents on America's be used on inland tugsand tows developing a model vessel com­ waterways, pipelines, highways, Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) including radar, electronic posi­ pany inspection plan and mandat­ railroads and airlines—that con­ 899-0675. Second-class postage paid at MSG Prince Geor­ tion-fixing devices, depth finders, ing that crewmembers on towing cluded the crew of tht Mauvilla ges, MD 20790-9998 and at additional mailing offices. compasses or swing meters and vessels and offshore supply boats lacked proper training and the tug POSTMASTER: Send ad^ss changes to the Seafarers up-to-date charts. It directs the hold z-cards. carried no navigational equip­ LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746, The legislation, complete with ment, factors which contributed !oast Guard to overhaul manning Managing Editor, Daniel Duncan; Associate Editors, Jor­ and licensing requirements and the merchant mariner document to the accident. dan Biscardo and Corrina Christensen; Associate evelop a model vessel company requirement, was adopted by the Even as the NTSB was conEditor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Art, Bill Brower; inspection program to submit to House Merchant Marine and Continued on page II Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Fisheries Conunittee and it was Congress within a year. Regulatory Reform, Aid to U.S. Cruise Sector Panel Backs Documents for Boatmen Inland Safety Bill Passed, Sent to House Floor ;" s.5j> •v:>:,/ 'r;- -y:• �0enBER1994 SEAFAREKLOS 3 Fam Clique Blocks Debate On Ship Bill Undemocratic Tack Stuns Senate A rarely invoked parliamen­ on the Senate floor, it is likely that tary rule was implemented by a the farm state senators will again group of three farm state senators attempt to subvert debate by to prevent the maritime program using parliamentary trickery. enacted by the House from being Supporters of the legislation, debated on the Senate floor. which passed the House by a vote Using a bizarre technicality in of 294 to 122 on August 2, will the Senate rules. Senator Larry have to muster at least 60 votes in Pressler (R-S.D.) refused to allow order to halt a filibuster by opAPbyTcxldSumtln the Senate Commerce, Science I^nents of the measure. (At press Viewed from across the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, the SlU-crewed Cape Inscription, one of the and Transportation Committee in time, it was estimated that there nation's Ready Reserve Force ships, prepares to take on military cargo destined for Haiti. its September 23 mark-up session were more than 60 supporters of to vote on the bill which would thebiU.) allocate, over the course of 10 'Why Not Vote No?' years, $1 billion raised through a tonnage duty to ensure a U.S.-flag Pressler, whose action was liner capability in foreign com­ mirrored on the floor of the merce and provide aid to Senate by Senators Charles E. American shipyards. Pressler's Grassley (R-Iowa) and Hank tactic even barred the committee Brown (R-Colo.), cited Senate Last month, the Department of from discussing the measure, Rule 26 which prohibits commit­ Defense activated 14 of the which had the support of the tee meetings when the Senate is Maritime Administration's majority of the senators on the in session unless all legislators on Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ves­ panel. the committee agree die meeting sels to support United States can take place. military operations in Haiti. Fight Continues Senator Ernest F. HoUings (DOn September 8, Seafarers Commenting on Pressler's S.C.), who chairs the Commerce received word that 12 vessels stalling gambit, SIU President sought to hold the Committee, were to be crewed. Two more Michael Sacco said, "We're dis­ meeting despite Pressler's ships from the RRF fleet, which appointed in this development maneuver. But HoUings received stay in layup or reduced operating and obviously share the feelings word from the Senate parliamen­ status until activated in times of of the many members of the tarian that only if there was unan­ national emergency, were called Senate who want to see this mat­ imous consent could the meeting up on September 12. Of those, ter debated and put to vote. be held. Pressler refused to lift his SlU-contracted operators were "And, clearly, we are going to objection to the maritime bill assigned eight ships. Those eight continue to fight for the ultimate being discussed by the commit­ were fully crewed by the SIU and passage of a bill that will con­ tee, although he did agree that then activated on September 16. tribute positively to the industry's other non maritime-related items Seafarers crewed the barge health and the nation's interest," scheduled for mark-up could be carrier Cape Mohican, the discussed. Sacco added. auxiliary crane ship Comhusker As only a few weeks remain Both Republican and State and the roll-on/roll-off ships before the Senate session ends in Democratic senators expressed Cape Lobes, Cape Taylor, Cape mid October, the obstructionist frustration at Pressler's move to Texas, Cape Island, Cape In­ ploy by Pressler leaves pro- stifle debate. "Why don't you just trepid and Cape Inscription. maritime legislators with no time vote no?" asked Senator Jay for Commerce Committee action. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) of Supplying the Troops Those senators now are looking Pressler. Senator Rockefeller said The vessels have supplied to launch an invasion against the power and a group of U.S. for other avenues to bring the many senators had worked "feroU.S. armed forces in their Haitian military forces which in diplomats led by former President legislation to the floor. ciously" to come up with a peacekeeping role in the im­ 1991 overthrew Aristide in a Jimmy Carter. (The other Haitian, Should the maritime bill, Continued on page 8 Lt. Col Michel Francois, repor­ known as H.R. 4003, be debated poverished island nation, where a violent coup. "Anytime anybody is taking tedly is in hiding.) transfer of power from Haitian With the nature of the mission military dictators to democrati­ lives, it's not right. And the way cally elected president Jean- [the Haitian junta] is treating altered but the goal remaining the Bertrand Aristide is scheduled to people is not right," said Bosun same, the RRF ships delivered a Andrew Mack on September 16 wide array of cargo for use by take place by October 15. as he helped prepare the Cape U.S. forces, ranging from ar­ Continued from page I At press time, a spokesperson with anger and dismay about or the Maritime Administration Mohican to sail from Norfolk, mored vehicles to high-tech com­ Washington. It betrays their faith MarAd), which maintains the Va. to Haiti. "There is a job to be munications gear. by jy ie legislators, the administration. and undermines confidence in MarAd reported that all 14 ihip operators and maritime government," he said. RRF ships, said that five of the 14 done, restoring democracy, and vessels were being returned to I'm glad to be in the niidst of it." RRF ships were delivered ahead unions, Peria said the bUl ofiered Pefia noted that the successful llie invasion (though not the of their prescribed activation real reform. "This biU will replace reduced operating status at the U.S. sealift operations which a complex, outmoded system of end of September. Among the entire U.S. military operation) times. began last month for "Operation "We have had excellent operating differentials with a ive are the Cape Lobos and Cape was called off on September 18, Uphold Democracy" in Haiti pro­ following intense negotiations cooperation from the maritime clear, less expensive, cost effec­ Taylor. The RRF activation began on between two of the three Haitian companies who manage these tive, fairly-financed merchant vide "the most graphic possible illustration of why it is crucial that support program." September 8, as the U.S. prepared military officials who are in Continued on page 8 fleet He said the biU would "provide we maintain a viable American the finance and the time for merchant marine, with American American ship operators and mo*- crews, and available for service in chant mariners to gear up and meet national emergencies. foreign competition on even turns." "These highly-skilled crews In short, "it is a down payment come from the tankers and grain on America's long-term and containerships that carriers economic security," Pefia said. serve America's peaceful com­ Referring to a rule imple­ merce. They are jdl volunteers," mented by three farm state he stated. senators (see story on page 3), Pefia said, "... Last week we all Peha said now is the time to saw an obscure parliamentary "mount our own operation to re­ rule used—to delay maritime store democracy—to uphold reform—hoping to destroy this democracy right here on Capitol bill—by keeping it from ever Hill—so that maritime reform is iraphy, Inc. Backus Aerial PI coming to a vote. not blocked by a few obstructing j/Vith the assistance of ships such as the Comhusker Thebarge carrier CapeMohican, operated by Apex "This is the kind of behavior the clear will of an American State, a crane ship, more than 2,000 U.S. troops Marine, is another of the vessels in the Maritime that fills the American people majority." ended without resistance on Haiti. Administration's Ready Reserve Force. Reserve Ships Broken Out •» Eight Haitian-Bound RRF Vessels Crewed by SIU DOT'S Pena Pledges Fight •--y I ^ A' ' . ¥ 'r-'-, •4-?- 'v" • '-.'rt' •"l"' ... •W ¥ �OCTOBER 1994 3 Formw OMI Vessels PunOmsedby Khty RntftsMlps Seafarers will continue to crew three tankers which recently were bought by Kirby Tankships, Inc. from OMI Corp. The vessels—the Champion, Willamette and Leader—v/m be used to transport refined petroleum products primarily between the U.S. Gulf Coast, Florida and the mid-Atlantic states. Kirby Tankships in August recognized the Seafarers International Union as the collective bar­ gaining lCplC»wliiatlVC^V/l. representativeof the gmnillg uiw unlicensed crewmem^ • t 1 Ac it \x/«iG iinHp.r OI^T. The stacks of the Champion, Willamette and Leader now feature the hers aboard the three vrAooAlo vessels. As it was under OMI, ^ f«r oailiiiP wages. for Seafarers sailing on those tankers, all wages, Kirby emblem benefits and conditions will follow the standard tanker agreement ratified by the SIU membership last year. Each of the tankships has a total capacity of 266,00 barrels and a deadweight tonnage of almost 38,000. The names of the vessels are unchanged other than dropping the initials "OMI," and the stacks now feature the Kirby emblem, including a diamond. , ... SIU Patrolman Jack Sheehan recently serviced the Champion while the vessel was lightering in Stapleton, N.Y. "They were carrying diesel fuel to Albany," noted Sheehan, who provided the photos accompanying this article. Everything is going fine with the crew arid the ship. They may have switched to Kirby, but they haven't missed a beat." Kirby Tankships is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirby Corporation. The parent company, through Kirby Tankships and other subsidiaries, is engaged in operation of vessels on the U.S. in­ land waterways and in the coastwise and foreign trades. sssistssasss' House Passes II.S. Cruise Ship Act Increased employment oppor­ tunities for American merchant mariners moved one step closer as a result of recent passage of an amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1994 in the House of Representatives. The 402-13 vote in favor of the maritime legislation will help U.S. ports break into a lucrative cruise ship business presently dominated by foreign vessels. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. The U.S. Passenger Vessel Development Act (initially intro­ duced as H.R. 3821) which was added to the Coast Guard spend­ ing bill as an amendment on Sep­ tember 22, outlines how foreign-flag craise ships already sailing from American ports can Km?- acquire and fly the U.S. flag, (^e other part of the legislation, which has not yet passed the House, would change provisions of the Capital Construction Act and Internal Revenue Code to stimulate the growth of a U.S.flag cruise industry.) The bill allows a foreign-flag cruise vessel to be reflagged under U.S. registry and to enter the Jones Act trade (to go from one U.S. port to another) if that ship's operator commits to and begins construction on a cruise ship in a U.S. yard. Under the present Jones Act, foreign-flag vessels are prohibited from carrying pas­ sengers between two points in the United States. In order to be considered by Discovery Retrieves Refugees ifilfc. Seafarers aboard the Sea-Land Discovery recently rescued six Cuban refugees In the Gulf of Mexico; The Cubans had been at sea on a makeshift raft for 10 days. They were turned over to Immigration authorities In Puerto Rico, but first they received food and clothing from D/scoverycrewmembers. Pictured above are Chief Steward Jose R. Colls (kneeling) and (standing, from left) Capt. G. Pappas, the ship's security officer and the refugees: Jesus Roche, Luis Perez, Ruben Pereira, Sergio Rojas, Jesus Perez and Hector Monteagudo. Colls provided the photo. Rep. Jolene Unsoeld (D-Wash.) sponsored the cruise ship bill In the House. Some of the damage sustained by the ManhattanIslandIs visible at left. the act, vessels must weigh at least 10,(XX) gross tons and have at least 200 berths. Cruise ships that are built in U.S. yards, to replace the original foreign-flag vessels, must carry 80 percent of the passenger capacity of the original. When the act was introduced The U.S. Coast Guard's flag and crewed by Russians and in April, the SIU testified that the Maririe Safety Office in Port Ar­ Bahamians—reportedly sus­ legislation could stimulate the thur, Texas is investigating a Sep­ tained minimal damage and was creation of more than 30,000 tember 7 collision involving the sailing a few days later. seafaring jobs in addition to those runaway-flag bulk oiler Protank A Coast Guard spokesman es­ produced in U.Sig$hipyards, port Mersey (32,607 gross tons) and the timated that the first phase of the facilities and related fields. Manhattan Island (2,385 gross investigation would be com­ The union noted the act woulc tons), an SlU-crewed dredge. pleted by early this month. help increase marine safety be­ According to published reports, No major injuries were cause the crews on the vessels reported from the accident, and no pilot was on board the Protai^ would be Americans who mus there was no spillage of cargo. Mersey when it struck the dredge in meet this country's strict regula­ But the dredge, operated by North the fog at 1 a.m., in the Calcasieu tions and standards. American Trailing Co. Channel near L^e Charles, La. "It was the scariest thing I ever Also, the SIU pointed out the (NATCO), sustained severe legislation would strengthen na­ damage. The Manhattan Island's saw, to see the bow of a ship com­ tional security with the additiona hull was ripped open and its en­ ing right at you and not slowing U.S.-flag vessels that could be user gineroom was flooded. The roof down," said AB Jon Dillon, who as floating command/contro' on the bridge collapsed, blowing was on lookout aboard the Manhat­ out moist of the windows, and tan Island when the accident oc­ centers, hospitals and barracks. More than 4 million people, 85 there was other damage as well. curred. Captain Steven Taylor added, At press time, the dredge was percent of whom were "We're very fortunate that no one Americans, sailed on the more in drydock in Port Arthur. The Protank Mersey's outer was seriously injured." than 120 cruise ships locatec The dredge's engineroom took around the world in 1992—^anc hull was punctured, but, overall^ the projections indicate these numbers ship—owned by Mersey Shipping on an estimated 15 to 20 feet of of Greece, flying the Bahamian water. could double by the year 2000. Runaway-Flag Tanker Rams NA7C0 Dredge mm �' -v. •• M - Sir OCTOBER 1994 SEAFARERS LOG 5 USCG to Issue Machine Readable Z-Caids Revised Merchant Mariner Documents Part of Automated System The U.S. Coast Guard this Authorization Act of 1993. That database (although the Coast Guard no longer will maintain the paper copies). U.S. MERCHANT MARINEK\S DOCUMENT But given the projected ef­ ficiency and affordability of the new system, the Coast Guard an­ John Doe ticipates widespread use among SampI* Only VOID shipping companies. The agency worked with a number of ship Horn* Town USA Expected to Reduce Errors Pttbburgh PA 12345 operators to define the functions Icitizenship: USA When the new arrangement is and operations of a new process, IsSN: DOB; in place (possibly early in 1995, "and the consensus was that it 123456789 05/07/65 depending on when the final would have to be easy to use and regulations are issued), it will inexpensive enough for small "reduce data errors and turn­ companies to afford it," ex­ around time from months to plained Tate. "It also would have days," noted Ed Tate, project to be implemented without any manager in the Coast Guard's disruption of normal business Merchant Vesseil Personnel operations. This arrangement Division. "This will save the meets all of those criteria." companies and the Coast Guard He added that record-keeping time and labor. It also will im­ accuracy should be another prove security, because the sys­ benefit. "Right now, ship masters Eyes Hair WT HI Complexion manually copy information from tem has many safeguards." Brown Blown 180 69 Fair AB "We're talking about major the MMDs to shipping records," Sampio MMD only VOID monetary savings, as well as he noted. "They also manually saving time," added Justine Bun­ copy information onto discharge nell, chief of the agency's certificates, and when the Coast Issued by: Seamen Documentation and Guard receives copies, the infor­ New System Records Branch. "The Coast mation is manually entered into a Expires The revision of z-cards is part Guard's administrative costs will data base. Besides being time09/19/94 iRrC*f1IOyFOM| of an upcoming, voluntary sys­ go down, the companies' consuming, these efforts are sus­ By Direction of fheOCMI tem in which shipping companies preparation and mailing costs will ceptible to human error at each The new credit card-size z-card (shown here actual size) willbe transfer point." will have the option to electroni­ go down." Moreover, the new magnetic Issued by the U.S. Coast Guard this month. The front (top) However, the new operation cally transfer sea service informa­ contains a photo identification; the back (bottom) includes a tion to Coast Guard headquarters will not completely replace the stripe on the z-card opens a host thumb print as well as a magnetic stripe which will contain the in Washington. Once the ac­ current record-keeping fvocess. of possibilities in the future. At mariner's name and social security number. curacy of that information is con­ For examplb, mariners still will some point, ratings, sea time and firmed, the Coast Guard will enter receive paper certificates of dis­ other information may be added it into a central database, rather charge at the end of each voyage to the stripe, thereby further than filing the original paper­ or when they leave a vessel, and reducing paperwork and its re­ copies will be forwarded to and lated costs. work. The database for maintaining Designed to reduce costs both maintained by the company. Additionally, companies electronic records of sea service for the Coast Guard and for ship­ ping companies, the proposed which do not have electronic was created 13 years ago. In Avondale to Build Up to Six system—which will utilize rela­ transmission systems will con­ 1991, it was merg^ with another RO/RO Ships for U.S. Military tively inexpensive and basic com­ tinue submitting copies of dis­ data base which contains person­ Up to six new sealift vessels (Im-ge, medium-speed and rollputer technology—is a direct charge certificates for entry into nel information on everyone who on/roll-off ships) are expected to be built by Avondale Industries, result of the Coast Guard the Coast Guard's sea service has a z-card. Inc. in New Orleans, La., with the first one, the USNS Bob Hope, scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in early 1998. The ships, which will be crewed by civilian mariners under the Navy's Military Sealift Command, will be part of a fleet of vessels MUST BE RENEWED BY designed to preposition heavy equipment at sea near areas of poten­ tial conflict. For his contributions to the men and women in uniform, a new class of sealift ships will be named for the entertainer Bob Hope. Secretary of Navy John H. Dalton, who announced the new class of 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1949 ships, cdled Bob Hope a "military hero." He said, "We can never repay him for his contributions to the men and women in uniform, but we can show our appreciation with a class of ships named in his 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 honor." Bob Hope entertained U.S. forces around the world for more than 50 years. 1951 1956 1961 1966 1971 1976 1^1 1986 1991; " month will begin issuing the new style of Merchant Mariner Docu­ ments (MMDs), also known as z-cards. The new z-card is a plastic, credit card-size document which is similar in appearance to the ex­ isting MMD. The key change is the addition of a magnetic stripe like the one on a credit card. The new MMD stripe will contain the mariner's name and social security number. Due to the z-card renewal schedule, both the old and new cards will be in circulation for the next five to six years, and either version is valid during that period. After the year 2000, all merchant mariners should have the new card. Meanwhile, only designated Coast Guard personnel at the agency's regional examination centers will be authorized to change information on the new magnetic stripe. legislation called for the Coast Guard to eliminate the main­ tenance of manual records for shipping articles and certificates of discharge and to oversee ship­ ping companies' record main­ tenance. nemeinKRf ^1" 'li .'fr;. • f: • J-if r • -y, • y Z-CARDS Issuedln: 1937 1942 1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 Texas Senator Supports Maritime .. ^ .. * MarAd/U.S. Shipbuilder Will Explore Feasibility of Buiiding U.S. Cruise Ships A cooperative project to strengthen America's shipbuilding in­ dustry by exploring the feasibility of constructing cruise ships in the United States has been established between the Maritime Ad­ ministration (MarAd) and Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. of Pascagoula, Miss., a major U.S. shipyard with experience in constructing large naval vessels. Half of the funding for the $2.1 million agreement, which was awarded on a competitive basis, will come from the U.S. govemment over a 16-month period, with Ingalls providing the other half. The project will include development of a preliminary design as well as a shipyard manufacturing plan. *1/ xlr Low Water is No Reason To Halt Barge Traffic Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison meets with SlU Vice President Dean Corgey (left) and Port Official Jim McGee at the Houston hall. Hutchison has been very supportive of maritime. Despite low water and shoaling conditions, none of the rivers throughout the Southeast, Midwest and Great Plains has been closed to barge traffic, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Parts of the upper and lower Mississippi River recently have experienced some shoaling, as have p^ of Ae Missouri and Cumber­ land rivers. In addition, the Tennessee River has been going through its annual low-water cycle. The Coast Guard noted that some tows have bumped river bottoms, but none of these instances necessitated aclosuie. Below Cape Girardeau, Mo. on the Mississippi River, however, below-normal tow limits are causing periodic closures. / • ' I r • • ' 'i'' y; • vS: • �V 'T 6 V OCWRER1994 SEJ^ARERSLOG MR : ' '- . •'. " I^ " i > ••. AFL-CiO Study: NAFTA Provokes Job Losses, Lewer Trade Surpius Reuters Finnish, Swedish and Estonian helicopters and ships participated in the rescue operation. Above, a rescue worker recovers the bodies of passengers from one of the Estonia'slife rafts. , ..... Estonian FenTt Sinks, 800Peopie iRissing In the third worst ferry acci­ dent in recent history, an Es­ tonian-flag ferry capsized and plunged to depths of 250 feet in the Baltic Sea around 2:00 in the morning on September 28. Bound for Stockholm, Sweden from Estonia's capital, Tallinn, the German built Estonia sank during stormy conditions, with 55 mile-per-hour winds and 18-foot waves. The accident took place in international waters 20 nautical miles off the Finnish coast. About 140 people sur­ vived, 40 bodies were found, and some 820 were missing and presumed dead. Rescue ofEcials cited 50 degree waters in which a human being can survive only for a few hours. The governments of Sweden, Estonia and Finland are jointly conducting an investigation of the accident. Accounts by some survivors indicate that a bad door seal on the roll-on/roll-off class vessel may have caused the accident, allow­ ing water to rush in to the vehicle deck holding some 400 to 460 cars and about 30 trucks. Owned by Estline Shipping Co., a joint venture of the Es­ tonian government and a Swedish tanker company, Nordstrom & Thulin AB, the Estonia emitted one "Mayday" call at 1:24 am. The ship officer said the ferry was listing 20 to 30 degrees and had lost power in the engines. Sur­ vivors believe the ship was afloat for less than half-an-hour once the first signs of trouble were evi­ dent. Finnish, Swedish and Estonian helicopters and ships participated in the rescue operation. Helicop­ ters plucked those in rafts to safety. By early morning no other survivors were in view. Most survivors were tossed into the sea, later finding rafts that had automatically been released. The Finnish hospital treating the survivors report^ that nearly all had hypothermia. The ship carried a crew of 188. It Takes More than Votes Working on the election campaigns of those politicians in Hawaii favoring the maritime industry are Seafarers Richard Hindson, Terry Osbore, J.J. Arnold and Mark Lawrence. Ten months after implementa­ tion of a trade pact with Mexico, the first detailed assessment of the agreement shows that 27,010 workers have lost their jobs when their companies moved south of the border. The study, conducted by the AFL-CIO, the federation of na­ tional unions, also found that the once healthy trade su^lus the U.S. enjoyed with Mexico ($5.4 billion in 1992) declined 32 per­ cent compared with the same sixmonth period in 1993. The North American Free Trade Agreement, known as NAFTA, was billed by its sup­ porters, among them former President George Bush and Presi­ dent Bill Clinton, as a boon for the U.S. economy. The deal, which linked Canada, the U.S. and Mexico in one trading bloc, went into effect on Januaiy 1, 1994 Continued from page 2 agency and to develop mechanisms for self-inspection for model companies. Under the legislation, the Coast Guard is allowed to accept shipboard equipment approvals issued by foreign governments if the requirements of those groups conform to SOLAS standards. Cer­ tificates of inspection will now be ;ood for five years, instead of two, as is customary under international rules. Also, in addition to the American Bureau of Shipping, other recognized classification societies will be granted authority to conduct inspections. Representative Studds described the regulatory initiative as a "joint effort of the Coast Quard and the maritime industry :o ensure that [the U.S. does] not impose on the U.S. industry any unnecessary or obsolete require­ ments that could keep it from being competitive." He said he is "confident that the bill accomplishes this objecive without sacrificing U.S. safety standards or changing the requirements of any U.S. en­ vironmental law." Representative Fields added that the measure "will streamline shipbuilding requirements for all the U.S maritime industry and allow it to become more competi­ tive internationally." t 'vK' ,'. ..;•.•/• • 7:.; ::v '•- v,.V/.!. .^>''l^/;:.'j: of eroding quickly. Exports of manufactured goods from Mexico to the U.S. rose by 25 percent between January and May 1994. The dollar value of imports from Mexico to the United States increased in a number of areas when comparing data from January to June for both 1993 and 1994, points out the AFL-CIO study. For example, motor vehicle units increased in 1994 by 26.4 percent. Television imports surged; 50.4 percent more in 1994 from 1993. Piston engine imports in­ creased by 44.2 percent, radios by 31 percent, furniture by 24 per­ cent, electrical machinery by 25.2 percent and teleconununications equipment by 33.6 percent. The AFL-CIO intends to con­ tinue monitoring the results of NAFTA. House Adopts Host of Maritimo Ntoasures Seeking the Votes of Seafarers o;:- . .'•; 'M; V after it was approved last year by the Congress. Its adoption was vigorously op­ posed by the AFL-CIO and its rffiliates. The American unions argued that the pact was less about liberalizing trade than it was about making Mexico a fiiendlier place for American investment The job loss is detailed in 190 petitions filed with the Department of Labor which seek redress for thousands of employees who no longer have work, said the AFLCIO report, released last month and prepared liy the organization's Task Force on Trade. Under NAFTA, so called trade adjustment assistance is theoreti­ cally available to workers whose jobs have been lost to Mexico in the form of retraining funds and special compensation. The AFL-CIO found that the U.S. trade surplus with Mexico is Lt. Goverenor Ben Cayetano (with lei) was the guest speaker at the SlU union meeting last month on the eve of the primary election in his bid for the governorship of Hawaii. Cayetano spoke to the membership as TV cameras relayed his message to the state live from the SlU Honolulu office. He won the primary by 50,000 votes. In photo above, Cayetano poses with the SlU membership following the meeting. What had been the United States Passenger Vessel Develop­ ment Act of 1994, H.R. 3821, be­ came Title VII of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1994. The bill establishes a series of mechanisms to encourage development of American-flag cruise ship businesses (see page 5 for a separate article on this bill). Representative Fields said he supported the bill because, "It is time to break the grip of the foreign interests that dominate what should be an American cruise ship trade." American Cruise Industry The bill will allow foreignflag craise vessels to re-flag to U.S. registry and operate between two American ports if a second passenger ship is built in a U.S. shipyard. As additional incen­ tives, the bill allocates Title XI loan guarantees for Americanbuilt cruise ships and provides tax incentives. It also gives U.S.-flag cruise vessels priority for Nation­ al Park permits. Representative Jolene Unsoeld (D-Wash), who authored the legislation, said, "This bill is about promoting U.S. interests and leveling the international playing field. It is about retaining a portion of the economic benefits here in the United States." Criilses-to-Nowhere Title XI of H.R. 4422, the United States Passenger Act of 1994, passed the House in Novem­ ber 1993 but was reintroduced this year because there was no similar action on the Senate side. The bill addressed the loophole in U.S. law which allows foreign-flag gaming ships to operate in American coas­ tal waters. American cabotage laws prohibit foreign-flag ships from sailing between two U.S. ports. However, the law is silent on a vessel sailing from a U.S. port and returning to the same U.S. port. That is how foreign-flag ships entered the so-called cruises-tonowhere trade. "Under present law, if a foreign-made, foreign-flag, foreign-owned vessel which operates out of the United States of America sails a mere three miles out to sea, turns around and comes back it is considered a foreign voyage," explained Rep­ resentative. Gene Taylor (DMiss), who introduced the bill. Taylor contends the intention of the nation' s cabotage laws are to reserve U.S. "coastlines for American vessels, American crews, and American-owned ves­ sels." OtherActlon Given that boating deaths are the second-largests category of transport-related fatalities, com­ ing rfter highway deaths. Con­ gress sought to improve boating safety. An amendment was adopted that mandates the use of life vests on children 12 or younger and makes it an offense to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Representative Thomas H. Andrews (D-Maine) added to the bill the requirement that the agen­ cy repair, maintain and overhaul its ships and maHne equipment in American shipyards. Finally, an amendment was added by Rep. Fields which cor­ rects a 48-year-old injustice to 2,500 merchant mariners who served this country with both honor and distinction during World War II. Veterans status for WWII mariners has been cut off at August 15, 1945. This bill would grant veterans status to in­ dividuals who were in training for the merchant marine before August 16, 1945. It also would give veterans status to those who were in the merchant marine before August 16, 1945 but who did not have ocean-going service. Finally, it grants veterans status to any individual who received a let­ ter of induction to the merchant marine by August 16,1945. The Fields amendment allows individuals who believe they qualify for veterans service uner the new conditions to apply to the Secretary of Transportation. In this case, veterans status will bring a qualifying individual a discharge certificate, a flag for their coffin and a grave headstone. They will not be eligible for other veterans benefits. At press tiipe. Senate action of H.R. 4422 was pending. It was uncertain whether or not the Senate would vote on the bill before its expected adjournment early this month. �•-''rv •'•:« i OaWBER 1994 SEAFARERS L9G Hudson Crew Plucks 12 Cubans from Gulf of Mexico •wr;,- • siafe.'''. Seafarers aboard the OMI Cubans and learned that they all Hudson last month rescued 12 were from the same family. A Cuban refugees who had been at couple of days earlier, they said, sea on a raft for nearly two weeks one member of the group who and who had been without food or was a diabetic passed away on the water for several days. raft, apparently due to lack of The rescue took place in the medication. (The refugees dis­ Gulf of Mexico, northwest of the posed of the body at sea.) Yucatan Channel, and within 12 The Cubans also related that hours the refugees were turned several foreign-flag ships had over to the U.S. Coast Guard. All passed them, "but they knew the were in good condition. Americans would stop," said "We got them aboard safely Bronstein, 37. "They said sharks and pretty quickly," said Recer­ had been hitting underneath the tified Bosun Ervin BronSiein, raft." who provided the photos accom­ A graduate of the Lundeberg panying this article. "The entire School trainee program in 1980, crew pitched in and did a very Bronstein reported that the sight professional job." of the fatigued, desperate AB Tan Joon, who speaks refugees provided a compelling fluent Spanish, talked widi the example of "how bad things are Waving and Shouting MSCPAC Ship Rescues 10 Egyptians i|:^^ Photo courtesy of MSCPAC Civilian mariners aboard a USNS Mars lifeboat tow the survivors of the Egyptian cargo phip back to the MSCPAC supply vessel. m • > '- in Cuba and what people are will ing to go through to get away from it. When you only see it on television or read about it in the newspaper, it's kind of easily dis missel^. But when you meet the people aihifheaf them explain that there's no food, no jobs, no way to support their families, and they're just seeking a better life, it makles you think." The Hudson was en route to Houston when members of the deck gang spotted the raft ap­ proximately 1.5 miles away from the vessel. As they moved closer, crewmembers saw people waving and heard them shouting Once the Hudson alerted the U.S. Coast Guard and OMI and received the go-ahead to pick up the refugees, the ship was maneuvered alongside the raft. "We rigged the crane and )ilot ladder and also prepared ife-saving equipment and medi­ cal response gear,", notec Bronstein. "We threw them safety lines, too, because we real­ ized they might be in a weakened condition. 'They weren't delirious, but they wanted to jump off the raft to get to the pilot ladder. They were holding their empty water jugs out to us... Tan kept telling them to stay calm." The Cubans, including a 12year-old boy, were brough aboard without incident. "They took showers while we washec their clothes, then the stewarc department fed them," said Bronstein. The bosun stated that the One-by-one, the Cuban refugees are helped from their raft up the pilot ladder and brought to safety aboard the OMI Hudson. refugees "would have drifted for Members of the SIU's Government Services Division helped rescue 10 Egyptian mariners off the coast of Oman who had been drifting for nine days in a lifeboat after their small cargo ship sank in the North Arabian Sea. In rough seas on August 11, the USNS Mars, a supply ship for the Military Sealift CommandPacific Fleet (MSCPAC), picked up the survivors from the Egyp­ tian-flag Salem 12. The men in the lifeboat had only a day's ra­ tion of food and water left, but they were in good condition at the time of the rescue. Another lifeboat, carrying nine crewmembers from the Salem 12, reached port in Mowhat, Oman, but two life rafts carrying a total of 12 men still have not been found. Crewmembers aboard the Mars spotted white flares that had been fired from the lifeboat. The 7 Second Pumpman Spencer Smith (left) and AB Mark Konikowski prepare for the rescue. several more days if we hadn't seen them. I guess a lot of refugees head for Florida, but this bunch was trying toget to Mexico or Texas and they were in the wrong current. They probably would have died. "But we were just doing our jobs, being professional seamen." The SIU members who were on board the Hudson when the rescue took place were Bronstein, Joon, ABs Norberto Vera, Paul Wade, Chris Stringer, and Mark Konikowski, Chief Pumpman Stuart Croft, Second Pumpman Spencer Smith, OMUs Wiihert Miles and Jose Ramirez, DEU Victor Mondeci, Steward/Baker Wally Lau, Chief Cook Mariano Morales and GUS Eduardo Elemento. Narragansett Saves 4 Off Coast of Kenya • ' '•••./-Ti' •> ' Two members of the SIU's four Zanzibarans clinging to a Government Services Division partially submerged, uncovered recently were honored for their boat. Duffenbach and Petro parts in an April rescue involving manned the Narragansett's rigidthe USNS Narragansett that hull inflatable boat and guided it saved the lives of four men from to the foundering double outrig­ ger canoe, while Farenzena Zanzibar. ABs Ernest Farenzena and operated toe crane. Jerome Duffenhach received The four men had been adrift Special Act Awards and certifi­ for 10 days, and their nominal cates from the Military Sealift supply of food and water had long Command-Pacific Fleet since run out. They were (MSCPAC) after helping perform dehydrated and disoriented. They toe rescue near toe coast of Kenya, also did not have a compass, chart as did Chief Mate Thomas Petro or any other navigational gear. and Third Officer John K. McDuffenbach and Petro found toe men weakened, covered with Ginnis. The Narragansett was not minor sores from exposure to supposed to be at the site where saltwater and waist-deep in the rescue took place, but the water. Members of toe deck depart­ ocean fleet tug had retumed to Mombasa, Kenya a day earlier ment brought the Zanzibarans after crewmembers discovered aboard without incident. The gal­ three young stowaways (ages 9, ley gang then provided blankets 14 and 15) aboard the ship. The and prepared warm soup and joys presumably snuck on board other easily-digestible food for toe while the vessel was taking on four men who, despite their condi­ nel and other supplies in the tions, were expect^ to be okay. On toe way back to Mombas^ Kenyan port city. With the stowaways safely crewmembers donated clothes returned to shore and having and some personal items to toe notified toe proper authorities, Zanzibarans. Narragansett Captain Russ" he Narragansett resumed its scheduled course. The ship had Driver commended the entire traveled 20 miles out to sea when crew for their efforts. "They VIcGinnis spotted an unidentified responded without direction once object drifting in toe water, and the rescue was initiated," he the Narragansett moved in to in­ noted. "The little things—^giving water, shaking hands, looks of vestigate. Crewmembers from the gratitude—these are sights I will VISCPAC vessel discovered the never forget." It spoke English) repeatedly thanked the MSCPAC crew. The ship's medical services officer examined the 10 men and found them healthy other than some minor sun rashes. Meanwhile, the galley gang provided them with clean clothes and warm meals, and the entire crew donated new coveralls, toiletries and ball caps. The Egyptians spent one day on the Mars, then were flown by helicopter to Fujairah, UAE. MSCPAC's Vice Admiral Katz forwarded a message to the Mars crew, congratulating them on an "outstanding performance. This unselfish and heroic effort, completed in dangerous seas, is yet another fine example of the humanitarian nature of our sea service. Your deft and ex­ peditious handling of this situa­ Thankful Passengers tion was superb and in keeping Photo courtesy o< MSCPAC Once aboard the Mars, the with centuries of seafaring Moving in to start rescue operations are (right) AB Jerome Duffenbach and Chief Mate Thomas Petro of the USNS Narragan^tt. Egyptians (several of whom tradition." MSCPAC vessel then altered its course and discovered the sur­ vivors. Members of the deck gang launched a whaleboat which retrieved the 10 Egyptians without incident, despite the choppy seas. TTie Egyptians explained that their ship had begun taking on water rapidly through two cargo holds. The vessel went down in only 10 minutes, but all 31 people aboard managed to abandon ship in the two lifeboats and two life rafts. The survivors also said that they were passed by several other ships, including one that stopped nearby for five minutes, then left without making contact (and ap­ parently without reporting a citing of the lifeboat). • •Sv J v< '•'I. • . �8 SEAFARBtSIM OCTOBER 1994 Three Senators Stymie Vote on 5lr/p BUI In the event that the shipbuild­ American yards. and industiy representatives vowec would pay 31 cents and then 27 These fiinds would be in the ing agreement negotiated by the to seek alternative ways of bringin; cents. form of series transition pay­ governments of the nations par­ maritime program that had the the bill to the floor so Aat it coidd be Also in the Senate staff draft, ments, which provide support to ticipating in the Organiation for support of a majority of Com­ debated on its merits. as in the House bill, is $100 mil­ American yards for building Economic Development (OECD) merce Committee members. lion for Title XI loan guarantees House Version competitively priced commer­ Senator John Breaux (D-La.) for shipbuilding in U.S. yards, is not approved by the U.S. Con­ cial ships for die international The bill, as passed by the funds that would generate up to gress, the Senate version allo­ said,"The rules are being used trades. because some are afraid to debate House, allocated $1.35 billion $1 billion in vessel construction. cates additional monies for over 10 years for a U.S.-flag con an issue. tainership operation program anc Endangering Ag Interests aid for American shipyards. Farm state Senator J. James According to the House ver­ Exon (D-Neb.) had the stronges sion, vessels would be eligible for admonition of Pressler's blocking the program if they are made ruse. He reminded Pressler that available to the Department o agricultural interests had been Defense (DOD) and allow DOD primarily concerned with the im­ cargo space in times of war or pact of the tonnage duty on the conflict. For inclusion in the pro­ movement of bulk grains. Exon gram, a vessel could be no more pointed out that that concern had than 15 yeairs old. Vessels built in been addressed in the removal of foreign yards that are re-flagged grain cargoes from an increase in under the Stars and Stripes could be no older than 10 years. the tonnage duty. The funding for the program Using a delay tactic to prevent debate and a vote on the bill would be raised through a ton­ would only result in making nage duty of 38 cents per enemies for farm state legislators, registered ton of every vessel said Exon. The procedural ploy calling at U.S. ports. "could get us in the agricultural Senate Plan sector in big, big trouble," added The Senate version, while very Exon. He noted that the farm bill comes up for debate next year and similar to the House bill, changed that Pressler should bear in mind the tonnage structure. The staff of that "what goes around, comes he Commerce Committee put in place the following changes to the around." tonnage fee provisions Container Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.), would pay 74 cents per housands of letters urging Senate enactment of a bill promoting U.S. shipping have been sent by noting that the Senate session was vessels registered ton for the first five Seafarers and their family members to senators throughout the nation. in its last days, said, "The*«tbig mistake is trying to do it now. We ^ears and 63 cents from 1999 to should have been doing this a 2004. Dry bulk carriers would Adding their voices to the John A. Gallagher, a 50-year Bumpers (D-Ark.). "As a retired month ago or four months ago or only pay existing duties while liq­ debate on whether the nation resident of the state who works Seafarer I am ^avely concerned uid bulk ships would pay 31 cents a year ago." needs a forward-looking out of the port of Philadelphia, to about our diminish^ merchant Following the committee initially and 21 cents in the last maritime program are thousands back the bill. fleet from over 3000 ships during meeting, pro-maritime legislators ive years. Passenger vessels of Seafarers and their family Brother Gallagher noted that World War II (I was serving on members who over the course of the funding mechanism for the the SS Scottsburg and rescued by the last month have barraged their program, a tonnage duty, was a the SS Kahuka when both were senators with letters and phone fair way to raise monies for a U.S. sunk by Germans in 1942.) to calls urging support for the ship plan. "It's time for the fewer than 350 ships now sailing maritime bill before the Senate. foreign-flag companies to pay under 'Old Glory'." He urged Due for consideration by the their fair share for the services Senator Buinpers to support legis­ Senate is a bill that would allocate provided by the U.S. Coast Guard lation to revitalize the industry. Continued from page 3 the Americans soon were cheered $1 billion over a 10-year period to and other money spent at the Patricia Yaros, whose hus­ as liberators. support a U.S.-flag container fleet American taxpayer's expense." band is a seaman, urged Senator ships and from the seafaring At press time, the number of and provide aid to American Walter PopperwUI, a North Bill Bradley (D-N.J.) to consider unions who provide the crews," noted Maritime Administrator U.S. troops in Haiti had swelled shipyards. A House version of the Carolina resident and a tugboat the consequences to American Albert J. Herberger. "Once again, to more than 15,600. On Septem­ bill, known as the Maritime Ad^ captain, told D.M. "Lauch" workers. She said her husband they have come forward to sup­ ber 27, some of the troops took ministration and Promotional Faircloth (R-N.C.) that "enact­ had been shipping "for all our port our nation's armed forces." over the Haitian Parliament Reform Act or H.R. 4003, passed ment of H.R. 4003 would send a married life. He missed out on so More than 2,000 U.S. troops building and the capital's City that legislative body in early message to the world that the much of the children growing just United States will never allow it­ to support his family. And if this landed without resistance on Hall in another step towards August by a vote of 294-122. The Senate version was not self to become totally dependent bill is not passed then it would Haiti on September 19. Greeted returning Haiti to democratic rule reported out of committee be­ on foreign countries to carry its have been for nothing." warily by many citizens at first. by a civilian government. cause a group of farm state products or in times of national As the LOG was going to senators exercised a little-used security." press. around the Chronology of Recent Events In Haiti parliamentary rule that prevented Seafarer J.T. Spence, a Vir­ country Seafarers were learning of the tac­ the committee fr^m^eting (see ginia resident, said to Charles tics of U.S. shipping's opponents story on page 3). Senators who Robb (D-Va.), "Our seamen rank to try and prevent the maritime In 1990, Jean-Bertrand Aristide won the presidency of Haiti support the bill are now looking among the best this world has to bill from being debated and voted in a democratic election. In 1991, he was overthrown by for ways in which it can be offer for their hard work, loyalty on. Upon learning the news, Gen. Raoul Cedras and Police Chief Lt. Gen. Michel Fran­ brought to the floor. and dedication to duty. World Ervin Bronstein, a seafarer from cois. The international community responded by imposing In their letters to senators. War II proved that. Give our San Antonio, vowed to write an embargo. Earlier this year, the United Nations authorized Seafarers have pointed out the es­ the use of force to oust Cedras and his group and restore sentiality of a strong U.S.-flag seamen proud ships and state-of- another letter to his senators ur­ the-art equipment and they will ging that they do their utmost to Aristide to his elected post. fleet to the nation's defense and get the job done." bring the bill to the floor before economic interests. Retired Seafarer Thurston the Senate ends its session early • On September 8, the U.S. Ready Reserve Force (RRF) Is Retired Seafarer Harry N. John Lewis wrote to Dale this month. activated as America prepares for Invasion of Haiti. Hundreds of U.S. merchant mariners report to the vessels and prepare Schorr of Hemet, Calif., in a let­ ter to Senator Barbara Boxer (Dthem to sail. Calif.), said, "H.R. 4003 will • On September 18, following negotiations tietween U.S. delega­ make more ships available to the tion led by former president Jimmy Carter and Haitian military military services and will bring leaders, Invaston Is called off when Cedras and others agree to employment and pensions to resign by October 15 In exchange for guaranteed amnesty. Americans who will spend the money in the United States. • On September 19, thousands of U.S. forces land without 'Plus," added Shorr, "They all opposition and take over Haiti's ports and airfields In the first will be taxpapyers." stage of a military peacekeeping operation aimed at restoring West Virginia's Senator democracy. Robert C. Byrd (D) was contacted by David D^hayes, a resident of • On September 22, U.S. lifts most economic sarxTtions that state. He urged the senator to Haiti, but keeps In place thoseaimed at military leaders ar backets. consider the value to the nation of having sufficient sealift • On September 27, U.S. troops secure the Haitian Pariiament capability in times of war. Before shipping out of the St. Louis hall as a steward assistant on the building and the csqiltal's city hall. Arlen Specter, a senator from Franklin Phillips, Jo Stinnett writes her two senators In Kentucky, Pennsylvania (R), was urged by asking for their support on the maritime bill. Continued from page 3 IV' " •;.J' ; V.:' Seafarers Call on Legislators To Back Maritime Program For Haitian OperaRong SiU Crews 8 RRF Ships /. '.w.. �ocmaiim SBAFAmKSLOe 9 ReM^ytkm l^tHcathm Cmirses Move West San Francisco, Seattle, Honolulu Halls Will Host Two-Day Class npu-«. ¥>^..1 T¥_if • — ._ i The Paul Hall ^ Center's \ mington, Calif, during the last SIU halls across the country. This refrigeration technician certifica- week of September. year, additional classes are tion course is available to October marks the fourth con­ scheduled to run through early Seafarers this month at the SIU secutive month that the Paul Hall December at five other locations halls in San Francisco, Seattle and Center's Lundeberg School has Port Everglades, Fla.; San Juan, Honolulu. The two-day course been offering the class—which is P.R.; Algonac, Mich.; Duluth also was scheduled to be con­ approved by the Environmental Minn.; and St. Louis. ducted at the SIU hall in Wil­ Protection Agency (EPA)—at The refrigeration technician Seafarers Fare Well on EPA Exam Members Emphasize Need for Course Preparation . certification course also is avail­ able as part of engine departmem upgrading courses at die Lun­ deberg School and is being of­ fered periodically as a separate course at Piney Point. The course culminates with the taking of a four-part, 100question EPA exam. Passing this test will result in Seafarers earn­ ing EPA certification that is man­ datory for anyone involved in the repair and servicing of refrigera­ tion equipment and air condition­ ing systems. November 14 is the deadline for obtaining certification, ac­ cording to the EPA regulation which requires it. That rule stems from the Clean Air Act Amend­ ments of 1990. along with the basic section, leads to Type n certification. Low-pressure refrigerants is the topic in the final 25 questions. Students who pass this section and the core questions will earn Type HI certification. Passing all four parts leads to Universal certification. Most Seafarers who handle refrigerants will need at least Type I and Type H certifications, since galley equipment is covered under Type I, and ships' stores systems are covered under Type II. The SIU encourages all QMEDs to test for Universal cer­ tification. Seafarers who work aboard cruise ships also should seek Universal certification, since pas­ senger vessels often use lowpressure refrigerants. There is no limit to the number of times someone may take the exam, so different certifications may be earned at different times. Results will be mailed to Seafarers no more than a month after they take the exam. Those who pass one or more sections of the test will receive a certification card (which has no expiration) and a certificate. Preparation and concentration are the keys to passing the En­ vironmental Protection Agency (EPA) exam for refrigeration technician certification, said Seafarers who took the test las month at SIU halls in Houston Norfolk, Va. and at the Paul Hal Center in Piney Point, Md. Lots of Information The members took the exam immediately following the Lun­ Many Seafarers who have deberg School's two-day taken the course advise their fel­ refrigeration technician certifica­ Doing a workbook exercise last month as part of the two-day course low members that a great deal of tion class, which was developer are Seafarers at the SIU hall in New Orleans. information is covered during the by Lundeberg School instructors two days. "The subjects are wellin order to prepare Seafarers for presented, but there's a lot to the EPA test. cover in a relatively short period "I thought the course was very of time," said QMED Tom interesting and fast-moving, Keseru, who took the course last said QMED Steve Treece, who month at Piney Point. "Studying took the class at the Houston hall. before you take the class is a big "I picked up a lot, beyond the key to doing well on the test." basics that we're already sup­ Shipping Priority Day one of the course begins posed to know. at 8 a.m. and lasts until 4 p.m SIU members should be aware "All you have to do is get the Topics covered include that, according to a recent action textbook ("Refrigerants and the refrigerants and compressor by the Seafarers Appeals Board Environment") in advance and lubricating oils, refrigerant han­ (SAB), after November 14, study it. I got it three weeks At the SIU hall in Norfolk, Va., members prepare to take the EPA exam dling safety procedures, how Seafarers who are certified before I took the course. If you do for refrigeration technician certification. refrigerants affect the environ­ refrigeration technicians will be that, plus pay close attention ment, theories of refrigeration, during the class and use the given priority within their respecpressure-temperature relation­ tive seniority classes for all Workbook, you should pass the ships and related laws and regula­ QMED, electrician, refrigeration test. tions. "s, Other Seafarers offered and junior engineer jobs. The second day also starts at 8 similar assessments, consistent Proof of holding the certifica­ with those voiced by SIU mem­ a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m., fol­ tion will not be mandatory when bers who took the course earlier lowed by the exam. Some of the Seafarer registers for employ­ this year. subjects covered are refrigeration ment at a union hall. However, "ITie course is pretty intense. servicing, handling small ap­ when throwing in for a shipboard You cover a lot of material in pliances, working with high- and job which includes duties of han­ basically a day-and-a-half, low-pressure equipment, and dling refrigerants, members will stated QMED John Walsh, who conversion of equipment using have to show whether they pos­ earned Universal certification chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based sess such certification. after taking the class at Piney refrigerants. SIU members who are on a Point. "You absolutely have to Seafarers at the Paul Hall Center review the theories of refrigeration Testing is conducted by the in­ ship during the November 14 read "Refrigerants and the En­ with instructor Eric Malzkuhn (far right). structor following the second day deadline are asked by the union to vironment" in order to do well on that getting the textbook in ad­ it, and that was a big factor in of class, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. obtain certification as soon as the test." The exam is divided into four possible after they sign off the Walsh added that the $25 cost vance was essential, and that's the passing the test," he said. "It was parts, and there are corresponding vessel. of the book "is well worth it. I've truth," said Chief Engineer Jim a difficult class, but I studied hard certification types. The first 25 The recent action of the SAB been working on (refrigerated) "Indiana" Payne, who sails from and got the result I warited." questions are basic and general. (No. 374) assures that companies "You definitely need to go containers for about 10 years, but the port of Houston. "This isn't a that doesn't mean I know all the course where you can learn through the book more than one The second set of 25 covers small which are signatories to a collec­ chemistry involved. The book everything overnight, so I was or two times," added QMED appliances. Passing the first two tive bargaining agreement with and the class really help in that lad to get three weeks of study­ Steve Harrington, who took the sections leads to Type I certifica­ the SIU will be in compliance ing done before the course." class at Piney Point. "There's just tion. with the new EPA regulations. area." Payne also praised the so much information to cover." The third group of 25 ques­ Violations of those regulations Studying Pays Off workbook that is part of the Seafarers who want to buy the tions refers to high-pressure can result in penalties as great as In the port of Norfolk, course materials. Prepared by book should indicate this to the refrigerants. Passing this part, $25,000. QMED/Electrician Kevin Quin­ Lundeberg School instructors, port agent whom they contact 1994 REFRIGERATfON TECHNICIAN COURSE SCHEDULE tan commended the job done by ihe workbook is given to when signing up for the class. instructor Eric Malzl^n and ex­ Seafarers at no charge. They should Aen send a check for LOCATION Despite the high pass rate $25, made payable to the "Paul DATE DAY pressed appreciation that the course was available at the union among Seafarers, SIU members Hall Center," to; EPA Refrigera­ San Francisco Oct.3-4 Mon.-Tue. hall. "I can walk to the hall in five caution that the exam is difficult. tion Tech. Course, Paul Hall Cen­ San Francisco Oct. 5-6 Wed.-Thu. "I was surprised at how tough ter for Maritime Training and minutes, so this was very con­ Seattle Oct. 11-12 Tue.-Wed. venient," said Quintan, who it was, and I started studying two Education, P.O. Box 75, Piney Seattle Thu.-Fri. Oct. 13-14 graduated from the Lundeberg weeks in advance," said QMED Point, MD 20674, Attn: J.C. Honolulu Oct. 19-20 Wed.-Thu. School trainee program in 1980. Paul Peterson, who obtained Weigman. The book will be sent "I studied a lot before actually Jniversal certification at Piney by first class mail. (Be sure to Honolulu Oct. 21-22 Fri.-Sat. taking the class, and I learned Point. "It's harder than a lot of indicate an address where the Nov. 8-9 Port Everglades, Fla. Tue.-Wed. other Coast Guard exams, but if book should be sent.) quite a bit." Nov. 10-11 Port Everglades, Ra. Thu.-Fri. The EPA has found that the you listen to Eric, do the The Lundeberg School also is San Juan, P.P. Wed.-Thu. Nov. 16-17 Lundeberg School's course has workbook and take the prepara­ trying to make the book available Nov. 18-19 San Juan, P.P. Fri.-Sat, the highest pass rate among Ae tion seriously, you should be able for purchase directly from the many refrigeration technician o pass it." Nov. 29-30 Algdnac, Mich. Tue.-Wed. Deck Engineer Mike Phillips, ports where the courses are ceitihcation classes available. That Duiuth, Minn. Dec. 1-2 Thu.-Fri. scheduled. Check with the in­ pattern continued last month, and who took the class in Norfolk and dividual port agents to find out if Dec. 6-7 St. Louis Tue.-Wed. members attributed the results to earned Universal certification, the book is available in advance agreed. "1 got the book about a extensive preparation. For 1995 courses, seepage 23 in this edition of the LOG. "I read in the Seafarers LOG month ahead of time and studied at a particular hall. ' .V •I':': • ! '• • Sff • 1t rf;. '4 • "'•'••••-C-I.'. ' '.-I• •' %' • m•M •i'Oi?- • '.-.V. �10 0CnaER1994 SEAFAKRSLOe Slimmer Harvest Keeps Orgulf Crews Busy SIU crewmembers aboard the Orgulf tugboats Dick Conerly and J.N. Phillips have been very active as the summer sailing season along the Mississippi River is com­ ing to an end. The tugs are moving agricultural products that recently have been harvested along with the usual cargoes of mulch, coal, steel pipes and other items. "TTiis is a really busy time of year for us," noted Darrlen Vessell, lead deckhand aboard the J.N. Phillips. "Cargoes have to be moved, and there's always more to pick up." His views are echoed by John Gould, who sails in the same position aboard the Dick Conerly. "We have good crews on our tugs," Gould added. "They know what it means to get the cargo to its destination safe and on time." Orgulf tugs operate along the Mississip­ pi, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois and Missouri rivers. The company is based in Cincinnati. . '-i v'v Cook Charles Jourdan has skillets warming on the stove as he prepares a specialty for the Dick Conerly crew. ' Cook Martha Smith plans a menu for the crew on board the J.N. Phillips. I ^ Deckhand Kenneth Marshall Lead Deckhand John Gould catches a Getting readyforworkonthe Conlooks In on the Conerty's galley, bite between shifts on the Coneriy. erty Is Utilltyman Rick Shirley. A shipyard conversion has given new life to a former tanker and more job opportuntities to Seafarers who sad along the Great Lakes. The Medusa Conquest reappeared on the Lakes three years ago as a self-unloading barge. The vessel had been a Standard Oil tanker delivering petroleum products to terminals along the Great Lakes. Following the conversion, Hannah & Medusa (H&M) Transport took over the barge's operations. Tlie tug James A. Hannah and the Medusa Conquest call on the ports of Chicago, Detroit and Toledo, Ohio after loading in Charlevoix, Mich. The pair works as an integrated tug/barge JJTB). "This is a good vessel," notes Glenn Ransom, who Duty Engineer Glenn Ransom keeps an eye on the engine board of the tug James A. Hannah. is duty engineer on the James A. Hannah. "It's the only one of its kind in the H&M Transport fleets. The Monitoring offloading operations from the control t>oard Is crew makes sure it stays Conveyorman Donald McDonald. in top condition." Doing his part to make sure the crew is in its top condition is Cook Gerald Relfenbark. Ran­ som says Reifenbark does a great job in feeding Ae members y aboard ship. "The •0 food and menus are top notch," he added. Unlike other Great Lakes tug/barges handled by Hannah Marine (the parent company of H&M Transport), the Medusa Con­ quest/James A. Hannah does not sail year-round.The cement barge lays up during the winter icing, while Hannah petroleum tug/barges operate around the calend^ on Lake Erie. Seafarers Operate One-of-a-Kind Tug/Barge on Lakes Helping to guide the barge Medusa Conquest Is Deckhand David It Is time to prepare another meal as Cook Second Conveyorman Wayne Bumham makes sure cement Tharp. The Medusa Conquest Is part of an ITB. Gerald Relfenbark heads Into the galley, offloads at a steady flow. �OCTOBER 1994 Seafarers Welfare Plan Anneunces Changes To Protect Benefits SEAFARERS LOG 11 Towing Safety Highlights Category Equipment Current Law Lffesaving and firefighting gear House iniand Safety Act Adds requirement for radar, depthfinder, compass or swing meter, charts and adequate towing equipment. The Seafarers Welfare Plan covered employment. Whereas inspection Only towing vessels that are inspected Coast Guard must develop inspe^ion (SWF) recently announced before, the maximum amount of program for all towing vessels within are those greater than 300 gross tons one year and send to Congress. operating seaward of the shoreline. several changes which are sickness and accident time designed to protect SIU credited as covered employment Licensing For uninspected towing vessel Eliminates existing operators licenses members' medical benefits. was 39 weeks, the maximums in operator's license, person must have and replaces them with master and These adjustments were the new schedule range from 180 mate licenses. Requires applicants for three years' relevant experience and detailed in a letter which on days to 20 days. pass a written exam. Second-class new or first-time renewal master and August 18 was sent to all SWF operator's license can be obtained with mate licenses to demonstrate (Note: There is no change in half the experience and passage of proficiency in operating a towing participants. the sickness and accident exam. vessel and use of navigational "The changes that were made benefits themselves. Seafarers equipment. were done for three reasons," said still may receive them for up to Nick Marrone, SWF ad­ 39 weeks.) Crew Documentation Aside from the licensed individuals and Requires all personnel that do not hold ministrator. "One is to ensure that • Seafarers will receive credit tankermen, no other crewmembers CG-issued license or document on are required to hold Coast Guard the Seafarers Welfare Flan con­ as covered employment for 50 towing and offshore supply vessels papers of any kind. and all unlicensed personnel tinues to protect members from percent of the time they attend employed in positions listed on a being financially ruined due to a upgrading courses at Ae Faul passenger vessel's certificate of catastrophic accident or illness. Hall Center, provided they suc­ inspection to carry a z-card. That protection comes in theform cessfully complete the course. of maintaining 100-percent • The SWF will pay a lifetime coverage of reasonable and cus­ maximum benefit of $10,000 per tomary charges for Seafarers and participant for home-hedth and by ensuring that the Flan has hospice care, with an annual max­ imum benefit of $2,000 for home long-term financial stability. nursing care. "The second reason is to allow • The SWF will pay a lifetime Continued from page 2 the Flan to continue affording the industry, which currently does marine equipment to hold a Coast maximum benefit of $50,000 out-patient coverage for depend­ not require crewmembers on tugs Guard document was a sensible ents which is included in the cur­ toward the treatment of any birth ducting its investigation of the or tows to hold z-cards. act. rent standard operating contract. defect or related condition result­ derailment, another accident took The union backed the plan be­ He pointed out that "what is This is a benefit that the member­ ing during pregnancy or as a place which spotlighted the neer cause it assures all members of a really required when yimeone for stricter waterway safety laws. towing vessel crew that they will gets a document is basically put­ ship indicated is extremely im­ result of pregnancy. • The SWF will pay a total On January 7, the barge Morris J. be working side to side with in­ ting down their name, social portant to them, but it has increased the Flan's expenses sig­ benefit of $2,000 for cardiac Berman, adrift after its towline dividuals who qualified for mer­ security number, producing a rehabilitation. broke, struck a coral reef off the chant mariner documents. nificantly. passport, giving an address, "One of the main questions coast of San Juan, F.R. and spilled "Finally, the Flan has estab­ SIU Fresident Michael Sacco, telephone number, the name of lished a number of procedural which was considered in making 600,0(X) gallons of oil, fouling in a communication to committee their employer, and, very impor­ safeguards to discourage any these and other changes is, 'What pristine beaches and killing fish members a few days before its tantly, there is a criminal back­ potential abuse of the system." can be done that is effective and and wildlife. meeting, noted that a recent Coast ground check conducted by the Marrone added that several of fair and that also has the least Guard study on towing vessel Coast Guard." monetary impact on the mem­ Documentation = Safety the changes simply are estab­ bers,"' Marrone noted. "With no manning "indicated that human Fields, Studds Push Bill During consideration of the error has been attributed as the lishments of yearly or lifetime action on the part of Congress to bill, the most hotly debated issue ceilings to be paid by the SWF. pass a nation^ health care bill to Fields and Studds urged the cause of the majority of marine Among the alterations an­ contain health care costs and dis­ was the requirement that z-cards accidents in the inland towing in­ committee to be guided by con­ cerns for safety and not what nounced by the SWF are the fol­ tribute them fairly, health care ex­ be mandatory for deckhands on dustry." towing vessels. lowing: would happen in the Senate. The penses will continue to skyrocket. 'Improves Competence' The measure to require that in­ , • Effective immediately, the So it's up to us to protect the Towing Vessel Navigational SWF will count maintenance and interests of Seafarers by keeping dividuals without licenses work­ "Upgrading the licenses of Safety Act of 1994 "will not live cure time as covered employment the medical plan on a sound and ing aboard towing vessels hold towing vessel operators and re­ or die by this or any other single only if a member's employer con­ secure track. Also, members can Coast Guard-issued merchant quiring a demonstration of provision," Studds said. Representative Bart Stupak tinues to make contributions on help the plan by closely checking mariner documents (known as z- proficiency of skills in using re­ his or her behalf to the SWF while their medical bills, maintaining cards) was strongly backed by the quired navigational equipment (D-Mich.) also spoke in favor of and in operating a vessel will cer­ the plan. "It is really a safety the member receives main­ healthy lifestyles and receiving SIU. In its research, the union had tainly improve the competence of issue." The bill would require "an tenance and cure payments. preventive care." found that in segments of the in­ individu^s employed on tugs on individual to apply at one of the • The SWF has established a Seafarers who did not receive dustry where merchant mariner the inland waterway system," regional inspection offices of the schedule to determine the amount a copy of the August 18 letter may documents are required for all Coast Guard, to provide proof of Sacco said. of covered employment a contact the SWF office at SIU shipboard personnel, human fac­ He also said the merchant citizenship, permanent residence, Seafarer can receive credit for headquarters, 5201 Auth Way, tors are less likely to be the cause mariner document requirement provide fingerprints, make avail­ under the sickness and accident Camp Springs, MD 20746, or by benefits based upon years of telephone at 1-800-CLAIMS4. of accidents than in the towing is not only a form of identifica­ able information so we cw do a tion but also a key indication that drivers license check because the holder has satisfied minimum only a drunk driving or a drug scrutiny by the Coast Guard and conviction can deny them the has remained in good stead, since merchant mariner document," he the document is subject to said. Stupak added that the require­ suspension or revocation on ment "is not unduly burdensome various grounds." Congress will adjourn this month without care reform in the past year, a number of facts Under Coast Guard proce­ on anybody." passing a health care reform bill, but the issue were pointed out which highlight the severity of the health care crisis. For example, an estimated dures, individuals who have been will not go away. 'Standardizes' Procedures found unfit for their shipboard The health care debate is sure to resurface in 38 million Ameficans do not have health care Representative Curt Weldon duties or a danger to themselves political campaigns between now and the coverage, and many others are underinsured. (R-Fenn.) noted that the towing Those who have coverage shoulder much of the and their shipmates, can have November elections, and those who favor companies in his area that work expense of treatment for the uninsured, in the their merchant mariner docu­ reform are expected to resume the push for com­ along the coastline of the eastern form of higher premiums and fees. ments revoked by the agency, prehensive changes when the House and Senate seaboard down to the Gulf of Additionally, for every dollar spent by an preventing them from finding fu­ reconvene early next year. Mexico require documents of ture shipboard employment. "We are determined to move forward in the individual with health insurance for health care their boatmen. He answered the effort to win national health care reform that services, less than half of that dollar goes to Tauzin Opposes Z-Cards opponents of the measure who provides every American access to quality care cover actual care. An estimated 18 percent goes Representative Tauzin argued said the document would be at a price they can afford," said AFL-CIO Fresi- to cover the uninsured; 11 percent is lost toclaim that the measure would not in­ meaningless by asking why, if dent Lane Kirkland. "Workers and their unions fraud; 13 percent is drained by paperwork and crease safety on towing vessels that was the case, are z-cards still have had that goal for generations, and that effort administrative costs; and nearly 20 percent is continues right now in our work in the 1994 taken by defensive medicine, meaning unneces­ and that it would create needless required of deep sea seamen. bureaucracy. He also said that if Weldon said the measure would sary tests and treatments which medical person­ elections." included in the overall bill, the help establish a standardized Kirkland also scolded the lawmakers who nel may call for in order to protect themselves requirement could threaten the system." "missed the opportunity" to solve the health c^e from patient lawsuits. i)ill's passage in the Senate. After discussing the merchant The SIU continues to join with the AFL-CIO crisis. "There is no doubt who blocked this his­ Arguing in favor of the mer­ mariner document part of the bill, and its other fellow affiliate unions in calling for toric opportunity at change: a coalition of chant mariner documentation the committee took a roll call vote reform which guarantees comprehensive, ir­ hidebound Republicans dedicated to gridlock }lan was Representative Jack on the provision. The 30 to 15 revocable coverage for every U.S. citizen; dis­ and some members in both houses and of both Fields (R-Texas), ranking vote secured its inclusion in the tributes costs fairly and establishes cost-control parties who are willing to do the bidding of minority member of the commit­ overall bill, which was later' mechanisms; and does not tax any portion of special interests." Fields emphasized that re­ adopted by the full House. Action tee. health care benefits. During the often fierce debates over health quiring individuals who work on is now up to the Senate. Safety Bill Passes House p; J \y ' :-p • . "A-C.' . [ .;.v Session Ends Without Heaith Reform, But the Debate is Far from Finished (SE^-S^T^'W.. - § -i. " �r• '•- :•. /</-• ' y'yr .'• 12 SEAFARERS LOG OCTORER1994 Lundeberg Students Maintain Manitou Restoring JFK's Yacht Falls to New Generation Between exposure to the ele By putting in an average of 15 ments and deterioration from the hours per weekend, per person simple passage of time, it takes a along with some work on wee lot of work to keep the 62-foot nights, "We're seeing results, and yawl Manitou in good shape. it definitely helps to know we're Used by President John F making a difference," said Kennedy, Ae Manitou has been Hulstrom. "At the same time, part of the Paul Hall Center's flee don't really care about instant of historic sailing and power ves­ results. I'm looking at the long sels since 1968. term. From the time the former "We want people from future racing yacht first arrived at the classes to help, in the restora­ center's Lundeberg School of tion—people who are genuinely Seamanship in Piney Point, Md., interested in the Manitou itself, its many people have had a hand in history and seeing it brough its upkeep. During the late 1980s back." and early 1990s, SIU retirees The boat, which was built near Johnny Johnston and William Piney Point at the M.M. Davis Drew, both now deceased, took a and Sons yard in Solomons Is­ There Is no shortage of work to be done aboard the Manitou \o get It back Into shape, as Merle Wooley particular interest in the vessel's land, Md., is made of oak and is finds out as he helps strip the hull to prepare It for priming and then painting. history and maintenance. They carvel-built with a teak deck anc spent countless volunteer hours mahogany trim. It features bronze caring for the 57-year-old craft. and brass fastenings and deck Nowadays, the yawl often is in hardware. the hands of a group of Lun­ deberg School trainees who also Won Many Races stepped forth about 12 weeks ago Named for a stretch in north­ on their own to help refurbish it. eastern Lake Michigan where she Led by Brian Hulstrom (Class won several races during the 527), a self-described JFK buff 1930s and 1940s, the Manitou who wa«s familiar with the had a number of owners before Manitou long before he came to being donated to the U.S. Coast Piney Point, a half-dozen stu­ Guard in 1955. dents have been spending their Kennedy and his family began spare time getting the boat back sailing the vessel in 1963 and used into sailing condition. it often that summer. After the "We don't have much free president's death that November, time, but we work on the Manitou the Manitou was returned to the whenever possible," said Coast Guard Academy to resume Hulstrom, who often is joined by ler career as a training vessel. Sanding the teak deck are Brande Doton (left) and Harris DeCario. fellow students Merle Wooley, In 1968 the Lundeberg School Brande Doton, Rebecca Gaton, Lynford Robles and others. mrchased the Manitou from the "She's coming along," added graduating, I'm sorry to be leav­ "Something with that kind of his­ Defense Department Surplus Wooley. "Other students are ing before the work on the tory, it should be a landmark and Sales Agency in a closed bid. The taking an interest too, so hopeful- Manitou is done," said Hulstrom. it should be in top shape. We're K)at has been part of the school's y, as we graduate, others will "I'm looking forward to helping hoping that others will continue loating museum since. continue the work." out some more when I come back this tradition and will see that Like the volunteers who went to upgrade. Enjoying the Effort every little bit of effort can make before them, Hulstrom and his "But for now, the engine a difference." While none of the other stu­ leers said the biggest reward works fine and we'd really like to dents initially could match Tom their work is a feeling of get her in good enough shape that Plenty Of Work Julstrom's historical knowledge accomplishment. we can take her out. Even if it's The students have found no of the AfaniVou, they quickly 'To tell you the truth, as much just for five minutes, that's going Brian Hulstrom sands part of the shortage of tasks. Their work thus earned. They also expressed as I'm looking forward to to be our reward." yawl's Interior. far has included restoring the inte­ pride in being part of the boat's rior center cabin, staining, shining restoration. Floating Phosphorous from New Orleans to Tampa bronze and brass fixtures, sanding 'I feel I'm making a contribu­ and oiling the deck and more. tion to something that's Last month, the group stripped worthwhile," said Doton. "I knew the hull and primed it for painting. a little about the Manitou, plus I Seafarers aboard the tug Margaret They also had begun work on the ike working with wood and res­ S. Cooper (which also has a 300craft's electrical system. toring things." foot barge) recently transported phosphorous from the New Orleans area to Tampa, Fla. "It's off-shore work, much different from what smaller tugs do," explained Patrol­ man Steve Judd, who along with Patrolman Bob Milan serviced the vessel In New Orleans. Pictured at left are Engineer William Judd Sr., Steve Judd and AB William Judd Jr. Below, from left, are Deckhand Mike Maggett, Deckhand Eddie Moore, Steve Judd, Mate David Quelpo (an SIU hawse-piper). Cook A. Steven­ son and AB David Kuhlman. Fermin Morin peers out from a hatch as he checks the Manitou's electrical system. / �OCTOBER 1904 SEAFARERS LOG Seafarers aboard the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) vessel Cape Mohican last month were honored by the Maritime Ad­ ministration (MarAd) for their performance during extensive sealift exercises which took place from May to August at Naha, Okinawa and Pohang, Republic of Korea. SIU members, officers and of­ ficials from OMI Corp. (which operates the ship for MarAd) received the Administrator's Professional Ship Award during a ceremony aboard the Mohican in Norfolk, Va.—just two weeks before the ship was activated to support U.S. military operations in Haiti. Outstanding Performance In presenting the award, Mayank Jain, director of MarAd's South Atlantic region, commended the crewmembers for their "outstanding perfor­ mance." Jain said, "The crew was a testament that our maritime unions, like the Seafarers Interna­ tional Union and the American Maritime Officers, can supply first-rate, top-quality crews." He also noted the "superb operational record and readiness of the Cape Mohican, which has a history of successful service in both Desert Storm and in support of various Departmentof Defense exercises." Maritime Administrator Al­ bert J. Herberger, in a con­ gratulatory letter sent to the company, captain and crew, noted, "The high level of visibility of this exercise not only shows that national sealift remains important, but is of great value to this country. "I commend (all) personnel on their outstanding effort. They have proven once again what dedication, skill and determina­ tion can accomplish." SIU President Michael Sacco, also conveyed his congratulations to the crew through SIU Port Agent Mike Paladino, who repre- Caim Mohieatt Lauded For Rtrie bi Sealitt Exends^ ^„,N.STRATOR^^rESS,ON^ GREETINGS, BE IT KNOWN THAT THE READY RESERVE FORCE SHIP gapeJWphiran HAS EARNED SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR PROFESSIONAL OPERATION AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, SUPPORT OR READINESS DURING l&cmise 'lFS3Eim<m «AN\-SK ^--fococceptLoiinl stance in proinbtng catgo optratisns in eufipDrr oF ^tcciet WatNahtt.^oufg onbpohat^, TlUpublic of JSnrca, tiucin^ the ptcioi) Vna^ toAugust IPOT-. Septembers, IRg'F DATE The Administrator's Professional Ship award was given to the Cape Mohicanior exceptional service in providing cargo operations in support of Freedom Banner '94. sented the union at the ceremony. Sacco thanked the crew for thentremendous effort and a job well-done." The Mohican was honored for its work during Freedom Banner '94, part of MarAd's Joint Logis­ tics Over the Shore (JLOTS) ex­ ercises. "Basically, JLOTS are prac­ tices to get ready for real sealift operations," explained Bill Hellwege, who teaches the Lundeberg School's sealift prepared­ ness classes. "In some cases, all [U.S. Armed Forces] send equip­ ment out to the ships, which anchor and then try different loading and unloading opera­ tions." JLOTS operations nor­ mally have taken place once a year, beginning in 1986. Freedom Banner '94 to a large extent was spawned by recent tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. The U.S. Navy, Army and Marine Corps took part in the operations. The Mohican, a participant in several previous JLOTS drills, was tabbed to par­ ticipate because of its unique design and demonstrated ver­ satility. Built 21 years ago in Mas­ sachusetts, the Mohican (as well as its sister ships. Cape Men­ docino and Cape May) was operated commercially until 1986, when it was turned over to MarAd. Since then, the vessel's cargocarrying configuration has been enhanced to bolster its role as a military lighterage carrier. For example, additional pedestals have been added to all decks to allow the ship to carry undersized lighterage, and container adapter frames (originally designed for carrying containers while the ship was in commercial use) have been modified to allow transport of many different types of 13 military lighterage. The Mohican is 875 feet long, 106 feet wide and has a maximum draft of 39 feet when fully loaded. The ship displaces 57,290 tons and has a service speed of 19.25 knots. The vessel also features a state-of-the-art firefighting sys­ tem and a 2,000 ton selfsynchronizing elevator which is capable of lifting two barges simultaneously. Because the Mohican's barges can be removed, the ship during military support missions has car­ ried a wide range of materiel, in­ cluding tug boats, fuel storage containers, tanks and jeeps. Seafarers who crewed the Mohican during some or all of Freedom Banner '94 include Bosun Andrew Mack, ABs Gary White, Thomas Votsis, Llndsey Rhodes, Frank Adams, Albert Alexander, and John Cartes Jr. and OSs Patrick Carter, Troy Mack and Martin Josephson Jr. Manning the engine depart­ ment were Electricians Samuel Monroe and Donald Christian, Oilers Clarence Mosley, Jeffrey Stuart and John Robinson and DEUs Castel Blunt and William Prince. The galley gang was com­ prised of Chief Steward Tannous Bachir, Chief Cook Robert Allen and SAs Marjorie Mack, Anthony Houston .and Mohamed Saleh. •S i'' . .. : •-.'•'y '•i Honorees and guests await the start of the ceremony, which took place last month in Norfolk, Va. si' Representatives from the SIU, the American Maritime Officers and OMI Corp. accept the MarAd award during a ceremony aboard the Cape Mohican. Pictured from left are Bosun Andrew Mack, SIU Port Agent Mike Paladino, Captain Paul Foran, William Hogg, VP of OMI Ship Management, and AMO Rep. John Adams. Helping make the CapeMohicana good feeder are, from left. Steward Prior to the award ceremony. Seafarers meet with SIU Port Agent Mike Paladino to discuss union matters. Assistants Mohamed Saleh and Marjorie Mack and Chief Steward Pictured from left to right are (front row) AB Thomas Votsis, Paladino, Bosun Andrew Mack and DEU William Prince, (back row) AB Gary White, Electrician Donald Christian and AB Frank Adams. Tannous Bachir. '.. J: / 'i ./ , f: './'lliy. ... �14 OCTOBER 1994 SEAFAnaiS LOG With the SIU at Guadalcanal: A War Diary by James M. Smith where we are now anchored. She is Sealark Channel with destroyer es­ hands won't heal in this climate, operations at noon Friday, on the beach, but probably can be cort. 0700: anchored off beach and and some of the troops who have Christmas Day. There is a great dif­ salvaged although the No. 1 and began discharging cargo into bar­ been here for several months look ference between the soldiers and the Marines. Of course, they No. 4 holds are ripped open and the ges. 1430: a red flag runs up over bad. haven't been through boot camp, sea is washing in and out with the on the beach, signal lights blink Tulagi harbor is a beautiful and Fm probably prejudiced, but I tide. Aboiit 1,000 yards to seaward rapidly for a moment. Condition place, scenically, and would make get the imjiression that this certain corporal and of us are six destroyers patrolling R^! Air attack! a fine resort if it wasn't for the is somewhat lacking in battalion as an expert slowly back and forth. The word is terrific heat. Green-clad mountains offensive spirit. of 50-caliber that they have sunk two subs in the surround the harbor, and small, machine last few days. jungle-covered islands dot the sur­ guns. face of the bay. There are some This stretch of water, the 25 In Sep­ miles between here and Tulagi har­ sunken ships although most traces tember of bor and Florida Island, is known as of the severe fighting that took place here in August between the that year, the Torpedo Junction. Florida Island is Almost immediately, several James M. Smith Germans visible in the distance. It is here, in 1st Raider Bn. and the Japs have were attack- this narrow strait that the big naval squadrons of P-38s and Gruman disappeared. Some of the crew have As we left for our anchorage at ing their neighbors, and the build­ battles have taken place in the past Wildcats roar into the air, climbing got some good souvenirs from the Tulagi this evening, the Army's steeply. All barges pull away from up for WWII was under way. As a few months. Smashed up ships, natives, but so far I have not been 155s opened up and began shelling Marine. Smith had taken a course both Allied and Jap, litter the whole the ship and we get under way so fortunate. the Jap-held ridge to the north. before the anchor is completely in basic electricity and thus was vicinity. I'm even beginning to doubt if They put over quite a barrage and raised. We get out in the channel well situated to take advantage of Along the flat, coconut-lined we shall be back in the States by the soldiers say that they keep it up the opportunity to take the U.S. beach from here to Lunga Point is where we can maneuver and make February at the rate we are going. all night, every night. What a rack­ a moving target. Four destroyers Commerce Department exam for where the 1st Marine Division, in­ Over on Cactus, the Marines and et. I'm glad I'm not a Jap oh that cruise around watching for subs, an electrician's endorsement. CBs are taking 4-to-I odds that we cluding my old outfit—A Co. 1st Brother Smith continued to sail Bn. 5th Marines—made their land- and all guns are manned and ready. get this rust-bucket sunk in the next ridge. Last Sunday I went ashore at The Marine fighters stopped the during WWII, the Korean conflict ing on August 8. The entire area is 10 days. Nuts to those guys! Tulagi for a look around the island. bombers over 10 miles away and and the early part of the Vietnam ripped and riddled from gunfire. They've been up there in the boon­ war and upgraded at the union's There is hardly a top of a tree left, shot down about 14 of them. The docks too long. They're hoping we I went out to the small island con­ school in Brooklyn to third assis­ and the tree trunks are slashed with last we saw of the Japs was two get sunk. Then we'd have to come nected by a causeway where the Japs had a fortified position around bombers going into the clouds with tant engineer. ashore and camp in their mud holes their machine shops. The place has shrapnel. a swarm of fighters after them. I During part of his seafaring ^ dive-bom^ unUl don't know if we lost any or not, but under (he trees instead of sMiig ctnt years, he kept a journal. Last month here with good food, iced drinks there isn't a square foot that hasn't some of the 8th Marines that have the Seafarers LOG published Part been hit. The stench from planted been here over a month say they and clean beds. I of his narrative from aboard the The air raids we have every day Japs is still strong. I didn't stay will return tomorrow. Some of our SS Del Brasil. This is the remaining gun crews are disappointed that aren't as bad as they may sound long. portion. they didn't get to fire a single since the Japs seldom get by our December 23. We were at Marine fighters offshore. When Guadalcanal all day and Tulagi all round. Guadalcanal, 1942 Henderson Field is just beyond 1530: back at anchor, worked one does, we keep him so high with night. You sure could tell there was the palm groves, and they have built December 8. It's a small cargo. 1550: received signal from our anti-aircraft guns that he can't a war on today! I watcjied our artil­ a fighter strip about a mile away. world. Today I heard that a former lery lay down heavy barrages along destroyer—submarine contact; do any accurate bombing. Planes are roaring in and out all day December 20. Tonight there Marine was in the Held hospital, the ridge and Marine fighters straf­ bearing 180 degrees. A few depth "Cub One." Gunnery Sgt. Harold long from both fields. Over near the charges, and back to work. 1630: is a "bomber's moon" shining and ing the Japs all day. There was a See and I were both PFCs on the fighter strip sortie Gruman fighters under way for Tulagi where we are the stars are twinkling in a clear great deal of air activity, but I Houston. He made corporal about lie where they were smashed up in now anchored. We will be here at blue sky. A very beautiful sight, no haven't found out yet just what is the time I got off. When I saw him a terrific naval shelling a couple of least two weeks unloading, maybe doubt, what with the South Sea Is­ going on. I suppose the Japs are today, he sure looked bad. Said he weeks ago. The whole place is more. trying to get reinforcements in was on Cactus for 108 days, and ankle deep in mud, and there are air again. I always invite Marines who during one firefight, his Marines attacks almost every night. From used to be my shipmates out to the ' There hasn't been much sniping had the Japs stacked up five deep the ship I can see the Jap positions ship for some chow and a shower. around here lately, but like Gunny along the riverbank. I asked Harold in the hills to the west—with field They look at my quarters with its See said, "Ya gotta watch 'em, if those Japs were as tough as we glasses, of course, since they are private toilet and shower, clean boy." I got a fake Jap battle flag have heard. He just shook his head about eight miles away. sheets, innerspring mattress, etc. from a Marine today for a can of land romance and all that stuff. But Everything is quiet so far today. and said, "You gotta watch 'em, beer. It's well made of parachute It's always, "Hey, Smitty, how the boy. You gotta watch 'em!" I hear that there is to be a big opera­ hell do you rate this?" Sometimes I just try lighting a cigarette on cloth with fine stitching. There are Tomorrow they are putting him on tion by the Army units tomorrow- feel a bit ambivalent about my job deck—against orders! Some Jap a lot of them around the area. the USS Solace for a trip to the trying to get the Japs off that ridge. as chief electrician since I am a sniper over in the jungle will take a December 24, Christmas pot shot at you before the match At 0800 some men from the 2nd States. He is one tough Marine! qualified expert rifleman, BAR and goes out. They never hit anyone, Eve. Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Is­ On the way back to the ship from Raider Bn. and some CBs came 50-cal. machine gun—to say noth­ lands. Over at Guadalcanal today I Cub One, I hitched a ride in a jeep. aboard to work cargo. .These ing of experience on a 5-inch 25. but it does get tense. December 22. This past met some old shipmates in the 2nd Who should be driving but Lt. Marines are from the battalion that But what die hell, you can get killed Marines. During the afternoon, we Baker (now captain) who was Pit. last month killed 400Japs with only just as dead out here on the ship as weekend was uneventful with only had one air raid. It was very hot Lt. of 2nd Platoon of A/1/5 when I 17 casualties. Some of them have you can up there on the ridge. With one air raid and no damage done. again today although we had a rain was at Quantico in the FMF. Arriv­ malaria (who doesn't?) and most all this ammo and gasoline on Sunday, our marine air outfit took squall just before Condition Red ing at the beach, I returned to the have jungle sores that won't heal on board, right now we're no doubt off from Henderson Field and sounded. Two Marines from the 8th ship in a Higgins boat. The their arms and legs. They say the much nearer the Pearly Gates than bombed the Japs up at Munda. In Regiment came down from the coxswain turned out to be Navy Japs are in awful condition, and we are the Golden Gate. Be that as the afternoon, a PBY came in with front line and had dinner with me. seaman Stinson. He was my neigh­ now that they are isolated, they are it may, I surely didn't think I would 14 Jap prisoners and an Australian After dinner they went back up and bor in Mobile, Ala. last fall when slowly starving to death. Still, they be doing my Xmas shopping on woman. The first white woman I've rejoined their unit. They said they seen down here in the Solomons. the Japs attacked Pearl Harbor. Old won't surrender to a Marine and Guadalcanal this year! seem to prefer to be shot At 1630 The word is that she has been up on have been up there for 21 days and home week. December 19. Last Monday are starting a big operation tomor­ we got under way for Tulagi with a December 11. Finally under destroyer escort. We have to come morning we had some difficulty New Georgia with her radio set for row, Christmas Day. way for Guadalcanal at 0800. Our over here every night or be tor­ getting the anchor up, missed our the past few months working for MI as a coast watcher. She is about 40 convoy consists of two cargo/troop Tin Can escort, and so have been years old and looks like she has had pedoed. Ships escorted by four destroyers. lying here in Tulagi harbor all a tough time. The Jap prisoners December 14. About 2300 Yesterday the cruiser New Orleans week. We have had two air raids came in with bomb damage on her last night "Washing Machine Char­ almost every day and no one seems were all tied together and scared stem, but she's still combat ready. lie" came over as usual and dropped to know what's going on. About stiff; they look to be about 18 or 19 Worked all day getting lights and several bombs. He is flying a twin 1,000 miles to the west. Dugout years old. I don't know where they Well, things are quiet over here cargo winches ready for working engine "Betty" with un- Doug's Aussies and Americans are came from. This morning we got under way at Tulagi this evening, but it doesn't cargo under combat conditions. synchronized engines. Thus, the pounding the Japs at Buna. Tonight there are Jap subs reported name. A Navy CPO aboard told me Meanwhile, 150 miles north of at 0430 and proceeded across the seem like Christmas Eve. Everyin the area, so we are pushing our that one of the bombs hit a PT boat, here, the Japs are building a field at channel to Guadalcanal to begin thing is all blacked out and there's steam turbines at full speed with all but that is the first damage he has Munda and preparing for an attack unloading. At last! No air raids no celebrating or anything. The gun today, although during a work crews are all standing by since we nozzles open. I'm bushed, so I'm done for several weeks. on this place to try to retake it. break I watched our B-17s bombing ^e expecting "Washing Machine Later this morning, at about going to hit the sack and cruise at Well, here it is five days until about 40 fathoms for a few hours. 0330, a Jap they call "Reveille Joe" Christmas, and we have hardly a Jap position about eight miles Charlie" in a little while. This being Never mind the submarines: if came over along the Guadalcanal started to discharge our cargo. I froin the ship. Yesterday, a CB was a special night for us, he may bring you're gonna get it< you're gonna side of the channel. They made it so have had the fever all week and feel driving a truckload of land mines some of his friends, hot with anti-aircraft fire that he awful. The temperature is about when he had a collision with December 25. Friday, get it. took off without dropping his 110 degrees on deck and over 120 another track. We heard the ex- Christmas Day. Up at0315 to stand December 13. Arrived at Guadalcanal at 0700 and anchored bombs. We could* see the AA fire degrees in theengineroom. It seems plosion at Tulagi, 23 miles away, by anchor control for getting under The soldiers who are working way. There was a fresh morning about 150 yards offshore. Inshore from where we were—very impres­ that everyone is getting malaria in from us is a C-2 type cargo ship that sive! spite of the atabrine we take. The cargo on the ship today are 0430: under way back across small cuts and scratches on my scheduled to take over combat ConHnued on page 21 was torpedoed last week right Pensioner James M. Smith joined the SIU in Baltimore in August 1939 immediately after leaving the • r. •i .. �. . .• •,! .; • •;',."sv, •. ;••• ; .•• y^ 0CrmBI1994 SOFAKKUm Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea —— November i [tebembm 19S4 . Membemhip Meetings j^ep Sea, Lakes, InlandWaters AUGUST 16 — SEPTEMBER 15.1994 •TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Trip Reliefs DECK DEPARTMENT 11 5 ••REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C I 9., , .12 i Piney Point Monday; November 7, December 5 New York ^esday* November 8, December 6 _ Philadelphia Wednesday: November 9, December 7 Baltimore Thursday: November 10, December 8 Norfolk Thursday: November 10, December S Jacksonville Thursday: November 10, December 8 ' Algonac Monday: November 14* Friday: December 9 .•S'' • cluinged byVeterans De^ holiday 0 0 0 195 200 50 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 20 ~ -»™_ 4 4 1 n Norfolk Mobile 8 New Orleans 13 Jacksonville 14 pan Francisco lA II Seattle 12 Puerto Rico 6 IHonoIulu 6 Houston St Louis ws Piney Point Algonac Totals Port Philadelphia C Baltimore 6 Norfolk 4 Mobile 4 New Orleans 6 ladcsonville 9 Sim Francisco 30 Wilmington 10 Seattle Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Algonac Totals Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans lijaiksbnville |San FianciScb Wilmington Seattle Puerto Rico Honolulu ' ittdustoh St. Louis Kney Point Algonac Totals Totals All aents566 mM Houston Monday: November 14, December 12 NewOrleans Tuesday: November 15, December 13 Mobile Wednesday: November 16, December 14 f ' '' San Francisco f: Thursday: November 17, December 15 Wifanington Monday: November 21, December 19 • "amiA'... Seattle oeanie . , Friday: November 25, December 23 I Sail Jtian Thursday: November 10, December 8 I. St Louis Friday: November 18^ Elecember 16 fiiiiiSf Honolulu ' Friday: November 18, December 16 Duluth Wednesday: November 16, December 14 Jersey Ci^ Wednesday: November 23, December 21 New Bedford Tuesday: November 22, December 20 •? . /••'.A:. •••• 1 ' I I •' A- ^ • 1 \ i: 0 0 110 113 ^ ^TEWARD DEPARTMENT 10 1 0 2 0 456 516 128 141 904 1326 57. Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month Beach" means the total number of men registered at the port at the end of last mnnth A total of 1,241 jobs were shipped on SlU-contracted deep sea vessels. Of the 1241 iobs shinnoH • k orabout37 percent were ta^^^^ •• A;.- Ewth port's meeting sbirts at m^ajn. Personals ALLEN CAMPBELL ^ Please contact Brian Campbell at 33 Union 935^6 or call (201) 37^8^1 TOM CASEY Werner collect at (618) DEBBIE MAHLER Samuels at Si . D . at 980 52nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219^002-80. KENNETH MULDERIG Please contact Mrs. Helen Prevatt at Star NORBERTO "ALBERT" PINEDA Please contact Laura Hand Comilsen at 406 G^t Avenue, Rock Falls, XL 61071. Your sister IS 111. LEONARDO SINISI Seb^F^°3"?^o'-^ SIU TRAINEE CLASS 527 Carol Davis and Tom Kuss of the Claims to thank snPPOrt and help in getting their possessions into storage after a fire swept through their house on September 5. "In all foat rush, dirt, smoke, smell and water you packed and moved it all without breaking one thing. We can t even or ever begin to thank you We can wish you a wonderful life and smwjth sailing. You 11 always be in our prayers." -..>1 .' y. K .. 'i- • AAAA,;';... �0CWRER1994 16 SEAFARERS LOG Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes Seafarers International Unkm Directory MfehaelSacco President JduiFay Secretary-Treasurer JosephSarxo Executive Vice President AugiistinTdlez Vice PresidentCollective Bargaining George McCarbiey Vice President West Coast Roy A. **80011" Mercer Vice President Government Services JackCaffey Vice President Atlantic Coast Byron Kelley Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters DeanCorgey Vice President Gutf Coast HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301)899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr. Algonac, MI 48001 (810)794-4988 BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21202 (410)327-4900 DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building Duluth, MN 55802 (218)722-4110 HONOLULU 606KalihiSt. Honolulu, HI 96819 (808)845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St. Houston, TX 77002 (713)659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St. JacksonvUle, FL 32206 (904)353-0987 JERSEY CITY 99 Montgomery St. JerseyCity,NJ 07302 (201)435-9424 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Mobile, AL 36605 (205)478-0916 NEWBEDFORD 48 Union SL New Bedford, MA 02740 (508)997-5404 NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave. NewOrleans, LA 70130 (504)529-7546 NEWYORK 635 Fourth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718)499-6600 NORFOLK 115ThirdSL Norfolk, VA 23510 (804)622-1892 PHILADELPHIA AUGUST 16 — SEPTEMBER 15,1994 CL—Company/Lakes L—^Lakes NP WL REGISTERED aassCL^CpaLTciassNP I2 27i 0 Port Algonac Port Algonac 16 ^ ClsssC^S^L OassNP 21 0*'"""' 13 QassCL CassL CassNP DECK DEPARTMENT 0 25 7 ^ ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 n 13 . . -. , STEVl^ARD DEPARTMENT 0 7 4 ENTRY DEPARTMENT i#'- BEACH TOTALSHIPFED 0 0 0 38 0 m. 0 25 74 91 0 24 Totals All Departments 0 61 39 0 43 * "Total Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month. ** "Registered on the Beach" means the total number of men registered at the port at the end of last month. Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters AUGUST 16 — SEPTEMBER 15,1994 •TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Cl^ A Class B Class C Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals - ofjiA *; 4 St Philadelphia,"PA 19148 (215)336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75 Piney Point, MD 20674 (301)994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 2 West Dixie Highway Dania, FL 33004 (305)921-5661 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St. San Francisco, CA 94105 (415)543-5855 Government Services Division (415)861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16Vi Santurce, PR 00907 (809)721-4033 SEATTLE 2505 First Ave. Seattle, WA 98121 (206)441-1960 ST. LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave. SL Louis, MO 63116 (314)752-6500 WILMINGTON 5ION. Broad Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 (310)549-4000 48 1 55 0 7 0 3 10 0 7 0 22 29 ""1. 23 0 25 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 • '3-' 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 .3^:; 0 7 , 0 3 0 5 8 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B QassC DECK DEPARTMENT 0 0 ' 1 4 4 2 0 1 19 47 4 87 51 9 109 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 8 1 0 0 0 3 8 1 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 4'' 3 0 i 6 0 6 ••REGISTERED ON BEACH AH Groups Class A Class B Class C 27 7 49 3 86 • •• 3 12 0 18 - f 7 0 0 2 32 0 37 4 0 21 0 46 67 2 11 0 5 18 0 2 0 1 3 10 16 m 6 w-fsm 90 25 141 60 10 123 39 87 11 Totals All Departments "Total Registered" means the number of men who actually registered for shipping at the port last month. ** "Registered on the Beach" means the total number of men registered at the port at the end of last month. SlUBULLETIM % PUBLIC HEALTH s RECORDS AVAILABLE Members who were treated at United States Public Health Service Hospitals may obtain their medical records by writing to PHS Health Data Center, OWL Hansen's Disease Center, Car- > ville, LA 70721. To make sure arequest is answered quickly, be sure to include the name, date of birth, social security number, the facility where treatment g was received and the approximate dates « of treatment for the individual in ques- ff tion. PAY VOUCHERS NEEDED WITH SOME VACATION APPLICATIONS Seafarers who have sailed aboard military vessels should provide copies of their pay vouchers when filing for vacation benefits related to employment. U.S. Coast Guard discharges do not show exact dates of employment, so the pay vouchers must be sub­ mitted as well. Applications submitted without ^ PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS ^ copies of pay vouchers will be held MEMBERSHIP MEETING i in a pending status until the proper ON NOVEMBER 2 1 verification is received. % § A general informational Seafarers membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 1994 at 2:00 5 p.m. It will take place at the Ramada Inn on Highway 87 in Port Arthur. Contact the Houston SlU hall for fur­ ther information. FLU SHOTS BEING GIVEN IN PORT OF SEATTLE Virginia Mason Clinic will offer flu ? shots on Tuesday, November 8, 1994, between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and between 1:(X) p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Seattle union hall, located at 2505 1st Avenue. In order to expedite the necessary ' paperwork, it is requested that each ; member call the hall one week prior to Novembers (telephone206-441-1960) if he or she intends to receive a shot. To utilize this benefit, a member must be qualified under the rules of the plan. He or she must bringproo/o/720 days seatime for 1993 and one day employment after May 14,1994. (There are no exceptions to this rule.) •; •w �OCTOBER 1994 SEAFARERS LOG T he Seafarers Pension Plan this month announced the retirements of 21 SIU members who have completed their careers as U.S.-flag merchant mariners. Ten of those signing off sailed in the deep sea division, seven sailed the inland waterways, and one worked in the Railroad Marine division. Among those joining the ranks of the retirees is Brother Sam Thorny Brooks who graduated from the bosun recertification course at the Lundeberg School in Piney Ppint, Md. Nine of the retiring Seafarers served in the U.S. military— five in the Army and four in the Navy. Of all the Seafarers signing off.this month, Brother Victor Tamulis sailed the longest, having joined the union in 1948 in the port of New York. Brief biological sketches of Brothers Brooks, Tamulis and the others follow. DEEP SEA SAM THOMAS BROOKS, 62, a grad­ uate of the Andrew Fiiruseth Training School, Joined the Seafarers in 1963 in the port of New Orleans. Bom in Georgia, he sailed in the deck department. Brother Brooks in­ structed lifeboat and AB classes at Piney Point and was appointed port agent for a period of time in New York under Paul Hall. He frequently upgraded at the Lundeberg School and completed the bosun recertification course in 1974. He served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1955. Brother Brooks retired to Las Vegas, Nev. GREGORIO LOPEZ HER­ NANDEZ, JR., 59, began his sailing career with the SIU in 1962 in the port of Houston. The Texas native sailed in the deck department. Brother Hernandez served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1957. He has retired to his native state. RAFAEL LUIS LUGO, 50, a native of Puerto Rico, began sailing with the union in 1967 in the port of New York. Brother Lugo graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in New York. He sailed in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Lugo upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967. Brother Lugo currently resides in New York. CARL MARGIN, 65,joined the Seafarers in 1972 in the port of Detroit, Mich. Brother Marcin started sailing in the Great Lakes division. He then trans­ ferred to the deep sea division, sailing in the deck department. Brother Marcin served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948. He makes his home in New York. department in both the Great Laikes and inland divisions. Brother O'Connor served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1952. He continues to reside in Ohio. To Our New Pensioners ... Thanks for a Job Well Done Each month in the Seafarers LOG, the names of SIU members who recently have become pensioners appear with a brief biographical sketch. These men and women have served the maritime industry well, and the SIU and all their union brothers and sisters wish them happiness and health in the days ahead. CLARENCE VICTOR MASON, 65, bom in Wisconsin, joined the SIU in 1969 in the port of Duluth, Minn. He started sailing in the Great Lakes division, then moved to deep sea ships as a member of the engine department. Brother Mason served in the U.S. Army from 1947 to 1%2. He has retired to Wisconsin. AMIN BEN RAJAB HI, 54, joined the union in 1973 in the port of New York. He sailed in the deck depart­ ment. Brother Rajab frequently upgraded his skills at the Lun­ deberg School. He lives in his na­ tive New York. RAMON A. REYES, 57, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1964 in the port of New York. The Puerto Rican native sailed in the deck depart­ ment. Brother Reyes has retired to New York. VICTOR TAMULIS, 67, began sailing with the SIU in 1948 in the port of New York. He sailed in both the inland and deep sea divisions as a member of the deck depart­ ment. Brother Tamulis served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. A native of Massachusetts, he currently resides in Texas. 1974 in the port of Norfolk, Va. He sailed in the deck department. Boatman Dize served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1951 to 1954. He has retired to the state of his birth, Virginia. ALEJO COLLAZO, 62, a native of Puerto Rico, joined the Seafarers in 1976. Boatman Collazo sailed in the steward department. He last worked aboard Crowley Towing & Transportation vessels. Boatman Collazo lives in Florida. FREDERICK GLAD­ STONE JR., 65, a native of Maryland, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1970 in the port of Baltimore. He sailed in the steward department. Boatman Gladstone served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1969. He con­ tinues to call Maryland home. ELDON OTTO MAR­ SHALLJR, 69, joined the union in 1968 in the port of St. Louis, Mo. Boatman Marshall sailed in the engine department. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. Bom in Indiana, Boatman Marshall continues to make his home there. 17 NORMAN E. MOENNICH,61,a native of Ohio, joined the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of Cleveland. He sailed in the deck depart­ ment—first in the Great Lakes division and then transferring to the inland division. He currently resides in Ohio. JOSEPH SELF, 64, joined the union in 1958 in the port of Hous­ ton. He sailed in the deck depart­ ment. Boatman Self worked aboard National Marine ves­ sels. He has retired to his native Texas. GREATLAKES ROBERT E. BERTRAND, 65, began sail­ ing with the SIU in 1977 in the port of Alpena, Mich. He was a mem­ ber of the steward department. ITie Michigan native continues to make his home in that state. GERALD J. O'CONNOR, 62,joined the SIU in 1964 in the port of Cleveland. He sailed in the engine WILLIAM EARL WILCOX, 62, a native of Michigan, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of Detroit. He was a meniber of the deck department, sailing in both the inland and Great Lakes divisions. He calls Michigan home. RAILROAD MARINE ROBERT E. CALLIS, 66, joined the SIU in 1960 in the port of Nor­ folk, Va. Brother Callis graduated from the Pilot - Inland Upgrad­ ing Program at the Lundeberg School in 1973. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947. Brother Callis continues to reside in Virginia. ' CORRECTIONS SAMUEL L. LOFTIN, 61, joined the union in 1959 as a boatman, not in 1965, as printed in the September Seafarers LOG. The photographs of JOHN S. MONACO and ALFRED ZAPOLNEK were acciden­ tally switched in last month's LOG. The correct identifica­ tion follows. JOHNS. MONACO, 61, joined the SIU in 1961 in the port of Cleveland, Ohio. He sailed in the deck department. '•4 ALFRED ZAPOLNEK, 71, began sailing with the union in 1948 in the port of Algonac, Mich, in the en­ gine department. Guayama Galley Gang on the Go ELTON WILDE, 57, joined the union in 1958 in the port of New Orleans. He sailed in both the engine and steward departments. Bom in Pennsylvania, Brother Wilde makes his home in Mississippi. GLENN M. WINCHES­ TER, 59, a graduate of the Andrew Fumseth Training School, oined the union in 1963 in the port of New York. He sailed in the engine department. Bom in Colorado, Brother Winchester calls Califor­ nia home. INLAND BENNIE GREENWOOD DIZE, 62, joined the SIU in . ?: • •i rFrom storing to preparing, the Guayama's gal­ ley gang knows the business of handling food. Above; Chief Steward Ruben Padilla checks stores while the PRMMI vessel is docked in Port Elizabeth, N.J. Right: Chief Cook Osvaldo Rios prepares lunch for the crew. •- . •llAi -"i. �18 OCnmER 1994 SEAFAREHS UIG Final Departures DEEP SEA PEDRO F. ALVAREZ Pensioner Pedro F. Al­ varez, 88,^ passed away August 8. Bom in the Philippine Is­ lands, he joined the Seafarers in 1960 in the port of Seattle. Brother Alvarez sailed in the steward department. He began receiving his pension in December 1981. GIOVANNjl T. AQUINO Pensioner Giovanni T. Aquino, 68, died August 1. A native of New York, he began sailing with the SlU in 1969 in the port of Jack­ sonville, Fla. He sailed in both the deep sea and inland divisions as a member of the steward department. Brother Aquino graduated from the steward recertification course in May 1982 at the Lundeberg School. He served in the U.S. Marine Coips from 1943 to 1946. Brother Aquino retired in March 1990. JOHN J. BAPTISTA Pensioner John J. Baptista, 92, died June 29. He joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1920, before that union merged with the SlU's Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and In­ land Waters District (AGLIWD). Brother Baptista retired in Novem­ ber 1963. BENIGNO BAUTISTA Pensioner Benigno Bautista, 89, died Septem­ ber 1. Bom in the Philippine Islands, he began sailing with the Seafarers in 1941 in the port of Savannah, Ga. Brother Bautista sailed in the steward department. He began receiving his pension in May 1971. ALFRED T. BERGE Pensioner Alfred T. Berge, 80, passed away July 6. A na­ tive of Nor­ way, he joined the union in 1960 in the port of Detroit, Mich. He sailed in both the deep sea and Great Lakes divisions as a member of the deck depart­ ment. Brother Berge retired in December 1976. RICHARD J. BOLES Pensioner Richard J. Boles, 74, died August 24. Bom in In­ diana, he began sailing with the SIU in 1943 in the port of Nor­ folk, Va. Brother Boles sailed in the deck department. He began receiving his pension in November 1981. EUGENE A. BOUSSON Pensioner Eugene A. Bousson, 70, passed away August 28. A native of NewYork City, he joined the SIU in 1964 in the port of New York. Brother Bousson sailed in the deck department. He upgraded frequently at the Lun­ deberg School and completed the recertified bosun program in 1976. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1940 to 1952. Brother Bousson retired in July 1989. EDWARD L.BROADUS Edward L. Broadus, 60, passed away July 30. Bom in Alabama, he began sail­ ing with the union in 1964 in the port of Mobile, Ala. Brother Broadus sailed in the deck department. CHARLES C. BROWN Pensioner Charles C. Brown, 67, died Septem­ ber 8. A na­ tive of North Carolina, he began sailing with the Seafarers in 1952 in the port of Baltimore. He sailed in the deck department Brother Brown began receiving his pension in August 1973. JOSEPH M. BRYAN Joseph M. Bryan, 41, passed away August 31. Bom in Florida, he signed on with the SIU in 1978 in the Port of Piney Point, Md. after completing the In­ land Towboat Program at the Lun­ deberg School. He retumed to the school for further upgrading and transferred to the deep sea division. Brother Bryan sailed in the deck department. JOHNJ.BURCHINAL Pensioner John J. Burchinal, 71, died July 31. A native of Pennsylvania, he joined the union in 1953 in the port of New York. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Burchinal served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945. He retired in October 1986. WILBERTF.(PETE) CAILLET WilbertF. (Pete) Caillet, 80, passed away June 25. He was bom in New Bal­ timore, Mich, and began his sailing career with the SIU in 1941 in the jmrt of New York. Brother Caillet sailed in the deck department through 1954. In the 1950s he sailed with Delta Line on the Del Sud. Brother Caillet is sur- vived by 7 children. 12 grand­ children. one sister and tivc nieces. 1944 He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth. CALVIN L. CHERRY Pensioner Cal­ vin L. Cherry. 69. died August 28. Bomin Texas, he began sailing with the SlU • in 1960 iti the port of Hous­ ton as a member of the steward department. Brother Cherry began receiving his pension in Febniary . 1989. CHARLEYS M. HALL Charles M Hall, 73. passed away August 28. 1994. A native of Ohio, he began his sailing career with the Seafarers in 1944 in the port of New Yoik. He sailed in tlie steward department. TADEUSZ CHILINSKI Pensioner Tadeusz Chilinski, 75, died August 5. Brother Chilinski joined the union in 1942 in the port of New York. He was bom in Poland and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Brother Chilinski sailed in the deck depart­ ment. He graduated from the bosun recertification course at the Lun­ deberg School in 1975. Brother Chilinski retired in August 1984. HENRY L. DURHAM Pensioner Henry L. Durham, 70, died August 29. Bom in Ok­ lahoma, he joined the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of Houston. He sailed in the steward department. Brother Durham began receiving his pension in November 1985. MANUEL EDEJER Manuel Edejer, 60, passed away July 5. Brother Edejer sailed in the deck department. Born in the Philippine Is­ lands, he resided in Alameda, Calif, and sailed out of the port of San Francisco. Brother Edejer is survived by his wife, Loretta T. Edejer. EDWARD J. ESTEVE Pensioner Ed­ ward J. Esteve, 68, died August 7. Brother Esteve began his sailing career with the SIU in 1944 in his home port of New Orleans, La. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Esteve retired in June 1978. FRANCES FERNANDES Frances Fernandes, 88, passed away July 26,1993. Bom in British Guiana (now Guyana), he joined the union in 1955 in the port of New York. Brother Femandes sailed in the engine department. DAVID D. FERREIRA David D. Ferreira, 69, died July 6. Brother Ferreira joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1943, before that union merged with the SlU'S AGLIWD. He was bom in Hawaii. Brother Ferreira served in the U.S. military from 1942 to r CHARLES I. HAMPSON Pensioner Charles 1. Hampson, 68, died July 29. Bom in Brooklyn. N.Y.,he joined the SIU in 1959 in his home port after graduating from the Andrew Fumseth Training School. He sailed in both the engine and steward departments. Brother Hampson upgraded at the Lun­ deberg School and was a winner in the Seafarers Safety Poster Contest of 1960-1961. Brother Hampson served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. He began receiving his pension in August 1991. CHARLES C. HEMP Pensioner Charles C. Hemp, 67, passedaway August 31, 1994. He began sailing with the union in 1966 in the port of Duluth, Minn. Bom in Virginia, Brother Hemp started out in Great Lakes and transferred to deep sea. He sailed in the deck department. Brother Hemp often upgraded at the Lun­ deberg School in Piney Point, Maryland. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1966. Brother Hemp retired in September 1992. ISABEL "IZZY" HERNANDEZ Isabel "Izzy" Hemandez, 63, passed away Septem­ ber 15,1993. Bom in Texas, he began sailing with the SIU in 1961 in the port of Houston. He sailed in the engine department. Brother Heman­ dez is survived by his wife, Gloria. LUIGIIOVINO Pensioner Luigi lovino, 64, died August 22. He began his career with the SIU in 1946, sailing in both the deck and steward departments before com­ ing ashore as a patrolman in New York in I96I. Brother lovino was involved in many union actions during his tenure with the SIU. Prior to his retirement in 1981, he served as port agent in Wil­ mington, Calif. Brother lovino was buried at St. Charles Cemetery in East Rockaway, N.Y. He is sur­ vived by his wife, Grace, and two daughters. LARRY J. KLARSTROM Larry J. Klarstrom, 56, died August 14. A native of Wis­ consin, he joined the union in 1977 in the port of Duluth, Minn. Brother Klarstrom began sailing in the Great Lakes division and later transferred to the deep sea division. He sailed in the engine department. Brether Klarstrom upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1962, and again from I97I to 1974. HYMAN MEDMAN, Pensioner Hyman Medman, 73, passed away September 3. Brother Medman joined the Marine Cooks . and Stewards in 1953, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Brother Medman retired in January 1979. EDWARD MILLER Pensioner Ed­ ward Miller, 72, died Sep­ tember 1. Bom in, Washington, he joined the Seafarers in 1958 in the port of San Francisco. He sailed in the steward department. Brother Miller com­ pleted the steward recertification course at the Lundeberg School in 1982. He began receiving his pen­ sion in March 1984. DEWEY A. PENTON SR. Pensioner Dewey A. Penton Sr., 64, passed away August 25. A native of Louisiana, he began his sailing career with the union in 1958 in the port of New Orleans. Brother Penton sailed in the deck department. He retired in October 1984. JOSE A. PEREZ Pensioner Jose A. Perez, 67, died August 18. Bom in Puer­ to Rico, he joined the Seafarers in 1957 in the port of New York. He sailed in the deck depart­ ment. Brother Perez began receiv­ ing his pension in April 1982. n SOLOMON ROSOFF Pensioner Solomon Rosoff, 79, died August FRANK S.KALICKY 22. Brother Pensioner Frank S. Kalicky, 85, Rosoff joined passed away July 16. Bom in Penn­ the union in sylvania, he joined the union in 1946 in the 1965 in the port of Buffalo, N.Y. port of Nor­ Brother Kalicky sailed in both the folk, Va. He Great Lakes and deep sea divisions sailed in the deck department. A as a member of the steward depart­ native of Pennsylvania, he served ment. He served in the U.S. Navy in the U.S. Army from 1941 to from 1942 to 1945. Brother 1945. Brother Rosoff began Kalicky began receiving his pen­ receiving his pension in Septem­ sion in December 1976. ber 1976. �-r _•• ' .-s--.- •'.>':;.-''-.:-r;'i'': miTOBER 1994 SEAFARERS LOG puted OT reported by all three departments. Suggestion made for contracts department to look into lowering seatime required for retirement. Crewmembers re­ quested new radio and microwave The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union ship­ oven for crew lounge. All hands re­ board minutes as possibie. On occasion, b^use of space quested to help keep messhall clean. Steward department given limitations, some wiii be omitted. vote of thanks. Next port: Ships minutes first are reviewed by the union's contract department. Portsmouth, Va. Digest of Ships Meetings Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the OOCL INSPIRATION(Sea Land union upon receipt of the ships minutes. The minutes are then Service), July 17—Chairman forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. Mark Trepp, Secretary Ekow Dof SEA-LAND INTEGRITY{SeaLand Service), May 22—Chairman Leon T. Jekot, Secretary Vernon WaUen, Deck Delegate Paul B. Carolan. Chairman announced receipt of two new lounge chairs and VCR. Ship needs separate washer for work clothes and rewinder for videotapes. Good trip reported by secretary. Educational director reminded crewmembers to upgrade at Lundeberg School when possible. Disputed OT reported by deck and steward delegates. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine delegate. Suggestion made to look into hard hat requirement in Rotterdam for crewmembers. Steward department given vote of thanks for job well done. Next port: Port Everglades, Fla. SEA-LAND INTEGRITY (SeaLand Service), June 26—Chairman Leon T. Jekot, Secretary Vernon Wallen, Deck Delegate Mark Davis. Chairman announced ship payoff in Charleston, S.C. Patrol­ man requested. Secretary stated he enjoyed working with crew—top to bottom. Educational director posted new movie list and urged crewmembers to attend upgrading courses at Piney Point. Deck department reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported in engine or steward departments. Chief electrician reminded crew­ members to keep door closed on main deck for proper ventilation on all decks. Suggestion made to pur­ chase weight-lifting equipment for ship. Steward department thanked for good food and good service. Next port: Port Everglades, Fla. CHARLES L. BflOIV/V(Tran­ soceanic Cable), July 28—Chair­ man Paul J. LaTorre. Chairman reported successful cable repair job. Received letter of commenda­ tion from company on excellent work. Payoff scheduled Aug. 1 in San Juan, P.R. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer an­ nounced $400 in ship's fund. Deck department reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported in engine or steward departments. Suggestion to raise optical and den­ tal benefits forwarded to contracts department. Crewmembers noted repair of air conditioning system needed. Also recommended nonskid surfaces at top and bottom of stairwells. Steward gave vote of thanks to crew for keeping ship clean. Bosun gave steward depart­ ment vote of thanks for excellent food. CLEVELAND (SeaWft Bulkers), July 3—Chairman David J. Garoutte, Secretary Miguel E. Vinca, Educational Director Iqbal Samra, Deck Delegate Paul Cadran, Engine Delegate Nathaniel Gaten, Steward Delegate Ruti Dement Chairman advised crew to resolve conflicts with department delegate, then ship's chairman. He reminded crew not to go on deck during pirate watch. Educational director dis­ cussed opportunities available at Lundeberg School—free education and greater earning potential. Treasurer stated $115 in ship's fund. No beefs of disputed OT reported in all three departments. Items in need of fixing to be put on repair list. Crewmembers asked to be considerate of fellow shipmates by keeping noise down in pas­ sageways. Vote of thanks given to steward department for great bar­ becue, excellent pastries. Next port: Guam. foh. Educational Director Eric D. Bain, Deck Delegate Clemente Rocha, Engine Delegate John J. Walsh, Steward Delegate Eddy Usmany. Educational director ad­ vised crewmembers to attend clas­ ses at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer announced $50 in ship's fund and 28 new movies added to film col­ lection. No beefs or disputed OT reported by all three department delegates. Galley gang given vote of thanks for excellent job, both in quality and variety of food served throughout voyage. Next port: Charleston, S.C. OVERSEAS NEW ORLEANS (Maritime Overseas), July 31— Chairman Michael M. Sutton, Secretary Pernell Cook, Deck Delegate Timothy Jackson, Steward Delegate L. C. Johnson. Chairman reported smooth voyage. Secretary thanked crewmembers for good sanitary work in keeping ship clean. He stressed value of donating to union's political or­ ganization, SPAD. Crew gave vote of thanks to galley gang for job well done. Educational director dis­ cussed importance of upgrading skills at Lundeberg School. Engine department reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported in deck or steward departments. New remote control needed for TV. Next port: Boston, Mass. SEA-LAND DISCOVERY (SeaLand Service), July 24—Chairman GOLDEN MONARCH (Apex Eddy Stwaeard, Secretary J6s6 R. Marine), July 10—Chairman Ran­ Colls, Educational Director Joseph dall Carlton Hanke, Secretary R. Shuler, Deck Delegate E. ZouhanJuzang. Chairman announced ship tis; Engine Delegate Ramdn Colen route to Panama Canal Zone. lazo. Steward Delegate Jorge Educational director urged crew­ Salazar. Chairman announced members to upgrade skills at Piney payoff when boarding patrolman Point. No beefs or disputed OT comes aboard. All crewmembers reported in deck, engine or steward must attend U.S. Coast Guard in­ departments. Next port: Beaumont, spection upon arrival. Deck depart­ Texas. ment reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward departments. All NEWARK BAY(Sea-Land Ser­ communications read and posted. vice), July 24—Chairman Pete Sanchez, Secretary Felipe P.A. Or- Vote of thanks given to entire steward department for excellent landa. Deck Delegate Stephen E. job. Ship heading to New Jersey, Yursha. Secretary thanked all Puerto ^co and Dominican departments for job well done. He Republic, with expected payoff in announced upcoming payoff in Elizabeth, N.J. No beefs or disElizabeth, N.J. Aftera JobWell Done Crewmembers aboard the SlU-crewed Dyn-Marine Virginia Hesponderreturn to the port of Norfolk following a successful training exercise with the Jersey Responder and the Delaware Responder. They are, from left, AB/Tankerman Tom Costner, Chief Mate Bob Blomerth, Mate Bill Harvell, Cook John Willis, Assst. Eng. Sam Mormando and AB/Tankerman Bill Holmes. SEA-LAND PATRIOT (SeaLand Service), July 17—Chairman Shawn Evans, Secretary A. Delaney, Educational Director H. Paquin, Deck Delegate Steve Kastel. Engine Delegate Richard Mul­ len, Steward Delegate E.R. Avila. Chairman stressed importance of safety aboard ship and reminded crewmembers of drug testing re­ quired following serious accidents. Secretary noted elimination of cer­ tain portion-controlled items in gal­ ley. Educational director urged crewmembers to attend school at Piney Point to upgrade skills and gain job security. Several beefs reported by deck department. No beefs or disputed OT reported in engine or steward departments. Suggestion made to improve work­ ing conditions for helmsman re­ quired to stand four-hour watch without relief. Also to have lookout for heavy traffic. Steward department given vote of thanks for job well done. Ship heading to Tokyo and Kobe, Japan, with ex­ pected payoff in Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND PERFORMANCE Sea-Land Service), July 22— Chainnan Richard R. Moss, Secretary Melvin W. Hite, Deck Delegate Peter Kulyk, Engine Delegate JJ. Gruszeczka, Steward Delegate Bert M. Win- field. Chairman wished farewell to Chief Cook Winfield, retiring after 44 years in SIU, two years in U.S. Army and 10,00() days seatime. Winfield, he said, is "one of finest chief cooks in the game, a beautiful friend and shipmate to us all. He will be sorely missed." No beefs or disputed OT reported by all three department delegates. New icebox for galley on order. Vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. Next port: Elizabeth, N.J. SEA-LAND SPIRIT (Sea-Land Service), July 24—Chairman Howard Gihhs, Secretary Aubrey D. Gething, Educational Director Robert A. Martinez, Deck Delegate Theodore Doi, Engine Delegate Mel Sisun, Steward Delegate Sheng-Jen Hsieh. Chair­ man announced purchase of exer­ cise machine for crewmembers. Secretary said anyone wishing to upgrade at Paul Hall Center should 19 of new pay rates for unlicensed crew. Educational director reminded crewmembers of upgrad­ ing facilities at Piney Point. Treasurer announced $645 in ship's fund after purchasing 50 new videotapes in last four months. No beefs or disputed OT reported by department delegates. Request made by crewmembers for new washing machine. Next port: Bah­ rain. SEA-LAND DEFENDER (SeaLand Service), August 6—Chair­ man William J. Dean, Secretary Curtis Phillips Jr., Educational Director Daniel F. Dean, Deck Delegate Jim Dallas, Engine Delegate Daran Ragucci, Steward Delegate Terry J. Allen. Chair­ man noted smooth voyage. No beefs or disputed OT reported by delegates in all departments. Educa­ tional director advised crewmem­ bers to upgrade skills at Lundeberg Ready to Go Ashore Following a payoff aboard the SS Carolina, some SIU members of the crew pose for a group shot. They are, from left, OMU Joe Harris, Bosun Danny Marcus, AB Enrique Velez and AB Martin Rosen. send in application. Educational director stressed importance of donating to SPAD. Treasurer stated $140 in ship's fund and $10 in movie fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported in all three depart­ ments. Vole of thanks given to steward department for good food and service. Payoff schooled for Long Beach, Calif., then sailing to Honolulu, Hawaii. School. VCR needs repair (new belt) or replacement. Crewmem­ bers would like spare washing machine. Recommendation given to contracts department to increase dental plan benefits. Hats off given to steward department for job well done. Next port: Wilmington, Calif. SEA-LAND DISCOVERY(SeaLand Service), August 21—Chair­ man Nelson Sala, Secretaiy Josi CHAMPION (Kirhy), August 21— R. Colls, Educational Director Chairman Alvie S. Rushing, Tomas Msco, Deck Delegate E. Secretary Darrell J. Touchstone, Zouhantis, Engine Delegate Educational Director James McRamon Collazo, Steward Delegate Daniel, Deck Delegate Charles E. Jorge Salazar. Chairman an­ Kinney, Engine Delegate Richard nounced payoff as soon as patrol­ Rodgers, Steward Delegate John man comes on board. Coast Guard S. Foster. This is ship's first to conduct inspection at that time. voyage under new company. Chair­ Secretaiy announced rescue opera­ man stated all going well and crew tion 20 miles off coast of Cuba. should continue to do best job pos­ Seven Cuban refugees brought on­ board and taken to immigration of­ sible. Educational director advised crew to upgrade skills at Piney ficials in San Juan. No beefs or Point to protect their future. No disputed OT reported by depart­ beefs or disputed OT reported by ment delegates. Vote of thanks department delegates. Vote of given to steward department for thanks given to steward depart­ excellent job. Ship sailing to ment. Steward, in turn, thanked all Elizabeth, N.J., San Juan, P.R. crewmembers for cooperation in and Rio Haina, Dominican maintaining clean vessel. Extra Republic. minute of silence observed in SEA-LAND EXPLORER (Seamemory of Paul Hall. Next port; Land Service), August 21—Chair­ Boston, Mass. man Jack Kingsley, Secretary Alphonso Davis, Educational DUCHESS (Ocean Shipholding), Director J.K. Hallm, Deck August 7—Chairman Dave New­ man, Secretary Raymond L. Delegate Jim Tracy, Engine Delegate Arthur J. Shaw, Steward Jones, Educational Director J. Delegate M. Ahdulla. Chainnan SIngletary, Engine Delegate announced everything running Felipe A. "Torres, Steward smoothly. Secretary reminded Delegate Diego Hatch. Chairman crewmembers to attend classes at read agreement between Ocean Piney Point to upgrade skills. Shipholding and SIU. No beefs or Steward department given vote of disputed OT reported in deck, en­ thanks for job well done. No beefs gine or steward departments. Sug­ or disputed OT reported by deck, gestion made for contracts department to reduce seatime engine or steward delegates. Next needed for full retirement. Steward port: Long Beach, Calif. department given thumbs up for DSNS SILAS BEhIT(Bay S\np job well done. Next port: Piney Management), August 11-^hairPoint, Md. man J.B. Griffin HI, Secretary Ben Henderson, Educational RICHARD G. MATTHIESEN Director P.Garrett Chairman (Ocean Shipping), August 21— called special meeting to discuss Chairman James T. Martin, Secretary Lovell McElroy, Educa­ with crew upcoming ship's turn­ over to DynCorp. Secretary noted tional Director Ron Day, Deck sufficient stores on board and all Delegate Harry R. Johns, Engine storerooms clean and orderly. Ship Delegate Dean Dobbins, Steward heading to Djibouti, with expected Delegate Mohamed M. Quraish. Secretary reported receiving copies payoff in Piraeus, Greece. .... , .... •; • • , > . i-i/.",'. ' ..'lii.j'.J,.*.-.,.,' L"-.' 'H.. • �20 OCTOBER 1994 SEAFARERS LOG Inquiring Seafarer Question: What differences have you found you ex­ perience by belonging to a union? Asked of SIU members in the port of Houston. Jeff Gelin, QMED It's a lot easier to look for a job in one place than to go door-to-door. And the benefits help, too. The SIU tries to help you as much as they can for upgrading and things like that. think a big difference is that you can go to school through the union and do a lot of things to make yourself a better person. You get opportunities to get bet­ ter and better. Jim Dawson, Recer­ tified Bosun — 1 found that whenl first talked to people about the SIU that other jobs just didn't take care of the employees the way they do in the SIU. The SIU had better benefits than other jobs. Also, the SIU works with its members to keep them in touch with what's going on. It gets them benefits and it just gets better as the years go along. Obenzio Espinoza, Chief Cook — First of all, there J. Asbare the ley, benefits QMED available — I've through always the welfare plan and traveling to belonged different countries. While there to a were some good countries and union. some bad, ^1 of it has been a Working good experience. I've been in condi­ die union for 10 years and I ap­ tions, the contract and wages preciate the good brothers. That are important.1 came into the makes a difference. union in 1964. John Arvanites. Chief Cook — I started sailing in 1958.1 was on the West Coast in San Francisco. 1 went to the union hall and waited four months for a job.1 knew from when 1 was a little kid that 1 wanted to work in an organiza­ tion, in a union. 1 didn't want to work for an individual.1 like to work with guidelines. The only way 1 could work the way 1 wanted to was to be in a union. Ralph Moore, Recer­ tified Bosun — If it wasn't for the union, we couldn't exist. Now, there are companies for which you could work for 9,700 diays and they would kick you out without any­ thing. With the union, you keep your hospitalization and benefits. Anjd;ime a union can take someone off the streets and give him an education, benefits and then a job, God bless them. That's what the union did for me. »/ Seafarers Join In Celebration of Puerto Rico Timotby )owd, 'decer­ tified Steward — The irst ship was on, was there with my dad. He was in a union w 47 years. District 2-MEBA. He started as a coal passer and retired as a chief engineer of 32 years. 1 used to take trips with dm in the summers because in lose days he didn't have that much time off. He had six kids and because he worked for the union, we had good medical coverage and the money to get le things he afforded us. I've )een at this for 13 years myself. Marco Antonio Guity, Steward Assistant — The expenence that has made a difference is the benefits that you get, the hospitalization and all of that. Also, the security of laving work and that you can lo to the school to better your­ self, and that's available to all. Vllcbael HarmanNestor son, OWT— Valentin The difMar­ erence tinez, Oiler the union Main­ makes is ceeping tenance Utility — ourjobs The first steady and in the U.S., instead ex­ of letting them go overseas. Our perience was that people in the medical benefits, that also union are really nice. 1 think the works out.1 star^ out working union is always getting better.1 lere in Houston, and I've been sailing about 3 yearn. came in during 1989.1 also -f' •/' Helping to celebrate Hudson County (N.J.) Puerto RIcan Day last month, the SIU joined with PAPA (Filipino-American Advancement for Progress) in fielding a parade float. Seafarers official Ed Pulver (in left of photo flanked by two of the participants) stands before the 31-foot float which won second place in the parade, designed to recognize the positive contributions of Puerto Ricans to the U.S. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The wages and conditions under which EQUAL RIGHTS. All mem­ constitution of the SIU Atlantic, an SIU member works and lives bers are guaranteed equal rights in Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters Dis­ aboard a ship or boat. Members employment and as members of the trict makes specific provision for should know their contract rights, as SIU. These rights are clearly set safeguarding the membership's well as their obligations, such as filing forth in the SIU constitution and in money and union finances. The for oveitime(OT) on thepropo-sheets the contracts which the union has Constitution requires a detailed and in the proper manner. If, at any negotiated with the employers. audit by certified public accountants time, a member believes that an SIU Consequently, no member may be every year, which is to be submitted patrolman orothra- union official fails discriminated against because of to the membership by the secretary- to protect their contractual rights race, creed, color, sex, national or treasurer. A yearly finance commit­ properly, he cu* she should craitact the geographic origin. If any member tee of rank-and-file members, nearest SIU port agent feels that he or she is denied the elected by the membership, each EDITORIAL POLICY — equal rights to which he or she is year examines the finances of the THE SEAFARERS LOG. The entitled, the member should notify union and reports fully their find­ Seafarers LOG traditionally has urtion headquarters. ings and recommendations. Mem­ refrained from publishing any article SEAFARERS POLITICAL bers of this committee may make serving the political purposes of any ACTIVITY DONATION — dissenting reports, specific recom­ individual in the union, officer or SPAD. SPAD is a separate mendations and separate findings. member. It also has refrained fiom segregated fund. Its process are TRUST FUNDS. All trust publishing articles deemed harmful to used to further its objects and pur­ funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, the union or its collective member­ poses including, but not limited to, Lakes and Inland Waters District ship. This established policy has been furthering the political, social arid are administered in accordance reaffirmed by membership action at economic interests of maritime with the provisions of various trust the September 1960 meetings in aU workers, the preservation and fur­ fund agreements. All these agree­ constitutional ports. The respon­ thering of the American merchant ments specify that the trustees in sibility for Seafarers LOG policy is marine with improved employment charge of these funds shall equally vested in an ^torial board which opportunities for seamen and boat­ consist of union and management consists of the executive board of the men and the advancement of trade representatives and their alternates. union. The executive board may union concepts. In connection with All expenditures and disburse­ delegate, from among its ranks, one such objects, SPAD supports and ments of trust funds are made Only individual to cany out this respon­ contributes to political candidates upon approval by a majority of the sibility. for elective office. All contribu­ trustees. All trust fund financial PAYMENT OF MONIES. No tions are voluntary. No contribu­ records are available at the head­ monies are to be paid to anyone in any tion may be solicited or received quarters of the various trust funds. official capacity in the SIU unless an because of force, job discrimina­ SHIPPING RIGHTS. A official union receipt is given for tion, financial reprisal, or threat of member's shipping rights and same. Under no circumstances such conduct, or as a condition of seniority are protected exclusively should any member pay any money membership in the union or of by contracts between the union and for any reason unless he is given such employment. If a contribution is the employers. Members should get receipt. In the event anyone attempts made by reason of the above improper to know their shipping rights. to require any such payment be mile conduct, the member should notify the Copies of thesecontracts are posted without supplying a receipt, or if a Seafarers International Union or SPAD and available in all union halls. If member is required to make a pay­ by certified mail within 30 days of the members believe there have been ment and is given an official receipt, contribution for investigation and ap­ violations of their shipping or but feels that he or she should not propriate action and refund, if involun­ seniority rights as contained in the have been required to make such pay­ tary. A member should support SPAD contracts between the union and the ment, this should immediately be to protect and further his or her employers, they should notify the reported to union headquarters. economic, political and social intoests, Seafarers Appeals Board by certified CONSTITUTIONAL and American trade union concepts. mail, return receipt requested. The RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. If at any time a fnember feels proper address for this is: Copies of the SIU constitution are that any of the above rights have Augustin Tellez, Chairman available in all union halls. All mem­ been violated, or that he or she has Seafarers Appeals Board bers should obtain copies of this con- been denied the constitutional right 5201 Auth Way stitution so as to familiarize of access to union records or infor­ Camp Springs, MD 20746 themselves with its contents. Any Full copies of contracts as referred time a member feels any other mem­ mation, the member should immediately notify SIU President to are available to members at all ber or officer is attempting to deprive times, either by writing direcdy to the him or her of any constitutional right Michael Sacco at headquarters by union or to the Seafarers Appeals or obligation by any methods,such as certified mail, return receipt re­ quested. The address is: Board. dealing with charges, trials, etc., as Michael Sacco, President CONTRACTS. Copies of all well as all other details, the member Seafarers International Union SIU contracts are available in all SIU so affected should immediately 5201 Auth Way halls. These contracts specify the notify headquarters. Camp Springs, MD 20746. �OarOBER 1994 SEAFARERS LOG 21 A War jyisLiry: by James M. Smith Continued from page 14 breeze and a pale moon shining in a star-filled sky above the hills of Tulagi. 0330: "Reveille Joe" ar­ rived amid a sudden flashing of searchlights and the crash of anti­ aircraft guns. Whomp - whomp whomp - whomp - four bombs, four misses. 0430: under way for Guadalcanal. 0600: anchored and began discharging cargo into bar­ ges; At 0830 the 2nd Marines and two Army regiments began their attack along a ridge in back of Henderson Field, using artillery and both naval and air support. Several destroyers moved in close to the beach and laid down a con­ tinuous barrage on the Jap posi­ tions. At the same time, the Army and Marine artillery units were laying it on to them hot and heavy from their shoreside position. Bom­ bers were working them over and fighters strafed them. I was work­ ing up forward today, so I could tell when the line companies moved out with their rifles and grenades by the sudden ceasing of the artillery fire. I wonder how my old buddy Max is making out up there with his platoon of Marines this morning. \r:i^ ©tie ^onf]^ ®0 (^Enii in Pnlibag 4 At noon we had Christmas din­ ner—turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, pie, etc. Several hundred sol­ diers and Marines had dinner aboard. December 27. Sunday. Anchored off the beach at 0600 and began working cargo. My job is to keep the generators and cargo winches working, but these guys are so hard on the equipment I'm running out of spare parts! 0905: 50-cal; machine gun fire from boat deck—General Quarters. A destroyer moved in and dropped a pattern of depth charges about 800 yards out in the channel. 0930: secured from GQ. Working cargo again. 1800: machine gun fire from boat deck—General Quarters. More depth charges 1830: weighed anchor and under way for Tulagi with destroyers both port and star­ board. 210i0: anchored in Tulagi Harbor. December 28. I'm completely bushed tonight. All hands turned to on the cargo today. We hope to finish it up tomorrow and get out of here. We feel like our luck is run­ ning out. There was heavy artil­ lery and mortar fire along the enemy-held ridge today, but no airraids. December 29. 1200: finished discharging cargo. Secured for sea. 1500: underway for Espiritu Santo! Among the troops aboard is Marine Gunny Gay. I don't know how he did it, but from somewhere he got some medicinal alcohol, so we spent the evening drinking grapefruit Juice cocktails and tell­ ing sea stories. I don't know how Gunny was doing, but after being "dry" for so long, I was seeing little green men with horns all night. I got up to chase them away about four times, but they always came back. Once they hung naked women by the neck all around my bunk. It's a good thing we're getting out of here, since I'm getting as "jungle^ happy" as the Marines over on the island. Everyone on the ship is that way. December 31. 2400: we are anchored at the base at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, Southwest Pacific. Happy New Year! And so to bed. January 1943. The SS Del Brasil returned unescorted to the States via Fiji and Samoa. The following voyage, in May 1943, we had a gun battle with a surfaced Jap submarine. But that's another story. i'lBEACON OF OPPORTUNITY Holiday greetings from active and retired Seafarers—as well as their family members—will be published in the December issue of the Seafarers LOG. In order to ensure that all messages sent to the LOG office are included in the December edition, they must be received by Monday, November 14,1994. They may be sent by mail to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. In addition, facsimile copies wall be accepted after November 1. The fax number is (301) 702-4407. The holiday greeting forms may be filed out in any union hall and turned in to the officjed at the counter—or may be given to the boarding patrolman at a vessel's payoff. Jlnm [15 ar t The Seafarers Welfare Plan, through its yearly scholarship pro­ gram, can help guide the way to a better education for SIU mem­ bers and their dependents. As in past years, the union will offer seven scholarship in 1995. Four are set aside for the children and spouses of Seafarers. Each of these four schoalrships is for $15,000 to be used at a fouryear college or university. The other three are for Seafarers them­ selves. One of the awards is for $15,000 for use at a four-year institution of higher learning. The remaining two scholarships amount to $6,000 each and may be used for study at a com­ munity college or vocational school. Eligibility requirements for Seafarers and their spouses and unmarried dependent children are spelled out in a booklet which contains an application form. It is available by filling out and returning the coupon below to the Seafarers Welfare Plan. Completed applications with all necessary information in­ cluded MUST be mailed and postmarked ON or BEFORE APRIL 15,1995. It will be necessary to complete the applica­ tion and include with it all other necessary paperwork (autobiographical statement, photograph, certified copy of birth certificate, high school transcript and certification of graduation or official copy of high school equivalency scores, college transcript, letters of reference, SAT or ACT test results). The SAT and ACT exams are given approximately six times a year on specified dates. Applicants should be sure to take whichever exam is required by the college or trade school they plan to attend. (Tests must be taken by FEBRUARY 1995 to ensure the results will be available for inclusion in the scholar­ ship application package.) With the cost of a college education rising each year, the Seafarers Scholarship Program can certainly help defray the costs, but no one can be awarded a scholarship without filling out an application. This process is not difficult, but it will take some time to gather all the necessary information. Plan ahead to make sure everything will be collected in time. Some schools can be slow in handling transcript requests, so ap­ plicants should ask for them as soon as possible. Also, now is a good time for the applicant to start thinking about who should be asked to write letters of recommendation. Mail in the coupon below for more application details. (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE) To: From: Message:. .•^'1 ::i •••n I niease send me the 1995 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, i j • procedures for applying and the application form. j I Name I Book Number ' Address Check the block which describes your status with the SIU: • Active Seafarer • Family Member of Active Seafarer • Retired Seafarer • Family Member of Retired Seafarer Send your greeting to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. The greeting should be received at the LOG office by Monday, November 14, 1994. 1(V94 j City, State, Zip Code, j Telephone Number _ I This application is for: [H Self 1^ D Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Welfare Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. ' V. • V- •• l(V94j • ;v. �22 OCWBEB1994 SEMFMBBStOG Lundeberg School Graduating Classes •v'V'/ •••I'f-.; V «,v.j..I '*|^•• • Trainee Lifeboat Class 528—Graduating from trainee lifeboat class 528 are (from left, kneeling) Rhandele Dusich, Aaron White, Charles Fiechtner, Scott Kucharski, (second row) Brande Doten, Mark Maiello, Merle Wooley, Dockery McGuire II, Marco Carbajal, John Tumer, Rebecca Gaytan, (third row) Ben Cusic (instructor), Leroy Roberts, Lynford Robles and Michael Margraves. Oil Spill Containment—Completing the oil spill emergency containment and clean-up course on August 31 are (from left, kneeling) Sara Moore, Clifford Blackmon, Jose L. Luaces, Casey Taylor (instructor). Christian Werner, Christopher Kavanagh, (second row) T.L Thompson, Chris Campos, James Strickland, David Deloach, Richard Gendaszer, Washington Williams Sr., Jim Moore, Dale Kirsch Jr., Kevin George, (third row) Michael Moore, Matthew Sandy, Frank Coburn, Ronald F. Lukacs, Roger Jackson, Thomas Diviny Jr. and Mark Dominiak. Upgraders Lifeboat—Upgrading graduates of the August 24 upgraders lifeboat class are (from left, kneeling) Floro Alabanza, Ben Cusic (instaictor), Asril Syabaini, (second row) Cynthia Adamson Rebecca Hedge, Edison Rodriguez and Gregory Williams. Radar—Renewing their radar endorsements on August 24 are (from left, first row) Jake Karaczynski (instructor), Ron Paradise, Victor R. Rosada, Jeff Tanksley, (second row) Charles Vamey, Michael Hill, Kimo Sullivan, Jim Kelly, Dale Kirsch Jr. and Christopher Kavanagh. i".'; ^ • Manne Electrical Maintenance—^The August 24 graduates of the marine electrical maintenance class are (from left, kneeling) Joseph Jay Amold, Sara Moore, Robert Rice Jr., Mann Aroon, (second row) Mark Jones (instructor), Thomas Diviny Jr., Larry Pittman, Paul Lightfoot, John Copeland Jr., Franklin Coburn and William Twiford. Not pictured is Richard Larsen. Upgraders Lifeboat—Certificates of training were received by the September 8 class of upgraders. They are (from left, kneeling) Paul Lightfoot, Mary Lou Smith Larry A. Gross, Miles S. Copeland, Tom Gilliand (instructor), (second row) Jim Browrl (instructor), Harry Gardeira Jr., Gregg Johnson, Ronald Gibbs, Gilbert Sandford Jr and Kurt Mayer. Refrigeration Maintenance—Receiving certification for completion of the refrigeration maintenance course on Upgraders Lifeboat—Rose T. McCants Augustus are (from left, seated) James Gibson, Thomas Keseru, Michael Brown, Sellers Brook, (second row) Mark Poses with Lundeberg School instructor Ben Cusic Francois, Mike Clapshau, Paul Peterson, Jorge Bonelli, Monroe Monseur, Marsha Dawson, John Lange, John Walsh, following her compleTfoh of the upgraders lifeboat Steven Williams and Steve Harrington. class on July 25. �wmmat 1994 SaFARBtSLOG LUMDEBERG SCHOOL 1994-1995 UPGRADING COURSE SCHEDULE Engine Upgnullng Courses The following is the course schedule for classes beginning between November 1994 and March 1995 at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship located at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All programs are geared to improve job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. The course schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and—in turies of conflict—^Ihe nation's security^ Bate of B^teof " OS. " ' s •" Goh^efiinir . Course January 30 Pebraary 27 January 30 .January February 6 Februi^2^ Januffiry23 January 23 Febrtiary27:; Ihnited License, Parti Limited License Part 11 jLimited License, Part III Able Seaman Bateof Enrollment Course Bate of Completion Power Plant Maintenance January 9 February 17 QMEB - Any Rating January 9 March 31 Refrigeration Systems February 30 March 10 Maintenance & Operations Diesel Engine T»:hnology March 13 April 7 Hydraulics February 20 March24 January 9 Marine Electrical IMkiini^it^^ February P7 MarthiJ Martne Electrical M^hkteiianc^ April 21 January 9 Basic Electronics February 3 1 Mprine Electronics February 6 h^chJ Electronics Technician II March 0 March 31 February 20 ^'^dlhg . , March 17 AM students must take the Oil Spill Prevention and Containment class. , ' J fFabrtiaryJ mm February 17 .... Mardh3 •ftiaaistas ij.v. Bateof Bateof Completion January 30 February 27 March 27 February 10 April7 Bateaf Ehrtlln^ Bateof Completion Course April 7 '»ruary3 Mardh 10 March 24 February 17 lytauary IJ January.2^iJ ICelestial Navigrt^ V' «' January^ February 24 March 17 February 10 Jamiaiy 2 23 > Engine Familiarizataion Diesel pUdEAamited Licen» Prep V s ' _ ''Ittttbh:' Couhes^ Bate of Bate of November25 Nayeinber 18 BecemberO jhadomnville, Fla. Juiuary 91 1 Wilmington, Calif. F^iuai7l3 Brooklyn, N.Y. March 13 For 1994 courses, see page 9 in this edition of the LOG. Course 4.: t' .* S. ' Mm^ iO< January 13 Feiwnary 17 March 17 , ; ^ SSI mri 90 f- .KX']"' "' " ~ • Course Enndlment Ownpfeiifei Die following courses are available through the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School. Please contact the admissions office for enrollment information. Steward Rarertification February 20 January 23 March 31 March 6 Course Bateof Enrollment GEB Preparation Adult Basic Education (ABE) English as a Second Language (ESL) 12 wMks - open-ended adml^lon 6 weeks - open ended admission 1 6 weeks - open ended admission Session I January 30 Bateof '<•0 V-:;' Bate of C^unw Bateof EnroUinent Bate of Completion distant Cook, Cook and Baker Chief Cook, Chief Steward November 21 November 21 February 10 February 10 (Middle) (Rret) (Ust) (Stfcet) (Zip Code) (State) (City) Date of Birth. Telephone _L (Month/Day/Year) (Area Code) Inland Waters Member• Lakes Member D Deep Sea Member D March 24 Primary language spoken UPGRADING APPUCATIOH Name Address Bateof Completion With this application, COPIES of your discharges must be submitted showing suffi­ cient time to qualify yourself for the course(s) requested.You also must submit a COPY of each of the following: the first page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, your clinic card and the front and back of your z-card as well as your Lundeberg School identification card listing the course(s) you have taken and com­ pleted The Admissions Office WILL NOT schedule you until all of the above are received BEGIN END DATE DATE COURSE If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security #. Book # ^ Seniority Department U.S. Citizen: •Yes • No •-I'' ' • Home Port. Date On: Firefighting:• Yes • No DATE GNO SIGNATURE. • Yes GNO Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? • Yes • No Date Off: • Yes If yes, class # Have you attended any SHLSS upgrading courses? If yes, course(s) taken. -.''l Rating: LAST VESSEL: Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held Are you a graduate of the SHLSS trainee program? CPR:• Yes • No RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Lundeberg Upgrading Center, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674. 10/94 <iU • • ..'4 .'J' • •- V �SEAEUaXCS Volume 56, Number 10 Education Is for Everyone start 1995 off on the right foot. Attend upgrading classes at the Lundeberg School. See page 23 for some new courses starting at the school in January. Also, see page 21 for infor­ mation on the scholarship program for SlU tnembers and their dependents. October 1994 Seafarers^ Generosity Aids Hospitalized Kids Nuevo San Juan Crew Donates Funds, Toys to Intensive Care Unit ' 'i- The children's intensive care unit at the Hospital Pediactrico Central in San Juan, Puerto Rico is the fortunate recipient o many acts of kindness per­ formed by SIU crewmembers aboard the Nuevo San Juan of the Navieras de Puerto Rico fleet, whose vessels are operated and managed by Puer­ to Rico Marine Inc. (PRMMI). Ten respiratory units have been donated to the hospital by the crewmembers during the last several months, not to men­ tion toys for the children who are staying at the hospital and materials to decorate the social services salon. In fact, in ap­ preciation for the generosity shown by the ship's crew, the hospital's board of directors named their social services salon the "Saldn Nuevo San Juan." The campaign started last Christmas and has expanded from the Nuevo San Juan to Beneath a bulletin board showing photos of the hospital and some of the children they have helped are (from left) Bosun William Card, OMU Eddie Jansen, AB Don Martin, Engine Utility James Parrish and crews on other Navieras vessels Steward Assistant Angel O'Neill. and to the shoregangs in Elizabeth and San Juan. Navieras for many years has day of the year—initiated the ing, medical equipment and the crews and taken off the ships on arrival in San Juan and held an annual fund-raising year-round program. Crew­ other provisions. Bosun William Card was Elizabeth. The materials include drive to collect money for toys members joined Powell's effort, for children in the hospital, but each pitching in a portion of his enthusiastic about the program. aluminum cans, wasted ladder Capt. E. Powell of the Nuevo salary (usually one hour of "It's worked out really well," he rungs and pieces of mooring San Juan—realizing that premium overtime per pay told a reporter from the wire. According to Santiago Carchildren are in the hospital every period) to purchase toys, cloth- Seafarers LOG. "And we know that the donations we make ac­ rero, terminal manager at tually get to the hospital." The Navieras and one of the com­ 45-year-old bosun was among a pany employees responsible for group of crewmembers who initiating the donation program, personally presented three of all of the medical equipment the respiratory units to the medi­ purchased is picked up and transported to San Juan aboard cal center. AB Jose Tobio echoed a Navieras ship and delivered Powell's feelings, noting that personally by crewmembers to "kids need many, many things, the intensive care unit at the so we help whenever we can. hospital. "Every penny donated Other ships also do their best." gives a hurting child a better He said that the donations help the families of hospitalized children as well. "I think the best thing you can do is help The National Center for children," Tobio stated. "ThenMissing and Exploited families cannot afford [the medical care], and many of the Children has asked the Helping children and their families Steward/Baker Hazel Johnson Seafarers International places are overcrowded." oins in the fund-raising effort. Is important for AB Jose Tobio. The ship's crew has tried Union to assist them in locat­ raising money by purchasing ing Kerry Lynelle Johnson. She was last seen in lottery tickets, but as yet, the big Salem, Ore. on September win remains elusive. They also set up a fund to be us^ for making t-shirts and hats which are sold to the public as well as given to the hospitalized children. AB Victor Beata, who recently got off the containership in Elizabeth, was one of the forces behind that ac­ tivity. TTie fund-raising idea spread, and the shoregangs (after receiving permission from Navieras) have worked with local scrappers to generate Chief Cook Lonnie Bettis (left) and Electrician Charlie Gallagher do money from the sale of various Kerry Lynelle Johnson as she their share to help the children in the intensive care unit. scrap metals which are saved by is believed to look at age 29. chance at life," he stated in an appreciative letter to the LOG. At the present time, the fundraising campaign has been con­ centrated in a very narrow area—the pediatric section of the intensive care unit. 'To date we've made some vety positive impact," Carrero said. "If we can help just one little child, then all of our effort will have been worth it." It is hoped the campaign will grow and continue to spread to all ships operated by Navieras. Anyone interested in helping expand the sci -pe of this vital campaign—which has come to be Imown as "Amigos de los Ninos"—may contact Santiago Carrero at Navieras de Puerto Rico, G.P.O. 71306, San Juan, PR 00936-1306 or call him at (809) 781-2858. AB Victor Beata helped the cam­ paign by making t-shirts and hats. ife/p Locate This Missing Person 14, 1982, hitchhiking to her cousin's house. She has not been seen or heard from since and is considered endangered and missing. The photo below has been age-enhanced to show how the 29-year-old woman might appear today. At the time of her disap­ pearance, the brown-haired, blue-eyed Kerry Johnson was 5 ft. 8 in. tall and weighed 160 pounds. Anyone having informa­ tion on the whereabouts of Kerry Lynelle Johnson should contact the National Center for Missing and Ex­ ploited Children at (800) 843-5678 or the Missing Persons Unit of the Salem (Ore.) Police Department at (503) 588-6123. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1990-1999 Description An account of the resource Volumes LII-LXI Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993; Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource October 1994 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES HOUSE ENACTS PACKAGE OF MARITIME MEASURES BY VOTE 402-12, REPS. ADOPT INLAND SAFETY, REGULATORY REFORM, AID TO U.S. CRUISE SECTOR PANEL BACKS DOCUMENTS FOR BOATMEN INLAND SAFETY BILL PASSED, SENT TO HOUSE FLOOR FARM CLIQUE BLOCKS DEBATE ON SHIP BILL UNDEMOCRATIC TACK STUNS SENATE RESERVE SHIPS BROKEN OUT EIGHT HAITIAN-BOUND RRF VESSELS CREWED BY SIU SIU TO CREW 3 FORMER OMI VESSELS PURCHASED BY KIRBY TANKSHIPS HOUSES PASSES U.S. CRUISE SHIP ACT RUNAWAY-FLAG TANKERS RAMS NATCO DREDGE USCG TO ISSUE MACHINE READABLE Z-CARDS AFL-CIO STUDY: NAFTA PROVOKES JOB LOSSES, LOWER TRADE SURPLUS ESTONIAN FERRY SINKS, 800 PEOPLE MISSING HUDSON CREW PLUCKS 12 CUBANS FROM GULF OF MEXICO MSCPAC SHIP RESCUES 10 EGYPTIANS NARRAGANSETT SAVES 4 OFF COAST OF KENYA SEAFARERS FARE WELL ON EPA EXAM SUMMER HARVEST KEEPS ORGULF CREWS BUSY SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO PROTECT BENEFITS SESSION ENDS WITHOUT HEALTH REFORM, BUT THE DEBATE IS FAR FROM FINISHED LUNDEBERG STUDENTS MAINTAIN MANITOU RESTORING JFK’S YACHT FALLS TO NEW GENERATION CAPE MOHICAN CREW LANDED FOR ROLE IN SEALIFT EXERCISES WITH THE SIU AT GUADALCANAL: A WAR DIARY BY JAMES SMITH SEAFARERS’ GENEROSITY AIDS HOSPITALIZED KIDS NUEVO SAN JUAN CREW DONATES FUNDS, TOYS TO INTENSIVE CARE UNIT Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/01/1994 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 56, No. 10 1994 Periodicals Seafarers Log