http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/63845f0adfd07d346b5882af473fd0fb.pdf aa0fa27094a7272f6c4b8b3157626336 PDF Text Text SIONA Welcomes NMU as Affiliate_ l'age3 SIU on the Scene • 1n oes _ _ l'age3 �President's Report Preparing for the Next Century During the past year, there have been many positive changes within the Seafarers. We've crewed new ships bringing more jobs for our members. We've welcomed the announcement by an SIU-contracted company of new passenger vessels to sail around the Hawaiian Islands and along the U.S. coasts. They will be built in U.S. yards with the first coastal ships expected to sail late next year. We've seen the continue.d growth of the Paul Michael Sacco Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. The most visible sign is the construction of the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School. And, as always, the courses are being updated, new equipment is being installed, and more members are being upgraded. We've noticed the continued success of the unlicensed apprentice program. Young men and women are entering our profession daily as they see a tremendous opportunity before them to build a solid career. Following the advances made for the members when we opened new halls in Brooklyn, Tacoma and Anchorage earlier this decade, we have renovated our existing facility in Norfolk, while purchasing a new, more convenient site for our New Orleans-based Seafarers. That hall should be open soon. And we are working to modernize other facilities as well. Why is all this being done? There are two reasons. First, the SIU must be-and will be-prepared to meet the challenges of the next century. As we near the end of the 20th century, we know the ships and technology of even just 30 years ago will not meet the needs of the new millennium without being upgraded. If you don't believe me, talk with a member who started sailing in 1970. Ask that mariner how much shipping has changed in the years since first going to sea. Ask that Seafarer how the job requirements have changed. Ask that member how containerization, computers, double hulls and international regulations have affected the way the job is done. That is why the Paul Hall Center's Lundeberg School is designed to constantly change and improve. The school's staff is always anticipating the future by working with national and international maritime representatives to meet and exceed the demands that will be placed on the members and the industry. That is how it was able to offer the first oil spill prevention and containment course and the first U.S. Coast Guard-accepted training record book in the country. And that is why the Paul Hall Center is building its new fire fighting and safety facility, upgrading its simulators and redesigning its curriculum. It is making sure Seafarers will be prepared for the new century of service aboard a new wave of vessels planned for the next millennium. There is also a second, very important reason the SIU enacts these changes. It i~ to make sure we remain prepared to serve as the nation's fourth ann of defense-a need we saw and met once again last month. Seafarers were ready when U.S. forces were called into harm's way to retaliate against Saddam Hussein's refusal to meet his promises to allow United Nations officials to inspect suspected chemical and offensive weapon sites in Iraq. When Allied forces were called to action, at least 10 Seafarers-crewed vessels were already in the Persian Gulf theater. The military did not have to worry where their supplies would be. They were at sea in task forces with American civilian mariners making sure the materiel was ready and available. Since the founding of this country, U.S. merchant mariners have answered the call and served to supply the troops. That is a tradition all mariners are proud of and one that present and future Seafarers have no intention of ever blemishing. These are the reasons why the SIU is preparing for the next century. Our union and our nation can expect no less. Please be advised that SIU headquarters and all SIU hiring halls will be closed on Monday, February 15, 1999 (unless an emergency arises) for the observanca at Presidents' Day. Normal business hours will resume the fallowing workday. Volume 61, Number 1 January 1999 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers WG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFl.rCIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 8990675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers WG, 5201 Au th Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Daniel Duncan; Managing Editor, Jordan Biscardo; Associate Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Copyright © 1999 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG Unions Announce Election Results NMU Returns Lioeanjie as MEBA, Teamsters Select New Leadership In election results announced last month, one union returned its president to the top position while the members of two other unions chose new officials to take them into the 21st century. Elected to a full term as president of the National Maritime Union was Rene Lioeanjie. Meanwhile, another maritime union-the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA) -has a new president, Larry O'Toole. And the Teamsters will be led by James P. Hoffa, son of the late Teamsters president, James R. Hoffa. NMU Lioeanjie assumed the NMU presidency in February 1997 when Lou Parise left the office after being convicted in federal court. Lioeanjie, who started sailing in 1945, had been secretary/treasurer. He worked in the deck department aboard freighters, tankers and passenger ships before coming ashore for the NMU in 1955. The Dutch Guiana native has been active in the union's campaign against runaway-flag shipping. Other positions Lioeanjie held in the NMU included regional director of Latin America and the Caribbean and a vice president. Joining Lioeanjie on the NMU executive council are Kate Hunt as executive vice president/treasurer as well as John Cameron and Charles Stewart, vice presidents. MEBA O'Toole replaces Alex Shandrosky at the helm of MEBA this month following the membership balloting. His last position within the officers' union was director of the Calhoon MEBA Engineering School from 1991 to 1996. A member of MEBA since 1964, O'Toole sailed 12 years as a chief engineer. He has represented the union at International Labor Organization and International Transport Workers' Federation meetings. He also served on the U .S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee. Elected with O'Toole to the MEBA executive board were Bob McFetters, secretary/treasurer; Paul Krupa, Atlantic Coast vice president; Ron Davis, Gulf Coast vice president; and Bud Jacque, West Coast vice president. Teamsters The Teamsters election returns the name of Hoffa to the top post in that union. James P. Hoffa was elected in a federally supervised nationwide secret ballot after the results of the 1996 balloting (in which Hoffa was narrowly defeated by incumbent Ron Carey) were overthrown by an independent review board because of campaign spending irregularities. Hoffa has been a lawyer representing Teamsters Joint Councils, local unions and individual members since 1968. He became executive assistant to the president of Teamsters Joint Council 43 in 1993. James P. Hoffa Rail Unions Announce Merger Jointly describing their proposed merger as "an historic agreement with enormous potential," the United Transportation Union (UTU) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) in late November announced they are forming "a new organization to represent operating employees on the railroads of North America." The UTU board of governors and the BLE advisory board approved the agreement's principles, including a framework for drafting a new "Constitution and Unification Agreement" by October 1, 1999. The new union is expected to begin operations effective January 1, 2000. "In committing ourselves to put aside decades of differences, we're looking forward to achieving a better quality of life for the families of those charged with the responsibility to operate the trains," said Clar~nce Manin, president of the BLE. "We've found common ground that will enable us to focus our energies immediately on the vital task of collective bargaining with our employers in a way that will protect the needs of both our unions' members." "Unification between the UTU and BLE is the most significant event in rail labor since the UTU was founded nearly 30 years ago," said Charles L. Little, UTU president, "and one of the biggest events ever in rail labor history. It is fitting that our new union will begin on the first day of the 21st century after our memberships vote for its creation. One thing is also certain that craft autonomy is guaranteed." UTU Assistant President Byron A. Boyd Jr. noted that "the members of our organizations will be the big winners in the unification of the UTU and the BLE. They will have even better representation and larger resources to serve their interests. This was the vision of Eugene Debs, and it is fitting that it will become a reality on January 1, 2000." Mobile MTD Bestows Awards SIU Port Agent Dave Carter (at podium) welcomes guests to the 1998 Greater Mobile (Ala.) Port Maritime Council annual awards dinner, which took place late last year. The honorees (photo right) included Donald Langham (left), international vice president of the Paperworkers; and Circuit Judge Douglas Johnstone. Langham received the "Labor Man of the Year" award, while Johnstone received the "Able Helmsman" award. January 1999 �Seafarers Render Support In 'Desert Fox' Strike At least I 0 Seafarers-crewed vessels already sailing in the Persian Gulf were providing logistical support to Allied forces attacking Iraq in mid-December as the Seafarers LOG went to press. Bombing and missile raids by U.S. and British troops were launched on the evening of December 16 after Iraqi president Saddam Hussein once again reneged on a promise made to United Nations officials to allow inspections of suspected nuclear, chemical and other offensive weapon sites in the country. Dubbed "Operation Desert Fox," the attacks came from sea- and land-based forces already in the Persian Gulf theater Continued on page 6 Among the SIU-crewed ships involved in "Operation Desert Fox" is the USNS Kane. NMU Alf iliates with SIONA Agreement Ends 60 Years of Fighting Between Unions At 11:10 a.m. on December 10, maritime labor histo- ry was made when officials of the Seafarers International Union of North America (SIUNA) and the National Maritime Union (NMU) signed an affiliation agreement bringing the NMU under the banner of the SIUNA. The affiliation means all the major U.S. unlicensed unions Gathering after the affiliation agreement was signed are officials from the two organizations. From the left are Larry Brundick, NMU counsel; Nero Threet, NMU executive VP/treasurer.; John Cameron, NMU VP; Augie Tellez, SIU contracts VP; Rene Lioeanjie, NMU president; Michael Sacco, SIUNA president; Kate Hunt, NMU VP; Dave Heindel, SIU secretary/treasurer; Leslie Tarantola, SIUNA counsel; Charles Stewart, NMU VP-elect; and Tai Simpkins, AFL-CIO Maritime Committee. Below are historic headlines from the Seafarers LOG showing various times the SIUNA and NMU worked together and discussed maritime unity. Editor's Note: The following is the full text of the joint press release issued by the Seafarers International Union of North America and the National Maritime Union to announce the affiliation. National Maritime Union Affiliates with SIONA WASHINGTON - The National Maritime Union (NMU) signed an affiliation agreement with the Seafarers International Union of North America (SIUNA). The affiliation ends 60 years of struggle between the two organizations. "All American mariners will benefit by bringing the NMU under the SIUNA banner," SIUNA President Michael Sacco stated. "As we continue to revitalize and reinvigorate the U.S.-flag merchant fleet for service well into the next century, this affiliation helps ensure all unlicensed American mariners will stand together for more and better jobs," Sacco added. "We are happy to be working side-by-side with our brothers and sisters in the SIUNA," said NMU President Rene Lioeanjie. "We have seen enough of how division wastes our resources and undermines our effectiveness. We now can fully devote all of our efforts to improving the working conditions of our members and fighting for a bigger and stronger U.S.· flag fleet,tt Lioeanjie continued. With the addition of the NMU, the SIUNA is composed of 18 autonomous unions which represent more than 80,000 working men and women in such varied occupations as mariners, government employees, manufacturers, cannery workers and more. Among the maritime unions under the banner of the SIUNA are the Seafarers International Union Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District: the Sailors' Union of the Pacific; the Marina Firemen's Union; the Seafarers International Union of Canada and the Canadian Marine Officers Union. Under the terms of the affiliation, the SIUNA and the NMU will work together to improve the quality of safety and working conditions aboard U.S.-flag vessels. The NMU and the SIUNA will be working towards establishing a joint training program to prepare their members for the challenges of the next century. Currently, the NMU Education Plan - which is jointly administered by the NMU and its union-contracted companies - has been conducting training courses for NMU members in all phases of training and upgrading including U.S. Coast Guard and IMO-mandated training at various locations around the country. Members of the Seafarers Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District have received the latest in job skill preparation at the joint labor-management operated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. since 1967. The center also produced the first U.S. Coast Guard accepted Training Record Book, which allow mariners to carry one bound document verifying their individual training meets international standards. The NMU will continue to be guided by its own constitution, negotiate its own contracts, elect its own officials and operate its own pension and welfare plans. NMU headquarters will remain in Washington, D.C. However, to meet the changing needs of the industry, the SIUNA and NMU will be looking into ways that they can jointly better serve their memberships. The NMU, founded in 1937, represented unlicensed mariners in the old Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). The SIUNA was chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1938. It is based in Camp Springs, Md. Since the merger of the AFL and the CIO in 1955, talks to bring the NMU and SIUNA under one banner have taken place sporadically. Despite fighting each other for contracts aboard U.S.-flag ships, the organizations have worked together on several issues including the exposure of runaway-flag shipping where shipowners abandon the country of their citizenship to seek non-traditional maritime nations in which to register their vessels and avoid the labor, safety and tax laws of their homeland. January 1999 now are part of the same organization, the SIUNA. The agreement also brought an end to 60 years of fighting between the two organizations. "This is an historic day, one that has been too long in coming," SIUNA President Michael Sacco stated. "Now, our organizations can work together to make the U.S.flag fleet stronger and provide new and better jobs for our members. All American mariners will benefit from this affiliation." NMU President Rene Lioeanjie noted the years of battle between the two organizations have taken a toll on the unions as well as the merchant fleet. "Let us now move forward together," the NMU president said. "Let us work to improve the lives of our members." News that the organizations were talking about a possible affiliation was first announced in March when the NMU held its constitutional convention on the grounds of the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. The NMU delegates approved a resolution that stated "some form of affiliation eventually leading to a merger with another maritime union would be in the best interest of the membership." Sacco, in his address to that convention, reflected on the past problems between the organizations and called on the delegates to imagine what could be accomplished for the U.S.-flag fleet if the two stood together. Talks between officials from the two unions continued through the year, climaxing with the signing of the document last month. Under the terms of the affiliation, the SIUNA and NMU will work together to improve the working and safety conditions aboard U.S.-flag ships. The organizations also will undertake to establish a joint training program to prepare their members for the tasks facing them in the next century. Like the other U.S. maritime unions in the SIUNA (the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; the Sailors' Union of the Pacific; the Marine Firemen's Union; the Seafarers Maritime Union and the Seafarers Entertainment and Allied Trades Union), the NMU will remain an autonomous union that elects its own officials, negotiates its own contracts and oversees its own pension and welfare plans. SIUNA President Sacco said the model being followed in this affiliation is the one used in 1953 when the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MC&S) became part of the SIUNA. After years of operating autonomously, the MC&S eventually merged into the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District. As noted above, the affiliation finishes six decades of struggle between the SIUNA and the NMU. Prior to 1935, all labor unions were affiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Within that organization was the International Seamen's Union (ISU), headed by Andrew Furuseth. After World War I, the ISU had a membership of more than I 00,000 members. But by the mid- l 930s, it had fallen to less than 3,000. The ISU disbanded in 1937:· The NMU was founded that year and represented unlicensed mariners in the newly formed Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). One year later, the AFL chartered the SIUNA under the leadership of Harry Lundeberg. Over the subsequent decades, the waterfront saw numerous confrontations between the two unions as they tried to obtain contracts from non-union operators and take in new members. The fighting continued even after the AFL and CIO merged in 1955. However, the SIUNA and NMU did find ways to work together, particularly in the international campaign to expose and eliminate runaway-flag shipping which was taking American mariner jobs overseas. After the creation of the AFLCIO, the SIUNA and NMU entered into talks several times to bring the two organizations together. However, none of those efforts was successful. Seafarers LOG 3 �SIU Crews Allied's New Sea Eagle Seafarers recently crewed Allied Towing Corp.'s new ocean tug and barge Sea Eagle, marking additional job opportunities for the membership. Built at the Moss Point (Miss.) Marine shipyard, the 124-foot Sea Eagle entered service last fall. The boat and barge transport various chemicals from the northeast to the Gulf. The company which developed this articulated tug and barge, Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering, described the connection system as one that "operates by clamping the nose of the tug to a bar at the head of the notch, which the tug pivots around. Roll restraint is by a fixed pad of fenders on one side of the tug, and a movable set on the other. This enables the tug to remain connected in much larger seas than are possible when pushing with wires." The company also provided the following specifications for the tug: • Depth, Molded (Baseline @ Low Sheer) - 22 ft. • Main Propulsion Engines Two Alco 16-251F Diesels each rated 2,915 BHP at 900 RPM or Equal EMO pack age. • Reduction Gears - Two Reintjes - WAF 2255 HL 4.916: I Ratio Enjoying a brief and well-earned break are engine department members Harry Toohey and Louie Payne. • • • • • Total BHP - 5,830 BHP Propellers (2) - Bird Johnson "New Generation" Workwheels - 126" Diesel Generators - (2 x 99 kW, (1) x 99 kW) Gross Register Tonnage Under 200 GRT /SOLAS Compliant Crew Accommodation - 4 Double Strms/2 Single Strms. Mate Mark Tilly was among the first SIU members to sign on the new ocean tug. Greeting an SIU port representative aboard the tug in Norfolk, Va. is Captain Bob O'Neal. Maritime Briefs Rear Adm. Holder to Succeed Vice Adm. Perkins at MSC Rear Admiral Gordon S. Holder will succeed Vice Admiral Jim Perkins as Commander, U.S. Military Sealift Command, when Perkins retires after nearly 35 years of Navy service. MSC announced that the change of command is scheduled for next month. "Rear Admiral Holder comes to MSC following a tour as commanding officer of Naval Amphibious Group Two," MSC stated in a news release. "Prior to that duty, he served as third commander of Naval Doctrine Command. "A 1968 graduate of Florida State University, Rear Admiral Holder took his commission after completing officer candidate school in Newport, R.I. He graduated with distinction from the Air Command and Staff College at Air University in Montgomery, Ala. While in Montgomery, Holder earned a Master of Science degree from Troy State University." Vice Admiral Perkins, a strong and visible backer of the U.S. merchant fleet, "ends a prestigious military career that began following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, and includes combat assignments in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and Somalia," MSC noted. Crescent Towing Receives ISO 9002 Certification SIU-contracted Crescent Towing announced it recently received certification of compliance with the internationally recognized ISO 9002 quality standards. Operating in the ports of New Orleans, Mobile, Ala. and Savannah, Ga., Crescent is believed to be the first ISO 9002-certified tugboat company in those areas. The certification "is the crowning achievement of our quality initiative," stated Crescent CEO Richard Murray. "We believe that by adhering to the principles of the ISO quality standard, it will help us to exceed our customers' needs and requirements through improvements in our service." In order to maintain the certification, companies must conduct periodic in-house reviews and also undergo semi-annual analysis by an international accreditation entity known as the American Bureau of Shipping Quality Evaluations. SIU members crew Crescent's fleet of 25 tugs. Crowley American Transport Earns Prestigious Ford Award Ford Motor Co. recently presented its prestigious Ql Award to SIUcontracted Crowley American Transport in recognition of the company's sustained levels of excellence in its quality systems, performance and customer satisfaction. In announcing the award, Crowley pointed out that it is one of "only a few ocean carriers to have received it, and is the first to have won it as an ISO 9002 certified carrier." Thomas Crowley Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corp., said he accepted the award "on behalf of the entire company and our 3,500 employees, who have committed themselves to the quality improvement process and customer satisfaction. It is a very prestigious honor for which we have a great deal of respect." SIU members crew Crowley vessels that operate on all three U.S. coasts and also provide service to Canada, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Runaway-Flag Schemer Panama Tops World's Merchant Shipping Allied Towing's Sea Eagle transports chemicals from the northeast to the Gulf. Coast Guard Seeks 'Y2K1 Comments The U.S. Coast Guard recently announced that it seeks public comment on "actions and control measures to minimize the occurrence and effect of potential Year 2000 (Y2K)-related equipment and system malfunctions aboard vessels, at port facilities and at marine terminals." In a notice published December 4 in the Federal Register, the agency warns that "malfunctions and failures of date sensitive automation and computer processes can potentially halt critical domestic and international maritime operations." For example, the Coast Guard notes, "Computer programs for engine automation systems that monitor the time between required engine maintenance are a good example of the Y2K problem. If these programs misread "00" as the year 1900 instead of 2000, they may interpret that 100 years has passed since the last engine maintenance was performed and respond by shutting down systems to avert damage to the engine. ''Temporary loss of main engine operation at sea on a calm day with no other ships in sight may only prove inconvenient. However, the unexpected loss 4 Seafarers LOG of a ship's propulsion in a narrow or crowded waterway could result in a serious casualty." By seeking public comments, the agency hopes to help prevent marine-related Y2K problems. Comments are due by March 4. In its notice, the Coast Guard flatly states that it does not "plan to address Y2K issues through new regulations. Rather, our goal is to use existing authority to respond to Y2K risks with a sufficient level of control to prevent casualties." To that end, the organization presents 10 questions (some multi-part) for readers' consideration, while making it clear that "comments on other issues addressed in this document are also welcome." The questions include: • Should the Coast Guard exempt vessels and facilities that can provide evidence of correcting any Y2K problems from any Y2K-related port movement or operational controls? • Should the Coast Guard consider suspending all How pervasive is the problem of runaway-flag shipping? According to a recent report by a foreign shipowners' organization, most of the top 10 nations in terms of merchant shipping tonnage are part of the runaway-flag scam. The Shipowners Association of Norway in December reported that Panama, with 4,877 vessels and a total tonnage of 93.2 million, topped the list, followed by Liberia, Greece, the Bahamas, Malta, Cyprus, Norway, Singapore, Japan and China. The report also stated that the total tonnage of the world's merchant shipping increased from 1997 to 1998. The number of merchant ships weighing more than 300 tons apiece last year reached 38,619, with a total tonnage of 494.1 million, according to the report. Reminder As part of the existing standard freightship and tanker contracts. Seafarers may qualify for an extra vacation day per month. However, the contracts department reminds SIU members that in order to obtain this benefit, they must secure and complete a "tour of duty" form when signing off the vessel. This one-page form, available aboard the ship, should be signed by the master with the ship's seal. It is the member's responsibility to keep the form until filing for vacation benefits. The extra vacation day will be paid to any eligible SfU member who successfuUy completes his or her tour of duty without injury or illness and who files the correct paperwork. If the Seafarer already has coUected some vacation pay prior to successfully completing his or her tour, then the extra day will be awarded on the last vacation check, once he or she completes the assignment and meets the verification requirements. Continued on page 6 January 1999 �Coast Guard Okays Paul Hall Center's STCW-Mandated Basic Safety Classes Courses Meet Convention's Chapter VI Requirements The U.S. Coast Guard has approved two courses offered by the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education that will enable experienced Seafarers and new SIU members to comply with the Chapter VI-Basic Safety requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for mariners (STCW). Course dates will be published as soon as they are available and also will be posted on the SIU web site, located at http://www. seafarers .org. Meanwhile, the school is offering the training to members who already are enrolled in other classes at the Piney Point, Md. facility. The Paul Hall Center is believed to be the first maritime training school offering Coast Guard-approved courses that meet the Chapter VI requirements. One of the classes is a fourday, 28-hour refresher curriculum for Seafarers who have sailed before August 1, 1998. Mariners in this category have until February 1, 2002 to comply with Chapter VI. The other is a five-day, 40hour basic safety course for those with no sea time prior to August 1, 1998. Such mariners may not sail unless they meet the Chapter VI requirements. module No. I are personal responsibility, communication, emergency procedures, personal safety, safety equipment, and environmental protection procedures. Module No. 2 includes curriculum on inflatable life rafts, survival at sea and signaling. The 28-hour class also covers station bills, lifeboats, rescue procedures and personal lifesaving equipment. The third module covers first aid and CPR, including responder awareness and breathing awareness. Fire fighting and fire prevention constitute the fourth module. Subjects in this segment include chemistry of fire, heat transfer, fire detection systems, fire extinguishing systems, agents and methods, firefighting equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus, personal protective clothing and more. As a condition of approval, the Coast Guard has the right, at any time, to inspect the Paul Hall Center's facilities, equipment and records; interview and survey students to aid in course evaluation; assign agency personnel to observe or participate in the class; and supervise or administer the required examinations or practical demonstrations. These are standard requirements for Coast Guardapproved classes. School Finalizing Basic English Tests 0---T.......... CERTIFICATE OF APPRdVAL BASIC SAFETY REFRESHER TRAINING ~""o&reJ"7 Scat-n• llany Lundcberg Sdoool or Seamanship la~ ~Uni M 11n '¥'P""""' '"4ininK ~ - ourlinffln Subpan C ol'P.an 10. Titk ~ CoJe ofF«luwl lhpl•tiotu. TIJil .,,,,,on.I u nJid tbfDUl/J tM uptnoon <I•« tJcJow, unlca.7 aoo1KT~w "™*~ - ~ /fJnh 1n <#CPR 1"-»2. 0 .......... In accordance with Coast Guard guidelines, each class is limited to no more than 20 students. These classes, which blend practical training and classroom instruction, do not replace the Paul Hall Center's basic firefighting or water survival courses as required by 46 CFR for Coast Guard endorsement as a lifeboatman. The new classes are fairly similar in that they largely cover the same subjects, but in varying degrees. Each is divided into four sections or modules that correspond with the Chapter VI requirements. Among the topics addressed in fl Tr!!P1al!I! CERTIFICATE OF APPRdVAL --by 40 HOUR BASIC SAFETY TRAINING Scafarcn' Harry Lundcbcrg School of Seamanship h M:tthy fNY"ltlh«I u •a •pprov«I tnlni"I C'OUnlr M ourlinfti in Subptur C or P.,., 14\ 71tk <M; C.-k o£F-'--l A~tion11. 'T'IW"!'P""""•-iiJ~tbe~tiootl•ttbdow,.unkuMJOnttl~Dl.lffDkMMtttlottbln#CFRHJ..JQZ Gerald P. M1antc The U.S. Coast Guard recently approved two basic safety courses offered at the Paul Hall Center to meet STCW requirements. The Paul Hall Center is finalizing the basic English test that Seafarers will take in order to comply with U.S. Coast Guard regulations stemming from the 1995 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for mariners (STCW) as well as the International Safety Management Code (ISM). The SIU soon will administer the exam-a basic reading testwhen members register for a job. As reported in the December issue of the Seafarers LOG, SIU members who have successfully completed a course at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (within an as-yet undetermined time period) will be "grandfathered" for this requirement and therefore will not need to take the test. The regulations prompting the English test are explained in Title 46, Part 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations. They relate to shipspecific familiarization. According to Coast Guard navigation and vessel inspection circular No. 4-97, ship operators "must provide written instructions to the master that documents the policies and procedures to follow with respect to all newly employed or newly arrived vessel personnel." Further, the written plan should instruct mariners to "visit spaces where they will perform their regular and emergency duties; locate muster stations, alarms, life-saving appliances, and emergency escape routes, as well as any firefighting and pollution response equipment they may use; meet their supervisor or other person(s) assigning duties; locate equipment necessary to perform their duties and learn the control and display features for that equipment; when convenient to vessel operations, observe the equipment in use by someone whose duties already require its use; activate the equipment and perform functions using the controls on the equipment, when conditions permit; locate operational manuals or other documentation needed to perform their duties; locate any personal protection gear required to perform their duties, as well as first aid/medical kits available at the work site; read and understand relevant standing orders, safety and environmental protection procedures, and company policies, clarifying any unclear or confusing material; read and understand the vessel's safety management system," among other assignments. More details about the test will be published in upcoming issues of the LOG. Mississippi Queen Hosts Safety Training .. :•:i'1J'/.tl!J.~ I Apprentice Program Is Nominated For 'Workforce Partnership' Award Senator Ted Stevens Praises Paul Hall Center's Training The unlicensed apprentice program at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education has been nominated for the National Association of Private Industry Councils' 1999 Workforce Partnership Award. The nomination stems from one aspect of the unlicensed apprentice curriculum designed to facilitate entry-level employment opportunities aboard U.S.-flag ships for residents of Alaska. Senator Ted Stevens CR-Alaska) backed the nomination, informing the Washington, D.C.-based industry association that a number of his constituents have utilized the Paul Hall Center program to secure "gainful employment" that includes "full family medical, dental, pension, education and vacation coverage.... Needless to say, Alaskans are proud of this partnership and its accomplishments, and I hope the group considering their [nomination] for this award will give them every consideration for a job well done." Located in Piney Point, Md., the Paul Hall Center and its Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship January 1999 offer entry-level training for people ages 18 to 24, or up to 30 if they possess military experience. The unlicensed apprentice program consists of three segments. The first is a 12-week initial training phase that features vessel familiarization, fire fighting, first aid and CPR, water survival, vessel operations and maintenance, sanitation and other topics, with an emphasis on practical training. Next, students ship out for a minimum 90-day shipboard training and assessment phase. Students complete at least 30-day rotations through the deck, engine and steward departments. Department heads conduct student evaluations, and vessel masters verify appraisals. Students then return to Piney Point for department-specific training that prepares them to sail either as ordinary seamen, wipers or steward assistants. This phase includes the tankerman assistant DL course and the LNG familiarization class, thereby allowing students to meet STCW requirements for sailing on tankers, including LNG carriers. The long-standing tradition of shipboard safety training provided by the Paul Hall Center to SIU members sailing aboard The Delta Queen Steamboat Company's passenger vessels recently continued with practical courses aboard the Mississippi Queen. Included in the curriculum were damage control, chemical safety, certain aspects of fire fighting, and airway obstruction. Instructor Anthony Hammett commended crew members for their attentiveness and enthusiastic participation. Among those completing the training were Seafarers Bill Freitas, Fred Johnson and Dan Engle, joined for a drill by First Mate Alan Johnson. t .- l ' Seafarers LOG 5 �STCW Implementation Team Establishe.d Seafarers were among the hundreds of trade unionists showing their support for Avondale workers at a September rally in Washington, D.C. Avondale Seeks Foreign Workers As It Continues ta Fight Unionization In the midst of a protracted battle to keep unions out of the Louisiana facility, Avondale Shipyards, Inc. has petitioned the federal government for permission to hire foreign workers because of a so-called lack of qualified personnel, according to The Journal of Commerce. The action by the shipyard is its latest effort to ignore the will of its workers who voted 1,950 to 1,632 for union representation in June 1993. Since then, the company has used every stalling tactic possible to keep from negotiating a collective bargaining agreement. In its request, Avondale is seeking special visas for 100 temporary workers for up to one year to fill positions of welders, shipfitters, shipyard electricians and painters. The Departments of Labor and State can grant a waiver if they determine there is such a shortage. Avondale claimed boom times in the oil and shipbuilding industries in that part of the country have dried up the skilled workforce. However, the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department pointed out that a February 1998 study conducted by the Louisiana Technical College showed more than 250 experienced workers in the vicinity of the yard were available for immediate employment. In fact, the July unemployment rate in that part of Louisiana was 20 percent above the national average. This is not the first time since the union vote that Avondale has looked offshore for its help. In 1996, it brought in 15 Scottish and English workers who stayed only three days before quitting because of poor working conditions and broken promises. One of those workers, quoted in a British newspaper, said safety conditions at Avondale were "50 years out of date." Unsafe working conditions was one of the reasons workers at the shipyard voted for union representation. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Avondale has che highest rate of deaths per employees as compared to any other major shipyard in the country during the 1990s. OSHA records the yard's rate as 1.02 deaths per 1,000 employees from 1990 to 1997. The next closest ratio is 0.29 per 1,000 employees at union-contracted Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi. Another issue raised by the Avondale workers is the company pays far less for comparable work than other domestic shipyards. The Metal Trades Department reports the average wage for an Avondale worker is $9.45 an hour. This is approximately 29 percent less than the amount paid to workers at other private contractors for the U.S. Navy and 48 percent less than workers at the nation's federal shipyards. (Avondale is a major contractor for U.S. Navy vessels, including the Bob Hope-class of preposi- Coast Guard Seeks Y2K Comments Continued from page 4 port operations for a period of time? If so, for how long? • Should vessels required to comply with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code include Y2K contingencies in their safety management system? • If the Coast Guard does impose Y2K-related port and vessel controls, short of a port shutdown, what additional safety measures should they requiretug escorts, additional manning, emergency steering and anchoring teams on watch, manual backups for all critical automated systems, and crew drills? Besides asking for comments, the Coast Guard already maintains a toll-free telephone number [(800) 368-5647] for questions on 6 Seafarers LOG the Y2K problem. It is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Additionally, the following internet web site (part of the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Program) features regularly updated Y2K information: www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/Y2k.htm. Anyone interested in submitting comments in response to the Federal Register notice may send them to: Docket Management (USCG-1998-4819), Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL-40 l, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001, or call the project manager at (202) 267-1464 for more information. Comments and attachments should be unbound, no larger than 8Y2 by 11 inches and suitable for copying. tioning ships.) Since the National Labor Relations Board-supervised balloting was conducted, Avondale has used the court system and other legal efforts to prevent work on a contract with the unions of the New Orleans Metal Trades Council. Almost one year ago, an administrative law judge declared Avondale had violated labor law more than 100 times. He ordered the company to reinstate 28 illegally fired workers and Avondale's chief executive officer, Al Bossier, to personally read a cease and desist order to all the workers. To date, neither has been done. In September, hundreds of trade unionists rallied in Washington, D.C. in support of the Avondale workers. Two months later, the Global Mariner, an exhibition ship operated by the International Transport Workers' Federation to expose the plight of mariners aboard runaway-flag vessels, sailed the Mississippi River in New Orleans with banners and messages of support for the shipyard workers. For many in the maritime industry, STCW at times is a four-letter word. The international convention governing shipboard safety and mariners' credentials already has reshaped the regulatory end of the business, with more changes looming. Given the pact's breadth, the U.S. Coast Guard recently established an STCW "Implementation Focus and Coordination Team" to monitor and achieve nationwide execution of the convention. As part of that agenda, the agency on December 16 conducted a well-attended and spirited public meeting in Washington, D.C. to solicit industry input. The SIU and the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education took part in the meeting, as did other representatives from throughout the industry. STCW stands for International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for mariners. The original convention of 1978 was amended in 1995, as more than 100 nations ratified it. (The U.S. became signatory to the original convention in 1991 and also signed onto the amended treaty.) The agreement mainly applies to masters, officers and watchkeeping personnel on deep sea vessels; it also covers mariners on domestic voyages if the vessel operates beyond the boundary line. The 1995 amendments took effect last February, and the Coast Guard in June published an interim rule incorporating them into U.S. regulations. "Putting STCW-related regulations in place truly is an ongoing process, and obviously it affects a lot of people," noted Bill Eglinton, director of vocational education at the Paul Hall Center and a regular participant in international and domestic STCW forums. "The Coast Guard deserves credit for forming their implementation team. It can only help." The Coast Guard also is accepting public comments on STCW issues until January 15. Runaway-Flag Cruise Ship Hits Reef A cruise on Royal Caribbean's runaway-flag Monarch of the Seas ended in dangerous fashion December 16 in St. Maarten. The captain intentionally grounded the vessel after it struck a reef near the Caribbean island in the middle of the night. As the ship took on water during the ensuing four pre-dawn hours, all 2,557 passengers and 831 crew members were evacuated to shore. No injuries were reported. The Norwegian-flag vessel, which reportedly sustained significant damage on both sides of its hull, is owned by Miami-based Royal Caribbean International. Earlier in 1998, the company made headlines when it was fined $9 million by U.S. courts for what news reports described as a fleetwide conspiracy of illegally dumping waste oil at sea and deceiving the U.S. Coast Guard. Altogether, the company pied guilty to eight felony counts involving two separate indictments (one in Miami, the other in Puerto Rico) by the Justice Department. When the fine was announced, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Agency pointed out, "The irony of this case is that this company has spoiled the very waters upon which its corporate survival and success depends. This action was further aggravated by Royal Caribbean when they decided to lie about their conduct." Seafarers on the Scene for 'Desert Fox1 Continued from page 3 and Diego Garcia. Among the SIU-crewed support vessels involved in the Persian Gulf area of operations according to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) are four prepositioning vessels operated by Bay Ship Management: USNS Shughart, USNS Gordon, USNS Yano and USNS Gilliand. Another prepositioning ship-the Buffalo Soldier, operated by Red River & V.O. Partnership-also is involved. It is manned by the Seafarers Maritime Union. Two oceanographic survey ships operated by SIU-contracted Dyn Marine are in the region. They are the USNS Kane and USNS McDonnell. The SIU-crewed tanker Samuel Cobb (operated by Ocean Ships) is part of the force. Two MSC-Pacific Fleet vessels manned by members of the SIU Government Services division are assisting U.S. Navy forces. The pair are the fleet oiler USNS 1ippecanoe and fleet tug USNS Catawba. Seal arers-Crewed Vessels Deployed in Persian Gulf Theater (SOURCE: Military Seallft Command) Prepositioning Ships USNS Shughart USNS Gordon USNSYano USNS Gilliland (all Bay Ship Management) Buffalo Soldier (Red River & V.0. Partnership) Oceanographic Survey Ships USNS Kane USNS McDonnell (both Dyn Marine) Tanker Samuel Cobb (Ocean Ships) MSCPAC Fleet Oiler USNS Tippecanoe MSCPAC Fleet Tug USNS Catawba January 1999 �Foreign Steel 'Dumping' Hurts Otherwise Strong Lakes Shipping Season Tim Dugan, Bosun H. Lee White As Christmas neared, the Great Lakes enjoyed unseasonably mild weather. But, despite the relative warmth and an overall strong shipping season, SIU-contracted companies began issuing winter layup dates that started as early as December 11. Most SIU-crewed takers are expected to dock in their respective winter ports by the first week of this month. Many of the layup dates are two to four weeks earlier than usual because of continuing problems in the steel industry. Specifically, economic crises in many Asian countries and Russia have resulted in an onslaught of cheap imported steel in the U.S. In fact, the foreign product is being ..dumped," or sold at below cost, which violates international trade agreements. That dumping in turn has decreased the demand for iron ore, coal, stone and other commodities throughout the Great Lakes region, much of which is used in domestic steel production. Trade unions including the United Steelworkers of America and the SIU; Great Lakes ship operators including several Seafarers-contracted companies; and others either directly or indirectly involved in the steel industry have pushed Congress and the administration to end this predicament. The dumping already has caused major layoffs in northeastern steel mills and has caused a further skyrocketing of the U.S. trade deficit. As this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press, Commerce Department officials had scheduled overseas meetings addressing this matter. 'This is very serious and it must be resolved," stated AB Rob Heath, who sailed on several Great Lakes ships this season. "Unfairly priced foreign steel hurts a lot of people in this country-not just mariners, but also steelworkers, business owners and consumers. "I don't think it's right that American workers lose jobs because of illegally dumped steel." Darren Lahaie, Watchman American Republic Layup Begins Most of American Steamship Company's (ASC) SIU-crewed bulkers were slated to lay up last month. The Charles E. Wilson docked in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. on December 11, followed by the Sam Laud in Toledo, Ohio on December 18. The American Mariner and H. Lee White were scheduled to reach their respective winter homes of Toledo and Duluth, Minn. on December 20, closely followed by the John J. Boland (Superior, Wis.), the American Republic (Toledo), the St. Clair (Duluth) and the Walter J. McCarthy (Sturgeon Bay). ASC's Indiana Harbor (Sturgeon Bay) and Buffalo (Toledo) were expected to lay up during the first week of this month. At press time, the only other available layup dates were for Cement Transit Company's Medusa Challenger and Inland Lakes Management's Alpena, both slated to shut down on Christmas. i·\. Mathew McNally, AB/Watchman H. Lee White Howard Herold, Wheelsman American Repu/Jlic Deckhand Charles Chizan (left) and Bosun Tim Dugan H. Lee White s ........._""=·w c;; ......~,,,..~--~ .. Joel Markle, Second Cook Mohsen Abdulla, Deckhand American Republic !v1edusa ChaUenger LEFT: Frank Reed, Watchman !v1edusa Challenger RIGHT: Darrell Bays, Steward Pathfinder Charles Chizan, Deckhand H. Lee White January 1999 ' Haddi Ahmed, Porter H. Lee White Seafarers LOG 7 �Membership Meetings Are Important Part Of Union Education Even though Seafarers are scattered in different parts of the world, when not at sea, they can keep abreast of news from within the union as well as from the maritime industry as a whole by attending monthly membership meetings at their nearest SIU hall. The meetings offer up-to-date information on contract talks, maritime legislation and national policies as well as providing a forum in which to discuss other issues of importance to the rank-and file membership and to the union's officials. Members are asked to clip the schedule below and post it on their ships' bulletin boards or keep it for personal reference. Seafarers also may refer to each issue of the Seafare rs LOG, which lists the dates of the next two meetings scheduled for each port. Membership Meetings in 1999 Port Traditional Date January February March April May June July August Piney Point Monday after first Sunday 4 8 8 5 3 7 6* 2 7* 4 8 6 New York Tuesday after first Sunday 5 9 9 6 4 8 6 3 7 5 9 7 Wednesday after first Sunday 6 10 10 7 5 9 7 4 8 6 10 8 Baltimore Thursday after first Sunday 7 11 11 8 6 10 8 5 9 7 12* 9 Norfolk Thursday after first Sunday 7 11 11 8 6 10 8 5 9 7 12* 9 Jacksonville Thursday after first Sunday 7 11 11 8 6 10 8 5 9 7 12* 9 San Juan Thursday after first Sunday 7 11 11 8 6 10 8 5 9 7 12* 9 Algonac Friday after first Sunday B 12 12 9 7 11 9 6 10 8 12 10 Houston Monday after second Sunday 11 16* 15 12 10 14 12 9 13 11 15 13 New Orleans Tuesday after second Sunday 12 16 16 13 11 15 13 10 14 12 16 14 Mobile Wednesday after second Sunday 13 17 17 14 12 16 14 11 15 13 17 15 Duluth Wednesday after second Sunday 13 17 17 14 12 16 14 11 15 13 17 15 Thursday after second Sunday 14 18 18 15 13 17 15 12 16 14 18 16 St Louis Friday after second Sunday 15 19 19 16 14 18 16 13 17 15 19 17 Honolulu Friday after second Sunday 15 19 19 16 14 18 16 13 17 15 19 17 Wilmington Monday after third Sunday 19* 22 22 19 17 21 19 17* 20 18 22 20 New Bedford Tuesday after third Sunday 19 23 23 20 18 22 20 17 21 19 23 21 Wednesday after third Sunday 20 24 24 21 19 23 21 18 22 20 24 22 Friday after third Sunday 22 26 26 23 21 25 23 20 24 22 26 24 Philadelphia San Francisco Jursuy Cl1Y Tacoma September October November December •Piney Point changes created by Independence Day and LahOr Day holidays: Baltimore. Norfolk, Jacksonville and San Juan changes created by Veterans Day holiday; Houston change created by Presidents' Day holiday; Wilmington changes created by Martin Luther King's birthday and Paul Hall's birthday holidays. WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT SKYROCKmNG COLLEGE COSTS? AN SIU SCHOLARSHIP CAN GIVE YOU ABOOST! COMPLm THIS COUPON AND MAIL TO: All Seafarers, their spouses and dependent children who plan to attend college next fall are encouraged to apply for one of seven scholarships being awarded in 1999 by the Seafarers Welfare Plan. Three of the four monetary awards will go to SIU members (one in the amount of $15,000, the other two for $6,000 each). Four scholarships will be given to spouses or children of eligible Seafarers or SIU pensioners, each in the amount of $15,000. Eligibi1ity requirements are spelled out in a booklet which also contains an application form. The booklet is available by filling out and returning the coupon below to the Seafarers Welfare Plan. It also is available at all SIU halls. Winning a scholarship is a great way to help alleviate the ev~r-rising costs of tuition at both two- and four-year institutions of higher learning. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is April 15, 1999. So, now is as good a time as any to start the application process rolling. ~ r------------------------------------------, Scholarship Program Seafarers Welfare Plan 5201 Auth Way camp Springs, MD 20746 P lease send me the 1999 SIU Scholarship Program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and a copy of the application form. Name of A p p l i c a n t - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Social Security N u m b e r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Street A d d r e s s - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - City, State, Zip Code_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Telephone Number __________________--.____________ This application is for: D Self D Dependent Mail this completed form to Scholarship Program, Seafarers Welfare Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. 1199 B Seafarers LOG L------------------------------------------~ January 1999 �Aided by ITF; Crew Gains $73,000 in Back Pay Combustible Waste Adorned Deck of Runaway-Flag Vessel The runaway-flag general cargo ship Gulf Star recently limped into the port of Toledo, Ohio with its decks littered with red bags of biohazardous materials, and its crew fed up. Unpaid for nearly five months and sailing without enough stores (among other problems), the crew in mid-September turned to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) for help. Don Thornton, one of the SIU's ITF inspectors, then assisted the multinational mariners in securing about $73,000 in back wages, plus various needed ship repairs. The SIU is one of the more than 500 worldwide ITF affiliates. Another member of the federation, the International Longshoremen 's Association (ILA), helped in the Gulf Star case by honoring a one-day strike by the crew. "Without a doubt, the ILA's support was crucial to the success of this incident," noted Thornton. Built in 1979 in the Netherlands, the Gulf Star is owned by a Greek and Panamanian conglomerate misleadingly named France Ship Management. It flies the Panamanian flag, but is operated by Coral Gables, Fla.-based Star Ship Management. In Toledo, Gulf Star crew members-including Colombians, Indians, Mexicans, Croatians and Guyanans-<alled Thornton not only because of the back wages, but also because of unsafe ship- board conditions. Among the problems were: • Potentially explosive chemicals that inadvertently had been mixed in the engine room. Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard told Thornton that the chemicals-dumped into the bags marked "biohazard/infectious waste"presented a danger of spontaneous combustion. • A contaminated fresh water system, essentially rendered useless by saltwater. • Leaky hatches that resulted in damage to the cargo (sugar). • Lack of required navigational charts and other wheelhouse documentation. Not surprisingly, the ITF's intervention quickly generated results. Star Ship Management sent a fax to the ship, promising imminent partial payment of back wages and asking them to wait a little longer for the balance. The operator also promised relief for several crew members at the next port. "We have the best intentions to bring all wages up to date at the earliest opportunity," the fax reads in part. Nevertheless, crew members followed through with the strike and subsequently were paid in full. A one-day strike by the multinational crew (top photo) helped secure approximately $73,000 in back wages. Combustible material (inset) is stored on the deck of the runaway-flag Gulf Star-just one of many problems recently discovered aboard the general cargo ship. Equality State Crew Excels In Emergency Response Drill A smoke simulator (left photo) and simulated injury (right) lent realism to the emergency response drill aboard the SIU-crewed Equality State, part of the Ready Reserve Force. Blast Aboard Runaway-Flag Vessel Kills 1 Continued from page 24 Violation of U.S. Laws Norris said the Coast Guard's inquiry is all but complete and a report will be released. U.S. Coast Guard Commander Ken Parris, senior investigating and public affairs officer also based at the agency's Marine Safety Office in New Orleans, said, "If there is evidence of some misconduct, the Coast Guard would go before a hearing officer for a monetary payment" by the company. "A fine is set if there is some violation of U.S. law," he added. Parris said, "We have required the company to provide a letter of undertaking for something in the range of $100,000 for potential civil penalties relating to the vessel's entry into U.S. waters and this accident.'' A letter of undertaking is essentially a promissory note from the company's attorneys. A spokesman for Copenhagenbased Transmarine Management, the vessel's operator, contacted November 24, said his company intended to do their own investigation as well although he did not know "where it would lead." January 1999 When asked if Denmark had any authority in regard to the the Trans marine accident, Management representative said he was not sure. Treabnent of the Crew Reports on crew treatment vary. ITF Inspector Boudreaux noted that the operating company, Transmarine Management, has fulfilled its obligations under the ITF collective bargaining agreement. "The company paid off all the crew members and sent them home, paying for transportation," he said. Additionally, "the company has settled with the three injured crew members who are represented by an ITF attorney in New Orleans." "It was lucky this crew had an ITF agreement. I've seen lots of foreign-flag ships without any kind of labor contract. If that had been the case, the crew probably would have been a lot worse off," Boudreaux said. Under terms of the ITF contract, the company must secure the crew members' employment within 30 days that is equal or greater to their jobs aboard the Champion Trader. Boudreaux noted that under the ITF contract, the engine cadet's next of kin is entitled to a death benefit of $60,000. Negotiations continue between the IlF attorney and the seaman's father with the company over the death settlement. For an accident on a flag-ofconvenience vessel, Boudreaux found the operating company's actions relatively on the up-andup. "I've seen so many other ships like these where you just can't pin down anyone responsible," he said. Other sources believe that the main reason for such cooperation is that the accident happened in U.S. waters, which quickly exposed the parties involved. SIU Bosun Deano said he believes the company "ignored the crew after the accident. When I boarded almost a week after the accident, after talking to the crew, I went out and personally got these guys phone cards. The company still hadn't found a way for the guys to call home." The company spokesman said that no complaints had been lodged by the crew against Transmarine Management. Chief Engineer George Adams recently praised fellow crew members aboard the Equality State for their smooth work during an emergency response drill. The exercise took place in October while the ship, part of the Ready Reserve Force, was docked in Houston . A reduced operating status (ROS) crew executed the drill. Adams extended a "thanks and well done to Bosun Neil Matthey, to all other SIU personnel and to former SIU personnel now sailing with the American Maritime Officers in licensed capacities aboard the Equality State for their fine performance during the drill, conducted aboard the vessel in coordination with Interocean Ugland Management's New Jersey office. "The drill consisted of enact- ing an emergency scenario involving fire and injuries to personnel in confined spaces. A high degree of realism was achieved by the use of smoke-emitting equipment." Adams explained that the drill started with a general alarm and mustering at the emergency gear locker. Crew members then donned protective clothing and entered the safe but smoke-filled shaft alley. From there, they evacuated two shipmates using a stokes litter. "Bosun Matthey, Electrician Lowell Lem, Steward Henry Manning and DEU Donnis Wars are commended for their high level of professionalism and the extra effort required to successfully complete this extensive and challenging drill," Adams concluded. More Progress in Storm Recove_ ry Progress continues in the port of San Juan, P.R. as the area works to overcome the wake of Hurricane Georges. Wrecked cranes have been replaced in San Juan Bay, which has helped area shipping. Seafarers are doing their part in the recovery, including Electrician Felix Passapera, pictured above. Overall, Georges caused about $1.7 billion in damage in Puerto Rico. Seafarers LOG 9 �phottos Engagements, weddings, pride in the achievements of children and grandchildren-these are the everyday events so important in the lives of SIU members, who often are away from home for several months at a time. As always, the LOG welcomes your photos and will publish them on a periodic basis. '10 Seafarers LOG January 'I 999 �:Job WeU Done' for Crew of S-L Crusader SANJUAN HOUSTON From Houston to Baltimore to New Jersey and San Juan-a run known as the Puerto Rico Express-the SIU crew of the Sea-I.And Crusader works with true team spirit. The photos accompanying this article were taken in San Juan and Houston when the container vessel paid off in those ports. His immediate chores completed, GVU Francisco Torres is ready to go ashore in San Juan. Sharing a few smiles in the ship's galley are (from left) Chief Cook Greg Johnson, SA Trinidad Sanchez, Steward/Baker Brenda Kamiya and Relief Steward/Baker Kim DeWitt. Crew members get together following the vessel's arrival in port. From the left are Chief Engineer Kevin Cooper, Recertified Bosun Roberto Diaz and AB Robert Grubbs. While in the port of San Juan, Recertified Bosun Roberto Diaz rigs a lashing. SIU Safety Director Ed Kelly (center) chats with Seafarers Angel Figueroa (left) and Mariano Lito aboard the Sea-Land Crusader. 'Model' Shipmates Aboard Global Link Some people take snapshots to help them recall events. Seafarer Robert Bakeman (photo below) takes a different approach when it comes to his sailing career. The AB creates models of the vessels on which he works, including most recently the Global Link. Among Bakeman's fellow crew members on the cable ship during a recent assignment in the Caribbean were (photo right) steward department members (from left) SAs Said Abdullah and Luis Filippetti, Cook/Baker Connie Gaines, Chief Steward Brandon Maeda and Chief Cook Willie Grear. Also recently sailing aboard the vessel (op@rat@d by Transoceanic Cable Ship Co. for Tyco) were {bottom right) Cook/Baker Brian Sargent, Chief Gook Wadsworth Jarrell and (bonom center) SAs Florenco Reyes and Richard Oliva-Ruiz. January 1999 Seafarers LOG 11 J �Year of Growth and Promise olitical action and solidarity with fellow trade unionists in 1998 were-as alwaysroutine for members of the Seafarers International Union. From joining the crucial fight against Proposition 226 in California to actively supporting pro-maritime candidates in the November elections, and from rallying with Avondale workers in New Orleans still seeking their first union contract to marching with members of the Transport Workers Union in Philadelphia who secured a fair pact following a 40-day strike, SIU members were on the front lines of the labor movement throughout the country. Yet, in a year of key political fights. a year when tensions repeatedly flared in the Persian Gulf, and a year when the maritime industry encountered an onslaught of new P regulations, what stood out most for Seafarers were job growth and future job opportunities. "When you look at the new jobs we gained in 1998, plus the growth opportunity that has emerged in the U.S.-flag cruise sector, it's clear that the SIU has a bright future," stated SIU President Michael Sacco. "Combine that type of progress with the improvements taking place at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, and I see very very positive developments for this membership." 1 More Jobs arly in the year. APL completed the reflagging of four Seafarers-crewed containerships under the Stars and Stripes that entered the U.S. Maritime Security Program. All four were constructed within the last four years and formerly flew the ensign of the Marshall Islands. Great Lakes division members welcomed the chance to crew three tug-barge units newly acquired by SIU-contracted companies: American Steamship Company's American Freedom and Ocean Venture, and Interlake Transportation, Inc.'s Pathfinder. Maritrans made history late in the year when it unveiled the country's first rebuilt double-hull barge, the SIU-crewed Maritrans 192. The company also launched the refurbished, double-hull tanker Diligence (purchased in 1997 from Chevron) with SIU members aboard. Those were not the only doublehull vessels to join the ranks of Seafarers-manned ships in 1998. In October and November, SIU members climbed the gangways of three "Double Eagle" tankers newly built in Newport News, Va. Operated by Interocean Ugland Management for Hvide Marine, the Diamond Shoals, Nantucket Shoals and Cape Lookout Shoals are scheduled to be joined by two more sister ships in 1999. Those vessels also will be crewed by the SIU. Around the time the first three Double Eagles were launched, Seafarers also greeted new employ- ment opportunities aboard the containership El Yunque, which will sail between Florida and Puerto Rico. A sister ship, the El Morro, will be crewed by SIU members early this year. Both vessels are operated by Sea Star Line, a joint venture that includes Totem Resources Corp., Matson and Sea-Barge Line Inc. America's sealift capacity increased as three newly built, SIUcrewed roll-on/roll-off vessels were christened in San Diego and New Orleans, respectively. On the West Coast, Seafarers crewed the USNS Watson and USNS Sisler, while in th Gulf, SIU members welcomed the Bob Hope-class vessel USNS Seay. The union also gained new jobs when it crewed the oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson (operate by Dyn Marine Services) and the Whether sailing aboard newly contracted vessels or longtime SIU-crewed ships, Seafarers remained dedicated to shipboard safety and efficiency. 12 Seafarers LOii January 1999 �SIU members in 1998 found new employment opportunities on ships operated by Maritrans, lnterocean Ugland Management, APL, Dyn Marine, Sea Star Line and other Seafarers-contracted companies. The union also welcomed three new SIUcrewed roll-on/roll-off ships which joined the U.S. Military Sealift Command's afloat prepositioning force. "harbor dass tractor tug Master~ operated by Crowley Maritime Services. Crowley plans five additional such tugs. 11 T he U.S.-flag cruise industry received a major boost when American Classic Voyages (parent company of SIU-contracted American Hawaii Cruises) announced plans for the first two deep sea passenger ships to be built in a U.S. yard in almost 50 years. That construction will take place at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. with completion of the first ship expected in late 2002. These will be the largest U.S. cruise ships in history, each capable of carrying about 1,900 passengers and measuring approximately 840 feet long. 1 ~E SITE or r OSE PH SACCO Ht E FIGHTING AND Similarly, in April, SIU-contracted Delta Queen Steamboat Company (also a subsidiary of American Classic Voyages) announced plans to build five cruise vessels that will sail along America's coastlines. Delta Queen expects the first of the group to sail sometime next year. New Facilfties hile new jobs last year usually dominated the headlines in the Seafarers LOG, one announcement arguably rivaled any other as the union's top story of 1998. On July 16, the SIU and the Paul Hall Center unveiled plans for the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School, a six-building complex projected to open within the next few months. This million-dollar facility, currently being constructed W /. .. , !Y near the center's main campus in Piney Point, Md. will help enable SIU members to efficiently meet many of the new safety requirements stemming from the 1995 amendments to the STCW convention as well as other new regulations. The school is designed to virtually duplicate shipboard environments, including types of fires that could occur on vessels. Moreover, the center and its Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship made numerous other improvements 1 in 1998, including the addition of state-of-the-art radar simulators, revamping of courses to ensure STCW compliance, and an expanded alliance with a professional education association. Elsewhere, the SIU purchased a building that will serve as the new union hall in New Orleans. Currently undergoing refurbishment, it is expected to open soon. Similarly, renovations are taking place at the SIU hall in Norfolk, Va. For the SIU, highlights in 1998 included groundbreaking for the Paul Hall Center's new fire fighting school (center photo), acquisition of a new SIU hall in New Orleans, improved training at the Lundeberg School and securing numerous new jobs for the membership. - ·#Xf ET Y SCHOOL January 1999 Seafarers LOG 13 �Cableship Crew Treated to BBQ, While Awaiting Berthing Space The task of the cableship Global Sentinal is a formidable one: laying 2,331 miles of fiber-optic cable that will connect the major cities of Alaska (Fairbanks, Anchorage, Whittier, Valdez and Juneau) to Seattle, Wash. While recently in Alaska, awaiting berthing space in the port of Seward, the crew and company technicians (totaling about 104 persons) were treated to a good old-fashioned cookout by the steward department. In addition to the regular barbecue fare, several of the crew members took out their fishing poles, or even just hand lines, and caught some fish, which also were put on the grill. Chief Steward Shawn R. Fujiwara, who sent the accompanying photographs to the Seafarers LOG, says "the weather was great, and the backdrop of the rugged mountains and glaciers was simply outstanding. Even the sun made its presence known." He also added that everyone had a great time and were well satisfied. The vessel, operated by Transoceanic Cable Ship Co. for Tyco, makes its home port in Portland, Ore. SIU members, officers and technicians line up at the second grill, manned by Cook/Baker Douglas Neubauer, for some serious chow. Captain Neel looks from the bridge with approval at the barbecue below. St.. Louis AMMV Dedicates Monument for WWil Mariners SIU President Commends Memorial ...., '' :: ~ ., ' • r .... ' .. ' .,,..,._ , Mariners aboard the Transoceanic Cable Ship Co.'s Global Sentinel are in the process of laying 2,331 miles of fiber-optic cable. ,,<T~'-r•?' :'\'! V.1\H-~ifo,.f'J:t Y.f\.fHNi-, ,r.,l<\l\") ':,"J'( .•,ltl...•'!l·.~> f.\;J\.\dJ V\-;tt..\l.~ ~TS. ff)PSnl fl (.ot.. !!~ NOV \\ 1 1,Nt. t' f;,(}\)\.\.:VJ\ 1<.t~t. A\lt -8 HOLIDAY GREETINGS 9The following holiday greetings did not arrive in time to be published in the December issue. To Mrs. Cynthia Bright Hope this day and every day finds you and our family doing their best. I can't be there this year, but my heart and soul are always with you all, at any time of the year. Love you always and forever. Roderick K. Bright To Marion Beeching Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Beech. You're a good friend. John Clarke To everyone behind the counter in Houston Merry Christmas to one and all. You are a great bunch of brothers and sisters in a great port. John Clarke To Andy and Josephine Lopez Feliz Navidad y Prospero Afio Nuevo to you and your family. Love you, Johnny Clarke To Mr. and Mrs. A. Hickman and family For 20 years, we have been 14 Seafarers LOG friends. And I want you to know I love you, in my own way. You've been there for me. God bless you today and every day. I wish only the best for you in all you do. I mean this from my heart. Your friend, Henry B. Edwards To my son, Casey Today is a special day for you, my son, but then to me you're special every day. I truly hope you enjoy this gift of life and you learn from it. I'm glad to be home for Xmas. You're my Xmas present 365 days a year. I love you, Casey. Love, Daddy (Henry B. Edwards) To my uncle Joseph Freeman You 're very special to me, and thank you for being there for me and Casey. We love you very much, even if you don't know it. Have a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. You deserve it. Your nephew, Henry (and Casey) Edwards To Jim and Dee Byers I hope this holiday season and the years to follow bring you joy and happiness. Love, Brenda in Tacoma Culminating a year-long project, the Samuel Parker Chapter of the American Merchant Marine and Naval Armed Guard veterans recently unveiled a stone monument in St. Louis recognizing merchant mariners and Navy armed guard members who died during World War II. The marker bears the merchant marine logo and an illustration of a Liberty ship, along with its inscriptions. The SIU participated in a recent dedication conducted by the St. Louis-based Samuel Parker Chapter of the American Merchant Marine and Naval Armed Guard veterans. During the November 11 ceremony, chapter members unveiled a stone monument in memory of U.S. merchant mariners and U.S. Navy armed guard members who lost their lives in World War II. The memorial is located at a veterans' cemetery in St. Louis. SIU President Michael Sacco, in a statement read during the observance, praised the local chapter for dedicating the monument. "You didn't just have a good idea, you took action," Sacco stated. "It is that kind of followthrough that characterizes America's merchant marine veterans. ''That's the commitment and determination that you showed during World War II, when you braved the ice of the North Atlantic and the fire of the South Pacific," he continued. ''That's the commitment and determination you showed when you kept going back to sea, even after enduring attacks by German U-boats that would have left lesser men too afraid to deliver the goods." He also commended the local chapter and everyone else involved in the arduous, but ultimately successful fights to secure veterans' status for World War II merchant seamen, including the recently enacted extension "that properly recognizes all World War II mariners as veterans." More than 200 people attended the dedication, including active and retired Seafarers, local government officials and representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard. An officer from the Samuel Parker Chapter said SIU Port Agent Becky Sleeper's reading of Sacco's statement "was gratefully received and there was more than one moist eye noticed. Your words certainly contributed to making our dedication a success." Virginia AMMV Chapter Announces Meeting Dates The Hampton Roads (Va.) Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans invites active and retired Seafarers to attend their meetings, which alternately take place in . Norfolk and Newport News. In 1999, the chapter is scheduled to meet at the SIU hall in Nor1olk on the last Saturdays of March, June, ,September and December (each starting at 10 a.m.). Meetings also are slated for the American Legion Post 25 clubhouse at 7609 Marshall Ave. in Newport News on the last Saturdays of January, April, July and October (also beginning at 10 a.m.). For more information, contact Max Simerly at (757) 4134318 or (757) 247-1656. January 1999 �Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea NOVEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 15, 1998 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals 7 9 3 0 4 4 19 16 17 7 13 1 9 3 4 7 5 9 2 6 2 3 1 2 3 0 0 7 2 0 298 122 67 213 0 115 39 25 29 45 11 8 39 2 0 15 17 8 10 10 4 8 New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans 11 11 3 5 I 7 5 6 12 2 2 2 lS 8 6 9 Jacksonville San Francisco 18 14 lS 1O 22 7 Pu~rto 0 4 9 0 9 11 I 0 Honolulu . Houston 10 9 10 4 6 7 Louis o 0 2 Rico DECK DEPARTMENT 13 18 6 5 9 5 2 4 4 4 0 14 4 IO IO 6 18 17 24 18 8 5 16 4 9 7 2 3 8 3 2 28 IO 6 11 44 1 2 1 l 3 t 0 1 3 1 2 2 0 5 0 0 2 54 103 380 153 83 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 8 12 5 0 0 2 0 1 5 6 2 7 2 2 8 I 1 8 5 6 4 9 6 10 3 11 19 3 1 7 6 s 2 7 6 2 6 9 3 1 10 14 5 3 4 0 173 0 0 57 17 40 11 75 10 0 0 19 0 23 0 0 0 61 207 171 681 491 296 Baltimore 0 Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco 2 4 4 Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals Totals All Departments 2 8 8 11 5 8 1 0 3 2 0 I 8 4 6 12 8 3 1 3 6 4 20 19 9 13 5 1 22 7 6 13 3 4 13 13 5 12 24 11 6 15 12 8 26 7 22 6 s 3 0 1 8 IO 0 4 6 4 5 0 2 0 12 0 8 46 0 6 8 30 33 3 22 I I 5 3 10 0 1 0 5 5 3 1 0 0 I 0 1 116 42 11 1 7 5 0 1 0 67 5 0 1 3 0 0 HECTOR BARNES Your daughter, Eleassier Balaga, is trying to get in touch with you. Please contact her c/o Mr. Carlton Bailey (of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in Oklahoma City) at (405) 231-5944, ext. LESTER JOSEPH GUELDNER SR. Anyone with information on Lester Joseph Gueldner Sr. and some of the ships on which he sailed is asked to contact his son, Cesaire GueldnerBinder, at P.O. Box 70473, Reno, NV 89570,· or Email him as cesairecj@aol.com. 0 0 8 4 3 0 0 0 0 250 67 15 0 LOG-A-RHYTHMS 0 Dreams by Albert W. Austin Jr. 223 906 197 9 3 3 Personals 124. 2 91 371 1 8 6 0 16 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 26 7 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 2 8 10 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 8 2 13 8 0 3 4 0 IO 10 0 3 5 7 0 1 6 7 0 2 5 3 0 51 4 20 0 8 0 3 0 0 0 0 12 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 106 137 35 I 0 0 1 2 Tacoma ................... Friday: February 26, March 26 Each port's meeting starts st 10:30 a.m. 4 5 15 11 7 27 8 St. Louis ................. Friday: February 19, March 19 0 1 6 6 1 0 25 9 San Juan ..................Thursday: February 11, March 11 Wilmington ............. Monday: February 22, March 22 0 38 0 New York ................Tuesday: February 9, March 9 2 3 114 9 4 2 New Orleans ........... Tuesday: February 16, March 16 San Francisco .........Thursday: February 18, March 18 185 2 3 Mobile .................... Wednesday: February 17, March 17 Philadelphia ............ Wednesday: February 10, March 10 0 3 Jersey City .............. We.dnesday: February 24, March 24 2 1 53 3 Jacksonville ............Thursday: February 11, March 11 4 0 3 0 0 I Houston .................. Tuesday: February 16*, New Bedford ..........Tuesday: February 23, March 23 26 3 Honolulu ................. Friday: February 19, March 19 Norfolk ...................Thursday: February 11, March 11 13 44 0 0 2 5 2 5 4 15 10 16 6 30 2 4 3 17 12 12 14 4 12 28 24 19 7 18 21 9 3 1 4 11 3 0 44 13 1 102 15 0 1 9 22 0 0 252 0 244 586 380 *''Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. January 1999 5 0 1 473 3 5 77 7 15 2 Philadelphia 0 7 4 2 39 2 2 13 9 5 20 15 11 19 2 8 0 0 I 10 12 10 10 14 1 3 0 I 0 Port New York 0 5 5 0 4 3 3 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 11 6 1 2 0 2 0 0 4 0 8 1 •change creatt'd by Presidents· Day holiday 59 5 4 3 Monday: March 15 3 15 9 5 5 17 3 6 4 0 6 0 11 3 105 4 1 18 15 15 12 4 14 15 5 149 1 0 0 0 40 40 Duluth ..................... Wednesday: February 17, March 17 4 7 6 1 1 109 10 3 25 54 8 Baltimore ................Thursday: February 11, March 11 12 3 16 IO 41 0 2 6 1 7 7 5 18 22 9 1 2 8 2 Port 16 5 Algonac Totals 8 3 22 25 13 27 4 12 14 9 Piney Point ............. Monday: February 8, March 8 Algonac .................. Friday: February 12, March 12 39 11 Piney Point New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals 4 7 8 12 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 28 23 7 7 1 2 0 St. Trip Reliefs 19 34 Port Wilmington Tacoma TOTAL smPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C February & March 1999 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters How did it all start? I don't know! Something that started A long time ago. I guess it was But a dream. Just a dream A young boy dreams. Of ships and boats That sail the sea. Someplace I thought I'd like to be. And now I'm old And my hair's turned gray. And I have sailed Many a day. On ships and boats That sail the sea. Some dreams 1 think Are meant to be. (This poem was written by AB Albert W. Austin Jr. while at sea aboard the USNS Integrity, October 20, 1998.) Seafarers LOG 15 �'seaiare.S 1ntMrarlonat'lln1on' .- Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes DllflOfory NOVEMBER 16 - Michael Sacco President . JobnFay CL - Company/Lakes ~utive Vice President .David Heindel *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP Secretary-Treasurer Augustin Tellez Vice President Contracts . Roy A. ~ock" Mercer Vice Pre1;ident Government Services Jack Caffey Vice President Atlantic Coast ByronKeUey Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters DeanCorgey Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone Vice President West Coast .. ~ Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac 0 23 10 0 19 2 0 7 4 0 19 18 DECEMBER 15, 1998 L-Lakes NP - Non Priority TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP DECK DEPARTMENT 0 15 7 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 13 2 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 6 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 13 9 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP 0 8 3 0 6 1 0 1 4 0 6 9 HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 . (30 l) 899-0675 ALGONAC . 520 St Clair River Dr. . Algonac, Ml 4800 l 21 18 0 0 68 34 0 47 Totals All Depts *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 17 (810) 794-4988 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #lC AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters An~horage, BALTIMORE 1216 B. Baltimore St. NOVEMBER 16 - Baltimore, Ml) 2120.2 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C (410) 327..4900 DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-4110 HONOLULU 606 1<'.atihi St Honolulu, HI 96819 (B08) ~45-~n2 Region Atlantic Coast 0 3 0 Lakes, Inland Waters 35 3 0 1 41 6 Gulf Coast West Coast Totals Region Aclantic Coast : : ::.Q9.: ~Qn~s9m~&.: $.t . · ·... ., ........... ,,,.,.,,,.,. fo:;ey City, NJ 07'J04 (201) 435-9424 MOBJLE 1640 Dauphin lsland Pkwy. Mobile, AL 36605 (334) 418-0916 NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St. New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave. 0 1 .~~$..,.: Wan9 . 'W~r~. J. Q. West Coast 0 17 Totals Region 0 Atlantic Coast 1 Gulf Coast Lakes, Inland Waters 15 West Coast 0 16 Totals Gulf Coast 5 .. 0 0 .Q 0 ... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 · o..... · 0 4 15 0 5 0 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C "5 0 4 12 0 5 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT . ,. ·<. 0 ' 0 8 () DECEMBER 15, 1998 . . .. 1 s 10 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 0 2 9 0 2 5 0 38 .··:o2 11 0 0 0 0 13 2 0 9 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 12 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 13 0 7 0 7 13 27 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 0 2 s New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 529-7546 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75 Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 .. :..'· :: SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St. San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop l 6Y2 Santurce, PR 00907 (781) 121-40~~ ST. LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave. St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 341 l South Union Ave. Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 18 Seafarers LOG Totals All Depts 74 6 17 31 5 12 64 9 *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 35 Pl C-FROM-THE-PAST This photo, sent to the Seafarers LOG by William Kellett of Lafayette, Colo. was taken on July 13, 1945 aboard the S.S. Fort George, a T-2 tanker. It was taken in Abadam, Persian Gulf and represents half the steward department aboard the vessel, which was crewed by SIU members. In the back row are William Kellett and Second Cook/Baker Enoch Bautista. Harry J. Hanssen is on the right, kneeling. Other members of the Fort George's steward department were Robert McMahan, Charles Wall Jr., Samuel B. Forrest Jr., Richard E. Jackson and Ralph Bennen Jr. In 1946, Kellett broke an ankle and returned home. He then worked for the U.S. Post Office and the National Bureau of Standards, retiring with a government pension. Kellett organized a local chapter of the Merchant Marine Veterans, which presently has approximately 100 members and meets every other month. Fifty years after World War 11 ended, Kellett, now 74, again got in contact with Hansen. It turns out both men are putting out newsletters for Merchant Marine Veterans chapters-Hansen in Maine and Kellett in Colorado. If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, it should be sent to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. Janual'J 1999 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their i working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. T hree recertified bosuns are among the 32 Seafarers announcing their retirements this month. Representing 96 years of active union membership, Recertified Bosuns Mauro DeLaCerda, Jerry K. McLean and Oscar C. Wiley Jr. are graduates of the highest level of training available to members in the deck depanment at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. On this page, the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of this month's retirees. DEEP SEA SANTIAGO R.ALVARA· DO, 66, first sailed with the Seafarers in , 1967 aboard ... the East Point . Victory. . Brother Alvarado sailed in the engine depanment and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. He last worked aboard tho Westward Venture, operated by lntcrocean Ugland Management. From 1948 to 1950, he served in the U.S. Army. Born in New Mexico, he makes his home in Seattle. WATT BLOOD· WORTH, 61, graduated from : the Andrew Furuseth Training School in 1962 and joined the SIU in the port of New Orleans . His first ship was the Alice Brown. The Louisiana native started out in the steward department and later transferred to the engine department. Brother Bloodworth last sailed aboard the Overseas Arctic and has retired to LaPlace, La. JOSEPHL. CLARK, 65, started his career with the Seafarers in 1970 in the port of Houston. A native of Texas, he sailed in the steward department and upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School. From 1952 to 1960, he served in the U.S. Navy. Brother Clark last sailed aboard the Liberty Star. He calls Houston home. MICHAELJ. COYLE,46, graduated • from the Harry Lunde berg School of Seamanship in 1971 and _..;;:c;"-----=~· joined the SIU in the port of New York. His first ship was the Achilles, a Newport Tankers Corp. vessel. Born in Philadelphia, he sailed in the engine department and frequently upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Brother Coyle last sailed aboard the Paul Buck, operated by Ocean Ships, Inc. He makes his home in Philadelphia. January 1999 RUBEN DeJESUS, 65, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1968 from the port of New York. Born in Puerto Rico, he worked in the engine department, last sailing aboard the Global Link, operated by Transoceanic Cable Ship Co. From 1956 to 1958, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother DeJesus has retired to St. Croix, V.I. MAURO DeLaCERDA, 63, first sailed with the SIU in 1968 aboard the Transorleans, a Hudson ~----~ Waterways Corp. vessel. A native of Texas, he saiJed in the deck department and upgraded at the Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1991. Prior to his retirement, Brother DeLaCerda last worked aboard the Maersk Tennessee. He calls Houston home. LIONEL DUNKINS, 63, started his career with the Seafarers in 1960 in the port of Houston. The Louisiana native sailed in the steward department and upgraded to chief cook at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retirement, he signed off the Dynachem, operated by Interocean Ugland Management. Brother Dunk.ins makes his home in Lake Charles, La. PATRICKL. DURNIN, 72, joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MC&S) in 1962 in the port of San ' - - - - - - - - • Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District (AGLIWD). Brother Durnin last sailed aboard the Sea-Land Independence. Born in Oregon, he has retired to Gig Harbor, Wash. MELVINL. GREEN, 73, began his sailing career in the I 940s and joined the SIU in 1961 in the port of San Francisco. The =~~~=___J Oklahoma native sailed in the steward department and upgraded at the Lundeberg School. He last worked aboard the Ogden Willamette, an Ogden Marine vessel. He was a veteran of WWII, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. Mena, Ark. is home to Brother Green. THOMAS E. HARRIS, 59, graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in 1962 and joined the SIU in the port of Baltimore. His first ship was the Flomar, operated by Calmar Steamship Corp. Born in Maryland, he sailed in the engine department and upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retirement, Brother Harris last worked aboard the LNG Capricorn. He has retired to Huntingdon, Tenn. WILLIE E. HOWARD, 65, started his career with the Seafarers in 1981 in the port of Seattle. The Arkansas native began working in the steward department and later transferred to the engine department. He upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School. Brother Howard last sailed in 1995 aboard the Sea-Land Reliance. From 1951 to 1954, he served in the U.S. Air Force. He makes his home in Pomono, Calif. AMOSJARAMILL0. 72. began sailing in the 1940s and joined the SIU in 1961 in the port of San Francisco. A native of Colo- '-'-----===-~ rado, he sailed in the engine department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retirement, he signed off the Sea-Land Reliance. Brother Jaramillo calls Seattle home. ANDERSON J.JORDAN JR., 65, graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in 1960 j and joined the ==--='-'-----!...111= Seafarers in the port of Mobile, Ala. His first ship was the Alcoa Partner. Brother Jordan sailed in the steward department and upgraded to chief cook at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retirement, he signed off a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. From 1951 to 1954, he served in the U.S. Army. Born in Florida, he makes his home in Mobile. JERRYK. McLEAN, 57, first sailed with the SIU in 1962 from the port of New Orleans, working aboard the Del 1-=::='--"'~:;..;;=__. Sud, operated by Mississippi Shipping Co. Brother McLean graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in 1963. The Tennessee native sailed in the deck department and frequently upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1980. Brother McLean last sailed aboard the Overseas New Orleans and has retired to Kingsport, Tenn. JACK A. MORGAN, 65, joined the Seafarers in 1952 in the port of Lake Charles, La., first sailing aboard the Cities Service T2 tanker French Creek.A native of Los Angeles, he sailed primarily in the steward department and upgraded i_:__...:.:::::== _J at the Lundeberg School. During his career, he also sailed aboard Great Lakes vessels and has worked in each of the three departments. He last sailed in 1993 aboard the SeaLand Hawaii. Brother Morgan caJls Wilmington, Calif. home. STANLEY C. PAEA, 65, started his career with the MC&S in 1957 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. The Hawaii native attended the MC&S training school in 1959. From 1952 to 1956, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Brother Paea makes his home in San Francisco . JOHNNY D.H.PARK, 66, joined the MC&S in 1969 in the port of San Francisco. before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. A native of Hawaii, he makes his home in Aiea. Brother Park served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. JAMESB. RICHARD· SON, 58, graduated from the MC&S training school in 1967 and joined the MC&S in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. Born in Mississippi, he upgraded his skills to chief cook at the Lundeberg School. Brother Richardson has retired to Henderson, Nev. BOBBY SPENCER, 61 , joined the Seafarers in 1961 in the port of New York, sailing aboard the Madaket, a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. He sailed in the engine department and frequently upgraded at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retirement, Brother Spencer signed off the Sea-La.nd Independence. The Georgia native served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. He makes his home in Westminster, S.C. WILLIAMC. STEELE, 57, started his career with the SIU in 1967 in Port Arthur, Texas. Born in Arkansas, he t--=====--.1 worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard the USNS Algol. From 1959 to 1960, he served in the U.S. Air Force. Brother Steele has retired to Jasper, Texas. LOUISJ. TALARICO, 66, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1958 aboard theA.M. Byers, a Great Lakes vessel. The Cleveland native later transferred to the deep sea division. Brother Talarico worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard the Sea-Land Discovery. From 1951to1955, he served in the U.S. Navy. He calls Tucson, Ariz. home. JOHN E. WARD,71, first sailed with the SIU in 1946 from the port of New Orleans. The deck ==-===== department member last sailed in 1991 aboard the Del Mar, a Delta Steamship Co. vessel. A native of Mississippi, he makes his home in Clinton. WILLIAMC. WEEKLEY SR., 56, started his career with the Seafarers in 1968. Born in Alabama, he sailed in the engine department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retirement, he signed off the HM/ Defender, operated by Interocean Ugland Management. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963. Brother Weekley has retired to Bay Minette, Ala. OSCARC. WILEY JR., 59, began sailing with the SIU in 1967, aboard the Steel Artisan, ~ operated by =---'= Isthmian Lines. Born in Alabama, he sailed in the deck department and upgraded at the Lundeberg School, where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1987. Brother Wiley last sailed aboard the USNS Chesapeake. From 1956 to 1957, he served in the U.S. Army. He makes his home in Oakland, Calif. BERTRAND A. WRIGHT, 62, first sailed with the Seafarers in 1958 from the port of Mobile, Ala., aboard the Warrior, a Waterman Steamship Corp. vessel. He graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in 1959 and worked in the steward qepartment, last sailing aboard the Cape Jacob, operated by American Overseas Marine. During his career, he was active in union organizing drives. The Alabama native calls Mobile home. - Continued on page 20 Seafarers LOG 17 ~ J 1 �Anal Departures DEEP SEA the Lundeberg School. From 1953 to 1955, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a resident of Brandon, Fla. and re ti red in January 1987. VAGN ANDERSEN Pensioner Vagn Andersen, 84, passed away September 23, , 1998. Born in Denmark, he first sailed with the Seafarers in 1956 aboard the ...,_____ _ _ _ ___. Montebello Hills. Brother Andersen sailed in the steward department and began receiving his pension in November 1979. He was a resident of San Francisco. CAROL H. CARROLL Carol H. Carroll, 65, passed away October 24, 1998. Born in Illinois, she started her career with the Seafarers in 1991 in the port of Wilmington, Calif. She sailed in the steward department and upgraded her skills at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Sister Carroll was a resident of Etna, Calif. VICTOR A. COVER Pensioner Victor A. Cover, 80. passed away November 5, 1998. A native of New Jersey, he joined the Seafarers in 1947 in the port ~-----'---'=..I of Philadelphia. Brother Cover sailed in the engine department as a chief electrician and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. From 1939 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. A resident of Rocky Mount, N.C., he began receiving his pension in November 1983. ANACLETO DELGADO Pensioner Anacleto Delgado, 88 died November I, 1998. He started his career with the SIU in 1946 in the port of New '------=~--"'=---'York. A native of Puerto Rico, he sailed in the deck department. During his career, he was active in union organizing drives. Brother Delgado resided in Rio Piedras, P.R. and retired in December 1975. LAURI A. EDSTROM Pensioner Lauri A. Edstrom, 85, passed away October 17, 1998. Brother Edstrom began sailing with the Seafarers in 1944 from the ==---==----===i port of Galvest on, Texas. Born in Finland, he worked in the steward department as a chief cook. During his career, he was active in union organizing drives. A resident of Finland, he began receiving his pension in September 1975. EDWIN M. FELKER Pensioner Edwin M. Felker, 71, died November 10, 1998. Born in Georgia, he joined the SIU in 1947 in the port of New Orleans. Brother Felker sailed in the steward department and upgraded to chief cook at 18 Seafarers LOG BENJAMIN E. FOWLER Pensioner ' Benjamin E. Fowler, 78, ' passed away October 27, 1998. A native of Georgia, he began sailing with the Seafarers in 1968. Brother Fowler worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard the Ogden Leader, operated by Ogden Marine, Inc. A resident of Cumming, Ga., he started receiving his pension in August 1986. i...:.__======.i LUIGI GALLO Pensioner Luigi Gallo, 84, died October 20, 1998. Brother Gallo was a charter member of the SIU. havini joined the union in 1938 in the port of New York. Born in Maine. he sailed in the deck department and was active in union organizing drives. A reddent of Chid:a~aw, Ala .. he retired in October 1977. FRANCISCO A. GONZALEZ Pensioner Francisco A. Gonzalez, 75, passed away October 17, 1998. He joined the Seafarers in 1948 in the port of Baltimore. A .___ _ _ _ __, native of Puerto Rico, he sailed in the steward department and started receiving his pension in December 1986. Brother Gonzalez resided in Arecibo, P.R. PAUL C. GUILLORY Pensioner Paul C. Guillory, 79, died October 10, 1998. He began sailing with the SIU in 1957 from the port of Lake Charles, La. ~~~=====~:::!l Brother Guillory worked in the engine department, first sailing aboard the Bents Fort. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army, from 1941 to 1945. A native of Louisiana, he retired to Mamou in July 1984. SATURNINO HERNANDEZ Pensioner Saturnina Hernandez, 79, passed away November 9, 1998. A native of Puerto Rico, he joined the Seafarers in =-==..:...--=== 1943 in the port of New York. His first ship was the John McDonogh, operated by Waterman Steamship Corp. During his career, he sailed in the deck department and was active in union organizing drives. Prior to his retirement in August 1981, Brother Hernandez signed off the San Pedro, a Sea-Land Service vessel. He was a resident of Aguadilla, P.R. PAUL JAKUBCSAK Pensioner Paul Jakubcsak, 80, died October 17, 1998. He joined the SIU in 1942 in his native New York. Brother Jakubcsak sailed as a chief steward and began receiving his pension in December 1965. He was a resident of Flushing, N.Y. RAYMOND K. KIRBY career with the SIU in 1967 in the port of Wilmington, 1 Calif., sailing in the engine department. Brother Mitchell served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. A resident of Canby, Ore., he started receiving his pension in September 1992. PATRICK T. WILKINSON NORMAN OKRAY INLAND Pensioner Norman Okray, 77, died October 25, 1998. Brother Okray joined the Seafarers in 1943 in the port of New York. A native of Michigan, he sailed in the deck department. He was a resident of Baltimore and began receiving his pension in March 1982. Walter L. Blume, 48, died September 23, 1998. A native of Texas, he first sailed with the SIU in 1989. Boatman Blume sailed as an engineer, primarily aboard vessels operated by G&H Towing. He was a resident of Galveston, Texas. Pensioner Patrick T. Wilkinson, 70, passed away November 24, 1998. Born in Missouri, he joined the SIU in 1967 in the port of St. Louis. Starting out in the inland division, he later transferred to deep sea vessels. Brother Wilkinson sailed in the deck department and began receiving his pension in February 1990. He lived in Paducah, Ky. From 1945 to 1951, he served in the U.S. Navy. WALTER L. BLUME Pensioner Raymond K. Kirby, 83, passed away October 16, 1998. Born in Oklahoma, he WILBERT W. MAIN began his ====~___,,...,.., Pensioner career with the Wilbert W. '-'----====-----' Marine Cooks WOODROW W. REID Main, 56, died and Stewards (MC&S) in 1953 from November 6, Pensioner the port of San Francisco, before 1998. A native WoodrowW. that union merged with the SIU's Reid, 83, passed of North Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Carolina, he away October Waters District (AGLIWD). A resibegan his career 30, 1998.The dent of Daly City, Calif., Brother South Carolina with the Kirby retireo in March 1978. native started = = = Seafarers in his career with 1960 from the port of Norfolk, Va. the SIU in 1944 Boatman Main last sailed as a capBRADFORD L. MACK in the port of tain. A resident of Blounts Creek, Bradford L. N.C., he started receiving his penBaltimore. He sailed in the steward Mack, 50, died sion in December 1992. department and retired in August October 20, 1979. Brother Reid made his home 1998. Brother in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Mack graduated JOHN L. SANBORN from the John L. Lunde berg Sanborn, 58, School's entry Linda L. Schell, passed away level training 48, died August September 22, ,., program in 24, 1998. Sister 1998. Born in 1966 and joined the Seafarers in the Schell began New York, he port of Mobile, Ala. His first ship sailing with the joined the SIU was the Tamara Gui/den. He sailed Seafarers in in 1995 in the in the steward department as a chief 1987 from the port of Houston. cook and was a resident of Long port of Houston. __:'fl..::'·= He sailed as a Beach, Calif. The Alabama native Born in Oregon, tugboat captain and upgraded freserved in the U.S. Army from 1969 -'-'-----"-='-"-'-'==.. she worked in quently at the Lundeberg School. to 1971. the steward department and upgraded From 1961 to 1964, he served in the at the Lundeberg School, where she U.S. Army. Boatman Sanborn lived graduated from the steward recertifiDISCORO MILITAR in Eatontown, N.J. cation program in 1990. She was a Pensioner resident of Kent, Wash. Discoro Militar, 98, passed away GREAT LAKES September 28, HARRY N. SCHORR 1998. A native Pensioner Harry of the EDWARD W. BRINK N. Schorr, 86, Philippines, he passed away " Edward W. started his September 26, Brink, 69, career with the 1998. He joined passed away SIU in 1943 in the SIU in 1953 September I , the port of New York. Brother in the port of 1998. Brother Militar sailed as a chief steward and New York. Brink joined the began receiving his pension in During his Seafarers in December 1973. He lived in ....._~-""""""""" career, he sailed 1959 in the port Hercules, Calif. in the steward department and was of Duluth, active in union organizing drives. A ======= Minn. He sailed HERBERT A. MILLARD veteran of World War II, he served in as a member of the engine departthe U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. A r~jiii;jijjii!iiiiiia--, Pensioner ment. The Ohio native served in the resident of Hemet, Calif., Brother Herbert A. U.S. Army from 1947 to 1950. Schorr began receiving his pension Millard, 71, Brother Brink was a resident of in March 1977. died October Clyde, Mich. 15, 1998. He joined the FREDERICK WIDPP Seafarers in TERRANCE W. HENRETTA ....,....--:::;~~:::;;;:;;:;:;:;:;;::::::i Pensioner 1964 in the port ., Terrance W. '"• ' Frederick of Houston. His Whipp, 86, died Henretta, 58, ==--===== first ship was October 31, passed away the Niagara, operated by Sea 1998. Brother October 27, Transport Inc. The Ohio native sailed Whipp started 1998. Brother in the engine department and retired his career with in August 1990. Brother Millard was Henretta joined the Seafarers in a resident of San Francisco. From the Seafarers in 1956 in the port , 1944 to 1946, he served in the U.S. 1971 in the port ..._====== of Baltimore. A ===....:=-:====i of Navy. Detroit. A native of Maryland, he sailed in the native of Pennsylvania, he sailed in engine department and attended an EDWARD G. MITCHELL the deck department. From 1959 to educational conference at the 1964, he served in the U.S. Marine Lundeberg School in 1970. He was a Pensioner Edward G. Mitchell, 71, Corps. He was a resident of resident of Baltimore and retired in passed away November 6, 1998. January 1978. Belleville, Mich. Born in Massachusetts, he started his i.;;.,;..._ January 1999 �pigest ~f Shipboard· . Union Meetings ·''the Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests otunion shipboard minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space " limitations, some will be omitted. · .Ships mlnutestlrst are reviewed by the union's contract depadment. Th~s~ ~~UBS; requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union · · ·· upon.111c.elpt.ol the shipsJ minutes. The minutes are then forwarded · . :. · ·· to the Seafarers LOG for publication. MAERSK TEXAS (Maersk Line), July 19-Chairman John M. Zepeda, Secretary Donna M. DeCesare, Educational Director Dan Gibbons, Deck Delegate Joseph Sauzek, Steward Delegate Pablo Alvarez. Chairman announced payoff in Charleston, S.C. July 21. Secretary advised crew members to help keep ship clean by returning dishes to galley and being careful with dirty shoes. Educational director stressed importance of upgrading at Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Treasurer announced $224 in movie fund but noted that with such short port time, movies have not been purchased recently. He will try to buy some this trip. No beefs or disputed OT reported in deck or steward departments. Engine delegate requested clarification of crane overtime to eliminate future problems. Crew requested infonnation on outcome of contract negotiations. Question raised re~arding supper relief for helmsman. Larger ice machine needed; alttrt\a.tivcly. individual refrigerators needed in each room. Next pon; Freeport, Bahamas. $EA LllJN (Crowley American :Fransport), August 17-Chairman Don Hamrick, Secretary Patton L, Cnldwell, Educational Director Rkhard Hannon. Chairman reminded crew of necessi y o paying dues. He also reminded everyone to take time to ensure working spaces are clean, orderly and safe. Al owing clutter to build up without corrective action will, at some point, endanger safety of those aboard vessel. Special care should be given when using hand tools. Educational director urged eligible crew members to take advantage of upgrading courses available at Paul Hall Center. Captain will purchase movies for crew; is accepting requests. Several beefs reported which were resolved at meeting. Next port: New York. OVERSEAS NEW YORK (Maritime Overseas), September 26-Chairman J. Carlos Loureiro, Secretary Nancy Heyden, Educational Director Edward Self, Deck Delegate Ray Shinpoch. Chairman announced payoff in Richmond, Calif. September 29. Steward asked crew to exercise more caution when walking around ship with cups of coffee. Crew requested ice machine for crew mess since galley to be kept locked at night. Educational director encouraged members to apply for upgrading courses at Piney Point to increase skills and be up-to-date on new required courses. He also reminded everyone to get training record books (TRBs) as soon as possible. Thanks given to first engineer, who donated money to ship's movie fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Deck department thanked SIU Apprentice Kevin McArdell for doing great job on deck during his month with them, and steward delegate noted apprentice is now with them and has also been doing great job. Clarification requested on penalty work (rest periods) for deck day workers on port watches. Crew also requested clarification on how to handle situation when someone ships out and gets noti- January 1999 tied after joining vessel that he got accepted into course at Piney Point and needs to report to school for class after only month or two after signing on. AIJ members asked to keep noise down on deck and not slam doors since there is always someone off watch trying to sleep. Thanks given to steward department for good food. Thanks also given to new DEU, Guy Leary, for great job. Next ports: Ferndale, Wash. and Richmond. SEA-LAND NAVIGATOR (SeaLand Service), September 13Chairman Werner Becher, Secretary Lynn N. McCluskey, Educational Director Daniel Dean, Deck Delegate Gregorio C. Cudal, Engine Delegate Benny A. Orosco. Chairman stated payoff to take place September 18 in port of Tacoma, Wash. Crew members advised to keep room doors locked while in port and have set of linen ready for replacement personnel. Educational director urged everyone to put in application for upgrading courses at Lundeberg School. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Report from headquarters announced larges:t fire fighting school in country dedicated to marine-related tires: to be built in Piney Point. It is scheduled to open in 1999 and will be named in memory of former Vice President oe h co. u ·on mad reserve one washing machine for greasy clothing and one for regular laundry. Vote of thanks given to steward department for good meals. Next ports: Tacoma; Oakland, Calif. SEA-LAND PACIFIC (Sea-Land Service), September 27Chairman Lothar Reck, Secretary Richard Paulson, Educational Director E.B. Perreira, Deck Delegate Julius C. Udan, Steward Delegate Thomas Gingerich. Chairman reminded crew members that TRB is needed to ship. He noted that while shipping has been fairly good, union needs to keep ever vigilant in order not to lose jobs. One way to help is by contributing to SPAD. Educational director added that upgrading skills at Lundeberg School is another way to keep union strong. Treasurer announced $182 in movie fund and $2.54 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Everyone asked to continue to do good jobs. LIBERTY SPIRIT (Liberty Maritime), October 11-Chairman Reginald Watkins, Secretary Albert Coale Jr., Educational Director J. Badgett, Deck Delegate Ron G. Owens, Engine Delegate Guadalupe Campbell, Steward Delegate Peter L. Crum. Chairman reminded crew members of payoff October 17 and asked all those getting off to make sure rooms are ready for replacements, dirty linen put in bags and all dishes and silverware returned to galley. Secretary noted upgrading at Paul Hall Center can help Seafarers comply with various new regulations impacting mariners. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion made to reduce number of days required for retirement MAERSK CALIFORNIA (Maersk Line), October 20Chairman Nathaniel A. Allin, Secretary Elena R. Curley, Educational Director Floyd Acord, Deck Delegate Eugenio S. deSousa, Steward Delegate S. Suraredjo. Chairman passed on message from Maersk Lines that, as of August 1998, unlicensed personnel welding on board ship will receive penalty rate. He thanked crew for outstanding job and asked everyone to help keep ship clean"it's always easier when everyone chips in." Secretary asked members to turn in bedding before arrival in Charleston, S.C. for laundry service. Educational director stressed need to obtain TRBs. He also handed out upgrading applications for Piney Point courses. Treasurer announced $22 in ship's fund. Anyone wishing to contribute to fund for future purchase of movies is welcome to do so. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Discussion held on articles in LOG, including President's Report and status of Ready Reserve Fleet. Many crew members had served on prepositioning ships in past. Inquiries made regarding allotments as well as collection of unemployment benefits to be sent to contracts department. Crew requested steward department to order new pillows and shower curtains. Brother deSousa worked with captain on purchase of gym equipment. The weights should be in Charleston upon arrival. Hearty cheer given to steward department, "which is by far the best any of us has had the pleasure to sail with. We all have to call Weight Watchers before vacation." Next pons: Rotterdam, Holland; LeHavre, France; and Miami. OVeRSEAS VIVIAN (Maritime Overseas), October 2-Chairman Robert Zepeda, Secretary Matthew Scott, Educational Director M. W. R b rso , Deck Delegate Stanley Williams, Steward Delegate Louis C. Johnson. Chairman announced payoff in Lake Charles on or about October 6. New crew lounge furniture now aboard ship. Crew members encouraged to check z-cards for expiration and obtain TRBs in order to continue sailing. Secretary reminded everyone payoff cannot occur until patrolman settles all beefs. Educational director recommended upgrading at Piney Point to increase job skills. Some disputed OT reported in deck department. None reported by engine and steward delegates. ROBERT E. LEE (Waterman Steamship), October 12Chairman Eugene T. Grantham, Secretary Miguel A. Pabon, Educational Director Keith L. Jordan Jr., Engine Delegate L. Craig. Chairman noted good trip with payoff in New Orleans. Question raised about payment for Paul Hall holiday. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Response received from headquarters regarding previous question on retirement Suggestion made that DEUs rotate weeks in engine and deck departments. Crew requested cable for TV in crew quarters. Also asked that air conditioner in crane be insulated to prevent seepage of gas from stacks. Next ports: Morehead City, N.C. and New Orleans. SEA-LAND CHALLENGER (Sea-Land Service), October 11Chairman Roy Williams, Secretary Donna Jean Clemons, Educational Director Sellers T. Brook, Deck Delegate John T. Emrich, Engine Delegate Rebecca Gaytan, Steward Delegate Joseph F. Laureta. Chairman told crew members of his vacation following payoff in Long Beach, Calif. on October 15. Secretary reported $40 in movie fund after purchase of three new videos. Educational director urged crew members to take advantage of facilities at Lundeberg School for upgrading skills and wages. He also reminded them of necessity of applying for TRBs. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department thanked for good meals and clean ship. Next port: Oakland, Calif. SEA-LAND EXPEDITION (SeaLand Service), October 3Chairman M. Rivera, Secretary Franklyn Cordero, Educational Director Frank Bemer, Engine Delegate Jose E. Villot, Steward Delegate Robert T. Arana. Bosun reminded all crew members to work as safely as possible in port and at sea and to separate garbage same day. He asked those getting off ship to get clean linens for replacement personnel and reminded crew members to keep doors locked in port. Secretary thanked chief cook for preparing fresh tuna in Guam. Educational director stated importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center to fill union jobs and earn better pay. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman read President's Report in LOG to crew members and discussed trouble spots around globe and importance of maintaining U.S.-crewed, U.Sflagged merchant fleet. Vote of thanks given to steward department for well-prepared meals. Next ports: Tacoma, Wash. and Oakland, Calif. Pushing Education With Each Meal Ovidio Crespo, who sails as a cook aboard the Sam Houston, serves up another delicious meal to his fellow crew members. Crespo notes that the master and crew on the Waterman Steamship vessel thanked the galley gang for a job well done this voyage. In addition to his cooking role, Crespo is an advocate for the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md., stressing the need for all Seafarers to continue their education by upgrading their skills--for their job security and for the future of the union. from regular trash in order to comply with new ocean dumping laws. He also noted importance of getting TRBs to continue sailing. Secretary stated vessel rerouted to Jacksonville, Fla., San Juan, P.R. and Rio Haina, Dominican Republic to help with hurricane relief efforts. Educational director stressed importance of donating to SPAD and upgrading at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew members thanked SIU President Michael Sacco for job security, especially in military field. Vote of thanks given to steward department for fine job. Next port: Jacksonville. SEA-LAND EXPLORER (SeaLand Service), October 20Chairman Edward M. Cain, Secretary William Burdette, Educational Director Ramona P. Gayton, Deck Delegate James D. Morgan, Engine Delegate Jesus Pilare, Steward Delegate Abdul Gabar H. Ahmed. Secretary noted that, while in Shanghai, unauthorized people (mainly Chinese dock guards) have been entering house unescorted for food and juice. Educational director stated clarification needed on who should sign off on TRBs. Treasurer announced $550 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported in deck and steward departments. Engine delegate noted some disputed OT regarding rate for burning trash. Steward delegate also reported on death of Chief Cook (and good friend) Bradford Mack. Collection to be taken up for family of Brother Mack. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND NAVIGATOR (SeaLand Service), October 18Chairman Werner Becher, Secretary Lynn N. McClusky, Educational Director Edmond Hawkins Jr., Deck Delegate Gregorio C. Cudal. Chairman announced good trip; crew worked well together. Arrival in Tacoma expected October 23 with payoff SEA-LAND RELIANCE (SeaLand Service), October 4Chairman Lance X. Zollner, Secretary Jill M. Prescott, Educational Director Lorance Pence, Deck Delegate Dennis J. Goodwin, Engine Delegate William E. Cassel, Steward Delegate Edward J. Rue. Chairman reported good voyage with plenty of quality work being performed. Secretary thanked crew for helping keep living spaces and common areas clean. Educational director reminded crew members to turn in TRBs for mate to sign off on drills, training, etc. LOG has articles on procedures for using TRBs. No beefs or disputed OT in deck and steward departments. Some disputed OT reported in engine department. Requests made to keep laundry room door closed when doing laundry at night and keep volume down on TV during meal hours. Bosun suggested double-bagging plastic trash for more sanitary conditions. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. STONEWALL JACKSON (Waterman Steamship), October 11-Chairman Ramon Castro, Secretary Claude C. Hollings III, Educational Director M. B. Santos. Chairman informed crew members of STCW requirements, including fire fighting, fire prevention, first aid and personal safety/ social responsibilities. TRBs also needed in order to register to ship. Educational director advised going to Piney Point to upgrade skills and earn more money. He also stressed importance of keeping SIU on top by contributing to SPAD. Treasurer announced $750 in ship's fund. No beefs or disput~d OT reported. Recommendation to reduce amount of sea time needed for retirement to be sent to contracts department. While in Suez Canal, everyone asked to keep doors closed. Vote of thanks given to steward department for good work. Next port: New Orleans. Seafarers LOG 19 �SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR GREAT LAKES TUG AND DREDGE PENSION PLAN This is a summary of the annual report for the Great Lakes Tug and Dredge Pension Plan, EIN 13-1953878, Plan No. 003, for the period January I, 1997 through December 31, 1997. The annual report has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Basic Financial statements Benefits under the plan are provided through a trust fund. Plan expenses were $1,439,884. These expenses included $184, 141 in administrative expenses and $1,255,743 in benefits paid to participants and beneficiaries. A total of 567 persons were participants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the plan year, although not all of these persons had yet earned the right to receive benefits . The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $24,527 ,804 as of December 31, 1997, compared to $22,322,968 as of January l, 1997. During the plan year, the plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $2,204,836. This increase includes unrealized appreciation and depreciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the difference between the value of the plan's assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at the beginning of the year or the cost of assets acquired during the year. The plan had a total income of $3,644,720, including employer contribution of $239,143, employee contributions of $27,851, realized gains of $682,693 from the sale of assets, and earnings from investments of $2,695,033. Minimum Funding Standards An actuary's statement shows that enough money was contributed to the plan to keep it funded in accordance with the minimum funding standards of ERISA. Your Rights To Additional Information You have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request. The items listed below are included in that report: l. an accountant's report; 2. assets held for investment; 3. transactions in excess of 5 percent of plan assets; 4. service provider and trustee information; and 5. actuarial information regarding the funding of the plan. To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call Board of Trustees of Great Lakes Tug & Dredge Pension Plan, 5201 Auth Way. Camp Springs, MD 20746; telephone (301) 899-0675. The charges to cover copying costs will be $2.80 for the full repon, or 10 cents per page for any part thereof. You also hnve the right to roooive from the plan administrator, on request and at no charie. a srntement of 115:;elli and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or a statement of income and expenses of the J)lan and accompanying notes, or both. If you roquMt 11 CODY Of the full annual report from the plan administrator. these two statements and accompanying notes will be included as pan of 1hat reporr. The charge to cover copying co:m given above doo:; not include a charge for the copying or these portions of the repon because these portions arc furnished without charge. You also have the legally protech:id right to examine the annual report !lt the main office of the plilll (Board of Trustees of Great Lakes Tug & Dredge Pension Plan. 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746-4211) and at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in Wa:>hington D.C., or to obtain a ~opy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment of copying 1rosts. RC(luescs co the DOL should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room, N-j63K, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington DC 20210. SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR SEAFARERS MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLAN This is a summary of the annual report for the Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan, EIN 52-1994914, Plan No. 001. for the period January I, 1997 through December 31, 1997. The annual report has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ER ISA). Seafaring wives (above right) arrived at the picket site in a multi-colored bus, complete with banners showing their views, and shared in their support for the striking Steelworkers. As Seafarers joined the picket lines in support of Steelworkers Local 7945 in Tacoma, Wash. recently. many were accompanied by their wives and other family members. Arriving at the picket site in a multi-colored bus bearing banners reading "Women Supporting Unions," the group helped carry signs protesting Kaiser Aluminum's treatment of Lhe Steelworkers and provided welcome snacks throughout the day for the picketers. Kaiser Aluminum wants to cut employment levels at all five of its plants (two in Spokane, Wash. and one each in Newark, Ohio; Tacoma, Wash. and Gramercy, La.), including 32 jobs at the Tacoma site. The company also wants the right to contract out hundreds of other jobs. Under Kaiser's new proposal, wages, pensions and health insurance benefits would not conform to industry standards (like those at Alcoa or Reynolds). Additionally, Kaiser's proposal of a five-year contract would lock the SLeelworkers into a substandard agreement with no hope of improvement. Giving Support and Java, Too! Chief Steward Scott Opsahl (second from left) of Tacoma, Wash. shows his support for the striking Steelworkers by donating coffee and services from his mobile espresso van which he built in between tours of duty. "It definitely takes the edge off the picket line." says Opsahl, as he pours a hot double mocha grande for a brother Steelworker. Opsahl. a member since 1 80, started his SIU career as a waiter aboard the SS Independence. He attributes his perfect scores with the countless health inspectors throughout Washington state to the upgrading program at Piney Point, Md., which emphasizes sanitation. Opsahl, who traded in his beer mug for a thermal coffee cup two years ago, also thanks the union's ARC program for helping him. Besides county fairs, festivals and Harley-Davidson events, he also offers his services to the United Way and other non-profit organizations, donating to them a percentage of his gross sales. With him in the above photo are Skip Prior (an AFSCME representative who is documenting the U.S. labor movement) and some of the camera crew filming the picket and striking Steelworkers. Basic Financial Statement Benefits under the plan are provided through a trust fund. Plan expenses were $26,472. These expenses included $26,472 in administrative expenses. A total of 3,958 persons were participants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the plan year. The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $2,018,318 as of December 31, 1997, compared to $568,467 as of January l, 1997. During the plan year, the plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $1,449,851. This increase includes unrealized appreciation and depreciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the difference between the value of the plan's assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at the beginning of the year or the cost of assets acquired during the year. The plan had a total income of $1,476,323, including employer contributions of $1,386,906, employee contributions of $10,952, and earnings from invescments of $78,465. Your Rights To AddHional Information You have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request. The items listed below are included in that report: I. an accountant's report; 2. assets held for investment; 3. transactions in excess of .5 percent of plan assets; and 4. service provider and trustee infonnation. To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call Board of Trustees Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746; telephone (301) 899-0675. The charge to cover copying costs will be $1.60 for the full annual report, or 10 cents per page for any part thereof. You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or a statement of income and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both. If you request a copy of the full annual report from the plan administrator, these two statements and accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copying costs given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the report because these portions are furnished without charge. You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the main office of the plan (Board of Trustees Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan, 520 I Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746) and at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in Washington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from the U.S . Department of Labor upon payment of copying costs. Requests to the DOL should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room, N-5638, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. 20 Seafarers LOG Pensioners JIMMIEL. CRABTREE, Continued from page 17 INLAND CHARLESR. CHARNOCK,62, first sailed with the Seafarers in 1970. The Virginia native = = = = = = = upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School and graduated from the towboat operators program in 1973. Boatman Charnock sailed as a captain, primarily with Piney Point Transportation and last signed off the M. Jeanne Dudley. He makes his home in Tangier, Va. ENRIQUE CLEMENTE, 49, joined the SIU in 1979 in Puerto Rico. Born in New York, he sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Boatman Clemente sailed primarily aboard Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. vessels. He has retired to Rio Piedras, P.R. 54, started his career with the Seafarers in 1977. A native of California, he sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retirement, he signed off the Valour, a Maritrans vessel. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1967. Boatman Crabtree calls Tampa, Fla. home. WILLIAM P. DANIEL, 56, joined the SIU in 1967. Born in Virginia, he sailed as a captain and upgraded at the Lundeberg School. Prior to his retirement, he signed off the tug Sea Tern, operated by Allied Towing Co. Boatman Daniel makes his home in Chesapeake, Va. THOMASB. HANN, 65, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1980 from the port of Wilmington, Calif. Boatman Hann worked as an engineer, last sailing aboard the Spartan, a Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. vessel. From 1953 to 1955, he served in the U.S. Army. A native of Massachusetts, he has retired to Plymouth. RALPHV. HUGHES, 62, first saiJed with the SIU in 1957. Boatman Hughes sailed in the engine department. Prior to his retirement, he last sailed aboard a Moran Towing Co. vessel. The New Jersey native makes his home in Pennsauken. RICHARDB. JERVAS, 65, started his career with the Seafarers in 1980 in the port of Philadelphia. Born in New Jersey, he started out in the steward department and later transferred to the deck department. Boatman Jervas last sailed aboard a Crowley Towing & Transportation Co. vessel. From 1953 to 1956, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He calls Camden, N.J. home. January 1999 �(Editor's note: the Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer's intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.) Carnival Cruise Ships Still Don't Get It I finally saw a news brief about the results of the NationaJ Transportation Safety Board's findings and recommendations to the Carnival Co. after their near disaster July 20. The bold type heading simply stated, "Cruise ships urged to clean laundry vents." That was three months ago. It is a moot point. What needs to be addressed is the attitude and arrogance of the Carnival officials during the ship's fire. Does a piece of paper confirming their vents are clean give them carte blanche privileges to begin cruises again? Did the board forget the evasive and disingenuous communication from the captain to the Coast Guard7 Some sources indicate that had they entered international walers, they would have ignored any outside intervention. Thanks to the tenacity of the U.S. Coast Guard, a potentially volatile situation was averted. If it were not for the seriousness of the situation, cleaning vents would be considered a joke. What of passengers' complaints about the lack of communication? The Jast thing a passenger needs, when querying the ever-condescending cabin person about a smoke-filJed room, is a bow from the waist, a toothy grin and a blank stare. Anthony Nottumo Villas, N .J. .. . A Different Perspective On Keeping Jones Act The letter below was written in response to a letter to the editor which appeared in the October 27, 1998 edition of The Wall Street Journal. That letter fol lows. Dear Mr. Boudreaux, Not knowing the exact nature of your business nor the motivation behind your letter to The Wall Street Journal on scuttling the Jones Act, I will nonetheless try to express a different perspective toward its preservation. I work as a second mate/barge captain for one of the Jargest movers of petroJeum products on the eastern seaboard. Along with seven other crew members, most of us performing two jobs, we work a large seagoing tug and barge unit (200,000 bbls) that operates seven days a week, 365 days a year. We deliver our products-gasoline, jet fuel and home heating oil-safeJy, efficiently and at a reasonable cost to the consumer as reflected by the Jow prices at the pump. Our U.S.-tlag vessels are well maintained, make periodic visits to U.S. shipyards for overhauls, and we follow all the U.S. Coast Guard's regulations for a safe, responsible operation. The same could not be said if subdstandard foreign vessels with ill-trained polyglot crews were allowed into the trade. It is true we cannot compete with Chinese or Filipino seamen making a couple of hundred dollars a month, but I don't think we should have to. Doing that would be comparable to the Foundation for Economic Education firing you and bringing in a third worJd guy as president solely because he would work for $500 a month, plus room and board. Our system works fine as it stands, not only generating jobs for U.S. workers, but also putting toes of money into the U.S. economy and keeping the lifeblood (petroleum) of the nation flowing in a consistent. safe and economical way. Harry T. Scholer Orlando. Fla. The following is the letter in The Wall Street Journal to which Brother Scholer responded. Jeff Lagana recently attended the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. to earn his AB rating. While there, he also received three college credits for successfully completing all requirements for English 102: English Composition and Literature, a course that emphasizes development of analytical and essay-writing skills. A Maryland native, Lagana was a graduate of the first class in the new unlicensed apprentice program at the school. Before returning t? the school to upgrade, he sailed on an LNG ship carrying liquefied natural gas from Indonesia to Japan. Presenting Lagana with his certificate of completion is his instructor, Joan I. Miles, Ph.D. 5 CALENDAR ...Q CJ ~ i . ~· January - The Industrial Workers of the World was founded in Chicago in 1905. Known as "Wobblies " these advocates of revolutiona~ unionism believed that only by builriing "one big union" could the wor :ers of the world combine to ove1 throw the management class. 2 Lo~don's had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, the vampire, He had some awful substance left with which He made a scab. Ascab is atwo-legged animal with a cork-screw soul a water-logged brain. a combinau'on backbone of jelly and glue. Where others have hearts, he carries a tumor of rotten principles." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, in 1929. In addition to his contribution to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, King was an earnest crusader for labor, particularly municipal and hospital workers. 1S Ralph Chapin published the 17 famous labor anthem "Solidarity Forever" in 1915. Nove_listJack birth12 day, m 1876. This excerpt is Amalgamated Meat Cutascribed to the author: "After God 26 The ters and Butcher Workmen January 1999 Maritime Administrator Clyde Hart's defense of the Jones Act is internally inconsistent (Letters to the Editor, Oct. 21). He begins by asserting that protecting the U.S. maritime fleet is necessary because of this fleet's importance to national security. Presumably, without the trade protection provided by the Jones Act, our fleet's size would dangerously shrink. But Mr. Hart ends by trumpeting the great economic efficiencies of our current fleet. If American flagships are as efficient as Mr. Hart reports, then they need no protection from foreign ships. Indeed, the greater competition promised by repealing the Jones Act would generate even greater efficiencies in U.S. shipbuilding and shipping. Donald J, Boudreaux President, Foundation for Economic Education Irvington-On-Hudson, N.Y. of North America was born in 1897 when it received a charter from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) to organize "every wage earnerfrom the man who takes the bullock at the house until it goes into the hands of the consumer." The Meat Cutters merged with the Retail Clerks International Union in 1979 to form the UFCW. Samuel Gompers, the first 27 president of the AFL. was born in 1850 in London, England. He emigrated to the U.S. as a youth. A cigarmaker by trade, Gompers received some of the education that shaped his approach to unionism through his work on the shop floor. The core leadership of the trade union movement built in the 1880s came from similar groups of politicized workers. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretary-treasurer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SID Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member's shipping rights and seniority are protected exclusively by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halJs. If member& believe there have been violations of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers AppeaJs Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times. either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in aU SIU halJs. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY - THE SEAFARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the union, officer or member. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1960 meetings in au constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the sru unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU constitution are available in all union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as aU other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set fonh in the SIU constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furthering of the American merchant marine with improved employment opportunities for seamen and boatmen and the advancement of trade union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are voluntary. No contribution may be soJicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNION-If at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SID President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Seafarers LOB 21 .J �Lundeberg School Graduating Classes SEAFARERS HARRY LUNDEBERG 1 ""~.1 I li='FROAT SCHOOL CLASS ':-~, J. !'IJifs~ Trainee Water Survival Class 582-Graduating from trainee lifeboat class 582 are (from left, kneeling) Timothy Bixby, Arthuro Ybarra Jr., Dennis Wilson, Nabil Ahmed, (second row) Aaron Thomas, Roger Steward, Thomas Larusso, Clifton Doonis and Ben Cusic (instructor). ""'"-. ~~· QMED-Completing their QMED training on November 13 are (from left, front row) Steve Ondreako, Jeffrey Fields, Michael Birke, Troy Williams, Clarence Ritchie, (second row) Robert Rogers, Randolph Patterson, Lothar Wick, James T. Beatty, Keith T. Adams and Drew Brown. Advanced Firefighting-Upgrading SIU members completing the advanced firefighting course on October 24 are {from left, kneeling) Alan Hollinger, Gustavo Osorio, Robert Pesulima, Domingo Barroga Jr., Philip Parisi, James Shepard, (second row) Harry Galdeira, Wan Salim. Emmanuel Wabe, Gabriel Arhin, Stormie Combs (instructor), {third row) Bryan Bush, Walter R. Seals. Stephen Swinton and Paul Curtis. Basic Firefighting-Upgrading graduates of the September 25 basic firefighting class are (from left, kneeling) Clarence Fortt, Abdul Alawy, Ali Akmar, William L. Mohica Jr., Josef Wouthuyzen, Wilton F. Caballero, (second row) Jesse A . Osborne, Tomas C. Robinson, Abdulhoma Mosa, Sergio Rojas, John Bulawan, Elpidio A Toyco and Stormie Combs (instructor) . FOWT-Eaming their FOWf endorsements on October 30 are (from left. kneeling) Jason A. Strickler, Michael Pierce, Jeffrey Ryan, David Dehart, William Young, (second row) Keith Manzano Jr., Joshua Ryan, Adam Ippolito, Robert McMurray, (third row) Leportre Jasper, Jermaine Love, Yakov Shubov, Myron Spivey, Levi E. Rollins, (fourth row) Glenn Wilkerson, Charles McGinnis, Timothy Flynn, Bill Romig, Mark Jones (instructor) and Jerome Schober. Able Seaman-Marking their graduation from the able seaman class on October 29 are (from left, kneeling) James Pierce, Romeo Macaraeg, Anthony Townes, Robert Jewell, Tom Gilliland (instructor), (second row) Matthew Voumard, Dave Poree, James Nottingham, Maranda Jackson, Anthony Simon, Steven Manning, Harry D. Williams Jr., (third row) J@rry Martin1!en, John Mullett. Joshua Morris and Tyron Dortch. Advanced Firefighting-Receiving their certificates of completion from the advanced firefighting course on October 2 are (from left, kneeling) David Salentre, Younis Saleh, Ali H. Ali, Rogelio Buenconsejo, Derek E. Ponamsky, (kneeling, second row) Gene Legate, Ahmed M. Saleh, Avila Cesar, Jeremie Riehm, Troy D. Banks, (third row) Chance Gould, Keith Finnerty, Mike Sleeper, Carl Montoya, Norberto M. Vera, Timothy Taylor, John McClinton, Kenneth McGregor, (fourth row) Anthony Hammett (instructor). Walter Ratcliffe, Sidney VVhitaker. Joe Turocy and Robert Grove. Tanker Assistant DL-Receiving their graduation certificates for completing the tanker assistant DL course on November 27 are (from left, kneeling) Mark McNabb, Robert Rocanelli, Walter S. Harris, Gayl Payton, Lorie Christmas, (second row) Jennifer R. Cronin, John Conn, Michael Brown, Dennis S. Adjetey, Walter R Seals, (third row) Jim Shaffer (instructor), Michael Hester, Charles Abell, Ron Lupinacci, Erik Haik and Steve Cluff Jr. LNG Recertification-Graduating from the LNG recertification class on October 28 are (from left, first row) Gustavo Osorio, Maurice Baptiste, Robert Pesulima, Domingo Barroga Jr., Emmanuel Wabe, Gabriel Arhin, Russ Levin (instructor), (second row) Philip Parisi, James Shepard, Walter R. Seals, Wan Salim, Bryan Bush, Stephen Swinton and Paul Curtis. ~ 22 Seafarers LOG January 1999 �LUNDEBERG SCHOOL 1999 UPBRAOING COURSE SCHEDULE ;nit! following is the;schedule fof classes ,beginning in January and running thrpugh April 1999. at .the Seafarers Harry' Lundeberg School of Seamanship, located at.the Paul .~l€entetf~rMaritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md.All programs are "' geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industr)'. ·Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the · maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation•s security. ···'Stuctents·· atiending any of these classes should check in the Saturday before their •course"s start date. The courses listed here wiU begin promptly on the rooming of the ··start dates. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Luttdeberg.,Sc~ool may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Deck Upgrading Courses ......... ............. ......... '.,. Start Date Date of Completion January 11 April 5 February 19 May14 M~l"(h MaKh 12 1 ·. . ~d~t ·kecertification (one day) March 12 :'.>:Automatic Radar Pfotting ~ids March 15 · (ARPA) Course Start Date Date of Completion Bo$Un Recertification March22 May3 Steward ~ecertification February 1 March9 Safety Spee/atty Courses Course Start Date Date of Departure Tanker Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL) January 11 January 30 February 15 April 12 March6 Mayl Basic Firefighting January 18 January 25 February 1 March 8 January 23 January 30 February6 March 13 April 17 April 12 · Advanced Firefighting . March 19 . Bridge Management · Recertification Programs Goverrunent Vessels March 22 April 2 February 22 April 19 January 23 March6 Mayl Febnmry 1 Marchl March 22 February 19 March 19 April 9 January 12 February 6 March6 April 3 .Feb!aury 12 ····.February 26 April 2 · . Gall~y 'Oper.,~onsl ···January 11, 18, 25, Advanced Galley Operations · ·(Every week, starting Jan. 11) February 1, 8, 15, 22 March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Certified Chief Cook/ . Chief Steward January 11, 25 February 8, 22 March 8, 22 . (Every_ other week, starti;,g Jan... 11) English as a Second Language (ESL~ January 25 or Adult Basic Education (ABE) March5 High Schqol Equivalen~y ~r~gram April 2 January 12 In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and . · ·· · . · .. . Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. --~-------------------------------------With this application, COPIES of the following must be seni: One hundred and twenty UPGRADING APPLICATION Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ( 120) days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back, front page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, and qualifying seatil'l'}e for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All FOWT, AB and OMED l!Jl.plicants must submit a U.S. Coast Guard fee of $135 with their 4J!J!lication. The pavment should be made with a monev order onlv. payable to LMSS. COURSE Telephone----------- Deep Sea Member D BEGIN DATE END DATE Dare of Birth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Lakes Member D Inland Waters Member D If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security#_________ Book# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ S e n i o r i t y - - - - - - - - - - - - Department _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: Yes D No D Home Port Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Are you a graduate of the SHLSS trainee program? D Yes LAST V E S S E L : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rating: _ _ __ Date O n : - - - - - - - - - - - Date Off: D No S I G N A T U R E - - - - - - - - - - - - - DATE If yes, c l a s s # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Have you attended any SHLSS upgrading courses? D Yes D No If yes, course(s) taken - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? 0 Yes 0 No Firefighting: D Yes 0 No CPR: D Yes 0 No Primary language spoken - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - January 1999 NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Lundeberg School of Seamanship, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. 1199 The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise quali fied, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. Seafarers LOG 23 - �Summary Annual Reports for Great Lakes Tug & Dredge Pension Plan and Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan may be found on page 20. U.S. Government Investigates, ITF Pact Aids Crew Runaway-Bag Champion Trader &plodes; 1 KiHed Editor's note: Accidents are commonplace aboard runawayjlag vessels, but there is something unusual about the recent explosion and oil spill involving the Champion Trader. Namely, the fatal mishap aboard the Panamanian-flag ship took place in Louisiana waters, thereby providing a rare chance to quickly and thoroughly examine the catastrophe. The following account explores the cause of the accident, the actual explosion and the subsequent happenings, including helpful intervention by the International Transport Workers' Federation. The tale of the Champion Trader involves a reluctant. frightened group of crew mem~ bers who did not want to work on a fuel line. An explosion aboard the ship Orl~ans on October 29 killed oM mariner and injured four because those same crew members relented and worked on that fuel line. The blast also in New caused a substamiat oil spill. Normally, it is difficult to pin responsibility for investigations and prosecution to a single nation because a runaway-flag vessel may be owned, operated and manned by individuals from different countries and registered in yet another nation. For example the 20-year-old, I Recertified Bosun James Deano, who provided the photos accompanying this article, said of the runaway-flag Champion Trader, "Everything that I could see that is associated with safety was in despicable condition." Whether viewed from close range (photo at left) or afar (above), the damage to the Champion Trader is extensive, including a 35-foot hole and a winch blown off its deck mounts. Cables were used to hold hull plates after the late October explosion aboard the runaway-flag vessel in New Orleans. 531-foot Champion Trader is owned by a Norwegian company, managed by a business in Denmark, insured with a Danish P&I club, and operates under the Panamanian flag. Its crew members at the time of the accident included a Swedish master; Yugoslav chief mate, chief engineer and first assistant engineer; and 20 Filipinos. (By definition. runaway-flag ships. also known as flag-of-con· venience vessels, are carriers operating under the flag of one nation. yet owned by a citizen or citizens of another country. Financially strapped nations sell the use of their flag to shipowners, who register tonnage in those countries in order to meet less stringent labor, safety, regulatory and tax standards than if that vessel were registered in the owner's resident nation.) Since United States law requires that the U.S. Coast Guard investigate all marine casualties in domestic waters-no matter the country of the ship's registration-the agency is examining the Champion Trader incident. This is also a ta1e of the benefits of collective bargaining agreements signed between the International Transport Workers' Federation (11F) and the operators of runaway-flag vesse1s. The IlF campaign to improve the conditions aboard such ships has achieved thousands of those agreements between the federation of more than 500 transport unions from around the world (including the SIU) and their employers. an explosion racked the Panamanian-flag ship, sending a fireball across the deck and leaving a giant 35-foot opening on the port side. The Coast Guard investigating officer, Lt. Andy Norris, said the vessel looked like a torpedoed World War II ship. SIU Recertified Bosun James Deano, who provided the photos accompanying this article, boarded the Norwegian-owned, Danish-managed vessel six days after the explosion. The nine-year SIU member said the damage was so extensive that, had the vessel been at sea, it would have perished. ITF Inspector Dwayne Boudreaux, who also saw the ship after SIU-crewed tugs brought it upriver, said the explosion "shattered the windows all the way up in the wheelhouse and oil was all over the ship." While visiting the vessel, Deane spoke to Allen Venzon, the ship's bosun, who told him the following: A cracked fuel line needed repair. The chief engineer showed the welder what to do. The welder refused because it was not safe. The chief insisted, telling the welder he does this all the time. After the chief's insistence, the welder proceeded. While the welder was working on the fuel line, the blast occurred. Norris, noting that the Coast Guard's investigation is ongoing, said it appears either the chief engineer or the first assistant engineer "were the ones who controlled that evolution." bunkers as soon as it tied up. The crew believed that the hole in the fuel line, discovered three to five days earlier, would have delayed the process, hence the decision to weld. Norris said the fuel line itself was intact after the explosion. "What blew was actually a port bunker tank about I 0 feet away" from the fuel line, Norris said. The port bunker tank is separated by a valve from the fuel line where the welding took place. Something happened that afternoon on October 29 that allowed an igniting substance-perhaps a spark or a flame-to travel into the fuel tank. Norris noted, "Which begs the question: What was the condition of the valve? Was it left open? Had it worked itself open? Was it that it was defective? Did it not close properly because of lack of maintenance?" Norris pointed out another area of concern: Why was a fuel line being welded in place? Prudent seamanship seemingly suggests removing that section of the fuel line, placing blank flanges at either end of the line left in place and conducting the welding in the engine room shop. 11F Inspector Boudreaux, who met the injured crew members the night of the explosion at the hospital and the remaining crew the next night at their hotel, was told that the welding started the morning of the 29lh and proceeded smoothly. Work on the fuel line began again after lunch. Soon thereafter the blast occurred. Bunker Tank Blows One Dead, Four Injured Explosion Rocks Slllp According to Norris (the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office/ New Orleans casualty investigator assigned to this case), the vessel was scheduled to take on Engine Cadet Lagnayo Reynaldo died in the blast. He evidently was near the port break, Norris said. "He was apparently propelled into the overhead by the The mighty blast on the Champion Trader occurred at about 3:30 p.m., at the mouth of the Mississippi River. In seconds, L SIU boatmen from Crescent Towing helped move the Champion Trader following the accident. Pictured from left to right aboard the Admiral Jackson are SIU Deckhands Jason Hughes and Bobby Milan, along with Captain Jack Donner. Shown aboard the Glenn Smith are Captain Thomas White (in wheelnouseJ, Engineer James Flatman (standing at sign's left) and Deckhand John Phillips. force of the explosion. He died of apparent head injuries." Welder/fitter Romeo Labapis's hands were burned; Marcelino Serviento, a wiper, suffered metal fragments in the face; and another crew member injured his back. The New Orleans pilot who was navigating the vessel up the river stood on the port side of the bridge when the explosion's upward force caused him to suffer injuries to his right knee, left hand, elbow and shoulder, along with cuts to his face and g1ass in his right eye, according to Norris. Fireball and Pollutlon As fuel was low in the port bunker tank. there was sufficient vapor to cause an immense explosion, sending a fireball above and across the deck. But, Norris noted, there was not much of a fire, and no firefighting actions were necessary. This may have been fortunate, said Deano. "While I was on board I saw the plastic potable water transfer hose in the fire station. That's not a fire hose and it shouldn't be used for fighting fires. As soon as that hose would be exposed to flames or laid on a hot deck, it would melt away or fall apart." The blast's impact folded the deck from the site of the explosion-both forward and aft, Norris said. Bosun Deane noted that the impact blew off a line winch from its deck mounts. The four tons of fuel in the port bunker tank spilled into the river. But the spill was exacerbated by 20,000 tons of palm and coconut oils from the number seven port wing cargo tank which poured into the water. That cargo tank is immediately forward of the site of the explosion. The lightness of the palm and coconut oils made cleanup difficult, taking more than a week. The severe structural damage to the vessel rendered it unseaworthy. As the Seafarers LOG went to press, the vess·e1 remained restricted to a facility in New Orleans, said Norris. To Deano, the vessel looked like it had been dangerous from the start. "I'd have a problem leaving dock on that vessel because everything that I could see that is associated with safety was in despicable condition," he observed. Continued on page 9 � 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 January 1999 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES UNIONS ANNOUNCE ELECTION RESULTS NMU RETURNS LIOEANJIE AS MEBA, TEAMSTERS SELECT NEW LEADERSHIP RAIL UNIONS ANNOUNCE MERGER SEAFARERS RENDER SUPPORT IN ‘DESERT FOX’ STRIKE NMU AFFILIATES WITH SIUNA SIU CREWS ALLIED’S NEW SEA EAGLE COAST GUARD SEEKS ‘Y2K’ COMMENTS COAST GUARD OKAYS PAUL HALL CENTER’S STCW-MANDATED BASIC SAFETY CLASSES SCHOOL FINALIZING BASIC ENGLISH TESTS APPRENTICE PROGRAM IS NOMINATED FOR ‘WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP’ AWARD STCW IMPLEMENTATION TEAM ESTABLISHED AVONDALE SEEKS FOREIGN WORKERS AS IT CONTINUES TO FIGHT UNIONIZATION RUNAWAY-FLAG CRUISE SHIP HITS REEF FOREIGN STEEL ‘DUMPING’ HURTS OTHERWISE STRONG LAKES SHIPPING SEASON AIDED BY ITF, CREW GAINS $73,000 IN BACK PAY EQUALITY STATE CREW EXCELS IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE DRILL JOB WELL DONE FOR CREW OF S-L CRUSADER 1998 A YEAR OF GROWTH AND PROMISE CABLESHIP CREW TREATED TO BBQ WHILE AWAITING BERTHING SPACE ST. LOUIS AMMV DEDICATES MONUMENT FOR WWII MARINERS SEAFARERS’ FAMILIES JOIN IN SHOW OF SOLIDARITY WITH STEELWORKERS RUNAWAY-FLAG CHAMPION TRADER EXPLODES; 1 KILLED Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present 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 01/01/1999 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. 61, No. 1 1999 Periodicals Seafarers Log