http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/37c7d149fe4d3750cbf6b8f195988eac.pdf 8898941eec99d96c85be5967c22a037e PDF Text Text WYl\Y.seafarers.org Volume 61 Number 7 Christenings Signal The tanker HM/ Brenton Reef (center) and the tugboats Atlas (left) and Scout (right) recently joined the Seafarers-contracted fleet, marking more jobs for SIU members. Additionally, as this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press, The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. (also an SIU-contracted company) announced it will launch the Columbia Queen to provide riverboat passenger cruises in the Pacific Northwest, starting in April 2000. Page 3. After instructors at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education conducted the final equipment checks at the new Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School, classes there officially began in late May. Thus far, the new addition (located in Valley Lee, Md., near the Paul Hall Center's main campus) has impressed students and guests alike, including legislators, administration officials and the head of TRANSCOM. Pages 12-14. Merger Talks Under Way Between SIU and NMU_Page2 �President's Report Signs of Success It has been a slow, tough campaign, but America's union movement is showing signs of continued growth. Last month, a federal agency released to the public the fact r---"""C'"""-.....,...,,,,""""" that workers are holding and winning more representation elections than in previous years. And these elections are for an everincreasing number of working men and women. During the 1980s and early in this decade, all you would hear and read in the news was that labor had lost its clout, that unions were Michael Sacco obsolete. Well, that certainly is not the case now! The proof is in the numbers. Last year, union membership overall increased for the first time in years. The AFL-CIO didn't make up this fact. It came from the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The trend is continuing this year. In Los Angeles, 75,000 home health care workers voted to join a union because they wanted dignity and respect on the job. In Puerto Rico, 66,000 teachers, cafeteria workers, secretaries, maintenance workers and others with the education department won the right for union representation. Miners, grocery workers, hotel employees, government workers and so many more are saying they want a voice in their workplaces. They want what Seafarers have: solid contracts with good wages and benefits. The SIU has been a part of the growth in the nation's union movement. Just look at the next page. New vessels plying the waters. Another riverboat on the way. All of these represent more jobs, more opportunities and more growth for the SIU. Since the beginning of the year, the Seafarers LOG has steadily announced new cargo ships, new tugs and new passenger vessels coming to companies contracted to the SIU for crewing. That's progress. The union pledged to find more jobs for Seafarers so they will be ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. To meet that task, the SIU has been upgrading its union halls while the Paul Hall Center has expanded with the opening of the fire fighting school as well as continuing its updating of courses. The SIU has quite a list of accomplishments so far, but we are in no way ready to rest on our laurels! There is so much more to do and many more opportunities to investigate. Just like the SIU, the AFL-CIO is not stopping to catch its breath. The fight at the Avondale Industries shipyard is one example of how much work still has to be done. Despite those workers voting overwhelmingly for representation, the company continues to manipulate every loophole it can to keep from negotiating a contract. It has been six years since the vote, yet the workers remain strong. They are resolved to win this battle and get what they deserve. These men and women-along with the tens of thousands of others who have just gained recognition or are fighting for itprove the labor movement is a vital force in America's business and economic life. For our present members and those to come, the SIU and the AFL-CIO will continue to make sure working people have a voice at their workplace, are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve and provide for their families in a manner in which they can be proud. Volume 61, Number 7 July 1999 lhe SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN I 086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (30 I) 8990675 . Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 520 I Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Daniel Duncan; Managing Editor, Jordan Biscardo; Associate Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Copyright© 1999 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reserved. 2 Seafarers LOG Talks Under Way Concerning NMU Merger with Seafarers Sill President Michael Sacco and NMU President Rene Lioeanjie have met to explore the possibility of the NMU merging with the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District. The presidents have created committees to study such a merger. Among the topics included in the discussions are training for the members, job security, seniority and combining of various operations. No time table or deadlines have been set for these talks. Since the affiliation of the NMU with the Seafarers took place last year, the reaction by members from both unions has been positive. Seafarers have welcomed NMU members to upgrading classes at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. An agreement has been reached between the newly created Alaska Tanker Company and the SIU and NMU which covers crew members sailing from both unions. In both of these cases, rank-and-filers of the two unions are standing side-byside learning in the classroom and working aboard ship. Officials from the SIU and NMU have initiated merger talks. Meeting last month at SIU headquarters are (from the left, clockwise) NMU counsel Larry Brundick, AFL-CIO Maritime Comm. Exec. Dir. Tai Simpkins, NMU Pres. Rene Lioeanjie, NMU VP Charles Stewart, NMU Agents Ike Williams and Rusty de Roussett, SIU Sec'y-Treas. David Heindel, SIU Exec. VP John Fay, SIU Counsel Leslie Tarantola and SIU VP Contracts Augustin Tellez. Avondale Bills Navy $5.4 Million To Continue Fight Against Unions Pro-Ltlbor Vote Has Been Denied for Six Years June 25 marked the six-year anniversary of the date on which employees at Avondale shipyard in New Orleans voted for union representation. The extent to which the company has used every imaginable stalling tactic to avoid the outcome of the vote is considered by many a sadly extreme story in its own right. However, the announcement last month that Avondale billed the U.S. Navy $5.4 million to pay the shipyard's anti-union lawyers shed a bizarre new light on the case. Continued on page 4 Seafarers show their support for Avondale workers during a recent demonstration near the New Orleans shipyard. Pictured from left to right are Recertified Steward Ernie Hoitt, AB Charles Troutwine, AB Randy Bolling, AB William Bolling and Pensioner Beau James. Tax Bill Ottered ta Make Janes Act Vessel Construction Easier Congress is considering tax legislation to make it easier for U.S.-flag shipping companies to build new vessels for the Jones Act trades. Introduced last month by Rep. Jim McCrery (RLa.), the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine Revitalization Act (H.R. 2159) already has drawn bipartisan support from Reps. Wally Herger (R-Calif.), William Jefferson (D-La.) and Neil Abercrombie (DHawaii). McCrery told his fellow members of the House of Representatives when he presented the measure that the bill "is critically important to the modernization and growth of the United States maritime industry, our nation's fourth arm of defense. "I am convinced that the best way to ensure that our nation continues to have the militarily useful commercial vessels and trained and loyal United States-citizen crews we need to support our interests around the world is to enact those programs and policies that will better enable our maritime industry to flourish in peacetime," the Louisiana congressman added. "I am equally convinced that one important way to do so is to provide a tax environment for our maritime industry which more closely reflects the favorable tax treatment other maritime nations provide their own merchant fleets." H.R 2159 would alter the present Capital Construction Fund (CCF) law to make it easier for U.S.-flag shipping companies to deposit income earned from their U.S.-flag vessels into the pre-tax account that can be withdrawn later to construct Jones Act vessels in U.S. shipyards. McCrery said the change in the CCF law, first implemented as part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, would assist U.S.-flag companies in their efforts to modernize the domestic fleet. (The Jones Act, part of the 1920 Merchant Marine Act, states that goods moved between two domestic ports must be carried aboard U.S.-flag, U.S.-crewed and U.S.built vessels.) By expanding the type of income eligible for deposit, U.S.-flag shipping companies engaged in the Jones Act trades will have a stronger source of capital to build new vessels needed in the next century. "This change would be good for the whole industry," noted SIU President Michael Sacco. "It creates and ensures jobs for American shipbuilders as well as American mariners." Another provision of H.R. 2159 would change existing law relating to the payment of a 50 percent ad valorem duty on the overseas repair of U.S.-tlag ships. Under the present law, this 50 percent duty must be paid to the U.S. Treasury for non-emergency repairs made in a foreign country's shipyard. The legislation offers an alternative allowing for the payment of the duty directly into a CCF account, thus providing a direct benefit to U.S. shipyards. H.R. 2159 has been assigned to the House Ways and Means, Armed Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees for consideration. No hearing date for the measure has been scheduled. July 1999 �NEW SHIPS MORE JOBS Fifth 'Double Eagle' Christened; Crowley, G&H Launch New Tugs On the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts, Seafarers recently welcomed new additions to the SIU-contracted fleet. Signifying more jobs for SIU members, the new vessels are the "Double Eagle" tanker HM! Brenton Reef, operated by Interocean Ugland Management for Hvide Marine; the tugboat Atlas, operated by G&H Towing in the Houston area; and Crowley Maritime's harborclass tug Scout, based in Long Beach, Calif. "As always, the SIU is proud to provide the best-trained mariners in the world to crew the new tanker and tugs," said SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez. "We welcome the jobs and the responsibility of helping ensure safe, efficient operations." f"dth Tanker Recertified Bosun Victor Beata and Chief Steward Michael Pooler each expressed favorable impressions of the HM! Brenton Reef, slated to begin its first voyage as this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press. The 620-foot tanker, which features double-hull construction and state-of-the-art electronics and safety systems, successfully completed sea trials in late May and was christened June 18 at Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding. It weighs 46,000 tons and can carry various chemicals in its 14 specially coated tanks. Additionally, the ship has a beam of slightly less than 106 feet and can travel at up to 16 knots. Like its four SIU-crewed predecessors in the Double Eagle program, the HMI Brenton Reef "responds to the mandate of Congress and the American people to build double-hull tankships that will transport petroleum and chemical products in U.S. waters in the safest manner possible," commented Jean Fitzgerald, chairman, president and CEO of Hvide Marine. "Her entry into the Jones Act market marks another step forward in the evo1ution of environmentally friendly marine transportation." Atlas: Strong Impression Captain Nelson "Frenchy" Breaux has sailed aboard a number of new tugboats, but he rates G&H's twin-screw Atlas at the top of the list. "Everybody's enjoying it. It's everything that can be expected and more," he remarked. Breaux said the Atlas "is very modern, especially when it comes to safety features. For instance, it has internal heat sen- sors throughout the boat hooked into all three alarm panels. There are also internal smoke detectors. "The interior of the boat is really comfortable, too, and I believe that promotes safety. When a crew feels comfortable, they work better." Christened earlier this year during a gathering of approximately 250 guests, the 96-foot tug performs harbor docking at several Texas ports including Houston, Galveston, Freeport, Corpus Christi and Texas City. "The Atlas truly is state-ofthe-art," observed SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, who attended the christening ceremony in Galveston. "As a former engineer, I was very impressed with the engine room. The crew quarters and galley facilities are first-class, also, and there's easy access for maintenance and repair to all the systems." Built at Main Iron Works in Houma, La., the Atlas has 3,900 horsepower and can travel at greater than 13 knots. It was christened in memory of Newton Rayzor, chairman of the board of directors of Intracoastal Towing & Transportation Corp. (for which G&H operates the boat) who passed away in February. "Mr. Rayzor was a good and fair employer," Corgey noted. "The SIU always had a good working relationship with him." He added that the eight Seafarers who participated in (photo by Jim Hemeon) The SIU-crewed HMI Brenton Reef successfully completed sea trials in late May. The "Double Eagle" tanker was scheduled to start its maiden voyage late last month. the christening "did an outstanding job representing the union and the company in a professional, courteous way." Those SIU members included Breaux, Mate David Andrisek, Quartermaster Sean Arbogast, Quartermaster Jon Crampton, Asst. Engineer Tim Dement, AB Larry Hadley, Chief Engineer Jimmy "Indiana" Payne and Oiler Brian Taylor. New Harbor-Class Tug In Southern California, the newest of Crowley's SIUcrewed harbor-class tugs also garnered praise. Continued on page 4 ~ l 'I l I The harbor-class tug Scout (center) joins Crowley's fleet in Long Beach, Calif. Delta Queen Announces New Riverboat far Fleet SIU-Crewed Vessel Will Sail in Pacific Northwest Operated by G&H Towing in the Houston area, the Atlas is a welcome addition for Seafarers, including crew members (kneeling, left to right) Capt. Nelson "Frenchy" Breaux, Mate David Andrisek, (standing) Oiler Brian Taylor, Chief Engineer Jimmy "Indiana" Payne, AB Larry Hadley, Quartermaster Sean Arbogast, Asst. Engineer Tim Dement and Quartermaster Jon Crampton. Celebrating the christening of the Scout are (left to right) Jim Penny, Crowley operations manager in Long Beach, Calif.; Nick Marrone, SIU VP West Coast; Capt. Wayne Berry, a Seafarer who sails aboard Crowley tugs; and John Cox, SIU port agent in Wilmington, Calif. July 1999 Seafarers will be crewing next year the latest addition to the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. fleet-the Columbia Queen. As the Seafarers LOG went to press, Delta Queen's parent firm, American Classic Voyages Co., announced its plans to offer overnight passenger service to the Pacific Northwest aboard the new riverboat. Delta Queen is an SIU-contracted company which also operates the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and American Queen paddlewheel steamboats along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. "This announcement by Delta Queen and American Classic Voyages shows their continued confidence in the fine American mariners who crew their vessels," SlU President Michael Sacco stated when the announcement was made. "The Columbia Queen once again demonstrates this union's commitment for new jobs for the membership," he added. The Columbia Queen is scheduled to begin service in April 2000. The 218-foot vessel will be able to carry 161 passengers in its 81 staterooms. The riverboat was designed by the same firm that created the American Queen, which began service in 1995. The vessel will be based in Portland, Ore. It will sail along the Columbia, Snake and Willamette rivers, offering vacation packages to Mount St. Helens National Monument, the Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood, Washington state wine country, Astoria, Ore. and Lewiston, Idaho. Besides adding this fourth riverboat to its fleet, Delta Queen presently is building the first two of five coastal cruise vessels scheduled to begin service in 2001. These 225-passenger ships will sail along the Eastern seaboard and the Pacific Coast. American Classic Voyages' other subsidiary-American Hawaii Cruises--operates the SIU-crewed SS Independence. Earlier this year, the company signed an agreement with union-contracted Ingalls Shipbuilding for construction of the first two U.S.-built deep sea passenger vessels in more than 40 years. The first of these ships, which will sail around the Hawaiian Islands, is expected to board passengers in 2003. Please be advised that SIU headquarters and all SIU hiring halls will be closed on Monday, August 16, 1999 (unless an emergency arises) for the observance of Paul Hall's birthday. Normal business hours will resume the following workday. Seafarers LOG 3 �Bosun Vern Poulsen Honored By Tacoma Propeller Club Not much surprises Recertified Bosun Vern Poulsen, who has seen just about everything during his 50-year maritime career. But the Propeller Club-Port of Tacoma, Wash. recently caught him off guard when the organization presented its 1999 Master Mariner Award to the longtime Seafarer. The annual award recognizes various contributions to the U.S. maritime industry. "It was very, very much a surprise. I had no idea, but it was nice," said Poulsen, who has been part of the Sea-Land shore gang in Tacoma for 15 years and a member of the Propeller Club nearly that long. "Vern deserves the acclaim. He's a great guy and a wellrespected member," noted SIU Assistant Vice President Bob Hall. Poulsen, 65, joined the SIU in Seattle in 1961. He first sailed in the galley before switching to the deck department and working his way up to bosun. (Poulsen completed the recertification course at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime . Congratulating Recertified Bosun Vern Poulsen (center) on his award are SIU Asst. VP Bob Hall (left) and Sea-Land VP Gary Ritzman. Training and Education in 1974.) Asked about his fondest sailing memories, he replied, "They're all good memories, although I [particularly] liked the SL-7s." The veteran Seafarer also quieted a rumor about his supposed upcoming retirement. "I'm just a kid, I'm not retiring," he said with a chuckle. "In fact, I just made a trip on the (Liberty ship) Jeremiah O'Brien." A Ship By Any Other Name ... Bosun George Jordanides snapped these photos of the ~repo~i­ tioning ship Calvin P. Titus as it became the Mf!ersk ~nzor:a m Sunny Point, N.C. The containership, us~ally stat1c:ined in .sa1pa~, was renamed in early April. Its sister ship, the Enc G. Gibson, 1s scheduled to be renamed the Maersk Alaska this month while overseas. Poulsen actually was on vacation during his 27-day stint aboard the historic vessel, based in San Francisco. He volunteered to help paint the ship, which still makes trips each month around the San Francisco Bay. "I was one of the youngest guys on that ship, and we worked 15 hours a day," he noted. "The best thing was I got paid the same as the captain: nothing. "Honestly, I' 11 treasure the experience." Avondale Workers Still Denied Contract Continued from page 2 Apparently, such reimbursements are allowable according to federal contracting rules, although the Navy reportedly warned Avondale that it may deny future reimbursements if they are deemed "unreasonable." The Atlas, operated by G&H Towing in the Houston area, i~ bo!h comThe story broke in midfortable and comes equipped with many safety features like internal Safety problems at Avondale lndus~ries were .the focu~ of a Workers heat sensors and smoke detectors. June, after Sen. Edward Memorial Day rally in New Orleans m late Apnl. The shipyard recently Kennedy (D-Mass.) asked for a was fined $537,000 by the government for safety violatio~s. Seven breakdown of Avondale's pro- workers have died at the facility this decade. Below, SI~ re~1ree Beau posed reimbursements for its James (left) joins fellow trade unionists at the rally, which included a scheme to deny union repre- memorial march (above). Continued from page 3 "Another interesting aspect sentation. According to news is that they use the latest tech"This is something that I Christened in May, the 105- nology in lines. The stem line is reports, Kennedy argued that find especially troubling. They taxpayers should not pay for foot Scout operates in Long made out of the same material get away with [the anti-union such expenses. Beach and Los Angeles along used in bulletproof vests. It The Defense Contract Audit campaign] because American with three other Crowley har- floats, yet it's stronger than Agency officially has labeled taxpayers are footing the bill," bor-class tugs. A fifth is due out steel. Unbelievable." the proposed reimbursements Wellstone said on the Senate this month. About 200 people attended as "unresolved," although it has floor. "The maneuverability of the Scouts christening. "The Navy and the Coast these boats is incredible, as is Like the other Crowley har- "not identified a basis under Guard are effectively subsidizthe 360-degree visibility," said bor-class tugs, the Scout can (current regulations) to disaling Avondale's illegal unionKerry DeMatos, who sailed perform ship escort at greater low them," stated Navy busting campaign," he continSecretary Richard Danzig in a with the SIU for 16 years before than 10 knots. It possesses ued. "Avondale gets about 80 becoming Crowley's senior port 4,800 horsepower plus the latest letter to Kennedy. percent of its contracts from the In an unrelated matter, Sen. Paul Wellstone (Dcaptain in Long Beach last radar and other telecommunicaNavy for building and repairing Avondale recently agreed to Minn.) voiced outrage at the October. "They don't have pro- tions equipment, and was built pellers, so they can go in any at Nichols Bros. in Freeland, notion of tax money covering ships. If it weren't for the become a wholly owned subUnited States Navy, Avondale sidiary of Litton Industries. Avondale's legal expenses. direction. Wash. probably wouldn't exist. Litton also had attempted to "This poster child for bad acquire Newport News (Va.) corporate citizenship is brought Shipbuilding, but that proposal Seafarers Mark Maritime Day on USNS Indomitable to you courtesy of the failed. Similarly, a planned A series of ceremonies American taxpayer." merger between Avondale and marked National Maritime The senator also pointed out Newport News Shipbuilding is Memorial Day in Washington, that Avondale last year came off. D.C. last May. One of the under fire in federal court for Meanwhile, the AFL-CIO events took place at the numerous unfair labor practices organized a "community hearWashington Navy Yard, where the SIU-crewed USNS and safety violations. ing" in New Orleans on the Indomitable, operated by "On the one hand, the sixth anniversary of the Maersk Line for the Military National Labor Relations Board Avondale vote. Local workers, Sealift Command, was feaand OSHA (the Occupational clergymen, political represe~ta­ tured. Three Seafarers workSafety and Health Admin- tives and labor officials ing aboard that vessel were at istration) find Avondale in fla- (including AFL-CIO Secrethe ready to assist visitors on shipboard tours. They are, grant violation of the law. On the tary-Treasurer Rich Trumka) from left, AB Bobby E. Kelly, other hand, the Navy keeps spotlighted the need to protect EU Elliott A. Rhodes and rewarding Avondale with more workers' freedom to join a Bosun Robert Taylor. union. contracts." ...... ) New Additions to SIU Fleet 4 Seafarers LOG July 1999 �Realities of Runaway-Flag Shipping: Masked liunmen1 No Food or Wages NY Times Article Reveals More FOC Victims Even in Russia, the Inter- and chairman of the ITF's national Transport Workers' Seafarers Section. "It's important Federation (ITF) exhibition ship enough that the ITF launched the Global Mariner continues gain- Global Mariner, and there's no ing North American publicity for doubt the ship has generated a lot its campaign against runaway- of coverage, especially during the tlag shipping. past half-year." On May 22, The New York The SIU is one of the more Times published a detailed piece than 500 transportation-related about the runaway-flag Lakhta, unions affiliated with the whose Russian crew members London-based ITF. The union, for have not been paid in a year and decades, has partaken in the fight who recently were threatened at against runaway-flag shipping. gunpoint with eviction from the FOC Nighbnare badly rusted vessel. The ITF The article by Russell called attention to the Belize-flag ship when the Global Mariner Working disclosed that the docked nearby in Vladivostok, mariners aboard the cargo ship Lakhta "are a year behind in their Russia. The New York Times' article wages, and the owners no longer delves into the broader issue of provide food or water and once runaway-flag shipping-also even tried to evict the crew at known as flag-of-convenience gunpoint. The ship is caked in shipping-while using the Lakhta rust, and even her basic seaworcase as an example. The newspa- thiness is in question. The hatch per touches upon the Global covers over the cargo holds do Mariner, which has traveled not fully close, a problem that halfway around the world to pub- could swamp the ship in high 1icize the ITF's 50-year fight seas." As often happens in such against the runaway scam. This marks the continuation of cases, the crew "has not been able a wave of similar coverage that to figure out just who owes them began late last year and has con- the wages." In February, they tinued fairly steadily since then. sued the charterer, Dellner Other newspapers including the Shipping Co. of Russia, for more Houston Chronicle, Baltimore than $82,000 in back wages but a Sun, New Orleans Times- judge threw out the case. Dellner, which chartered the Picayune and many more have been joined by network television vessel from Seattle-based Caribnews affiliates in covering the bean Maritime, claimed the previblight caused by runaway-flag ous charter operator owed all but shipping (see box). In many 40 days' worth of wages. After cases, the stories were publicized the judge's ruling in mid-March, the company persuaded the court nationally. "Publicity is an important part to send a bailiff and 13 masked of the campaign. It raises aware- gunmen to the ship. When a television crew and a ness, which is a step toward correcting the problem," said John lawyer for the mariners arrived a Fay, SIU executive vice president little while later, the rifle-toting In the News Some recent high-profile cases involving runaway-flag ships • The New Carissa runs aground at Coos Bay, Ore., spilling 70,000 gallons of heavy bunker fuel and touching off weeks of nationwide coverage. Partly as a result of the incident, legislation is introduced in Congress to protect U.S. ports from similar mishaps. • Battling malnutrition and many other health problems, the crew of the disabled Delta Pride finally comes ashore-nearly a full year after being abandoned in Mexico by the ship's bankrupt owner. Unpaid for two years, the crew subsisted on rainwater and fish that they caught. • A fleet-wide conspiracy at Royal Caribbean Cruises involving environmental crimes is detailed in a Sunday New York Times article. The Miamibased company, fined a record $9 million for pollution incidents, saves about $30 million a year in U.S. taxes by registering its ships in Norway and Liberia, the article notes. A follow-up article points out that the 17 major cruise lines pay practically no income tax even though they are based in this country and 90 percent of the passengers are American. • The National Transportation Safety Board calls a two-day hearing about the Carnival cruise ship Ecstasy, which caught fire last year shortly after departing Miami. At the hearing, the Ecstasy's captain acknowledges he initially refused help from the Coast Guard to fight the blaze. He also told investigators he maintained a minimum speed out of Miami, despite black smoke and flames pouring from the aft mooring deck, in case he had to steer the vessel to keep the smoke from blowing across the ship. • The tanker Campo Duran is detained in Baltimore because of numerous safety problems. They include oil leaking into the bilge, which cannot be cleaned because of a faulty water separator; lack of fresh water; a malfunctioning main engine; a broken radar plotting system; an uninstalled emergency towing system; a lifeboat blocked by stacks of 55-gallon drums; no heat; and widespread unsanitary conditions. July 1999 individuals (some of whom reportedly had climbed the masts and threatened the crew) as well as the bailiff left the ship. The ITF's inspector in Vladivostok is assisting the mariners, while personnel from the Global Mariner donated stores and money. Runaway-flag ships are carriers operating under the flag of a non-traditional maritime 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 take advantage of less stringent labor, safety, regulatory and tax standards than if that vessel were registered in the owner's nation of citizenship. The ITF Global Mariner has gained publicity for the organization's campaign against runaway-flag shipping-a campaign actively supported by the SIU. Cases like that of the Lakhta, spotlighted recently by The New York Times, help reveal the runaway-flag scam. Battling the 'Millennium Bug' U.S. Parts Will Remain Open When Clack Strikes Midnight Coast Guard Says It Is Ready -· for Y2K Even as the U.S. Coast Guard continued conducting Y2K tests at sea and ashore last month, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that U.S. ports will remain open on January I, 2000. However, the Coast Guard also warned that "where there are concerns for safety, operational restrictions could be imposed by the local Coast Guard captain of the port." Such constraints may include anchoring outside a harbor, sailing at reduced speed, one-way traffic lanes or extra tugboat assistance, among others. The announcement took place June 15 in Southern California, where Coast Guard officials carried out two days of Y2K tests throughout the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as well as aboard the Seafarers-crewed APL Singapore. SIU-contracted Crowley Marine Services also took part in the exercises, which involved simulated oil spills, engine failures and electronic communications obstacles. Maritime concerns about the so-called millennium bug- potential disruptions stemming from computers and other electronic equipment that misreads the year 2000 as 1900-include possible collisions, spills or traffic jams in harbors. Virtually any system that supports shipping or cargo handling is susceptible, including navigation and engine control systems, cargo gauging equipment, vessel traffic management tools, and communications devices. The industry is far from alone in tackling the Y2K issue. According to revised estimates released last month by the White House, the U.S. government will have spent at least $8.06 billion working on Y2K fixes. Notwithstanding the problem's breadth, DOT Deputy Secretary Mort Downey and Coast Guard Rear Admiral George Naccara expressed confidence that U.S. port operations would run smoothly through the new year and beyond. Downey pointed out that the cooperative efforts from different sectors of the industry have yielded substantial progress in readying for the year 2000. "We believe we are well on our way to having a (maritime) transportation system that will operate properly before, during and after the millennium change," he stated. Naccara, the agency's chief information officer, said, "Rather than interrupt U.S. port activities on January I, the Coast Guard will gather and assess information on operators' Y2K preparations, and impose operational restrictions only ifthe operator's level of Y2K preparedness raises safety concerns. The idea is to have a consistent, nationwide approach that will protect life, property and the marine environment while recognizing the importance of ocean transportation to the nation's economy." He added that the Coast Guard has worked on its Y2K plans for about two years. Seafarers LOG 5 �From St. Marys to St. Mary's ~ . .·· Alaskan Ledlow Looks Forwanl ~ - -- ~, f ~ ... ~-3 Al.AIKANA!llltll.IST »·~~ af ~lrOhtl.or;".d , !N ..... i !91Ct~d~:WO. ~.tlC4tbeptm--- : 2fHl~1'1N;r.S~~·t..... f -- Val .. s • wa!ltt hMno~;::~.t=:=:=:: I To New Career as SW Member When Chris Ledlow climbs the gangway this summer as a member of the engine department crew for the first time, it will be the culmination of his dream to obtain a skill that opens the whole world to him. Ledlow, a graduate of unlicensed apprentice class 583, is an Alaska Native who had spent most of his life in the Yukon River village of St. Marys in the southwestern comer of the state prior to his arrival at the Paul Hall Center in St. Mary's County, Md. last year. The 20-year-old has become a celebrity of sorts in his home state because of the career path he has chosen. He had a feature story published about him April 12 in the Anchorage Daily News. Then, that city's NBC television affiliate shot a day in his life at the Paul Hall Center, running the video on June 3. "I hope this lets others in Alaska know the possibilities they have with the SIU and the merchant marine," the unassuming Ledlow told a reporter for the Seafarers LOG. "My village only has a couple hundred people. I could work in a grocery store, at a cannery or my father's garage and that is about it. When I heard about Unlicensed Apprentice Chris Ledlow tells a television reporter why others from Alaska should attend the Paul Hall Center. this, I wanted to try it and see what I could do." Ledlow found out about the unlicensed apprentice program through SIU Anchorage Representative Harold Holten. Holten has been working with Alaska-area private industry councils to recruit young men and women from the state to become merchant mariners. Alaska has high unemployment As instructor Mark Cates offers directions on forklift operations, an Alaskan television crew works on an "up-close-and-personal" shot of Chris Ledlow. statistics compared to the rest of the country. The SIU recruitment effort has the blessing of the state's congressional delegation-Sens. Ted Stevens (R) and Frank Murkowski (R) and Rep. Don Young (R)-as well as Gov. Tony Knowles (D). In fact, the joint venture received national recognition in March from the National Association of Private Industry Councils for its success. When Ledlow began his work in the first phase of training, he had no idea in which department he wanted to sail. That changed during his phase two experience aboard the Great Land, a vessel operated by TOTE. "I got to work in all three departments, which is part of the program. But I could not believe my 30 days were over so quickly when I was in the engine department. I felt I had only been there two weeks. I knew that is where I wanted to be," Ledlow recalled. Upon his return to the Paul Hall Center, he dedicated himself to learning as much as he could to begin his new career in the engine room. That training allowed him to be among the first to battle a blaze in the Eternal Flame bum building on the grounds of the new Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School. "It was incredible. I couldn't believe how hot it got in there. Then they told me it was only 300 degrees, but it could be turned up to 1,600. I wouldn 't want to feel that." During his interviews with the Alaskan media, Ledlow was asked what differences he had encountered during his education at Piney Point. "The salmon. It doesn't taste the same in Maryland as it does back home in Alaska. But I've gotten used to it." Paul Hall Center's Russell Honored on Memorial Day The Anchorage Daily News ran a feature story about Unlicensed Apprentice Chris Ledlow when he returned to Piney Point for phase three training. Apprentices Learn Maritime History During a recent trip to the port of Baltimore, students in the final segment of the Paul Hall Center's unlicensed apprentice program learned about contemporary maritime happenings and industry heritage. The students met with SIU members and officers aboard the USNS Capella (below), where they reviewed various aspects of shipboard work. They also toured the historic Liberty ship John W Brown (top photo), currently staffed by volunteers. On the World War II-era vessel, the apprentices gained new appreciation for the role of the U.S. merchant marine in national defense Posing for a photo aboard the Capella (bottom photo) are (from left) Capt. David Kelly, Chief Mate Michael Murphy, Unlicensed Apprentice Melvin Ratcliff, Paul Hall Center Instructor Shannon Twigg, Chief Steward John Walsh and Bosun Gary Clarke. He Was Among the First U.S. Troops Called to Action in South Korea Many Seafarers know Albert Russell as the face of security at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. However, few know that the man in the guard house is a decorated Korean War hero. Russell was honored with other American veterans in St. Mary's County over Memorial Day. All of them were in a feature photograph printed in the local newspaper, The Enterprise. In July 1950, Russell was among the first wave of American troops sent to South Korea following the invasion from the north. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army's 21st Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division when he was wounded by shrapnel from mortar fire just days after landing in South Korea. (During that same engagement, 6 Seafarers LOG his overall commanding officera general-was taken prisoner.) Russell told a reporter he never felt like a hero. " I was sent over there to do a job and I did it," the soft-spoken Russell said. "I'm proud of what I did for my country." Russell received the Purple Heart and Cluster for his multiple wounds. After recovering, he continued to serve in South Korea until July 1951 . He was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and many citations for his duty. He was discharged in July 1952. Russell has been part of the security staff at the Paul Hall Center since August 1970. But this is not his first stint at that location. Shortly after being released from the Army, he land- Paul Hall Center Security Guard Albert Russell displays his Purple Heart, Bronze Star and other citations he earned during his tour of duty in the Korean Conflict. ed a job at the old torpedo testing range-on the same location as the center-in the Navy gun factory from 1953 to 1957. July 1999 �Watchman Vlado Lazarevski Kinsman Independent Oiler William English Kinsman Independent Fireman John Rittinghouse Kinsman Independent Low water levels on the Great Lakes have impacted cargo movements, but for the most part it has been "business as usual" for Seafarers sailing in that region. In April, there was an 8.6 percent cargo downturn in iron ore, coal and stone compared to the same time last year. Some 14.8 million tons of cargo were shipped on the Lakes that month. As of mid-June, Lakes cargo movements were down about 13 Despite cargo movement that trails the record paces of recent years, Seafarers remain very active on the Lakes, including aboard the Kinsman Independent (right photo), the Adam E. Cornelius (above, towed by an SIU-crewed Great Lakes Towing tug) and many other vessels. . I ) ...:'~ percent compared to the 1998-99 shipping season. A Lakes trade association pointed out that besides low water levels, the drop "also reflects the fact that the winter of 1997-98 was extremely mild and thus dry-bulk trades resumed ahead of schedule." Additionally, dumped foreign steel continues impacting the Lakes fleet, although some nations have slowed their steel exports to the U.S. Watchman Nick Velkoff American Republic Porter Julius Najera Kinsman Independent SIU Rep. Don Thornton, Oiler Charles Lesley Kinsman Independent Deckhand Musid Musleh American Republic Watchman Raymond Spooner American Mariner Chief Cook Abdulwahab Mutahr, Asst. Cook Paul Paton Alpena Deckhand Donald Sausman Kinsman Independent July 1999 Seafarers LOG 7 �Steward Has Loving Message During Black History Month Commemorations of this year's Black History Month extended far beyond U.S. shores, thanks in part to Saundra Leonard. The chief steward gave a heartfelt speech February 28 in Diego Garcia during a shoreside celebration of the month designated for reflection upon the his- tory, teachings and other contributions of African Americans. Organized by a U.S. Navy officer, the event drew approximately 250 people, including other speakers. "Something's always happening on the island," noted Leonard, who was sailing aboard the Buffalo Soldier-a ship Chief Steward Saundra Leonard is congratulated for her remarks by AB Gregory Bamfeld (left photo) and AB Allan Green. named in memory of African American cavalry units who served in the untamed western U.S.-<iuring Black History Month. "This particular ceremony brought tears to people's eyes." A frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, Leonard told the audience that she has witnessed a disturbing deterioration in human interaction. "Especially in the 1980s, drugs and crime and other undesirable things came into our community (in Southern California), and things just fell apart," she said. "We stopped loving ourselves, our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers." Leonard suggested that acceptance and religious faith are vital to societal improvement. "Stop looking at the color of a person's skin, and try to see the beauty in The SIU-crewed prepositioning vessel Buffalo Soldier is named in memory of black Army veterans who served in campaigns throughout the then-untamed western plains. a person," she advised. "If we of all races don't start loving one another, this world will never change .... Love of self and of God is the only thing that's going to bring happiness." Listeners responded to Leonard's remarks with loud applause. The concept for Black History Month came from Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. In 1926, he secured government recognition of "Negro History Week" honoring the contributions of black Americans. Woodson picked a week in February because the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass occurred during the month. In 1976, spurred by the renamed Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, the commemorative week expanded to a month. The SIU-crewed Buffalo Soldier, operated by Red River Shipping Corp. for the U.S. Military Sealift Command, is named after the all-black 9th and 1oth Cavalry Regiments created by the Army Reorganization Act of 1866. The units served until just before World War II. Cape Trinity Crew Awarded Certificate of Excellence The SIU-crewed Cape Trinity, one of 91 ships in the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) owned by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MarAd), is often called upon to support military exercises. One recent operation, howev- er-transporting a complete, rapidly erectable, 500-bed hospital to Norway- earned the ship's crew a certificate of excellence, presented personally by Maritime Administrator Clyde J. Hart Jr. Using the vessel's huge stem ramp, about I 00 vehicles and 400 The SIU crew aboard the Cape Trinity recently was honored for its outstanding performance in support of a military operation. With the crew are Maritime Administrator Clyde J. Hart Jr., MarAd Central Region Director John W. Carnes, Apex Director of Marine Operations Robert Kunkel, SIU VP Dean Corgey and Assistant VP Jim McGee. containers were rolled on the ship in Virginia and offloaded in Norway. Two weeks following Hart's visit, the master, crew and managers of the Houston-based cargo ship also were honored, this time by the U.S. Navy's Fleet Hospital Group. A plaque was presented to the ship during an informal ship ceremony by Deputy Maritime Administrator John E. Graykowski. Ninety-five percent of the material needed in a military deployment must be sent by sea, Graykowski stated. "We are proud that the Cape Trinity has demonstrated how well suited the ships are to respond to any contingency." Six of the 91 RRF vessels are based in Houston, and of those, three, including the Cape Trinity, are managed by Apex Marine Ship Management, LLC for MarAd. Each of the vessels flies the RRF readiness flag, signifying that, in a national defense emergency, it will fill out its crew, take on stores and fuel, and be ready to sail in 96 or 120 hours. Proud of their union and their vessel are some of the crew members aboard the Cape Trinity, an RAF ship honored for its military support. From the left are Chief Electrician Gabriel Arhin, Recertified Bosun Billy Eastwood, GUDE Edward Shamburger and QMED Ross Hardy. El Yunque's First Call Following the presentation of MarAd's certificate of excellence to the crew of the Cape Trinity, that agency's administrator, Clyde J. Hart Jr., poses with (from left) SIU VP Dean Corgey, Assistant VP Jim McGee and MarAd Central Region Director John W. Carnes. One There When You Need Him The AFL-CIO recently reported that, when 100 delegates to the Steelworkers civil rights conference began demonstrating in support of locked-out workers at the Kaiser Aluminum plant in Gramercy, La., someone called the local sheriff's office. When the sheriff arrived, he called for backup-not to arrest the demonstrators, but rather to protect them from traffic on the busy fourlane highway. It so happens the sheriff is a former member of the Steelworkers and once served as grievance chair at that same Kaiser plant. B Seafarers LOG The newly contracted El Yunque, operated by Sea Star Line, recently made its first call at Port Everglades, Fla. Pictured in the galley during that stop in May are (from left) Chief Steward Matthew Scott, SA Charles B. Collier and Chief Cook James Kasha. July 1999 �Captain C.R. Balomenos complimented the Liberty Sea '.S' crew for a "very good voyage" that took place this spring. The SIU-crewed vessel is operated by Liberty Maritime Corp. ALL IN A DAY'S WORK: Above and left, Seafarers including Bosun Harold Sebring and AB James Deano clean the holds. AB Dave Hetrick moves to the next task on the Liberty Sea. Right: Hands-on experience is a key part of the Paul Hall Center's phase two training for unlicensed apprentices. Here, apprentices Chad Warren (left) and Ronald Gloston (right) join AB Robert English in cleaning the holds. Enjoying lunch are (from left) QMED William Parker and GUDEs Terrence Ford and Louis Green. 66,000 in Puerto Rico Win Union Elections In one of the biggest unionization efforts ever, an overwhelming majority of voters chose union representation in elections last month covering 66,000 Puerto Rico Department of Education employees. Teachers, cafeteria workers, maintenance personnel and clerical employees voted by an 85 percent margin to join unions. They will vote again this fall to decide which union represents them in each unit. According to a news release from the AFL-CIO, the election was part of a two-step process created by the passage last year of a law giving public employees in the territory the right to form a union. Approximately 150,000 public employees in Puerto Rico are eligible for union representation under the new regulations. The vote involving the Department of Education, which ended in mid-June, was the first conducted under the new law. Elections for other departments will follow, noted the labor federation. The vote ·counts among the four groups were: teachers, 29,058 yes to 3,538 no; cafeteria workers 5,144 yes to 547 no; July 1999 Doing their part to make the vessel a good feeder are (from left) Chief Cook Luis Caballero, Chief Steward Charles Scott and GSU Wilfred Lambey. maintenance employees, 3, 150 yes to 312 no; and office workers, 2,500 yes to 445 no. Eighty percent of eligible voters cast a ballot. "We want a union contract so we can build the best possible future for ourselves, our families and the children we teach every single day," stated Nancy Cardona, a teacher in San Juan. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney pointed out, "These employees know that ~union will mean better jobs, enhanced schools and stronger communities throughout Puerto Rico. "The overwhelmingly positive vote spotlights these workers' ardent desire to have a greater voice on the job." There are approximately 1,600 schools in the Puerto Rico system. The Department of Education employees are forming unions with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the United Auto Workers (UAW). (See page 10 for related story.) USNS Bob Hope Does 'Fleet Week' in NY Posing for a photo after a union meeting last month aboard the USNS Bob Hope are (front row, from left) SIU Patrolman Jack Caffey Jr., OS Bryan Gaddis, Bosun Terry Evins, SAD. Williams, (back row) SA Roy Warren and AB Bob Day. The USNS Bob Hope, pictured last month in New York during the Navy's "Fleet Week," is one of four vessels in its class crewed by Seafarers. The newest one, the USNS Mendonca, was christened in April. Greeting a visitor at the gangway are (from left) Bosun Terry Evans, AB Lumumba Lasana, Navy Sailor Laurie Brindle, Storekeeper Gary Bruber and AB Eric Overby. Seafarers LOG 9 �More Workers Say 'Union Yes' The national federation of trade unions last month reported that new government data show workers are conducting and winning more union elections than in previous years. The AFL-CIO, of which the SIU is an affiliate, also pointed out that the elections cover increasing numbers of workers, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Bureau of National Affairs from National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) data for 1998. Employees secured union representation in 1,653 elections, or 51.2 percent of balloting in 1998, compared to 1,591 elections, or 50.3 percent of voting in 1997. The number of elections in 1998 increased to 3,229 from 3, 160 in 1997, a 2.2 percent increase. Additionally, the federation noted that workers last year won half of the campaigns involving units of 500 or more employees -a high point since such statistics have been tracked. Those figures "are good news for American workers, because growing unions mean better jobs and stronger communities," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. "Unions are on the right track, and are reaching out more than we have in years. We should celebrate this news by redoubling our efforts." The highest win rate was in the finance, insurance and real estate industries, where workers won nearly 84 percent of 31 elections. Workers won more than half the elections in health care services; general services; transportation, communications and utilities; retail; and construction. Moreover, the NLRB statistics do not include some of the largest organizing wins in 1998 which occurred under the National Railway Labor Act or through employer recognition of majority worker support outside an election process. In total, more than 475,000 workers joined unions in 1998, according to the federation. And, as previously reported in the Seafarers LOG, union membership rose for the first time in years in 1998-by more than 100,000 -according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released earlier this year. The number of union members in the U.S. rose from 16.1 million to 16.2 million. Unfon density in the service sector-the largest sector of the economy-rose for the first time, from 5.4 percent to 5.6 percent. Safety Drills on Sea-Land Expedition Water survival drills are a staple aboard SIU-crewed ships, as participants eagerly hone their skills for a scenario they hope never occurs. Recently, Seafarers on the Sea-Land Expedition executed a regularly scheduled lifeboat drill (top photo) while the vessel was in San Juan, P.R. Above left, Recertified Bosun Ismael Rivera and AB Efrain Alvarez secure the boat following the drill as others observe. Above right, Oiler A. Omer and AB Roger Plaud grease the wire while the boat is retrieved from the water. Below, Alvarez performs maintenance that is a standard part of the drill. Wilmington Seafarers in Korea .......~~/UJ Four self-described "proud members of the SIU" from the port of Wilmington, Calif. recently posed for this photo while waiting for a flight connection at the airport in Ulsan, South Korea, shortly after signing off the Sea-Land Challenger. Pictured from left to right are AB Dominic Sanfilippo, AB Frank Cammuso, Chief Steward Terry Allen and AB Amin Hussein. They returned to the vessel about three weeks later, Cammuso noted. Pidare roanell • ..... Relmring in Piney Point Picture yourself and your family by the pool, at the beach, on a picnic. Or picture yourself and your family exploring Civil War sites, checking out dinosaur bones at the Smithsonian Institution, catching a foul ball at a Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards. All these activities-and more-are possible day trips when you vacation at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. The cost is just $40 per day for each SIU member and $10 10 Seafarers LOB per day for a spouse and for each child. (There is no charge for children 11 years of age or younger.) These prices include all meals. There is still time for Seafarers and their families to plan to spend up to two weeks of their summer vacation in Piney Point. To turn your pictures into reality, call the Seafarers Training & Recreation Center at (301) 994-0010 or send in the reservation form now. r-------------------------------------, SEAFARERS TRAINING & RECREATION CENTER Vacation Reservation Information Name: ---------------------------------------------------------------------~ Social Security number: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Book number: ___________________ Address: Telephone number: ----------·----------------------------------Number in party I ages of children, if applicable: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3rd choice: _ _ __ 1st choice: ________ 2nd choice: _ _ __ Date of arrival: (Stay is limited to a maximum of two weeks) Date of departure: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Send this completed application to the Seafarers Training & Recreation Center, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674. 7199 -••~L-------------------------------------~ July 1999 �6011't Services Division Member Writes Novel About Subic Bay For some mariners, writing is a means of passing time, whether it involves poems, stories or letters. For Anthony R. Mills, a member of the SIU's Government Services Division, it is a serious avocation. Mills recently penned a 344-page novel titled "Subic Bay, The Last American Colony," published by Noble House of Baltimore. Billed as "an historic and personal look into naval base living," the book draws upon Mills' eight years of experience sailing out of the Philippines. In a letter to the Seafarers LOG, Mills Jim THE LAST AMERICAN COLONY noted that the book is available via numerous internet sites (including borders.com and amazon.com, for instance) or through the publisher's toll-free number: 1800-873-2003. Price varies by seller, as some offer discounts off the $27.95 cover price. A promotional flyer for "Subic Bay, The Last American Colony" describes it as "a remarkably vivid retrospective novel about the American naval base and the people of Olongapo, Philippines. Cultivated over 50 years, the mixture of civilians, naval personnel, and Philippine nationals bred an inter- From Portugal to New Orleans -;h r-·-. dependent and colorful community residing in the area. Mills' penetrating narrative explores the lives and relationships of this unlikely cultural assortment and examines the bonds which made its dissolution painful for so many. "Centered around the activities of the USNS Spice, a United States Navy supply vessel and its crew members, 'Subic Bay' steers readers through the waning years of an historic American era covering the period from the early 1980s through the Desert Storm conflict in 1990 until the installation shut down in 1991." Recertified Bosun Cesar Gutierrez sent these photos to the Seafarers LOG showing the Liberty Star's recent voyage from Portugal to New Orleans. In top photo, the bosun preps mooring lines for arrival. Above left, Deck Maintenance Ivan Aguilar helps ready the vessel for docking in New Orleans. Above right, Unlicensed Apprentice Joel Encarnacion demonstrates that shipboard life may include the occasional barbecue. Great Lakes Towing Turns 100 Mills wrote the book to provide "an historic and personal look into naval base living." Anthony Mills, AB and author, most recently sailed aboard the USNS Tippecanoe. Taking Advantage of Technology American Steamship Company Adds Defibrillators to Vessels Donation Made to High School for Computer Upgrades SIU-contracted American Steamship Company (ASC) is taking advantage of modem technology while helping others do the same. The company recently announced that its 11 self-unloading vessels plying the Great Lakes have been equipped with automatic external defibrillators (AED}-portable devices used to treat individuals when in cardiac arrest. "ASC has adopted this program to increase the odds of saving lives," the company said in a news release. "The AED could mean the difference between life and death for crew members aboard Great Lakes vessels. Published medical research suggests that many heart attack victims would likely survive with early defibrillation." The machines are compact and weigh only a few pounds. ASC noted that "advances in technology have streamlined and simplified these devices to a point where the AED will walk the user through a simple, step-by-step process with voice and visual prompts. Once sensor pads are placed properly on the victim's chest, the AED analyzes the heart rhythm in seconds and then determines if a shock is warranted." Meanwhile, ASC and its parent organization recently donated July 1999 Taking part in the ceremonial opening of the ASC-GATX Media Center at St. Mary's High in Lancaster, N.Y. are (from left) American Steamship Company President and CEO Ned Smith, St. Mary's Principal Patrick Brady, and St. Mary's Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas Malecki. $15,000 to a Lancaster, N.Y. high school, with the funds spent on computers and internet access. In May, ASC and GATX Corp. made the donation to St. Mary's High, a 95-year-old Catholic school believed to be the oldest such facility in the nation. The grant is part of a philanthropic program in which the companies regularly participate. St. Mary's spent the money to network its entire computer system, establish internet access throughout the school, update various computer equipment and purchase software. Altogether, SIU-contracted Great Lakes Towing officially turns 100 years old on July 7. The Clevelandbased company owns and operates tugboats serving dozens of ports. Among those currently in service are (above) the new ZTHREE and (at right) the Montana. Pictured below, from the Seafarers LOG archives, is a late1970s shot of Great Lakes Towing boats docked in the Cuyahoga River. the new and upgraded purchases were dedicated as the ASCGATX Media Center. The school plans to add internet-related courses to its curriculum. Ned Smith, president and CEO of ASC (which is based in Williamsville, N.Y.), said the St. Mary's grant is part of a "contributions program that focuses on education, the environment and on strengthening families. This grant will help promote student and teacher excellence in the ever evolving world of computer technology." Seafarers LOii 11 �Upgraders, Apprentice So far, the newest addition to the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is living up to its billing. The Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School, a one-of-a-kind facility that replicates shipboard fues and other marine hazards, officially went into use early last month. Upgraders and students in the center's unlicensed apprentice program are utilizing the Joe Sacco School's modem classrooms, water survival trainer, maze building, bum building, damage-control area and fire props to boost their safety skills and knowledge. "It's a wonderful fire fighting school, probably the best in the world," said Certified Chief Cook Don Irvine, one of the first upgraders to train there. A member of the SIU since 12 Seafarers LOG 1981, Irvine noted that the stateof-the-art facilities are maximized by the instructors. "That's what I liked best-the teachers listen to the students very well. There's good communication between the instructors and the students," he noted. Located in Valley Lee, Md., just down the road from the Paul Hall Center, the fire fighting chool boasts a unique design that specifically recreates shipboard environments. It is being used for the basic and advanced fire fighting classes as well as the STCW basic safety, lifeboatman/water survival and government vessels courses. "I think it's great," declared Wiper Wayne Abell, moments after completing drills using a fire hose and fire extinguisher. "It's very realistic, and I'm sure [the instructors] could crank it up even more." Unlicensed Apprentice David Green chuckled when recalling his experience in the maze building, a two-story facility with a modifiable interior that figures to challenge even the most direction-savvy Seafarers. "It's amazing and really tricky," said Green, who nevertheless finished his drill in respectable time. During the exercise, "everything is black, so you have to feel all over the place. It was nerve-wracking at first. I had gone through with a flashlight and it was easy. It's a different story without that light." Lolita Thomas, who sails in the steward department, summarized the feelings of her classmates in the STCW basic safety class when she proclaimed, "It's a really good school and I'm glad we have it. It's good for us." July 1999 �·~· ?') fire Fighting & Pictured on these two pages and the next page are the first classes to utilize the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School. The photos were taken from late May to mid-June; they include an STCW basic safety course and an unlicensed apprentice class. July 1999 Seafarers LOG 13 �• Training Begins at the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School Students use extinguishers and hoses to combat different types of fires that may occur at sea. ,_ Gen. Tony Robertson emerges from the burn building after a firsthand look at a fire fighting drill. Slater, Robertson, Abercrombie Commend Fire Fighting School Representatives from Congress, the administration and the military recently praised the opening of the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, Air Force General Charles "Tony" Robertson, who heads the Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), and Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) commended the Valley Lee, Md. facility in recent correspondence with SIU President Michael Sacco. Slater said the "state-of-the-art, environmentally secure training facility is a fitting tribute to the years of dedication and commitment Joseph Sacco gave to this union and Hands-on instruction is a key facet of training at the new facility, as demonstrated by instructors John Smith (third photo above) and Stormie Combs (two photos directly above). 14 Seafarers LOG Sensors inside the control room of the burn building (fourth photo above) help provide a realistic but safe training experience. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said the new school is named in memory of "a remarkable man," Joe Sacco. to the men and women who are sailing aboard ships on the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland waterways." He further pointed out the school "will guarantee that our (mariner) work force continues to be the best trained in the world." Following his inspection of the school in late May, Robertson described it as a "national treasure" that will benefit "merchant mariners . . . and our country." He also applauded the mission of the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (which encompasses the fire fighting school) as well as its staff and the rest of its facilities. Abercrombie, a strong supporter of the U.S. merchant marine who personally knew Joe Sacco, said the school is a fitting tribute to "one of the most beloved figures in the U.S. maritime industry and the American labor movement.. . . His tireless efforts to improve the lives of the men and women of the SIU made for a full life of service and commitment to the values we cherish and the nation we love .... "May those who pass through these doors emerge with their skills enhanced and their dedication to safety strengthened." Joseph Sacco was the SIU's executive vice president when he passed away in 1996. SIU President Michael Sacco (right) and SIU VP Contracts Augie Tellez (center) discuss the school's uses and objectives with Gen. Tony Robertson. DOT Sec'y Rodney Slater noted the facility will help uphold U.S. tradition of welltrained mariners. July 1999 �Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea MAY 16 - JUNE 15, 1999 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 19 8 5 3 1 DECK DEPARTMENT 9 5 3 0 7 0 4 0 0 8 8 15 11 7 9 14 5 22 16 26 IO 13 17 Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals 22 6 6 6 11 16 IO 4 9 37 12 27 33 10 12 6 IO 6 6 5 27 15 6 27 3 2 3 242 4 2 128 11 11 2 9 3 3 5 11 l 3 85 Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals 13 0 3 7 8 9 7 4 6 8 6 I 0 3 0 IO 11 3 13 7 9 10 0 1 15 6 4 3 5 12 O 8 8 0 11 14 6 0 2 0 7 1 l 2 l 118 100 34 16 6 4 0 3 2 12 6 5 2 10 5 Totals 13 18 5 13 20 1 2 200 5 9 I 5 4 9 9 6 10 5 2 105 6 IO 7 2 IO 13 12 18 24 2 10 19 7 8 7 12 14 3 16 8 9 21 17 21 2 3 2 2 3 0 8 4 11 3 3 0 5 2 2 2 New Bedford ..........Tuesday: August 17, September 21 2 1 105 1 3 416 l 5 I New Orleans ...........Tuesday: August IO, September 14 180 110 70 0 11 s 5 2 4 3 0 7 14 12 8 13 1 10 5 1 4 5 4 2 0 9 13 37 14 18 15 4 6 6 0 2 4 1 1 22 6 3 3 7 6 IO 7 8 21 3 4 6 l 2 2 196 0 0 2 0 0 0 90 20 47 144 51 0 7 0 4 0 0 36 0 s 1 5 13 7 10 l 8 6 0 13 5 3 22 1 11 15 2 2 2 l 2 3 l 7 1 0 1 29 26 4 3 5 3 5 14 l3 12 5 7 12 3 11 8 2 65 2 0 15 38 13 3 178 168 542 457 316 0 0 4 4 3 0 0 0 2 IO 1 4 I 2 34 7 l 25 0 2 4 7 2 0 2 12 0 0 1 9 13 9 0 5 6 14 0 0 112 2 1 47 7 116 1 2 37 354 9 2 1 8 4 25 48 28 6 6 7 3 2 2 6 0 2 12 6 5 0 9 36 0 2 9 0 0 0 6 4 15 0 0 19 60 212 438 7 I 2 11 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 3 17 3 0 0 I 0 0 2 0 3 0 2 11 7 0 2 0 0 0 5 2 9 0 7 11 7 0 1 4 7 0 4 6 6 0 5 3 3 0 0 0 51 23 5 0 4 3 I 0 0 0 0 0 12 II 0 0 0 2 0 0 101 32 112 210 Mobile .................... Wednesday: August 11, September 15 New York.. ..............Tuesday: August 3, September 7 20 2 4 2 0 IO 6 3 0 9 2 0 248 73 35 11 59 0 0 44 9 4 ] 4 l 3 7 18 6 13 12 25 25 18 8 6 8 22 14 IO 5 46 15 90 7 4 18 0 11 80 2 287 246 940 656 428 4 0 0 0 San Juan ..................Thursday: August 5, September 9 St. Louis .................Friday: August 13, September 17 Tacoma ................... Friday: August 20, September 24 Wilmington ...............Tuesday, August 17* Monday, September 20 Each port~s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Personals STA LEYB OW Please contact Evelyn Brandenburg of San Pablo, Calif. at (510) 724-9851. EDMOND HAWKINS Please write your children at 54 Saw Mill Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922. DOUGLASA.HUNDSHAMER Please give your mother, Verna Hundshamer, a call at (315) 458-5326. JOHN POMEROY Please call Jim at (734) 254-5048 regarding the 25th lntricarb reunion to be held next year. Cl--111111111 LOG-A-RHYTHMS ... Sea · 0 14 12 Phitadelphia ............ Wednesday: August 4, September 8 (•change created by Paul Hall birthday holiday) 5 4 1 2 Jersey City .............. Wednesday: August 18, September 22 San Francisco .........Thursday: August 12, September 16 5 3 4 1 0 0 Jacksonville ............ Thursday: August 5, September 9 Norfolk ...................Thursday: August 5, September 9 19 l 11 Houston ..................Monday: August 9, September 13 0 7 8 0 l Honolulu .................Friday: August 13, September 17 2 3 0 2 0 Duluth ..................... Wednesday: August 11, September 15 24 I 3 2 Baltimore ................Thursday: August 5, September 9 2 3 10 *"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. July 1999 17 8 16 21 16 21 7 Algonac ..................Friday: August 6, August 10 4 2 94 0 6 7 1 0 0 4 (•change created by Labor Day holiday) 11 48 10 2 5 8 11 0 15 3 18 s 5 61 50 44 52 24 7 Piney Point ............. Monday: August 2 Tuesday, September 7* 3 5 2 8 9 13 12 2 13 7 7 7 4 49 2 4 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 7 6 10 2 0 3 0 2 **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 13 17 7 4 14 Totals All Departments 2 20 10 Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Trip Reliefs STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Tacoma Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C August & September 1999 Membership Meetings Deep Sea1 Lakes, Inland Waters 20 2 11 15 s 4 0 by Judy Merwin Sometimes I wonder why ... Why we cant see things through another s eyes? Why it seems wrong to care, To want to shoulder the burdens they bear? Some of us flee to the sea, Seeking a healing that floating upon it brings. Gathering our strengths and will to survive, Rising and sleeping with the tides. Working and eating as the vessel rolls and pitches, Thinking about the things that our lives delivered Praying/or our loved ones and all those of the places we visit, Channeling the Universes energies like the goods we deliver. Wondering why things didn't work out the way we planned? Why we are reluctant to plan again? One by one we begin to see. And open anothe,. s eyes to see. Judy Merwin is an OS working on upgrading to AB. She currently is sailing aboard the USNS Capella. Seafarers LOG 15 �Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes Seatare1S 1ntematlonal Onion Dll'fldory MAY 16 - ... Michael Sacro President ·· · . CL - JQhn Fay · · · .Executive Vice President Secretary~Treasurer Augustin Tellez L- Company/Lakes *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP David Heindel JUNE 15, 1999 Lakes NP - Non Priority TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP Vice President Contracts Jack Caffey Vice President Atlantic Coast Byron Kelley Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone Vice President West Coast Kermett Mangram . Vice President Government Services ... HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs. MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St Clair River Dr. Algonac, Ml 48001 (810) 794-4988 Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac 0 29 10 0 14 8 0 5 2 0 12 25 DECK DEPARTMENT 0 15 3 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 12 4 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 3 0 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 3 5 0 14 7 0 2 4 0 2 2 0 9 20 Totals All Depts 0 60 45 0 12 27 33 0 *"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. 33 ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #IC Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters MAY 16 - BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 327-4900 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 722-4110 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St. Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 122 l Pierce St. Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JERSEY CITY 99 Montgomery St. Jersey City, NJ 07302 (201) 435-9424 MOBJLE J640 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Mobile, AL 36605 (334) 478-0916 NEW BEDFORD 48 Union St New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd. Harvey. LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St. Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes, Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes, Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast GuJfCoast Lakes, Inland Waters West Coast Totals 0 I 0 42 I 44 0 0 0 26 0 26 0 0 0 0 23 0 23 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 3 13 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 JUNE 15, 1999 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C DECK DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 0 3 14 0 0 5 4 19 1 7 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 2 28 8 38 0 2 0 3 5 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 16 0 0 0 15 0 10 25 0 3 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 1 0 0 0 72 Totals All Depts 1 7 5 93 1 15 33 *"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. 29 PIC-FROM-THE-PAST PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75 Piney Point, MD 20674 (301 ) 994-00 I 0 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale. FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16~ Santurce, PR 00907 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave. St Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave. Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WJLMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 16 Seafarers LOG These photos were sent to the Seafarers LOG by retired Captain Raymond P. Karlsvik of Raymond, Wash. They were taken in Okinawa, Japan at Christmas time 1951 aboard the Ponce de Leon, a Waterman C-2. The group photo shows crew members gathered in the messroom following a holiday meal. Bosun Hans Skaalegaard-Jansen (left) and Karlsvik are in the photo at right. In a note accompanying the photos, Karlsvik writes that Skaalegaard-Jansen was a very good bosun-"truly a sailor's sailor." He also was a fine marine artist and went on to pursue a career as such. Karlsvik, an AB (blue ticket) at the time, found his way to Sea-Land Service, Inc., where he spent 28 years. As a captain, he helped bring three of the new Sea-Land ships from Sturgeon Bay, Wis. to Tacoma, Wash. for the Alaska trade On one trip to Green Bay, Wis. to captain another of the ships, Karlsvik writes that he went to the hotel closest to the airport, and upon entering the dining room, came upon a beautiful painting of a square-rigged ship. "My first thought," he writes, "was that it looked like something Hans would have painted and, upon closer inspection, I found his name on it." Small world! July 1999 �- Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who .have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard US-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. ne recertified bosun is among the nine Seafarers announcing their retirements this month. Representing 37 years of active union membership, Recertified Bosun John S. Bertolino is a graduate of the highest training available to members in the deck department at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. Including the recertified graduate, five of the retiring Seafarers sailed in the deep sea division, three shipped on inland vessels and one plied the Great Lakes. Among the retiring pensioners, five worked in the deck department, while two each shipped in the engine and steward departments. On this page, the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of the retiring Seafarers. O DEEP SEA JOHNS. BERTOLINO, 61, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1962 from the "' port of New York. His first ship was the Robin Gray, a Moore McCormack Lines vessel. Brother Bertolino is a graduate of the Andrew Furuseth Training School. Born in Pennsylvania, he sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the Harry Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md., where he graduated from the bosun recertification program in 1980. Prior to his retirement, he sailed aboard the Sea-Land Atlantic. South Glens Falls, N.Y. is where he calls home. ROBINSON CRUSOE, 61 , joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MC&S) in 1965 in the port of San Francisco. Born in Alabama, he worked in the stew- INLAND ard department, last sailing as a chief cook aboard the Overseas Juneau. Brother Crusoe has retired to Carson, Calif. TOMAS ESCUDERO, 70, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1970 from the port of New York. Brother L__-===---...J Escudero worked in the engine department and upgraded his skills at the union's school in Piney Point, Md. A native of Puerto Rico, he last sailed in 1985 as a chief electrician aboard the Santa Paula, a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. From 1949 to 1954, he served in the U.S. Army. He makes his home in Bethlehem, Pa. ROBERTN. FULK, 65, started his career with the SIU in 1958 in the port of Houston. Starting out in the inland division, he later began working aboard deep sea vessels. Born in Indiana, he sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills in Piney Point, Md. From 1950 to 1951, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Fulk last sailed aboard the Overseas Vivian. He resides in Palestine, Texas. EVANS SMITH, 68, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1991 . His first ship was the Cape Florida, operated by International Marine Carriers. Born in Trinidad, he worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard a Crowley Marine Services vessel. He has retired to Ocala, Fla. Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG 1941 Following certification by the labor Board in the Robin Line election, the union, on July 21, signed a full agreement with the company. The contract included the closed shop, hiring through the union hall and top wages and working conditions that compare favorably with the best in the industry. ARTHURD. HANN, 63, first sailed with the Seafarers in 1979. Boatman Hann worked ======:=J in the engine department and sailed primarily aboard various tugs operated by Crowley Towing and Transportation Co. From 1952 to 1960, the Massachusetts native served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He makes his home in Olar, S.C. HORACEC. LaFRAGE, 63, joined the SIU in 1952, sailing aboard deep sea vessels. He later transferred to the inland division as a member of the deck department. From 1960 to 1962, he served in the U.S. Army. Prior to his retirement, Boatman LaFrage sailed aboard the Mars, a G&H Towing Co. vessel. Born in North Carolina, he has retired to LaMarque, Texas. CHARLOTTE SUSAN WOLFE,64, began her career with the Seafarers in 1988. Sister Wolfe started working in the steward department and later transferred to the deck department. She last sailed aboard the Geary, operated by Orgulf Transportation Co. A native of West Virginia, she makes her home in Ripley. 1964 The new SIU hall in Norfolk, Va. was dedicated in ceremonies attended by officers of the SIU, members in the area, representatives of the trade union movement and repre· sentatives of government. A part of the SIU's continuing building program, the new Norfolk hall is a direct consequence of the increased deep-sea cargo movements and the parallel rise in the membership of the SIU throughout the Hampton Roads-Norfolk area. The new fully air-conditioned building includes an expanded hiring hall, a general meeting hall capable of handling .300 persons, new recreational facilities, accommodations for a snack bar-cafeteria, a 40-car parking lot, landscaped terrace, and other necessary July 1999 - ~--­ PI ans are being made for the restored Liberty ship John W Brown, currently docked in Baltimore, to travel throughout the Great Lakes next year. GREAT LAKES Factory Tours -" lfr-ni.hl' \ 1·and' fJrtun . u.tL1al1d, cahr : 1<~>«'11 ·, 1976 (From Paul Hall's president's report, published a few months before Eleaion Day) "Right now the SIU is enjoying good shipping as a direct result of our fight for a fair shake for the U.S. merchant fleet. But f"f this good shipping does ~ro y not mean we can sit back •~ f and rest. We have worked too long and hard to rebuild this industry-to foster a sense of cooperation for the mutual benefit of all segments, to create a stable industry capable of taking advantage of new opportunities and to build an effective legislative program-to jeopardize it now by succumbing to a sense of false security.... "We must, as we have done in the past, pitch in with all the aid and support we can muster because only through our own efforts can we protect what we already have won. And more importantly, only by proving ourselves capable of supporting our allies in the upcoming elections will the SIU eventually realize the goal we have struggled so long to achieve-a strong, healthy and vital U.S. merchant marine." la,..,..,, l;J\ Stl'cl r.o_ ...;a..i1.bi.a:a1ln":q'f\aJ'fqufrrlfl; ~"llrrn t·:u pl:inc (\UJ1 ... ~lint.Tr•a I Slrt!bt'lr:las..r;;lJOo- Carnlru!. ' -~ Htiria:!iiih.nh bltllri,.. f,vrrrU, \\ .:h<.h. I•, r.bthf""'n Mdrl JOJ. UIJk'rirh A Ara&;~ ((R11,...11irSlu;::rr """"""1 lo;it. l..,.rrl>lB iOll f) Hotels, ~ "ldr-·• .... lht "' =~e11:.~: ;:::-;:: • Ci111r l)tM"rlll \Ln, l.ttOJ. • = ii & .. 11; Oh111tarr~ iltllf ltra~" , . ._ .. .,,~ij;_ botrh Hhw 11-c-.,nr... r.., ..u". 1,..lao11 tw;1r•~-.1mtwr. \t•mot t'rrBr"tt111an· lt!rrf kr"-UO , f;hM.11 lk.ac·b kr"Urt tUur 11'-anta Rraf'h l:lub & \llf,t.... 'I rhPll.f". \, r.u, 1. c....,••• u 1r.1) rrsma1 , 1Cindllua11J.l'W°llk1lllhl~·l'u{>- ~1;:-~~·. '::~~~11~1~~==. )\ i ~ ; ~=;~-~~. \n\1~~r~~ Uf1ro1J. ~\.llW,..:, -'uftt-t. W"a~atll"'t"· c :wttl f\,J\ HOid. ~I Juhn>1. \I ~~;;~::,~=~,~~::f~,'r.u~.~~:;: - -- ~ tlu.;lllnj!.. \Urh .. '\t""ll<"fM"l'h-r t11u1\l' \ '·· f.a ...t (l!!\cl.and, Ohla: lialr'm :~u~::~~ ,~::-~:;~!;!;~ tuAa-f'\Lff,aal~•.-r:-i<i·Jiri. ln-,-~~~~.':~L~P~~~r;~ llllt"rJt.alhntwif r1·t0(hal Wall:.i.liL \l r~l 1tf.a-\1r~lnf" \\.:MrUtu1t ~rts \\llloam•.l.anc, O.rr .. l,el\C'r f'a\ltllL f l "a.hf (\1.ll'foll).. ".. 11U \(11'UI llUPlli'l#tflJn r.i .. '\~hlaU. ' ••lrilf1 - ~t\ir.11.llaf, (< ~t I 11 C' "OIULC';.~(:.ounJ\. lntnft.'.lfknt.il f"C'-"Uul l~.nllr); "ts. Summer Music Festivals llluahlrn: l>L"-lr1rl er 1!41•••t•- , 1.. 1an1J-1; millnt~hrd ~\ UJ.;)(I. ta 1'1'-Y..•C'rrunlu. rltf'nlr l ~•J•rl ll•tlrt z: - \kJ.:.1 ~llUlt'T' FNA.al 1\\ 'hkltr.UllJ :;-:;;::~;:.,··~:\:=' 111•<-o-l.uri"" ~ '•ods\"""· · h...na1 ,....., '"""""1 I Worker/Union Monuments --- "''"' """'" '\lut..lfll'-"°"'".tD),l"a.trlfS\lUphi11\ llUl lbl" t S # r1u,,.uli1. llucrlt1 kio itllld Uc \1r;la U-.1• l~urlin!f'Jtni•. \IOJlllf'•1• ~:~~!~~~~~~~~~.'1-~~~ l t -. City & County Parks 1>111r.....,_.~'4!yilo"' dut\-.1.Louk-,\lk.J,.\ (hcfl •nrlrl· OMf•U n ..., .---.-.4...L...-~ t klrk'\-U,A\ii.;na. \urt. J":t GEORGE A. COYER, 62, joined the Seafarers in 1961 in Toledo, Ohio; Detroit; Erie, Pa.; Cleveland; Buffalo; Toronto; Montreal; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mariners with current z-cards are needed to fulfill Coast Guard regulations for crew complement. For more information, contact Rick Bauman at Project Liberty Ship, P.O. Box 25846, Highlandtown Station, Baltimore, MD 21224, telephone (410) 661-1550 or ( 410) 558-0646. Younger mariners who thought they missed their chance to sail aboard historic Liberty ships may get the opportunity after all. The John W Brown, based in Baltimore, is seeking active mariners to crew the vessel for segments of a trip throughout the Great Lakes planned for next year. The voyage tentatively is scheduled to begin in May 2000 and end in August, with stops in l\oorkl.1'-Nlr\ provisions for the full servicing of the membership and the handling of union business functions. •u H. •M ~ •f"f ~· Liberty Ship Needs Crew For Voyage on Great Lakes l S \l\ttl. llen\ rr& l 1hil.nk'IJ1btJ. f \i kurrav ol Et1ff<1\htJ::, \~a,.hifttl&ft 1J C. · t:)ecolOJ1f rr.=================================:;;t r·u •s n• school in Piney Point, Md. He last sailed in 1977 as a captain aboard a Great Lakes Dredge & Dock vessel . Brother Coyer served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1957. A native of New York, he has retired to Oswego. the port of Buffalo, N.Y. Brother Coyer sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the l =~4; :~ra:~~ lcnMI \ni I~ \u•. · ~\kl 2Q!;fUJ t'I' Miscellaneous khlul.-1 (111.:.:hl•nd l''Jrl.1. h1tll1tH\l;1rrb ~\mpbllD\ nl Uu Praftlr tfl~llr-rsJ; \tar~la••-:'uinmn \tu trft',..1 U\<Jlllt11nrc); \tati!'ltCh· llll" Ll ~-8&!it{tJO t:arh \ltJ~lr U:~r.· r.rHflrJ. Taft11h·•uoll O.rn11\t. \111Df'50l a-\11Rnr ... u1;s 1..-rhr .. 1ra -"'ll•H.nrrrr .. 1 1\1111nr.1puli!oJ: ' f'" "".\lfct-';UUr ,.c •.hamhr-r \ht.."11 !~•Ir lr-t: '""' lorL-1\Jrd \IUMC" f-1""l1\al i \9MIW\.d1• WI lhNl"'ll). RMI'\ '""' f,fl t'tnbk (flrofi\l. fJIJtJl._lUQla 1n ... 11tullua1Ct;o1ula•11ua1. Junrln ttoflJkl !Bfllt.dul. \Janb 1:n,1rr t't•.. ll\JI i\1•Y1. ,,,,~ flh) SJ r .ii I u ~.t ~·rr rn r Museums (Ill Rur\, -" t.:1111 lf.111 irf Farar . \rt., •I•' t:~t-L•nd l'.c»•iel:!\lu-...an1 .. r1:1a,.~. and tbll rrt -" lif'nrr & lodu,lt\ f1nm::. \L \hi..,..11119' \lui'l·m \r1. ""\urt.f.1h Pennsylvania AMMV Chapters Seek New Members Active and retired merchant mariners residing in Pennsylvania are invited to join. their local chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV). For more information, contact AMMV Regional Vice President John Manfredi at (724) 941-9537, or write to him at 121 Marion Dr., McMurray, PA 15317-2921. Brother Manfredi (who formerly sailed with the SIU) will put prospective members in touch with the AMMV chapte located nearest to them. Seafarers LOG 17 �- Final Departures DEEP SEA DAVE AWAKUNI Pensioner Dave Awakuni, 83, passed away April 21 . Born in Hawaii, he joined the Marine Cooks & Stewards ~ (MC&S)in · ,~Ill 1948 in the port of Seattle. The steward department member last sailed aboard the Manulani, operated by Matson Navigation Co. Brother Awakuni was a resident of Seattle and retired in July 1987. OTIS C. BAILEY Pensioner Otis C. Bailey, 74, died April 17. A native of Virginia, he first sailed with the Seafarers in 1944. Brother Bailey worked ='--------===== in the engine department and upgraded his skills to a licensed engineer. Prior to his retirement in August 1990, he sailed aboard the USNS Bellatrix, an International Marine Carriers vessel. He made his home in Suffolk, Va. r--:;;;;;;p;;::;;=;::;;;;;;;-~"" ELBERTJ.BLACKBURN Pensioner Elbert 1. Blackburn, 72, passed away April 15. He started his career with the MC&S in 1958 in the port of San Francisco. '----=-====_J His first ship was Matson Navigation Co.'s Matsonia. The California native sailed in the steward department and upgraded his skills at the Harry Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md. Brother Blackburn last sailed aboard the President Chester B. Arthur, an American Ship Management vessel. He was a resident of San Francisco and began receiving his pension in November 1993. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1944 to 1946. JUNIUS C. BROWN Pensioner Junius C. Brown, 83, died January 7. Born in Louisiana, he began sailing with the MC&S in 1946. He worked in the ==--===== steward department, last sailing aboard the Santa Mercedes, operated by Delta Steamship Lines, Inc. A resident of San Francisco, Brother Brown began receiving his pension in January 1982. DEAN D. DOBBINS Pensioner Dean D. Dobbins, 65, died April 18. He began his career with the Seafarers in 1957, sailing from the port of Tampa, Fla. :__.::====i Born in Ohio, he worked in the engine department, most recently aboard the Richard G. Matthiesen, operated by Ocean Ships Inc. Brother Dobbins was a resident of Stockton, Calif. and retired in March 1997. From 1952 to 1956, he served in the U.S. Navy. WILLIAM DESOUZA Pensioner William Desouza, 80, 18 Seafarers LOS passed away recently. Brother Desouza joined the MC&S in 1951 in the port of San Francisco after graduating from the MC&S training school in Santa Rosa, Calif. A native of Hawaii, he last sailed aboard the Santa Maria, a Delta Steamship Lines vessel. A resident of San Francisco, he started receiving his pension in December 1987. CLAUDE J. DOCKREY Pensioner Claude J. Dockrey, 70, passed away April 24. Born in Shawnee, Okla., he started his SIU career in 1966 in the ======= port of Wilmington, Calif. His first ship was the Vantage Progress, a Pioneer Maritime Corp. vessel. Brother Dockrey sailed in the deck department and upgraded his skills in Piney Point, Md. He graduated from the bosun recertification program there in I 988. Prior to his retirement in November 1994, he signed off the Sea-land Innovator. He made his home in Shawnee. JOSEPH J. GADSEN Pensioner Joseph 1. Gadsen, 81, died April 5. Brother Gadsen first sailed with the MC&S in 1951. Born in South Carolina, he worked in the steward department, last sailing aboard the President Coolidge, operated by American President Lines. A resident of New York, he retired in July 1975. TERRY HILTON CHARLES P. LORD Pensioner Charles P. Lord, 85, passed away April 23. Born in Illinois, he joined the Seafarers in 1944 in the port of New York. •=='-------== He sailed in the engine department and upgraded to a licensed officer. Prior to retiring in August 1978, Brother Lord sailed aboard the Overseas Anchorage. He was a resident of Orange City, Fla. FRED MARTIN Pensioner Fred Martin, 85, died July 6, 1998. He started his career with the MC&S in 1947 in the port of San Francisco. The New York native worked in the steward department, last sailing aboard the President Taylor, an American President Lines vessel. Brother Martin made his home in San Francisco and retired in February 1972. MONT McNABB i,iiiiijiii~~I Pensioner Mont McNabb, 76, passed away March 31. Brother McNabb began sailing with the Seafarers in 1946 from the i....;__..;_,_;:.=;____ __J port of Baltimore. A native of North Carolina, he worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard a SeaLand Service vessel. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. A resident of San Francisco, Brother McNabb started receiving his pension in January 1976. Terry Hilton, 27, passed away April 18. A native of Mississippi, he began sailing with the Seafarers in 1991 from the ====-==== port of New York. His first ship was a Pacific Gulf Marine vessel, the Pioneer Contractor. Brother Hilton worked in the deck department, last sailing aboard the Maersk Colorado. He was a resident of Vancleave, Miss. Pensioner Cosimo Melpignano, 73, passed away March 23. Born in Italy, he graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School in 1959 and joined the Seafarers in the port of New York. He sailed in the engine department and frequently upgraded at the union's school in Piney Point, Md. Brother Melpignano returned to his native country when he retired in January 1983. DONALD JOHNSON ROBERT W. MEREDITH Donald Johnson, 52, died April 12. Born in Alabama, he first sailed with the SIU in 1974 in the inland division and ~----'--"--~later transferred to deep sea vessels. He worked in the steward department and upgraded his skills in Piney Point, Md. A resident of Pascagoula, Miss., he last shipped in 1995 aboard the USNS Regulus, a Bay Ship Management Co. vessel. From 1969 to 1970, he served in the U.S. Army. r--._.,;;:;;;;;;;;;;;m.---, Pensioner Robert W. ROYE.JONES Pensioner Roy E. Jones, 75, passed away April 10. He joined the Seafarers in I 952 in the port of Baltimore. His first ship ---===----' was the Jefferson City, operated by Victory Carriers. A native of South Carolina, he sailed in the engine department. His last ship was the cable ship Long Lines. During World War Il, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. Brother Jones was a resident of Baltimore and began receiving his pension in August 1988. COSIMO MELPIGNANO Meredith, 74, died March 23. He joined the SIU in 1967 in the port of New York. His first ship was the =;;;;__-==:.....;;;:....-==East Point Victory, operated by Hudson Waterways. Born in California, he sailed in the deck department. Prior to his retirement in April 1993, he signed off the Sea-Land Innovator. Brother Meredith was a resident of LaPine, Ore. JOHN G. MERLO Pensioner John G . Merlo, 86, passed away February 11. Brother Merlo began his career with the MC&S in 1946 in Portland, Ore ""'--==-i He first sailed aboard the Drew Victory. Born in Italy, the steward department member last sailed on the Mariposa before retiring in August 1978. Brother Merlo made his home in Rupert, Idaho. GEORGE P. MULLEN Pensioner George P. Mullen, 86, died November l 0, 1998. He first sailed with the MC&S in 1955, aboard the President Johnson, an American President Lines vessel. Prior to his retirement in February 1977, the steward department member sailed aboard the Colorado. Born in New York, Brother Mullen was a resident of Wickenburg, Ariz. Missouri, he sailed in the steward department and upgraded his skills in Piney Point, Md. and graduated from the steward recertification program there in 1982. Brother Tinsley last sailed aboard the Liberty Spirit, a Liberty Maritime Corp. vessel, before retiring in January 1991. He made his home in Seattle. ROBERT M. POWERS FERNANDO VALLE Robert M . Powers, 62, died April 25 . Born in Pennsylvania, he graduated from the MC&S training school in Santa Rosa, Calif. and joined the MC&S in 1972 in the port of San Francisco. Starting out in the steward department, Brother Powers later transferred to the engine department and upgraded his skills in Piney Point, Md. A resident of Honolulu, he last sailed aboard the Sea-Land Trader. From 1956 to 1959, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Fernando Valle, · 64, died April 26. He started his career with the SIU in 1963 in the port of New York. He ; first sailed aboard the .________J Mermaid. During his career, he worked in the deck and engine departments and was active in union organizing drives. Brother Valle was a resident of Bayamon, P.R. JACK D. ROBISON Jack D. Robison, 55, passed away April 23. Brother Robison began sailing with the Seafarers in 1987. His first ship was the USNS Triumph, operated by Sea Mobility. A native of Washington and a resident of Spanaway, he sailed as a member of the deck department. From 1961 to 1965, he served in the U.S. Navy. EDWARD J. SINGLETARY Pensioner Edward J. Singletary, 85, died May 7. He began his sailing career in 1937, priorto joining the SIU in 1939 as a i..:=::...=-=:::.=-..==.i charter member. He sailed from the port of New Orleans. During his career, he . worked in the engine department and was active in union organizing drives. Prior to his retirement in August 1964, Brother Singletary signed off the Penn Vanguard, operated by Penn Maritime Co. He made his home in Bay Saint Louis, Miss. MARTIN E. SNYDER Martin E. Snyder, 42, passed away April 29. A native of Maryland, he graduated from the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School's training program in 1977 and joined the SIU in the port of Piney Point, Md. His first ship was the Banner. Brother Snyder worked in the deck department and upgraded his skills at the school. A resident of Baltimore, he last sailed aboard the Richard G. Matthiesen, operated by Ocean Ships, Inc. ROBERTO G. TIAMSON --.-~iiial Pensioner Roberto G. Tiamson, 81, died May 3. Born in the Philippines, he joined the SIU in 1948 in the port of New Orleans. He worked in the engine department and upgraded his skills in Piney Point, Md. Prior to his retirement in February 1980, Brother Tiamson last sailed aboard the Santa Mariana, a Delta Steamship Lines, Inc. vessel. He was a resident of San Francisco. EDWARD TINSLEY Pensioner Edward Tinsley, 67, passed away May 17. Brother Tinsley began sailing with the Seafarers in 1964 from the port of Seattle. Born in FREDERICK VOGLER Frederick Vogler, 55, passed away April 18. A native of California, he joined the Seafarers in 1967 in the port .___ __;;___..:;;;~--=.__, of San Francisco. His first ship was the Long View Victory. Brother Vogler sailed in the engine department and frequently upgraded at the union's school in Piney Point, Md. Befure retiring to Chino, Calif., he sailed aboard the Sea-Land Innovator. From 1960 to 1964, he served in the U.S. Navy. LYLE W. WILLIAMSOM Pensioner Lyle W. Williamson, 78, died A ril . Born in Illinois, he first sailed with the SIU in 1951. During his career, he worked in the ""'"--"-----~""" engine department and was active in union organizing drives. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1939 to 1945. Brother Williamson was a resident of Harbor City, Calif. and began receiving his pension in October 1969. INLAND DENNIS L. COX ---.3imiiii'iiii~I Dennis L. Cox. 33, passed away October 9, I 998. A native of Texas, he joined the Seafarers in 1982. Boatman Cox worked in both the engine and deck departments and last sailed aboard a G&H Towing Co. vessel. He was a resident of Brazoria, Texas. BENJAMIN F. ROUGHTON Pensioner Benjamin F. Roughton, 74, died April 15. He joined the SIU in 1961 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Born in North . Carolina, he worked as a tugboat captain, last sailing aboard a Curtis Bay Towing Co. vessel. Boatman Roughton made his home in Chesapeake, Va. and began receiving his pension in September 1984. July 1999 �Digest of Shipboard "Union Meetings The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard · minutes as possible. On occasion, because ol space /Imitations, some will be omitted. Ships minutes first are reviewed by the union's contract department. Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships' minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. GUAYAMA (Navieras NPR), March 24-Chainnan Ray Gorju, Secretary Richard E. Hicks, Educational Director Francis C. Quebedeaux. Chainnan reported March 26 arrival and payoff of ship in Jacksonville, Fla. He reminded crew members to separate plastic items from regular trash. Discussion held regarding anti-terrorist courses mentioned in president's report in Seafarers LOG. Educational director urged crew to take advantage of that course and others offered at Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. Some disputed OT reported in engine department. None in deck or steward departments. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. ROVER (Intrepid Shipping), March I 4-Chairman Daniel P. Hecker, Secretary Juan B. Gonzales, Educational Director Vernon Edwards, Deck Delegate Richard R. Grubbs, Engine Delegate Clarence A. Knight, Steward Delegate Don Drew. Chairman thanked all hands for professional work. Some disputed OT reported in deck department; none in engine or steward departments. Request made for more reading material as well as spare VCR and new furniture for crew lounge. Repairs needed to lifeboats and ship's steps. BLUE RIDGE (Crowley Petroleum Transport), April 18Chairman Al Alwaseem, Secretary Ron Malozi, Educational Director Charlie Dahlhaus, Deck Delegate James Barrett, Steward Delegate Chris Boronski. Bosun announced payoff in Houston. He recommended everyone read president's report in LOG. New mattresses received and distributed. Secretary noted stores arriving in Houston with plastic refuse and soiled linen being offloaded. He reminded crew members to dispose of plastic items in proper receptacles and not dump trash in water. Treasurer announced $150 in ship's fund. Some disputed OT reported in engine department; none in deck or steward departments. Request made for new VCR for crew lounge. Steward department thanked for excellent food service. Steward, in tum, thanked crew for great job and hard work. HM/ DEFENDER (Hvide Marine), April 25-Chainnan Juan Castillo, Secretary Steven Wagner, Educational Director Richard Gracey, Deck Delegate John Yates, Engine Delegate Patrick Carroll, Steward Delegate Ernie Batiz. Chainnan announced captain holds payoff at first port after or on last day of each month. He urged everyone keep safety a top priority. Secretary stressed importance of upgrading skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT. Several suggestions made to be sent to contracts department. First is not to hold up payoff waiting for patrolman due to short stay in port and frequency of payoffs. Second is to have more flexibility in vacation time. Third is if someone wants to contribute more funds to money purchase pension plan, they should somehow be able to do it through vacation checks. Final asked for review of retirement age. Engine room members July 1999 reminded to use starboard entry into engine room after 1800. All hands asked to help DEU by keeping heads and showers clean on main deck. Next ports: Tampa, Fla. and Lake Charles, La. EL MORRO (IUM), April 27Chainnan Steven Copeland, Secretary Kris A. Hopkins, Educational Director F. Dougherty, Deck Delegate Angelo Wilcox Sr., Engine Delegate Daniel Campbell, Steward Delegate Robert G. Mashmeyer. Secretary stated exercise equipment purchased last trip and thanked all those who donated funds. Educational director urged members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer announced $20 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew requested clarification on ship's organizational status. They also asked for bus to provide transport to and from gate and ship in Blount Island. Vote of thanks given to vacation-bound steward. Steward, in tum, thanked his crew-Chief Cook Mashmeyer and SA Porifio Alvarez-for hard work. Next ports: San Juan, P.R. and Jacksonville, Fla. LIBERTY STAR (Liberty Maritime), April 26-Chainnan Angel L. Rivera, Secretary Lee N. Frazier, Deck Delegate Stanley Daranda, Engine De egate rank T. Kraemer. Secretary announced payoff April 28. Fresh provisions expected at dock. Next trip is to Haifa, Israel-approximately 45 days. Educational director reminded crew members to donate to SPAD and also that it's never too late to attend union upgrading classes in Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward department given vote of thanks for very good work. MAYAGUEZ (Navieras NPR), April 25-Chairman Mike Carrano, Secretary Gwendolyn Shinholster, Educational Director Michael Martykan. Chainnan announced payoff in Jacksonville, Fla. April 30. He urged members to read LOG and keep up on union rules, policies and new issues. Secretary advised everyone to attend Paul Hall Center and utilize "everything our union has built for its membership." Educational director stressed safety aboard ship (including removal of lint from dryer which can lead to fire) and also reminded crew to better their skills at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Suggestion for contracts department to look into vacation pay after 60 days' seatime. Crew also requested clarification of STCW expiration and submitting TRBs for signoff at sea. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Crew asked for second dryer and new couch. MAERSK TENNESSEE (Maersk Line), April 25-Chainnan Mark Holman, Secretary Dwight Wuerth, Educational Director Pat Scott, Deck Delegate Anthony E. Simon, Engine Delegate Jean C. Horne, Steward Delegate Stephanie K. Hendrick. Chairman read president's report from March LOG and discussed with crew. He announced payoff in Charleston, S.C. April 28 and mentioned new mattresses and room refrigerators on order. Chairman saluted OVA Jean Horne on acquiring GED. Secretary mentioned he was at MTD meeting in Miami where discussion was held regarding new ships and new jobs and that SIU was commended for job well done in past for manning needed vessels to support U.S. troops. Educational director reminded everyone to keep documents up to date and report any possible safety hazards (like cables in or near water). Treasurer announced $I95 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made to check money purchase pension plan contributions from Maersk and to decrease seatime needed for vacation and retirement. Crew members also advised to keep shots updated so as to avoid illness while in South America. Vote of thanks from chainnan to entire crew for pulling together to make good voyage and to Chief Cook 'Hendrick for job well done. OVERSEAS CHICAGO (Alaska Tanker Co.), April 26--Chairman Jessie L. Mixon, Secretary Gregory S. Lynch, Educational Director Mark Sawin, Deck Delegate Ahmed A. Mihakel, Engine Delegate Edward Wisenhant, Steward Delegate Mario A. Firme. Chainnan announced payoff after discharge of cargo in Anacortes, Wash. Discussed fonnation of new company, Alaska Tanker Co. (based·· in Beaverton, Ore.), from merger of Maritime Overseas Corporation and Keystone Shipping. Awaiting word from union as to effect merger will have on membership. Secretary assured crew members that contract still good through June 16, 2001. Ship rerouted from Richmond, Calif. to Femdate-Cherry Point for cargo offloading. Educational director reminded members to be aware of necessary training requirements for tanker shipping and keep endorsements updated. No beefs or disputed OT, although watchstander requested clarification of wheel relief during watch. Crew noted communications from Contracts VP Augie Tellez regarding vacation plan. Vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. OVERSEAS OHIO (Alaska Tanker Co.), April 19-Chairman Tim Koebel, Secretary Jeff Smith, Educational Director Byron Elliot, Deck Delegate Carl Sands, Engine Delegate Mike McN ally. Chairman read letter from VP Contracts Augie Tellez regarding resolution of longtime dispute over what constitutes cargo watch for bosun and day men. He also announced ship now operated by new company, Alaska Tanker, and had no word as yet on how this would affect existing contract. Forms for upgrading, medical, vacation, registration available from bosun. Crew related beefs with captain regarding reimbursements for travel. Discussion held on new passenger and tanker vessels mentioned in April LOG. Suggestion made that contracts department look into having vacation payable after 90 days seatime. Room inspection policy of obtaining slip signed by steward or bosun and given to captain to be continued. Crew requested tape rewinder. Vote of thanks given to steward department for extra effort and fine cuisine. Next ports: Ferndale and Tacoma, Wash. SEA-LAND CRUSADER (SeaLand Service), April 22Chairman Roberto Diaz, Secretary Joseph P. Emidy, Educational Director Kevin Cooper, Deck Delegate Angel R. Camacho, Steward Delegate Luis A. Lopez. Everything running smoothly, according to chairman. Educational director encouraged crew members to upgrade at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Request made for additional information on money purchase pension plan. Most members have not received statements regarding their accounts and also want to know how to withdraw or add to account. Next port: Elizabeth, N.J. SEA-LAND ENTERPRISE (SeaLand Service), April 23--Chairman Hayden Gifford, Secretary Franchesca Rose, Educational Director Ray Chapman, Deck Patriot shipshape after period in yard. Vote of thanks also given to steward department for great job. Next port: Oakland, Calif. SEA-LAND PERFORMANCE (Sea-Land Service), April I l Chainnan Jim Scheck, Secretary Ralph Thomas, Educational Director Win Rousseau, Deck Delegate Jose A. Tobio, Steward Delegate John M. Platts. Chairman noted everything running Pfeiffer Galley Crew Garners Praise , t d The chief officer aboard the SIU-crewed R.J. Pfeiffer recently put in a good word for Seafarers who comprise the vessel's steward department. In a note to the Seafarers LOG, J.W. ~ert commen~d the work of (from left) Chief Cook Ruti Demont, Chief Steward Ph1~p Lau and Assistant Cook To-Nu Wallace. "This gang deserves a word of thanks and recognition for the outstanding job they have ~one in keeping all hands fat and sassy aboard the Matson flagship R.J. Pfeiffer. There is not a better feeder in the fleet." Apparently, they have a sense of humor, too, as evidenced by Demont's and Lau's Tshirts (which read in part, "You kill it, we grill it"). Delegate Manolo V. Delos Santos, Engine Delegate Elisana Silvano, Steward Delegate Romeo Manansala. Chairman and secretary stressed importance of attending upgrading courses at Paul Hall Center. New mattresses on order. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next port: Oakland, Calif. SEA-LAND EXPEDITION (SeaLand Service), April 2IChainnan Mike Rivera, Secretary Pedro Laboy, Engine Delegate Jorge E. Bermeo, Steward Delegate Fernando L. Vega. Chairman urged crew members to upgrade skills at facility in Piney Point. He also stressed importance of supporting union by contributing to SPAD. No beefs or disputed OT reported. President's report from LOG regarding new passenger vessels read and discussed. This is monumental move for industry and shows our political strength in Washington, D.C. is paying off. Thanks given to Mike Sacco and union membership for hard work. Suggestion made to request contracts department look into raise in pension due to increased cost of living. Steward department thanked for excellent job, especially Steward Laboy for his exquisite culinary skills. SEA-LAND PATRIOT (Sea-Land Service), April I I-Chairman Shawn T. Evans, Secretary Ruben Casio Jr., Educational Director B. Baltic, Deck Delegate Richard Volkart, Steward Delegate Horst Baetjer, Steward Delegate Ernest Polk. Chainnan thanked crew for good trip. Suggested everyone read LOG to stay up-to-date on events in union and maritime industry. Educational director advised crew to watch safety films, report any damage or hazards to department head and upgrade skills at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer announced two new bicycles and dart board purchased for use by all. New movies expected in Long Beach, Calif. Some disputed OT reported in deck department. No beefs or disputed OT reported by engine or steward delegates. Request made for additional information on money purchase pension plan. Thanks given to GSU for getting smoothly aboard ship with good crew and no beefs. Payoff expected in Jacksonville, Fla. Secretary recommended crew members upgrade at Piney Point every available opportunity and help job security by contributing to SPAD. Educational director advised all hands to keep pay vouchers and Coast Guard discharges in case of discrepancies about sea time. Treasurer announced $80 in ship's movie fund. President's report from LOG read by chainnan. Crew agreed that awareness of piracy should be concern of all seafarers. Thanks given to good steward department for job well done, especially for recent shrimp feast. SEA-LAND PRODUCER (SeaLand Service), April 21-Chairman Joel Lechel, Secretary David Cunningham, Educational Director Keith Jordan, Deck Delegate Danny Miller, Engine Delegate Victor Sapp, Steward Delegate Cliff Elliott. Bosun reminded everyone of April 23 payoff in Jacksonville, Fla. Also stated ship loading stores there for 28 days. Educational director reminded apprentices to keep learning, now that they have rotated into final department of their three-month stay aboard ship. Treasurer announced ship's fund is low. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun read two letters from VP Contracts Augie Tellez about how to improve meetings aboard vessel as well as president's report from latest LOG. Suggestion made to ask contracts department to look into reducing seatime needed for retirement. DEU reminded everyone to help with housekeeping duties (return dishes to lounge, remove earplugs and paper towels from clothes prior to using washing machine, separate plastics from regular trash). Bosun thanked Chief Engineer Ed Robinson for preparing and cooking pig for last barbecue. He also thanked steward department for all their help as well in making ''this barbecue hard to beat." Next ports: Jacksonville; San Juan, P.R.; and Rio Haina, Dominican Republic. Seafarers LOG 19 �~- -~. ~~--- I Letters to the Editor (Editors note: the Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writers intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.) - Savannah Contributed To WWII Liberty Fleet The following article about Liberty ships is something the members may enjoy reading. I worked at Southeastern Shipyards, building some of these ships. I signed on my first ship November 19, 1945 as an SIU member. It was the Liberty Ship Augustus P. Loring. I joined her in Charleston, S.C. We took a load of coal to France. While waiting at anchor off Le Havre, around Christmas, a mine sank a Robin Line ship. It was reported that no one was injured. I don't recall the ship's name, but it was close by us. We heard the explosion and felt the concussion. I enjoy the LOG and look forward to reading it each month. Thank you for keeping all the readers well informed. Pensioner Thomas A. Brown Savannah, Ga. Editor s note: The following article by James Mack Adams is reprinted, with permission, from the Islands Closeup section ofthe Savannah (Ga.) Morning News, May 6, 1999. Their cargo holds bulging with supplies destined for foreign ports, they sailed the treacherous and perilous wartime seas. Their distinctive silhouette and light armament made them easy prey for roaming German U-boat "Wolf Packs" and enemy dive bombers. They were the Liberty Ships that composed America's Liberty Fleet that transported much-needed supplies to troops overseas during World War II. The names "Liberty Fleet" and "Liberty Ship" were coined by Adm. Emory Scott Land, chairman of the United States Maritime Commission. A total of 88 of these Liberty Ships were built in Savannah between 1942 and 1945. Each launching was a patriotic celebration attended by dignitaries and well-wishers. Cheers and applause erupted from the throng as each new ship was christened by a bottle of champagne before it slid down the slipway into the embrace of the waiting river. They were given names to honor persons well-known in Georgia history such as the SS Lyman Hall, SS Button Gwinnett, SS Casmir Pulaski, SS Florence Martus, SS George Whitefield and others. The christening and launch of the SS Juliette Low on May 13, 1944 was said to be especially festive. In the crowd were hundreds of Girl Scouts and their leaders. Given the honor of breaking the bottle of champagne across the bow was Juliette's niece, Mrs. Samuel C. Lawrence of Charleston, W. Va. America's first Liberty Ship, the SS Patrick Henry, was launched from the port of Baltimore on September 27, 1941. Several hundred more of these merchant vessels were built at American ports and put to sea during the course of the war. Many of them ended up at the bottom of the sea. Just prior to America's entry into World War II, the U.S. Maritime Commission awarded shipbuilding contracts to several firms. One of these contracts was given to Savannah Shipyards, Inc. To help its chances of being awarded the contract, the Savannah company built its own three-slipway yard-without any federal funding. This move, however, did little to change the commission's lack of confidence in the company's capital structure and management. Savannah Shipyards, Inc. was required to show full staffing and to complete the required facilities within 30 to 60 days, or risk losing the contract. The company failed to meet the ' specified deadline, but the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor prompted the Maritime Commission to re-evaluate the situation in Savannah. The commission was granted the authority to take possession of the project, complete the facilities, and award the management to a new company. Savannah Shipyards, Inc. challenged this move in court, but their suit was unsuccessful. The company was awarded a substantial compensation. In January 1942, a leading construction firm was engaged to complete the shipbuilding facilities. Management was turned over to a group of experts who reorganized the yard and renamed it Southeastern Shipbuilding Corp. The first Liberty Ship to be launched from Savannah's Southeastern Shipyards in May 1942 was appropriately named the SS James Oglethorpe, for -~-----------~~--~--- and Georgia's wartime economy. It is estimated Savannah's founder. Unfortunately, this first that a total of 46,766 workers vessel did not survive the war. were employed in shipbuilding in The Oglethorpe was torpedoed Savannah throughout the course and sank as it crossed the of the war. This generated a total Northwest Atlantic on a voyage payroll amounting to $112 milfrom New York to England. lion. Workers invested some of Only two other Liberty Ships their pay to help finance the war launched from Savannah were by purchasing $11 million worth sunk as the result of enemy of War Bonds. Workers earned an average action. They were the SS John Treutlen and the SS Jonas Lie. weekly pay of $100-considered Most of the other vessels were a very respectable wage in those either scrapped or converted to days. other uses at the end of the war. Because of the shortage of During 1943, even though the male workers, women worked Savannah facilities were only half alongside the men, performing completed, Southeastern deliv- tasks that had been previously ered more Liberty Ships than any considered "men's work." of its rivals. Racial segregation being on The 88 vessels produced by firm footing in Savannah in the Southeastern Shipyards during 1940s, African-American workthe war cost just over $2 million ers had little hope of rising above each to build. The U.S. Maritime custodial or helper jobs. Commission paid the company a People flocked to Savannah to standard fee for each completed work in the shipyards. As the ship, and bonuses if they were wartime population of the city completed earlier than scheduled. swelled from 96,000 to 175,000 Due to the fact there was little between 1940 and 1944, new or no variation from one Liberty housing had to be constructed. Ship to another, they could be Some of the housing projects produced in rapid cookie-cutter were meant to be only temporary. fashion. The typical Liberty Ship On September 13, 1945, the measured just over 441 feet in end of an era was marked by the length and had a beam of just launching of the SS Half Knot, the under 57 feet. They could carry last Liberty Ship to depart about 9,000 tons of cargo at a top Savannah. speed of 11 knots. After peace returned to the Since they were primarily merworld, Southeastern was one of chantmen, and not intended as 4 pyards closed and their war ships, the vessels carried very properties b the War Assets light armament to fight off an -acre site attack. Their primary weapons Administration. about two miles west of ah were 20 mm and 40 mm guns, was purchased by the Savanna three-inch 50 caliber, and fiveinch 3 8 caliber. On board was a Port Authority and Industries detachment of 24 Navy seamen Committee for $357,112. The and one officer assigned to main- area was later occupied by ,Georgia Ports Authority, Union tain and operate the guns. The Southeastern Shipyards Camp and Intermarine USA. The era of the Liberty Ships is was Savannah's largest employer s during World War II and wielded an important part of Sa an enormous impact on the city's long and colorful mantime history. 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 SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management 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 halls. If members 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 20 Seafarers LOG mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 520 I 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 all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (OT) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she should contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY - THE 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 all 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 SIU 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 all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU constitution and in 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 solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improper conduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if 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 SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. July 1999 �SEAFARERS PAUL HALL CENTER 1999 UPGRADING COURSESCHEDULE The following is the ~chedUie for cla$se.S from July through the end of the year at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All programs Recertlflcatioa Programs Course Sta_, Date Date of Completion Bosun Recertification August23 October4 are geared to improve the job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. · . ·· ·· · ···· Safety Specialty Courses · Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security. Students attending any of these classes should check in the Saturday be/ore their course's start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for Course Start Date Date of Completion Tanker Familiarization/ Assistant Cargo (DL) August2 September 27 November 1 August 20 October 15 November 19 Basic Firefighting July 12 July 16 August 6 October 1 October 22 November 26 Saturday. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may calJ the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. August2 September 27 October 18 November 22 Deck Upgrading Courses Start Date Course Date of Completion Able Seaman September 20 October 29 Radar Observer/Unlimited July 12 August 9 September 4 July 23 August 20 September 15 Radar Recertification (one day) July 23 August 19 October 14 Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) July 26 August 23 October 18 July 31 August 28 October23 July 12 Advanced Firefighting Engine Upgrading Courses Start Date Date of Completion Fireman/Watertender & Oiler August 9 October 11 September 17 November 19 Marirte Electrical Maintenance I September 20 October29 QMED September 13 December 3 Power Plant Maintenance September 27 November S Refrigeration Systems Maintenance November 8 December 17 STCW Basic Safety (refresher) Steward Upgrading Courses Course Start Date Galley Operations/ Advanced Galley Operations (Every week, starting Jan. 11) July 5, 12, 19, 26 August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 September 6, 13, 20, 27 Certified Chief Cook/ Chief Steward July 12, 26 August 9, 23 September 6, 20 (Every other week, starting Jan. 11) July 30 July 12 August 16 September6 September 27 November 1 November 8 November 29 Government Vessels Lifeboatman/Water Survival Course July 23 August 13 September 24 Novemberl9 August 2 September 13 Novembers Tankerman (PIC) Barge September 3 Septern her 24 October 15 November 19 November26 December 17 July 12 August 9 September 6 October4 November 1 November 29 July 23 August20 September 17 October 15 November 12 December 10 July 12 July 16 Julyl6 July 30 August 2 August 9 August30 September 20 September 27 October 25 November 1 Novembers November22 November29 December 13 August 6 August 13 September 3 September 24 October l October29 November 5 November 12 November 26 December 3 December 17 July26 July 30 Academic Department Courses General education and college courses are available as needed. In addition, basic vocational support program courses are offered throughout the year, one week prior to the AB, QMED, FOWT, Third Mate, Tanker Assistant and Water Survival courses. An introduction to computers course will be self-study. --~-------------------------------------11n~nAg11u~ UrUIJltt ADD'{l/9ATlftU rrj lllHI IUff lffU With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty (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 seatim~ for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. All FOWT. AB and QMED 'Ul,p/icqnts must submit a U.S. Coast Guard tee qf $135 with their llJWlication. The pqyment should be matle with a montzy order on{v. payable to LMSS. Name Address COURSE Telephone----------Deep Sea Member D Lakes Member BEGIN DATE END DATE Date of Birth - - - - - - - - - D Inland Waters Member D If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed Social Security# Book# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Seniority _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Department _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: Yes D No D Home Port Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? D Yes D No If yes, c l a s s # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? D Yes D No If yes, course(s) taken - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes D No CPR: D Yes D No Primary language spoken - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - July 1999 LAST V E S S E L : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rating: _ _ __ Date O n : - - - - - - - - - - - Date Off: SIGNATURE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ DATE NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only ifyou present original receipts and successfully complete the course. Ifyou have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLEI'ED APPLICATION TO: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and &iucation, Admissions Office, PO. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Trai_ning an~ Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, 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. 7199 Seafarers LOG 21 - �Paul Hall Center Graduating Classes SEAFARERS HARRY ;: !:. LUNDEBERG LIFEBOAT CLASS ·:_ ~; .. ==-SR~ Unlicensed Apprentice Water Safety Class 589 - Graduating from unlicensed apprentice water safety class 589 are (from left, kneeling) James Miller Jr., Derek Henderson, Chad Partridge, Andrew Straka Jr., Christopher Green, (second row) Donaldo Arevalo, Barry McCaslin II, Terry Rochester Jr., Jarian Hutchinson, DeMichael Dews, Ray Lewis Jr., Anthony Cruzvergara, Brent Morris and Lane Schroeder. STCW Basic Safety - Upgrading graduates of the STCW basic safety course are (from left, kneeling) William Allbiter, Derek Ross, Romulo Dalit, Roberto Contreras, Calvin Wagner, Malachi Tannis, Charles Tuck, Ella Hill, (second row) Oswald Chase, John Lavergne, Mike Croft, Ernest Costa, John Lee, Eddie Kilbury, Rodney Mccaslin, Ed Lobb, Stormie Combs (instructor), (third row) Lee Rogers, Gilbert Martinez, Jake Jarrell, James Fleming, James Odekirk, Dennis Johnston, Brian Bailey, Rogers Trahan, wallace Ashwood and Luis Bera. Basic Fire Fighting - Earning their basic fire fighting endorsements on April 16 are (in no specific order) William J. Bryan, Philip H. Diego, Hazel P. Galbiso, John J. Graham, Tina D. Larson, Michael R. LasDulce, Michael P. MacNiel, lsoline E. Major, Oscar Martinez, Rodolfo A. Orlanda, Kirt A. Pugh, Oscar L. Ramos, Elveme Ruter, Sonny 0. Austria, Mohamed M. Wasel and Gary A. White. Marine Electrican Maintenance I Basic Fire Fighting - Completing the basic fire fighting dass on May 7 are (from left, kneeling) Juan Ortiz, Patricia Geras, Owen Carr, Curtis Hintze, (second row) Arthur Stewart, Edward Whitfield, Claude Hollings, Stormie Combs (instructor) and Douglas Flynn. Engine department members receiving their marine electrical maintenance endorsements on April 16 are (from left) Howard Hendra, Dennis Adjetey, Mark Jones (instructor), Troy Fleming, Morris Jeff, Samuel Addo, Lonnie Carter, James Arlt and Rebecca Gaytan. Advanced Fire Fighting - Marking completion of the advanced fire fighting course on April 30 with their instructor, John Smith (far left), are (from left, first row) Marijan Masnov, Demetrius Simmons, Amin Ali, David Gray, Terry Smith, Husain Ali, Edward Rynberg, (second row) Ronald Oyer, Elmer Prestidge, Thomas Lester, Stanley Garnett, Jose Guzman and Dennis Flynn. .- Tankerman (Pl C) Barge - Mari trans - Boatmen who sail aboard Maritrans vessels completed the tankerman (PIC) barge course in Philadelphia on April 16. They are (in no specific order) William Richardson, George Lynch Ill, Karl Goldsword, Anthony Matthews, Ronald Oyer, Randall Johnson, John Dean, Timothy Purdy and William Conger. Tanker Familiarization/Assistant Cargo (DL)- Earning their graduation certificates for .completion of the tanker familiarization/assistant cargo (DL) course on April 30 are (from left, first row) Jim Shafer (instructor), Owen Carr, Richard Buchanan, James Prado, Pati Taototo, James Furby, Fahad Yahya, Anthony Jordan, Antonio Cooks, (second row) Christopher Barrow, Joseph Sotelo, Timothy Bixby, Joshua Davenport, Aaron Thomas, Thomas Larusso, Nabil Ahmed, Cole Bridwell, Christopher Ledlow, Clifton Doonis, (third row) Michael Snow, Joel Encarnacion, David Horton and Daniel Buffington. 22 Seafarers LOii July 1999 �Paul Hall Center Graduating Classes Water Safety - Upgrading ABs who successfully completed the water safety class on April 2 are (from left, first row) Artis Williams, Alfred Mcintyre, Jeffrey Peterbridge, Melvin Stegall, Billy Pinkston, (second row) Kevin Russell, Dionisio Batiz, Monte Burgett, Michael Payne, Denny Lewis, (third row) Raymond Kane, Thong Dinh, Byron Manuel, Abdul Hassan, Tommy Cuffee, Morgan Browne, (fourth row) Tom Gilliland (instructor), Laura Cash and Deborah Sutton. Chief Cook - Completing one of the required modules in the chief cook course are (from left) Cleotilde Mejia, Curtis Williams, Instructor-Chef John Dobson, Bienvenido Pagan, Alba Ayala, Dulip Sookhiram and Jasper Jackson. Welding - Engine department members completing the welding course on May 7 are (from left, first row) Samuel Addo, Kwasi Manu, Juntin Valencia, Mark Dumas, Sterling Adams, (second row) Lonnie Carter, Dennis Adjetey, Troy Fleming, Morris Jeff, Buzzy Andrews (instructor) and Ronald Garber. Chief Cook - Upgraders graduating from a module in the chief cook course pose with their instructor, Chef John Hetmanski (far left). The students are (from left) Donald Huffman, Louis Morris and Jimmy VVhite. Galley Familiarization - Unlicensed apprentices from class 588 complete their introduction to the galley department with Instructor-Chef Shannon Twigg (right). They are (from left, first row) Fahd Alsoofi, Pedro Ortiz, William Rozier, Martin Vargas Jr., James Brown, Ramon Thomas, (second row) James Brasher, Samuel Giles, Michael Humphrey Jr., Bruce Weathers and Marion Collins. Practicing Damage Control Students in a government vessels course learn damage control techniques, in this case how to stop leaks in a pipe. July 1999 Government Vessels - Upgrading graduates of the government vessels course on May 7 are (from left, front row) Wilfredo Acevedo, Juan Rivas, Tawnia Stucker, Glenn Williams, Edward Nelson, Mark Downey, Steve Kastel, Brian lsenstadt, Thomas Grosskurth, Victor Beata, Robert Wiles, Anthony Sabatini, Sean Cripps, (second row) John Gamache, Dana Washington, Ken Gilliam, (third row) Melvin Ratcliff, Andrew Seabon, Damon Panker, Jomo Young, Barry Larkin, Justin VonSprecken, Jason Gay, Philip Noto II and Carlos Ortiz. Seafarers LOii 23 �Summer at the Point There Is still time to plan a family holiday this summer at the Paul Hall Center In Piney Point, Md. For additional lnfonnation, see page 10. A service honoring U.S. merchant mariners took place May 22 at the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial (far left) in San Pedro, Calif. Above, SIU Wilmington Port Agent John Cox stands before the wreath presented by the Seafarers International Union. The event also marked the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the memorial on a site which soon will be home to the first National Merchant Marine Memorial Wall of Honor. The wall will list the names of the ships and the brave mariners who sacrificed their lives for their country during World War II and subsequent conflicts. With the port of Los Angeles/ Long Beach, Cali£ being America's largest and most active harbor complex, there is always something different going on at or around the Seafarers hall in nearby Wilmington. SIU officials are on hand to service incoming ships; register and dispatch members to crew the many vessels calling on the southern California port; help DEU Mark Ciciulla (left) and his brother, Second Pumpman Giusseppe Ciciulla, catch up on the latest union news during their break aboard the Coast Range. Seafarers file vacation, medical, pension and upgrading forms; and take care of other union business as needed. Officials and members also represent the union in rallies, picket lines and special events such as Maritime Memorial Day. The photos on this pa e show some of the recent routine and not-so-routine activities of Seafarers while in port. Above, two new members from Gulf Caribe, which runs a taxi service and assists in bringing ships into the moorings, are Operator Chad Thomas and Deckhand Tom Matlock. Right, preparing lunch for a hungry crew aboard the Coast Range is Chief Steward Hans F. Schmuck. On a break after securing the Coast Range at the El Segundo moorings are (from left) Bosun John Mossenberger, AB Rudolph Hernandez and AB Mike Ortiz. William J. Dean, bosun aboard the Sea-Land Defender, is happy to be in port. Bosun Kenneth McGregor stops in at the Wilmington hall to go over some paperwork. At the top of the Crowley Petroleum vessel's gangway are (from left} AB Paul Wills, SIU Wilmington Port Agent John Cox and SA Plaridel Cadiz. Richard Walker, chief cook aboard the Coast Range, has the ship's grill sizzling. I Above, AB Tom Filippone operates a winch to bring a submarine line (righ1) aboard the deck of the Coast Range. The Crowley Petroleum Transport vessel was at the El Segundo moorings, preparing to discharge its cargo to the nearby Chevron refinery. � 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 July 1999 Description An account of the resource HEADLINESTALKS UNDER WAY CONCERNING NMU MERGER WITH SEAFARERS AVONDALE BILLS NAVY $5.4 MILLION TO CONTINUE FIGHT AGAINST UNIONS TAX BILL OFFERED TO MAKE JONES ACT VESSEL CONSTRUCTION EASIER NEW SHIPS = MORE JOBS DELTA QUEEN ANNOUNCES NEW RIVERBOAT FOR FLEET BOSUN VERN POULSEN HONORED BY TACOMA PROPELLER CLUB REALITIES OF RUNAWAY-FLAG SHIPPING: MASKED GUNMEN, NO FOOD OR WAGES NY TIMES ARTICLE REVEALS MORE FOC VICTIMS U.S. PORTS WILL REMAIN OPEN WHEN CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT COAST GUARD SAYS IT IS READY FR Y2K ALASKAN LEDLOW LOOKS FORWARD TO NEW CAREER AS SIU MEMBER PAUL HALL CENTER’S RUSSELL HONORED ON MEMORIAL DAY STEWARD HAS LOVING MESSAGE DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH CAPE TRINITY CREW AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 66,000 IN PUERTO RICO WIN UNION ELECTIONS MORE WORKERS SAY ‘UNION YES’ GOV’T SERVICES DIVISION MEMBER WRITES NOVEL ABOUT SUBIC BAY AMERICAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY ADDS DEFIBRILLATORS TO VESSELS UPGRADERS, APPRENTICES UTILIZE NEW FIRE FIGHTING AND SAFETY SCHOOL SEAFARERS IN AND AROUND THE PORT OF WILMINGTON, CALIFORNIA. 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 07/01/1999 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. 7 1999 Periodicals Seafarers Log