http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/6e73299b9570f3c8d0a283055c14a88f.pdf 46dc47a861e66ce953f8fe27a9bcda81 PDF Text Text FEBRUARY 2019 VOLUME 81, NO. 2 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O SIU Welcomes New Jobs Aboard Taíno LNG-Powered ConRo Sailing in Jones Act Trade Seafarers in late 2018 crewed up the new Crowley Maritime vessel MV Taíno (top right). The combination container/roll-on roll-off (ConRo) ship completed its maiden voyage to Puerto Rico on Jan. 11. SIU mariners and AMO officers are pictured on deck (immediate right). Recertified Bosun Wilfredo Velez (top left) loads stores, while Electrician Carlos Parrilla (top center) works on an AC unit. Page 3. (Ship photo courtesy Crowley Maritime. Additional photos available on the SIU Facebook page, @SeafarersInternational) Tacoma Seafarers Answer Call Again The spirit of giving remains alive and well in Tacoma, Washington, where SIU members donate each year to a philanthropic project named Santa’s Castle. The outreach provides gifts for families of U.S. military personnel. The union also hosts a related luncheon at the hiring hall; pictured at the 2018 gathering are Seafarers, military guests and volunteers from Santa’s Castle. Page 24. Updated Website, Portal Launched Page 2 Rescue at Sea Page 4 Tax Tips for Mariners Pages 12-14 �President’s Report Green Lake to the Rescue There is no greater example of our union’s motto, Brotherhood of the Sea, than the outstanding rescue efforts that were made by Seafarers aboard the Green Lake on New Year’s Eve. Our members were first on the scene of a tragic fire aboard a Panamanian-flagged vessel that caused its crew to abandon ship. As others joined in the rescue, union members from the SIU-crewed ship pulled seven mariners to safety. There were nine other survivors, while five individuals from the disabled ship didn’t make it. It’s a tragedy that could have been worse if not for the work of the SIU, MM&P and MEBA members from the Central Gulf Lines-operated Green Lake. Worth noting: All of the SIU members aboard that ship have trained at the unionaffiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. And the bosun said the training definitely made a difference. Check out our coverage elsewhere in this edition, and in the meantime, I extend heartfelt kudos to the Green Lake crew along with condolences to the victims and their families. This particular rescue made international headlines, but for the SIU, it was just the latest of many. Our members normally assist in several rescues per year, and while not every incident receives prominent coverage, each Michael Sacco operation reinforces why I believe SIU members are the world’s best-trained mariners. Jones Act Fight Continues There should be a statute of limitations on ridiculous attacks against America’s freight cabotage law, but last month saw another round of falsehoods – specifically about the Jones Act’s effect on Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. If you’re new to the industry or otherwise weren’t keeping up with this saga for the last year-plus, the short – and fully accurate – version is that Jones Act ships were first on the scene in the territory once the ports reopened. Because of the devastated inland infrastructure, relief supplies stacked up at the ports. The Jones Act not only didn’t delay or prevent any aid, it actually helped ensure timely deliveries. The Jones Act doesn’t prevent foreign-flag vessels from calling on Puerto Rico, which in fact normally receives about two-thirds of its cargoes from foreign bottoms. Also often lost in the bizarre retellings of Jones Act-related Maria stories is that a temporary waiver was granted. It didn’t make any difference because it wasn’t needed in the first place. As mentioned recently, we’re in the midst of what promises to be a long and tough fight. Jones Act opponents are throwing tons of money, other resources, and something I can’t mention in a family newspaper in a targeted attempt to sink this crucial law. But the facts are on our side, and we’ll keep swinging until we’ve won. Productive Dialogue One of our union’s most important affiliations is with the AFL-CIO, where I am the longest-serving member of the executive council, other than federation President Richard Trumka. Late last year, the council adopted a statement titled, “Solidarity Pledge for America.” The resolution reads in part, “Political extremism has become the norm in America. Constant conflict is cheered and polarizing ideas are reinforced, while conscience-driven compromise is dismissed as weakness. Defamatory mistruths and repugnant rhetoric are hurled from every direction and echoed across social media. We simply don’t listen to each other…. This complete and utter breakdown of civil discourse in America is a threat to our very democracy, and it must stop.” While that’s an unpleasant paragraph, it reflects the disturbing reality of our times. But as we in the executive council went on to say, the labor movement has a special responsibility to challenge and reject the current state of affairs. Our movement was created more than 130 years ago by a small group of workers looking to create change at work and more broadly in society. Throughout our long history, we’ve used our position as America’s diverse coalition of working families to beat back attempts to divide and destroy us. Unions are like crews on a ship. We come from different backgrounds but we work together to accomplish the goal. Our statement was about more than just being polite even when we disagree, but that’s not a bad place to start, whether you’re on a ship or at the hall or, yes, on social media. Take a deep breath, stick to facts, and stand up for what you believe in. Let’s keep working together to promote our industry, defend workers’ rights, and uphold the reputation of the Brotherhood of the Sea. O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O Volume 81 Number 2 Some of the sub-menus are visible in this screen shot of the new website. SIU Launches New Website, LOG Database Mobile-Friendly Member Portal a Highlight of Revamp The SIU late last year launched a new version of its website, www.seafarers.org, that’s easier to navigate from any device. As part of the project and like the main site itself, the member portal has been redesigned so it’s “fully responsive,” a tech industry term that basically means a site will look good and offer solid functionality whether the user is on a desktop, mobile device, tablet or laptop. Alongside the website, the SIU has rolled out another new online resource: the Seafarers LOG Digital Archives database. The database, seafarerslog.org, hosts every copy of the Seafarers LOG from the first issue in 1939 to the present day. Members, researchers, and the general public are free to view nearly 1,500 digitized issues on the browser of their choice, or they may download the PDF files to their electronic devices. Launched just before last Christmas, the Seafarers LOG Digital Archives was no small undertaking. LOG Content Curator Mark Clements has spent the past five years assembling, digitizing, uploading and describing the contents of each issue. With many of the older printed issues brittle from age, Clements had to turn to the Paul Hall Maritime Library’s collection of microfilm to safely create digital copies. “While the microfilm had its own limitations, I didn’t have to worry about the issues turning to dust in the scanner bed,” Clements said. Microfilm copies of the Seafarers LOG were only made up until 1994, and the roll of film covering 1984 to 1988 was either never made or has since gone missing. To fill in the gaps, Clements manually scanned LOG issues at his desk. Starting with 2002, the remaining issues in the database were the original born-digital PDF files the LOG staff sends to the publisher every month. Once the digital copies were made, Clements and Log Administrative Assistant Jenny Stokes (along with summer interns) read each issue from cover to cover to make note of any quality concerns. While the text of the issues is fully searchable, both the quality of the microfilm and the column layouts of the older LOG issues created problems with search accuracy. In light of this difficulty, Clements and Stokes generated a list of headlines for each issue for easy browsing. The database is powered by Omeka, a popular archival platform used not only by universities and museums but also organizations such as the Seamen’s Church Institute. Although Omeka itself is not optimized for mobile use, the LOG staff knows how important mobile access is to the membership. Bearing this in mind, the PDF files were compressed to file sizes that would be gentle on data plans – although access to the high-quality master files is available upon request. Now that the full run of Seafarers LOGS is online, the next step for the Digital Archives is uploading the LOG’S exhaustive collection of photographs, particularly those from early days of the SIU. Many of these images remain in good condition, despite changing physical locations several times and even surviving a fire. “Whether we’re talking about the Isthmian organizing drive or the General Maritime Strike in 1946, we can’t fully appreciate the SIU of today without its history seeing the light of day,” Clements added. The first installments of the photographic collections will be made available throughout the year, and those interested should check the SIU’s social media pages Continued on Page 5 Crew of Crowley-Operated Wright Honored SIU crew members sailing aboard the S.S. Wright, a Crowleyoperated, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ship, were recently honored with Merchant Marine Medals for Outstanding Achievement for their actions in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The medals were presented by Jeff McMahon, MARAD ship operations and maintenance officer (SOMO) for Atlantic Operations, while the vessel, an aviation logistics support container ship, was in port in Morehead City, North Carolina. Along with the Maritime Administrator’s Professional Ship Award, these accolades recognize the crew’s participation in humanitarian operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), where the mariners provided onboard lodging for nearly 4,000 different emergency responders and almost 10,000 meals. In addition to offering berthing assets, the Wright carried an FAA mobile air traffic control tower, which was critical to enabling air transportation to and from the is- lands, as well as meals ready to eat (MREs), bottled water and tactical/ response vehicles. “The rapid activation and deployment of the S.S. Wright to St. Thomas and success of the mission was unprecedented, thanks to the cooperation and joint effort of afloat and shore-side personnel,” said Mike Golonka, Crowley vice president, Government Ship Management. “The entire effort was a true testament of how Crowley – and the maritime industry as a whole – can offer relief during times of great need.” February 2019 The SIU online: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Nick Merrill; Piney Point Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Jenny Stokes; Content Curator, Mark Clements. Copyright © 2019 Seafarers International Union, AGLIW. All Rights Reserved. The Seafarers International Union engaged an environmentally friendly printer for the production of this newspaper. Reversed to White Reversed to White 2 Seafarers LOG Crew members and guests aboard the Wright, including SIU members, pose for a photo. February 2019 �Crowley ConRo Taíno Joins SIU Fleet SIU members are sailing aboard the new Crowley Maritime vessel MV Taíno following the Jones Act ship’s delivery late last year. The second of the company’s new combination container/roll-on roll-off (ConRo) ships, the Taíno completed its maiden voyage to Puerto Rico on Jan. 11. “Things are going well,” said Recertified Bosun Wilfredo Velez the day the liquified natural gas-powered vessel arrived in the commonwealth. “We have a good crew, and it’s smooth sailing so far. I like the run and the ship. Life is good, man!” Crowley hailed the maiden voyage as putting “a historic capstone on the company’s Commitment Class modernization project and begin[ing] a new era of worldclass supply chain services between the island commonwealth, U.S. mainland and the Caribbean Basin.” Like its sister ship, the MV El Coquí (which entered service in July 2018), the Taíno utilizes Jacksonville, Florida, as its mainland home port. Each ship is 720 feet long, 26,500 deadweight tons (DWT), and can transport up to 2,400 twenty-footequivalent container units (TEUs) at a cruising speed of more than 22 knots. The ships carry a wide range of cargo types and sizes, including: 53-foot by 102-inch-wide, highcapacity containers; up to 300 refrigerated containers; and 400 cars and larger vehicles in the enclosed and ventilated vehicle garages that are unique to the trade. The Taíno is named for the native Puerto Ricans who lived off the land with great appreciation and respect for their environment, and the El Coquí is named for the popular indigenous frog on the island. The vessels were constructed by VT Halter Marine at its Pascagoula, Mississippi, shipyard. When the Taíno was delivered, Crowley Maritime Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley stated, “I want to congratulate and thank all the men and women at Crowley and VT Halter Marine who helped to bring these marvelous new ships to life. They are shining examples of maritime innovation and craftsmanship available right here in the United States thanks to the Jones Act. From a business standpoint, Taíno and El Coquí are key components of our integrated logistics offerings that are bringing speed to market and creating a competitive advantage for our customers in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. With our own vessels and proprietary transportation and distribution network, we’re reducing friction and complexity while increasing the velocity of customers’ goods moving to market and reducing their landed costs.” Modernizations by Crowley include the Commitment class vessels along with investments at Crowley’s Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, including three new shore gantry cranes, the first to be delivered in Puerto Rico in 50 years; a new 900-foot pier; container handling equipment; and efficiency improvements. Additionally, a proprietary feeder service has been launched to seamlessly link Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic and other islands of the Caribbean Basin. The first SIU crew aboard the Taíno included Velez, ABs Dominique Johnson, Emil Norales, Arthur Patterson, Julio Perez and Sonny Perez, QMEDs Sherrod Frazier and Victor Rios Lopez, QEE Carlos Parilla, Oiler Angel Cintron, Recertified Steward Kim Strate, Chief Cook Luis Perez Acosta and SA Steven Lopez Ferrer. The new SIU-crewed ship (photo above) arrives in Puerto Rico on Jan. 11. (Photo courtesy Crowley Maritime) In photo below, Seafarers gather with SIU Port Agent Jimmy White (fourth from right) aboard the Taíno on New Year’s Eve in Pascagoula, Mississippi. New Jobs Aboard Matson’s Kamokuiki Late last year, Seafarers-contracted Matson launched a new direct U.S.-flag service between Honolulu and the Marshall Islands. The company purchased a 700-TEU containership for the route: the Kamokuiki (pictured at the immediate left), which is equipped with two 45-ton cranes, hydraulic folding hatch covers and high maneuverability. Pictured aboard the 411-foot vessel are (center photo, from left) SIU Port Agent Hazel Galbiso, Steward/Baker Tim Laird and Recertified Steward Ruti Demont. The other group photo includes (from left) Demont, Capt. Roland Hobson, Galbiso and the captain’s wife, Kelly. OSG Announces 10-Year Charter of Jones Act Tanker New jobs for SIU members are on the way following a Jan. 3 announcement by Seafarerscontracted Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG). The company reported that it has entered into a 10-year bareboat charter agreement for the Oregon Voyager, a tanker that was built in 1999 at Newport News (Virginia) Shipbuilding. OSG plans to utilize the 620-foot vessel in the Jones Act trade, beginning in the second quarter of 2019. “This is a welcome addition to the SIU fleet, and a clear vote of confidence in the professionalism of SIU crews,” stated SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “It also strengthens the Jones Act fleet overall, which benefits U.S. national, economic and homeland security.” OSG plans to rename the ship as the Overseas Key West. Previous names included HMI Ambrose Channel, Bristol Bay, and Seabulk Energy. OSG President and CEO Sam Norton February 2019 stated, “Following closely on our decision to extend all of the leases for our American Shipping Company (AMSC)-owned tankers, the addition of the Overseas Key West to our fleet of Jones Act tank vessels is an important and visible signal of OSG’s continuing commitment to sustaining our leading position in the markets which we serve. The extended duration of this new lease agreement is both an affirmation of our positive outlook for the future as well as a validation of OSG’s reputation as a preferred counterparty in operating Jones Act tank vessels to the high standards demanded by its customers.” OSG also operates the following SIUcrewed vessels for AMSC: Overseas Houston, Overseas Long Beach, Overseas Los Ange- les, Overseas New York, Overseas Texas City, Overseas Boston, Overseas Nikiski, Overseas Martinez, Overseas Anacortes and Overseas Tampa. The Jones Act requires that cargo travelling between domestic ports is carried aboard vessels that are crewed, built, flagged and owned American. On the books since 1920, the law helps maintain nearly 500,000 U.S. jobs. Last year, a new study was released by Seafarers’ Rights International revealing that 91 nations maintain some form of cabotage law. The Oregon Voyager is pictured near Port Everglades, Florida, in December 2017. (Photo by Vladimir Knyaz) Seafarers LOG 3 �Pictured aboard the Green Lake in the Pacific Northwest (photo above, from left) are Safety Director Ben Anderson, SA Jolanta Goch, AB John Rawlings, AB Bernardo Bartolome, AB Robert Calvo, Bosun Isaac Amissah, AB Paul Gottschling, AB Ted Thompson, OMU Mario Santos, SB Peter Schuetz and CC Jose Clotter. The two photos at right show the Sincerity Ace during the shipboard fire. MV Green Lake Rescues 7 in Deadly Car Carrier Fire The crew of the MV Green Lake, including SIU members sailing aboard the Central Gulf Lines-operated vessel, sprang into action on New Year’s Eve, using their rescue training to save lives in the Pacific Ocean. The Green Lake was the first vessel to respond to a Coast Guard alert from the Panamanian-flagged Sincerity Ace, a 2009built car carrier sailing from Yokohama to Hawaii. The master had reported a serious vessel fire, ongoing firefighting efforts and the intent to abandon ship approximately 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu. The crew and officers of the Green Lake spent the next 18 hours battling poor weather conditions as they rescued seven mariners and searched for the missing. They were joined in the search efforts by three other merchant ships, as well as a U.S. Coast Guard Hercules HC-130 aircraft and a Navy 7th Fleet P-8 Poseidon. In total, the crews of the merchant vessels that responded to the disaster rescued 16 members of the Sincerity Ace’s crew. Five were not recovered, after a total of 13 searches covering 5,544 nautical square miles were conducted over a span of three days. The SIU crew of the MV Green Lake included Bosun Isaac Amissah, ABs Nicolas Bernardo Bartolome, Robert Calvo, Paul Gottschling, John Rawlings and Ted Thompson, OMUs Godofredo Manding Banatao and Mario Santos, Steward/Baker Peter Schuetz, Chief Cook Jose Felipe, and SA Jolanta Goch. All of them have com- pleted training at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center, located in Piney Point, Maryland. The deck officers aboard the Green Lake are members of the MM&P, and the engineers are represented by the MEBA. Bosun Amissah retold the event, saying, “We had left Yokohama maybe three days before, when we got the alert that a ship was on fire. When we got to the scene, the crew were spread out over the water, in life jackets.” He explained that the Green Lake retrieved seven men from the ocean, bringing them into warm areas on the ship to rest and recover: “By the time we pulled them out of the water, they were so tired. They’d been in the water for maybe eight hours by that point, so they needed to rest and warm up.” “Our training helped a lot,” he concluded, “especially the man-overboard drills. We’d be picking up one guy out of the water here, then the next guy would be three miles away, they were so spread out. Our training was really important in saving those seven lives.” “The entire crew did a truly incredible job under extreme conditions,” said Capt. William Boyce. “Winds were blowing a steady 25 knots, gusting to 30 knots, with a heavy 20-25-foot north-westerly swell. Due to the sea state and our high freeboard, it was very difficult to maneuver, bring the ship alongside each survivor, and get them on board with limited retrieval resources.” Boyce continued, praising the work of School Welcomes U.S. Senator The burning vessel is visible in this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard. his crew: “MEBA Chief Engineer Joseph Tierney, First Engineer Shauna Glasser, Second Engineer Zac Pollock and Third Engineer Maria Asuncion assisted in retrieval and constant maneuvering for 18 straight hours. The entire SIU deck crew and bosun worked tirelessly from 0200 to 2000 to get the exhausted survivors on board. “The crew showed incredible perseverance, teamwork and determination,” he concluded, “constantly improvising with each survivor’s recovery in very difficult and dangerous conditions. I am proud of each and every one of this crew for saving seven souls that had experienced horrific condi- tions and were exhausted.” “We are very grateful for the assistance the crews of these vessels have given during the search and rescue efforts,” said a spokesperson for the Coast Guard. “These crew members went out of their way to aid their fellow mariners, and because of the remoteness of the incident, the outcome may have been very different had they not responded.” The Green Lake diverted to Honolulu to disembark the survivors once the search for additional survivors was called off. At last report, the Sincerity Ace was being towed to Japan. NY Waterway Crew Helps Save a Life The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (PHC) hosted U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) for a tour on Jan. 4. Pictured at the school in Piney Point, Maryland, are (from left) SIU Political and Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman, SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, Acting PHC VP Tom Orzechowski, Van Hollen, SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez and PHC ManagerConference and Lodging Howard Thompson. 4 Seafarers LOG On Dec. 19, Seafarers sailing on a NY Waterway ferry went above and beyond to prevent an attempted suicide by drowning. SIU members Capt. Ken Recine and Deckhands Travis Brumfield and Roberto Valdez Garcia put years of awareness training to use when, at around 9:30 p.m., Brumfield spotted a woman acting strangely as they prepared to dock at the Battery Park City ferry terminal. “I saw a lady who was sitting and looked kind of dispirited,” said Brumfield. “As Waterway employees, we are trained in security awareness. I decided to take precautions, so I asked her, did she want to board, and she said no, she’s alright.” When the ferry returned to the terminal, he realized they needed to act: “As we approached Brookfield again, she was approaching the wall next to the terminal, and these are the words that came out of her mouth, ‘I feel betrayed. I don’t want to live any more. There’s nothing for me.’” Brumfield and Garcia alerted the captain, who called the New York Police Department’s harbor patrol. “We were already headed into Slip 4, where we were supposed to dock, and I backed out and positioned the vessel over by where she was on the wall,” said Recine. “We were full of passengers at the time, but I didn’t even consider the schedule at that point. Someone’s life was in danger.” As the deckhands donned life vests and made ready the vessel’s hook and ladder lifesaving equipment, an off-duty ticketing agent ran up to the woman and began to talk her down. Recine said, “We returned to Jersey City to drop people off and by the time we turned around, there were police boats here, a helicopter in the sky, the fire department was at the wall. It took all of five minutes. They were quick.” The captain credited the awareness of his deckhands with spotting the distressed woman, and stated, “The only thing that prepared me for something like this was a lifetime in the boating industry, and being a team player. I’d encourage all mariners to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and look out for one another.” February 2019 �House Bill Aims to Honor WWII Mariners A bill saluting the service of World War II U.S. Merchant Mariners is under consideration in the new U.S. Congress. U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-California) on Jan. 15 introduced H.R. 550, the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, with U.S. Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Susan Brooks (R-Indiana) joining as original cosponsors. This legislation would award a Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in the United States, to mariners who sustained our armed forces during World War II. “Throughout the Second World War, our armed forces relied on the merchant marine to ferry supplies, cargo and personnel into both theaters of operation, and they paid a heavy price in service to their country,” said Garamendi. “The merchant marine suffered the highest per capita casualty rate in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. An estimated 8,300 mariners lost their lives, and another 12,000 were wounded, to make sure our service members could keep fighting. Yet, these mariners who put their lives on the line were not even given veteran status until 1988.” (More than 1,200 SIU members gave their lives during the war.) “Last year, I got the chance to meet with three World War II Merchant Mariners: Charles Mills of Texas, age 97; Eugene Barner from Kansas, age 92; and Robert Weagant from Illinois, age 92. These mariners put their lives on the line for this country, braving German and Japanese submarines in their Liberty ships as they delivered critical supplies to our service members in the European and Pacific theaters,” Garamendi added. “Unfortunately, their sacrifice is commonly overlooked. A Congressional Gold Medal would give them the recognition they deserve, and that’s why I’ve introduced this bill: to give these veterans and their families the honor and respect they are owed.” Christian Yuhas, vice president of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Rep. Garamendi (third from left) meets with WWII Merchant Marine Veterans and family members of deceased veterans in Washington, D.C. (AMMV) and a chief engineer, stated, “The time has come for our nation to provide a well-deserved thank you and honor the remaining Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII with a Congressional Gold Medal. This group of unsung heroes nobly served our country by operating the ships that transported critical supplies to front lines of the war, and in doing so suffered a casualty rate higher than any other branch of the military. In fact, one out of every 26 casualties during World War II was a volunteer merchant mariner. America would not be the great nation it is today without their valiant service of yesterday. I urge Congress to support this important bill and recognize this dwindling group of Merchant Marine Veterans that have served our NMC Issues Mitigation Update On Government Shutdown Aboard Empire State When this photo was taken in late December, crew members on the Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning vessel were celebrating Christmas as well as 3,000 lost-time-incident-free days, reports vessel master Capt. Kevin W. Griffith, who submitted the snapshot on behalf of Chief Steward Wilfredo Espinosa. Well done to the SIU crew and AMO officers. New Website Boasts Improved Features Continued from Page 2 or seafarerslog.org for updates. Meanwhile, the main SIU site has been reorganized and streamlined. There’s a site map linked at the bottom of every page, and the union’s social media accounts also are prominently linked at the top of every page. They include a relatively new Flickr site that hosts all available lifeboat class photos from the union’s February 2019 nation so admirably.” The Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act was introduced in the Senate simultaneously by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The bill is currently awaiting action by the House Financial Services Committee, Garamendi’s office reported. affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland. Additionally, many of the PDF forms on the site have been modified so visitors can complete them online. (The fillable forms still have to be printed and sent to the intended recipients.) The SIU first launched a website in 1997, and started a mobile site in 2013. While cutting-edge at launch and for a while thereafter, the mobile site had some limitations that don’t exist with the new version. Editor’s note: The following news release (which ran under the headline: “Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown”) was issued by the National Maritime Center on Jan. 8. At press time, it was the most recent communication from the agency concerning the partial shutdown. Check the SIU website for updates. The “attached letter” mentioned in the article is linked in the news section of the SIU site in addition to being available on the NMC website. To mitigate the impact caused by the partial lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the following actions are being taken: Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended as valid until March 31, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential. Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended to March 31, 2019. Approval to Test (ATT) letters and mariner training course certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended until March 31, 2019. For mariners whose 90day testing cycles were interrupted by Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26, 2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the 90-day period. REC appointment calendars will be re-opened immediately once appropriations are restored. E-mail any course approval extension requests to NMCCourses@uscg.mil. The NMC understands the partial shutdown may affect our industry customers and stakeholders and we apologize for any potential inconvenience. If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662). Seafarers LOG 5 �Seafarers Celebrate Holidays at Halls For the SIU, holiday get-togethers at the hiring halls are a time-honored tradition nearly as venerable as the union itself. As noted in last month’s LOG, some of the oldest photos in the union’s archives show Seafarers celebrating winter holidays at various halls. The most recent holiday season saw SIU gatherings across the country, both ashore and aboard numerous vessels around the world. Many of them have been featured in past issues and on the SIU’s social media pages. The photos on this page were taken at the halls in Jersey City, New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; and New Orleans. Philanthropy is also a longstanding SIU tradition. In that spirit, the SIU in Jersey City conducted a volunteer toy drive benefiting local children who are less fortunate. Those gifts were delivered Dec. 20 (three days after the Christmas party, the cutoff for donations) to a century-old organization named Women Rising. In Norfolk, the annual Christmas party doubled as a fond farewell to Kermett Mangram, who’d recently retired from his post as vice president of the SIU Government Services Division. Mangram spent more than 40 years with the union. The other parties were traditional but no less enthusiastic. Editor’s note: See pages 8, 10, 11 and 24 for related photos and coverage. Norfolk Approximately 100 members, retirees and guests attended the 16th annual celebration in Norfolk, Virginia. Port Agent Georg Kenny, QEE Kevin Quinlan, Retiree Stanley “Butch” Vane, Recertified Bosun Robert Blackie Fraser Linsday Jr. Newly retired SIU VP Kermett Mangram (center) is pictured with family members, officials and staff. Jersey City New Orleans Port Agent Chris Westbrook (standing fifth from left) reports that seafood gumbo was among the menu items enjoyed by guests in New Orleans Jacksonville Chief Steward Jermaine Robinson baked this cake for the event in New Orleans. 6 Seafarers LOG AB Vicente Mansilungan went all-out with his dish for the potluck holiday lunch. Members and guests in the Jersey City hiring hall wave to the camera while waiting for the start of their Christmas Party. In photo below, Port Agent Mark von Siegel (left) delivers donations to Latoya Smith of Women Rising. Seafarer Ariel Lopez Albino helped with the delivery. According to the organization’s website, “For over 110 years, Women Rising has been helping women and their families. Our clients are in need – in need of jobs, safety from domestic violence, freedom from substance abuse, safe homes for children. Women Rising meets these needs by providing supportive counseling, crisis intervention, workforce development and job placement, shelter for victims of domestic violence, outreach, advocacy, and referrals. Women Rising is the foremost communitybased organization for women in Hudson County. Women Rising assists women and their families to achieve self-sufficiency and live safe, productive and fulfilling lives, through social services, economic development, and advocacy services.” February 2019 �Mariners and their guests gather near the Crowley-operated vessel. Children and their counselors are pictured with personnel from the ship. USNS Victorious Mariners Help Orphans in Philippines Editor’s note: The following article was submitted by Captain Jon Skoglund (a member of the Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Officers), serving aboard the Crowley-operated USNS Victorious. The vessel is crewed by SIU members and AMO officers. While the Victorious was in Subic Bay, Philippines, during December 2018, mariners decided that we would look into how we might be able to help out a local orphanage. Chief Mate Robert Swinburne identified an orphanage for sexually assaulted girls in Olongapo. After touring the facility, it became evident these girls needed our help. Although the city of Olongapo had workers there installing new showers and a septic system, they lacked basic necessities, such as enough beds, fans for ventilation (there was no A/C in any part of the building), a washer for clothes, storage for their clothes, bedding and towels…. The list goes on. The chief mate did some research and found that four beds and a washer would cost $679. The good people aboard the Victorious raised $1,400 in just two days. In addition, the Crowley Business Unit donated $679 to cover the initial expenses, and the fantastic folks that are a part of the Crowley Jacksonville Team donated another $445 to the cause. With this extreme generosity and the hard work of Chief Mate Swinburne, 1AE Nick Swanson, 2AE Jenna Palaschak and QMED Deven McCoy, we were able to make the girls’ home a safer and more pleasant place, while providing them with the basics that most of us take for granted: five bunk beds, a new washing machine, a freezer (full of food), six fans, sheets, towels, blankets, plates, cups, silverware, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products and lastly, we had enough money left over to fill the cupboards with dry goods. We were also lucky enough to host the girls and their counselors aboard the Victorious for a tour and a pizza night. You could tell by the smiles that both the girls and the crew enjoyed our time together. As it turns out, no matter where you are in the world, pizza and ice cream are popular with a crowd! Thank you all for your help! A heartfelt Happy Holidays from the crew of the Victorious. The tour is a hit with these visitors. QMED Deven McCoy (left) and 1st Engineer Nick Swanson volunteer at the orphanage. Some of the donated items are delivered to the orphanage. Camera shyness isn’t a problem on deck. February 2019 Residents and employees enjoy their gifts. Seafarers LOG 7 �Members roll bicycles onto the truck. Seafarers team up and transport toys from the hall to a truck. AB Obaid Ali Union Stages Another Successful Santa’s Castle Outreach Continued from Page 24 deserve help when they need it. It was nice to meet some of the people from our installation at JBLM, and I’m really proud of our union and glad I had the chance to join.” AB Michael Bell stated, “I think it went great. When you walk in there and see all those toys, it really brings a good feeling, knowing the members are doing something for somebody else. I really enjoy doing it. We didn’t have a lot when I was growing up; myself, and I know, a lot of the other guys like to make sure kids have a good Christmas – have at least one thing under the tree.” Bell added compliments to Vincenzo, Safety Director Ben Anderson, Patrolmen Warren Asp and George Owen and Administrative Assistant Brenda Flesner for their work on the project. “I take my hat off to them,” Bell said. “They all do a great job getting this thing going and keeping it going. They deserve an ‘attaboy’ because they’re the driving force behind it. It’s one of the highlights of the entire year, and I think a lot of people look forward to it every year. You see a lot of smiles.” Addressing Seafarers and Army personnel, Vincenzo recalled a moment from decades earlier. “I remember as a young PFC at Fort Riley, Kansas, home of the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division), an older gentleman toured the motor pool where I was working on an M577 (an armored vehicle). It was routine maintenance. The man thanked me for my service, but I did not feel that I had earned his thanks. Today so many years later, I still don’t – but today I understand his need to express his thanks and the genuine gratitude that he must have felt that day. And quite frankly, all these years later it is clear that his thanks were not necessarily or only about me but something much bigger and what I stood for, and still stand for today. It is an honor to be trusted with the capacity as your port agent to organize and advocate for this toy drive with the help of so many. You are the ones who even make this possible, and your generos- ity speaks for itself year after year.” Shelly Hinzman, president of Santa’s Castle, said, “Our season went great. I don’t have final numbers, but we did 850 to 900 families. Seafarers were a big part of that, because the donations that we receive from them – really, they’re awesome donations. We put them to good use. We always love going to the Seafarers luncheon, too; it’s a highlight of our season. They’ve always been great supporters and we’ve always felt very welcome every time we go. I’m not exaggerating – we just love them.” JBLM is located approximately nine miles southwest of Tacoma. Santa’s Castle is a private 501(c)(3) organization. According to their website, participating service members are identified “by their chain of command – commander, chaplain, 1SG and above – and referred to the program. Once accepted, the service member is scheduled for a shopping appointment where they come to Santa’s Castle to select gifts for their child or children.” Enjoying the gathering are SIU members (from left) Joey Lata, Saleh Ahmed, Carlos Noriega, Eric Hondel and Erwin Renon. Guests enjoy the luncheon at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington. Spotlight on Mariner Health Combating the Common Cold Editor’s note: The following article is provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan Medical Department. If you have a severe cough, a sore throat and your nose is stuffy, you may have a cold. It could, however, be something else. Regardless of what your condition could be, it’s a good idea to get a head start on the healing process. Getting rest, drinking lots of water and eating smaller but more frequent meals are all actions that should make you feel better. Taking Tylenol or anti-inflammatory medications will also help improve how you feel, provided you haven’t been told previously by your physician not to do so. If it is just a cold, your symptoms generally last for a period of three to 10 days. If your symptoms fail to subside during this time, and you also develop a running nose, watery eyes, constant sneezing and coughing that gets worse, it’s probably time to con- 8 Seafarers LOG sider calling a doctor. Such a call should be mandatory for someone who, in addition to having the forgoing symptoms, develops trouble breathing, fevers and body aches, severe vomiting, sinus pain, swollen glands, chest pains or pressure and feelings of faintness. Everyone should be aware that colds can cause swelling in the nose and lungs, which in turn can lead to sinus infections or exacerbate asthma and other lung problems. Colds can also weaken immune systems, thereby opening the door to other infections. There are a number of preventive actions individuals can take to improve the state of their overall health while also guarding against developing any of the foregoing conditions. Included are: getting proper rest, drinking lots of fluids, limiting alcohol intake, stopping smoking, exercising as often as possible, taking vitamins and required inoculations and eating a heart-healthy diet.. Healthful Recipe Grilled Chicken Santa Fe Servings: 25 Ingredients 10 pounds chicken breast without skin 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash seasoning 3 teaspoons chili powder 2 teaspoons cumin 1 tablespoon granulated garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil Corn salsa: 2 cups frozen corn kernels, defrosted 2/3 cup red and green bell peppers, diced small ½ cup red onion, diced small 2 2/3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 tablespoon honey Salt and pepper, to taste Preparation Grill the chicken on a medium-high heat grill or lightly oiled griddle. Cook the chicken halfway done. Place the chicken into 2-inch hotel pans evenly. Drizzle with olive oil. Mix all the salsa ingredients together in a large container. Bake the chicken in a 350-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes until internal temperature of 165 F is reached. Top the cooked chicken with the corn salsa. Cover and serve. Nutrition information: Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 191 calories; 3g fat (16% calories from fat); 34g protein; 5g carbohydrates; 1g dietary fiber; 84mg cholesterol; 99mg sodium. Exchanges: 0 grain (starch); 4 ½ lean meat; 0 vegetable; ½ fat; 0 other carbohydrates. Provided by Chef Robert “RJ” Johnson of the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education’s Lundeberg School of Seamanship February 2019 �With Seafarers on the Great Lakes The photos on this page were taken by SIU Port Agent Todd Brdak while servicing members aboard the American Steamship Company-operated John J. Boland and Indiana Harbor last year. The Boland was in Toledo, Ohio, while the Indiana Harbor was in St. Clair, Michigan. John J. Boland The John J. Boland lowers a boarding ladder. Bosun Saleh Mohamed Ahmed and AB Abdulaziz Faisal Zain Port Agent Todd Brdak and Chief Cook Bernard Lawes The John J. Boland loads cargo onto the ship. Indiana Harbor Chief Cook John Chaney AB Wheelsman Mohamed Mosed and Gateman Thomas McClure QMED Ameen Abdo Yahya and Port Agent Todd Brdak February 2019 ACU Dave Warner The Indiana Harbor docked in St. Clair, Michigan Safe operations are a source of pride aboard the Indiana Harbor. Seafarers LOG 9 �PROMOTING MARITIME TO CONGRESSMEN – Shortly before Election Day 2018, SIU Port Agent Mark von Siegel and Patrolman Ray Henderson helped reinforce support for the U.S. Merchant Marine in Congress. Pictured from left in photo at right are von Siegel, U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-New Jersey) and Henderson. Henderson is shown with U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-New Jersey) in the photo at left. At Sea and Ashore with the SIU ON SEABULK ARCTIC – Pictured from left in photo above are AB Blake Braye, Recertified Bosun John Cedeno, Houston Patrolman Kelly Krick, AB Christopher Sanchez, Pumpman Brian Jackson, AB Marcos Rivera, Chief Steward Rafael Cardenas and Houston Patrolman J.D. Niday. The photo at right features AB Richard Benoit aboard the Seabulk Tankers vessel. AT SAN JUAN HALL – QMED Angel Cintron (left) made a bit of history last December when he became the first Seafarer to pick up a vacation check at the new hall in Puerto Rico. He was also the first A-seniority book member serviced at the hall, according to Port Agent Amancio Crespo (right). AT HOUSTON HALL – In photo above, inland Capt. Jamie Norsworthy (right) takes the union oath and receives his full book. The photo at right features members of the Chacon family – pensioner Jose (center) flanked by his wife, Ramona (left) and their daughter, Dr. Osana Chacon. Jose stopped by to pick up a pension verification letter; all three family members spoke favorably of the new hiring hall. ABOARD PELICAN STATE – Pictured from left aboard the Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning ship in Martinez, California, are Recertified Steward Gregory Lynch, GVA Abdulfata Shammam, SA Kassem Salem, QMED/Pumpman Alex Canada, QMED Derrick Clark, Oakland Port Agent Nick Marrone II, AB Nasser Kassim and Bosun Derik Rye. 10 Seafarers LOG February 2019 �At Sea and Ashore with the SIU TALKING MERCHANT MARINE WITH CONGRESSMAN – U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (DCalifornia) (center) conducted a community event Dec. 16 in Dublin, California, and SIU representatives were on hand to discuss the Jones Act, cargo preference, the Maritime Security Program and more. Pictured with the congressman are Port Agent Nick Marrone II (right) and Patrolman Adrian Fraccarolli. ABOARD PRESIDENT CLEVELAND – Pictured aboard the APL vessel in Oakland, California, are (from left) ACU Jessie Espiritu, Recertified Steward Joseph Welle and Chief Cook David Rodak. UNPLANNED REUNION – Four friends who are recertified stewards (from left: Ed Viana, Juan Vallejo, Michael Carello and Alex Banky) took this photo outside the Paul Hall Center’s Mooney Pub to celebrate a rare reunion over the holiday. Vallejo said he submitted the photo to the LOG “so that the new generations understand the importance of our school that, in addition to educating us, finds us again.” He and Viana were in the same recertification class (in 2012). Banky completed the program in 2002, while Carello graduated in 2008. ALHOA FROM PINEY POINT – Six new recruits from the Marimed Foundation’s program for native Hawaiians are among those pictured, while recently enrolled in the apprentice program at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Maryland. Standing (from left) are SIU Honolulu Port Agent Hazel Galbiso, Apprentices Kalanihooulumoku Holt and Delson Smith, Marimed Program Coordinator Melissa Hebert, Apprentice Alika Kukahiko and Marimed President/CEO Matt Claybaugh. In front are (from left) Apprentices Kalae Huihui, Billie Kawelo and Noah Santiago. AT JACKSONVILLE HALL – In photo at left, Pumpman Steven Supplee (right) receives his Abook from Safety Director Joseph Koncul. AB Joseph Wattam is at right in photo at right, also with Koncul, receiving his full B-book. The below photo shows OS Jamila King in front of the podium, taking the oath and receiving her full B-book from Patrolman Adam Bucalo. ABOARD PERLA DEL CARIBE – Christmas spirit and excellent food are evident aboard the TOTE vessel. Pictured from left are SA Brandon Harvell, Chief Cook Jacob Parrilla and Steward/Baker Ingrid Ortiz. February 2019 Seafarers LOG 11 �What’s New for the 2019 Tax Filing Season Following are some of the changes that took effect in 2018 and 2019, along with provisions that remain in effect from 2017. Please check www.irs.gov before filing your return. Due date of return - File Form 1040 by April 15, 2019. Exemptions - For tax year 2018, the deduction for the personal exemption is reduced to zero. Standard Deductions – The standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return has increased to $24,000 for 2018. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns has increased to $12,000 for 2018. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $18,000 for 2018. The additional standard deduction for people who have reached age 65 (or who are blind) is $1,300 for married taxpayers or $1,600 for unmarried taxpayers. Itemized Deductions – Before 2018, an individual’s itemized deductions were reduced by 3% of the amount adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeded certain threshold amounts. This phaseout of itemized deductions was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), and therefore does not apply to 2018. State Itemized Deductions - The TCJA modified or eliminated several popular itemized deductions. It is important to note that although the federal deductions have been adjusted, you may still qualify for deductions at the state level. Medical Care Itemized Deduction Threshold - For tax year 2018, for all taxpayers, unreimbursed medical expenses may be claimed as an itemized deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Earned Income Credit (EIC) - The EIC is a credit for certain people who work. The credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. The maximum amount of income you can earn and credit available increased for 2018: n Credit of $6,341 if you have three or more qualifying children and you earn less than $49,194 ($54,884 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $5,716 if you have two qualifying children and you earn less than $45,802 ($51,492 if married filing jointly) n Credit of $3,461 if you have one qualifying child and you earn less than $40,320 ($46,010 if married filing jointly), or n Credit of $519 if you do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $15,270 ($20,950 if married filing jointly) For tax years beginning after 2015 – a TIN is not valid for EIC purposes unless it was used on or before the due date of the return. For Tax years beginning after 2017, you may be able to qualify for the EIC under the rules for taxpayers without a qualifying child if you have a qualifying child for the EIC who is claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer. Social Security and Medicare Taxes - The maximum amount of wages subject to the Social Security tax for 2018 is $128,400. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to the Medicare tax. In 2018, hospital insurance tax in addition to the Medicare tax will be an additional 0.9% tax on wages that exceed the following threshold amounts: $250,000 for married filing jointly, $125,000 for married filing separately, and $200,000 for all others. This additional assessment also applies to selfemployed workers. For 2019, the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax is $132,900. Self-Employment Tax Rate and Deduction – The FICA portion of the self-employment tax is 12.4% in 2018. The Medicare portion of the SE tax is 2.9% not including the 0.9% additional tax on the amounts above the applicable thresholds as noted above. The SE tax rate for 2018 is 15.3%, and the deduction is equal to one-half of self-employment tax. Capital Gains and Losses - Continuing from 2012 you must report your capital gains and losses on Form 8949 and report the totals on Schedule D. If you sold a covered security in 2018, your broker will report the cost basis on your Form 1099-B. Refer to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/form8949 for additional information and other new developments affecting this form and Schedule D. New for 2018: For years 2018-2025, the personal casualty and theft loss deduction is eliminated, except for personal casualty losses incurred in a federally declared disaster. Qualified Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rate – In 2018, the tax rate on long-term gains and qualified dividends is 20% for income that exceeds the 37% tax bracket threshold amount of: n $600,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $500,000 for head of household n $300,000 for married filing separately n $500,000 for single The rate goes down to 15% for lower tax brackets and then 0% for the 10%-15% tax brackets. In 2018, capital gain income will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax for income that exceeds the threshold amounts listed above. Medicare Tax on Investment Income – In 2018, a tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income for the year or the amount the individual’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the threshold amount. The threshold amounts for the additional Medicare tax are as follows: n $250,000 for married filing jointly and surviving spouses n $125,000 for married filing separately n $200,000 for all others Investment income reduced by deductions properly allocable to that income is net investment income. Investment income includes income interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents and net gain from disposition of property, other than such income derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business. However, income from a trade or business that is a passive activity and from a trade or business of trading in financial instruments or commodities is included in investment income. Modified adjusted gross income for the purpose of calculating the additional Medicare tax is a person’s adjusted gross income with the foreign earned income exclusion or foreign housing exclusion added back in. Adoption credit - The maximum adoption credit has increased to $13,810 per child with adjusted gross income phase out starting at $207,140. The credit is nonrefundable. Any unused credit can be carried forward for five years. In general, the adoption credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply. In addition to filling out Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, eligible taxpayers must include with their 2018 tax returns one or more adoption-related documents. Child Tax Credit - The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the enhanced child tax credit of $2,000 maximum credit per child through the end of 2018. For 2018 tax year, the child tax credit starts to be reduced when income reaches the following levels: 12 Seafarers LOG n $200,000 for married couples filing separately n $200,000 for single, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) filers, and n $400,000 for married couples filing jointly The TCJA eliminated the exemption deduction for dependents for years 20182025. Therefore, releasing the dependency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction; however, it does make the noncustodial parent eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child. In the phase-out range, the child tax credit is reduced by $50 for each $1,000 of income above these threshold amounts. The child tax credit is generally nonrefundable credit that is limited to regular tax liability plus alternative minimum tax liability. However, a portion of the credit is refundable for certain taxpayers (see Form 8812 and IRS Pub. 972). Effective from 2016: Taxpayers cannot claim the Child Tax Credit for any tax year if the individual or a qualifying child did not have an individual TIN issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year: For tax years beginning after 2015 – the Child Tax Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination or reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the Child Tax Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no Child Tax Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Child and Dependent Care Credit - For 2018, there is a credit equal to the amount of qualified expenses multiplied by an applicable percentage determined by the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. The maximum amount of qualified expenses to which the credit may be applied is $3,000 for cost to care for one child under the age of 13 or up to $6,000 for two or more children, so that the parents can either go to work or be in the process of looking for work. There must be earned income in order to take the credit (the credit amount has not changed). The American Opportunity Tax Credit - For tax year 2018, the maximum credit amount can be up to $2,500 and up to 40% of that credit amount may be refundable. The credit applies to the first 4 years of post-secondary education in a degree or certificate program. The credit is calculated by taking 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related educational expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of such expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI is: n $90,000 for Single, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er) n $180,000 for Married Filing Jointly Taxpayers cannot claim the American Opportunity Credit for any tax year if the individual or a student did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issued on or before the due date of the return for that tax year. For Tax years beginning after 2015, the American Opportunity Credit is not allowed for (1) two tax years after a final determination or reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations or (2) 10 tax years after a final determination of fraud. If the American Opportunity Credit is denied due to failure to supply required information to the IRS, no American Opportunity Credit is allowed for any later tax year unless the taxpayer supplies the needed information. Taxpayers must report the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the educational institution to which payments were made. Lifetime Learning Credit - For tax year 2018, the maximum credit amount per tax return can be up to $2,000. The credit is calculated by taking 20% of the educational expenses on the first $10,000 of qualified educational expenses. The credit is gradually reduced if your Modified AGI exceeds $57,000 ($114,000 if married filing joint return) and is completely eliminated if your Modified AGI exceeds $67,000 ($134,000 if married filing joint return). The credit cannot be claimed if your filing status is “married filing separately”. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each student. Tuition and Fees Deductions – The tuition and fees deduction expired at the end of 2017. However, this discussion is retained in the event the deduction is extended, as it has been many times. The deduction is not allowed for Married Filing Separately filers or for any taxpayer who qualifies as a dependent (whether or not claimed) on another taxpayer’s tax return. For 2018, the tuition and fees deduction may not be claimed if an education credit is claimed for the same student in the same year [IRC Sec. 222 (c)(2)(A)]. Expanded Definition of Qualified Expenses for Qualified Tuition Programs - Qualified higher education expenses generally include tuition, fees, and related expenses such as books and supplies. The expenses must be for the student pursuing a degree, certificate, or similar program, at an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution includes most colleges, universities, and certain vocational schools. New for 2018: The TCJA changed the definition of qualified higher education expense. For purposes of the 529 plan rules, qualified higher education expenses now include expenses for tuition for attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school [IRC Secs. 529(c)(7) and 530(b)(3)(B)]. Cash distributions from all 529 plans are limited to $10,000 for elementary and secondary school tuition per tax year, per-student. [IRC Sec.529(e)(3)(A)]. Educator Expenses – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended the above-the-line deduction for eligible elementary and secondary school teachers of up to $250 per year ($500 if you and your spouse were both eligible educators) for expenses paid or incurred for books, certain supplies, computer and other equipment, and supplementary materials used in the classroom. For tax years beginning after 2015, eligible expenses also include expenses for professional development courses the educator takes related to the curriculum he/she teaches or to the student he/she teaches. State & Local Sales and Use Tax Deduction – For 2018, the itemized deduction for state and local taxes is limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for MFS) of the aggregate of (1) state and local property taxes and (2) state and local income, war profits and excess profits taxes (or sales taxes in lieu of income, etc. taxes) paid or accrued in the tax year. Caution: The provision also includes a rule stating that an individual may not claim an itemized deduction in 2017 on a pre-payment of income tax for a future tax year in order to avoid the dollar limitation applicable for the tax years beginning after 2017. Individual Retirement Accounts: Education IRAs (Coverdell Education Savings Account) - Taxpayers can contribute a maximum of $2,000 cash each year to an Education IRA for a person under age 18. The dollar limit is phased out for married individuals filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income between $190,000 and $220,000, and between $95,000 and $110,000 for single filers. The contribution is not deductible. Traditional IRAs - For 2018, the contribution limit to a traditional IRA is the lesser of $5,500 or your compensation. For taxpayers age 50 or older as of year-end, an additional catch-up contribution of up to $1,000 is allowed. Thus, the 2018 contribution limit for these taxpayers is the lesser of $6,500 or your compensation. For the deduction, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) phase-out range in 2018 is $63,000-$73,000 for single and head of household, $101,000-$121,000 for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), and less than $10,000 for married individuals filing separate returns when a taxpayer is covered by an employer’s retirement plan at any time during the year. Continued on Page 14 Tax Tips for Members How to Prepare A Tax Return Step 1. Get all records together. n Income Records. These include any Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099 n Itemized deductions and tax credits n Medical and dental payment records n Charitable contributions n Real estate and personal property tax receipts n Interest payment records for items such as a home mortgage or n Home equity loan n Records of payments for child care so an individual could work Step 2. Get any forms, schedules or publications necessary to assist in filing the return. Most IRS offices and many local banks, post offices and libraries have publications designed to provide individuals with information on correctly filing tax returns. Also, you may access the IRS website at www.irs.gov for forms, instructions and publications. Step 3. Fill in the return. Step 4. Check the return to make sure it is correct. Step 5. Sign and date the return. Form 1040 is not considered a valid return unless signed. A spouse must also sign if it is a joint return. Step 6. Attach all required forms and schedules. Attach Copy B of Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R to the front of the Form 1040. Attach all other schedules and forms behind Form 1040 in order of the attachment sequence number. If tax is owed, attach the payment to the front of Form 1040 along with Form 1040-V (original only). Write name, address, phone number, Social Security number and form number on your check or money order. Payment also can be made by credit card. You may use American Express, Discover, Visa or Master cards. To pay by credit card, call the toll-free number 1-888-872-9829 or 1-888-7291040 or visit websites www.officialpayments.com/fed or www.pay1040.com. There is a fee charged based on the amount you are paying. Rounding Off to Whole Dollars: Cents may be rounded off to the nearest whole dollar on the tax return and schedules. To do so, raise amounts from 50 to 99 cents to the next dollar. For example, $1.39 becomes $1 and $1.50 becomes $2. Fast Refund: Taxpayers are able to request direct deposit of their tax refunds by filling out lines 20b, 20c and 20d on their Form 1040. Line 20b is for the bank’s routing number. Line 20c indicates the type of account, and line 20d is the taxpayer’s account number at the bank. When tax returns are filed electronically, a refund will be received in about 3 weeks or in 2 weeks if it is deposited directly into a savings or checking account. For a charge, many professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing in addition to their return preparation services. Beginning in 2009, an individual that prepares his or her own return can access most commonly used Federal tax forms from the IRS website and website at: www.irs. gov. What Are Considered Deductions and Credits Personal Exemption Amount: The TCJA eliminated the exemption deduction for dependents for years 2018-2025. Therefore, releasing the dependency exemption to the noncustodial parent does not entitle that parent to an exemption deduction; however, it does make the noncustodial parent eligible for the child tax credit with respect to the child. Standard Deduction: The standard deduction, or dollar amount that reduces the amount that is taxed, which increased for married couples filing jointly in 2018 at $24,000. The standard deduction for single individuals and married couples filing separate returns also increased in 2018 at $12,000. The standard deduction for heads of household increased to $18,000 for 2018. Personal Interest Deductions: For 2018, personal interest cannot be deducted. Personal interest includes interest on car loans, credit cards, personal loans and tax deficiencies. Interest on Secured Loans Deductible: Deduct all your home mortgage interest depending on the date of your mortgage, the amount of the mortgage and how the proceeds were used. Interest paid on investments is also 100 percent deductible but limited to the amount of investment income earned each year. Any excess can be carried forward to the next year. Union Dues Deduction: Union dues, including working dues, are no longer deductible for 2018-2025. Club Dues Deduction: No deduction is permitted for club dues; however, dues paid to professional or public service organizations are deductible for business reasons. Deductions Subject to 2% of Adjusted Gross Income: The TCJA suspended the deduction for miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2%-ofAGI limit for 2018-2025 [IRC Sec. 67(g)]. Therefore, these expenses are not deductible in 2018. Miscellaneous itemized deductions not subject to the 2%-ofAGI limit remain deductible on Schedule A. Dependent’s Social Security Number: Each dependent must have a Social Security number (SSN). Individuals may get a SSN for their dependent by filing Form SS-5 with their local Social Security Administration office or calling the Administration at 1-800-772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive a SSN. Additional (Refundable) Child Tax Credit – This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit. The additional child tax credit may give you a refund even if you do not owe any tax. Student Loan Interest: Taxpayers may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid for qualified education expenses for oneself, spouse or dependents. The deduction is allowed in figuring adjusted gross income. Other Tax Information Private Delivery Services: Tax returns and extensions can be mailed through private delivery services such as DHL Worldwide Express, Federal Ex- Standard Deduction This is the standard deduction chart for most people. If a taxpayer is 65 or older or blind, there are additional standard deductions ($1,300 for a married person or “spouse” or $1,600 for an unmarried person). Filing Status Standard Deduction Single and Married filing separate ................................................................$ 12,000 Married filing joint return or qualifying widow(er) with dependent chidren........$24,000 Head of household...........................................................................................$ 18,000 February 2019 February 2019 press and United Parcel Service. Forms of Payments: One can pay the Internal Revenue Service through credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, bank check or money order. If you file your return electronically you may be able to make your payment electronically. Which Records To Keep Keep records of income (such as receipts), deductions (for example, canceled checks) and credits shown on the tax return, as well as any worksheets used to figure them, until the statute of limitations runs out for that return, usually 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. However, it is recommended that all records be kept for about 6 years. Some records should be kept even longer. For example, keep property records (your home, stocks) as long as they are needed to figure the basis of property. Change of Address: If an individual has changed his or her address from the one listed on that person’s last tax return, IRS Form 8822 should be filled out and filed with the agency. Death of a Taxpayer: If a taxpayer died before filing a required return for 2018, the taxpayer’s personal representative (and spouse, in the case of a joint return) must file and sign the return for that person. A personal representative can be an executor, administrator or anyone who is in charge of the taxpayer’s property. Which Income To Report In addition to wages, salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, capital gains, dividend payments and other income listed on the federal tax return, the following kinds of income must be reported: n Jones Act settlements for lost wages n Amounts received in place of wages from accident and health plans (including sick pay and disability pensions) if employer paid for the policy n Life insurance proceeds from a policy cashed in if the proceeds are more than the premium paid n Canceled debts n State income tax refunds n Rents n Repayments n Royalties n Unemployment benefits n Profits from corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts n Endowments n Original Issue Discount n Distributions from self-employed plans n Bartering income (fair-market value of goods or services received in return for services) n Tier 2 and supplemental annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act n Lump-sum distributions n Gains from the sale or exchange (including barter) of real estate, securities, coins, gold, silver, gems or other property (capital gains) n Accumulation distributions from trusts n Prizes and awards (contests, raffles, lottery and gambling winnings) n Earned income from sources outside the United States n Director’s fees n Fees received as an executor or administrator of an estate n Embezzled or other illegal income n Social Security benefits Which Income Need Not Be Reported The following kinds of income do not need to be reported on the federal tax return: n Benefits from government welfare programs n Jones Act settlements for injuries, pain, suffering, and medical costs n Maintenance and Cure n Workers’ compensation benefits, insurance, damages, etc. for injury or sickness n Disability retirement payments (and other benefits) paid by the Veterans Administration n Child support n Gifts, money or other property inherited or willed n Dividends on veterans’ life insurance n Life insurance proceeds received because of a person’s death n Amounts received from insurance because of loss of the use of a home due to fire or other casualty to the extent the amounts were more than the cost of normal expenses while living in the home n Certain amounts received as a scholarship Filing an Extension Taxpayers can get an automatic 6-month extension if, no later than April 15, 2019, Form 4868 will be filed with the IRS. It is important to remember that a 6-month extension to file does not extend the time to pay the taxes. Form 4868, when sent in, must be accompanied by all tax monies due to the U.S. government. Where is My Refund If taxpayers have not received a refund check within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date, information can be accessed through the website at www. irs.gov. To get the refund status, taxpayers will need to provide the information from their tax returns. You should know your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), Filing Status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)) and the refund amount. It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return. Why Seafarers Must Pay State Income Tax Federal law prohibits employers from withholding state and local taxes from the wages of mariners working aboard U.S.flag ships. Specifically, the law [46 USCA 11108(11)] provides that “no part of the wages due or accruing to a master, officer or any other seaman who is a member of Away At Tax Time Should Seafarers find themselves overseas and seeking IRS forms or assistance, U.S. embassies and consulates are equipped to provide some taxpayerrelated services. At a minimum, IRS forms are available at all U.S. embassies and consulates located in: Berlin, Germany; Caracas, Venezuela; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Paris, France; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome, Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan. the crew on a vessel engaged in the foreign, coastwise, intercostal, interstate or non-contiguous trade shall be withheld pursuant to the provisions of the tax laws of any state, territory, possession or commonwealth, or a subdivision of any of them, but nothing in this section shall prohibit any such withholding of the wages of any seaman who is employed in the coastwise trade between ports in the same state if such withholding is pursuant to a voluntary agreement between such seaman and his employer.” The law, however, does not exempt seamen from paying state and local taxes. Mariners, just like any other citizens of any given state, must meet their obligations to the government of the area in which they live. Each state has a set of criteria to determine whether an individual is a resident of that state. A seaman should check with a state tax office if he or she is unsure about residency status. For example, in California during the early 1970s, a case before the California State Board of Equalization stated that a merchant seaman—despite the fact that he was on a ship for 210 days of the year— was a resident of the state for tax purposes. The board took into consideration the fact that the seaman owned a home in California and maintained a bank account in a California-based bank. Additionally, each state has established conditions under which non-residents of that state must pay a portion of state tax if such an individual earned income from a source based in that state. Many states allow a credit in the amount an individual must pay the state if that person has already paid taxes in another state. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing “equitable treatment with respect to state and local income taxes for certain individuals who perform duties on vessels.” The law, which took effect Nov. 9, 2000, stipulates that pilots and other mariners “who perform regularly assigned duties while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State” shall be subject to state income tax only in his or her residential state. If any questions arise regarding residency and state tax issues, mariners should telephone the taxpayer assistance office in the state in which they reside. Where To Get Information General Information: 1-800-829-1040 may be called for general information between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time. Publications: Call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications. Walk-In Help: IRS representatives are available in many IRS offices around the country to help with tax questions that cannot be answered easily by telephone. To find the location of an IRS office, look in the phone book under “United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.” Telephone Help: The IRS is prepared to answer questions by phone. Through the agency’s taxpayer information service, publications covering all aspects of tax-filing can be ordered. The federal Tele-Tax system has recorded tax information covering about 150 topics. 1-800-829-4477 is the IRS’s automated Tele-Tax system. When calling from a touch tone phone, the number “9” will repeat the topic and the number “2” will cancel the topic. To listen to a directory of topics after the introductory message finishes, dial 123. You can also check the status of your refund. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal Computer: Access the IRS’s internet website at www.irs.gov to: download forms, instructions and publications; see answers to frequently asked tax questions; search publications on-line by topic or keyword; figure your withholding allowances using their W-4 calculator; check the status of your refund; send the IRS comments or requests for help via email; and sign up to receive local and national tax news by email. Send IRS Written Questions: Written questions regarding the tax returns can be sent directly to an IRS District Director (listed on the tax form). Include a Social Security number with the letter. Seafarers LOG 13 �Tax Filers Face Assorted Changes During 2019 Season Continued from Page 12 Roth IRAs - The maximum total yearly contribution that can be made by an individual to a Roth IRA is the lesser of $5,500 (increased to $6,500 for taxpayers age 50 or older at year end) or your compensation. Roth IRAs are subject to income limits. The maximum yearly contribution is phased out for single and head of household taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $120,000 and $135,000, for joint filers and qualifying widow(er) with an AGI between $189,000 and $199,000, and married filing separate filers with an AGI between $0 an $10,000. Although the contributions are not deductible, the distributions may be tax-free depending on when and why they are made. Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners - The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 permanently extends the Qualified Charitable Distributions. It offers older owners of IRAs a different way to give to charity. An IRA owner age 70 and one-half or older can directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to eligible charities. Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), this option is available for distributions from IRAs, regardless of whether the owners itemize their deductions. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension (SEP) plans, are not eligible to be treated as a qualified charitable distribution. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to an eligible charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the transfer. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donoradvised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Remember to check eligibility of the charity before requesting a QCD. All QCDs from an IRA to eligible charities are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA’s required minimum distribution. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats QCD amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. Foreign Financial Assets - If you had foreign financial assets in 2018, you may have to file Form 8938 with your return. In addition, a separate FBAR document must be e-filed by April 15, 2019 if the aggregate value of the foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 in any time during the calendar year. Repayment of First-Time Homebuyer Credit - The first-time homebuyer credit is not available for homes purchased in 2018. However, taxpayers who claimed the credit, which was available for homes purchased during 20082011, may have to repay (recapture) their credits. Mortgage Insurance Premiums – The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums expired December 31, 2017. Unless congress extends this provision, it will not be available for mortgage insurance premiums paid after 2017. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – For property placed in service after December 31, 2016 and before January 1, 2022, the credit is available only for eligible solar electric property and solar water heating property. The credit is equal to 30 percent of the cost of eligible property placed in service in 2018 or 2019; 26 percent of the cost of the property placed in 2020; and 22 percent of the cost of property placed in service in 2021. Standard mileage rates - The standard mileage rate for 2018 is 54.5 cents per mile for business miles driven and was increased to 18 cents per mile for medical or moving expenses. The rate for providing services for a charity is set by statute and equals 14 cents per mile. Personal Casualty & Theft Loss – For 2018- 2025, personal casualty losses are deductible only if attributable to a federally declared disaster. The loss is reported on Form 4684 (Casualty and Theft Losses), Part A. A casualty loss equals the lesser of the adjusted basis in the property before the casualty, or the decrease in fair market value of the property as a result of the casualty. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion – For tax year 2018, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion amount is $103,900. This amount is up $1,800 from tax year 2017. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption – New for 2018: The TCJA increased the AMT exemption amounts and significantly increased the income at which the exemption begins to phase out ($1,000,000 for married filing jointly and $500,000 for other filers). Therefore, it’s likely fewer individuals will be subject to AMT beginning in 2018. Health Care Coverage – In 2018, individuals must have health care coverage, to qualify for a health care coverage exemption or make shared responsibility payment with their tax return. Coverage Exemptions: An individual may be exempt from the requirement to maintain 14 Seafarers LOG minimum essential coverage and thus will not have to make a shared responsibility payment if, for 2018, they: n Had no affordable coverage options because the minimum amount he must pay for the annual premiums is more than 8.05% of his household income; n Had a gap in coverage for less than three consecutive months or n Qualified for an exemption for one of several other reasons, including having a hardship that prevents him from obtaining coverage, or belonging to a group explicitly exempt from the requirement. If the taxpayer, spouse or any of the dependents did not have minimum essential coverage and didn’t have a coverage exemption for any month in 2018, an individual shared responsibility payment must be computed and reported on line 61 of Form 1040, Schedule 4. New for 2018: The TCJA reduced the individual shared responsibility payment amount to zero beginning in 2019. However, the penalty remains in effect for each month of 2018. For 2018, the annual payment amount is the greater of: n 2.5% percent of the household income that is above the tax return filing threshold for taxpayer’s filing status, or n The family’s flat dollar amount, which is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, limited to a family maximum of $2,085. Premium Tax Credit – Individuals with low to moderate income who get health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for this refundable credit. Individuals who are eligible for PTC need to meet the following requirements: n Purchased coverage in the Marketplace for someone in their tax family (taxpayer, spouse, if married filing jointly and dependents for which a personal exemption is claimed) for a month that person was not eligible for minimum essential coverage (other than coverage in the individual market). n Have household income at least 100%, but no more than 400% of the federal poverty line for taxpayer’s family size. Exception: In some cases, taxpayers with household income less than 100% of the federal poverty line can take the credit. n If married, individuals must file a joint return. Note: Exceptions apply to victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment and to individuals who are considered unmarried. n Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) – The Health care tax credit is a tax credit that pays a percentage of health insurance premiums for certain eligible taxpayers and their qualifying family members. The Health Coverage Tax credit is a separate tax credit with different eligibility rules than the premium tax credit. Affordable Care Act – Several very important provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that affect individuals and businesses first became effective in 2015. The Employer Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to either offer minimum essential coverage that is “affordable” and that provides “minimum value” to their full-time employees and their dependents, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS. Transit Benefits – The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 extended transit benefits. These include van pool benefits, transit passes and qualified parking. Beginning in 2018, the monthly exclusion amount has increased to $260. Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit – IRS Refund Claim – The IRS has additional time to review refund claims based on the Earned Income Credit or the refundable portion of the additional Child Tax Credit in order to reduce fraud and improper payments. No credit or refund for an overpayment shall be made to a taxpayer before February 15 following the close of the tax year, if the taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Credit or additional Child Tax Credit. Form 1098-T Required to Claim Certain Education Incentives – Taxpayers must receive a form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from educational institutions to claim the American opportunity credit, the Lifetime Learning tax credit or the above the line deduction for qualified tuition and fees. Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs – For rollover contributions made after December 18, 2015, distributions from employer sponsored retirement plans and traditional IRAs may be rolled over into a SIMPLE IRA, as long as the SIMPLE IRA has been open for at least two years. Tax Rates for 2018 – For 2018, there is a 37% bracket (for single individuals at $500,001, head of household at $500,001 married filing jointly at $600,001 and married filing separately at $300,001). Trusts and estates will hit the 37% bracket at $12,500. The rate for capital gains and qualified dividends is 20% if the income is in excess of the threshold amount: n $500,000 for single individuals n $500,000 for heads of household n $600,000 for married filing joint n $300,000 for married filing separately Exclusion of Cancellation of Indebtedness on Principal Residence – Cancellation of indebtedness income is generally includible in income. However, income from cancellation of debt on a qualified principal residence, of up to $2 million, may be excludable. Uniform Definition of a Qualifying Child -To be claimed as a qualifying child, the person must meet four criteria: n Relationship - the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew). n Residence - for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. n Age - the person must be under age 19 at the end of the year, or under age 24 and be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or any age and totally and permanently disabled. n Support - the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year. Hurricane Relief - Congress is currently considering legislation that would provide additional tax relief for those affected by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, or Maria, and tax relief for those affected by other disasters, such as the California wildfires. California Wildfire Victims - The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 generally provides the same tax relief to victims of the California wildfire that hurricane victims received under the Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2017. This includes the following: n Special tax rules for qualified wildfire distributions from retirement plans. A qualified wildfire distribution is a distribution from most types of tax-favored retirement plans, including IRAs, made on or after October 8, 2017 and before January 1, 2019 to an individual whose principal place of residence during any portion of the period from October 8, 2017 to December 31, 2017 is located in the California wildfire disaster area and who has sustained an economic loss by reason of the wildfires to which the declaration of such areas relates. n Temporary suspension of limitations on charitable contributions made during the period beginning October 8, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2018 for relief efforts in the California wildfire disaster area. n Special rules for computing qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses, which are casualty losses which arise in the California wildfire disaster area on or after October 8, 2017 and which are attributable to the wildfires to which the declaration of such area relates. See Pub. 976 for more information. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 - The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 was enacted on February 9, 2018. The law’s primary purpose was related to spending and the budget of the U.S. government. Possible Legislation - Congress is currently considering legislation that would extend certain tax benefits that expired at the end of 2016 and that currently can’t be claimed on your 2018 tax return, such as: n Cancellation of Debt (COD)-Mortgage Debt n Mortgage Insurance Premiums Deduction n Tuition and Fees Deduction n The credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property n Energy Credit n New Energy Efficient Homes Credit n Personal Energy Property Credit n Residential Energy Efficient Property n Two-Wheeled Plug-In Electric Vehicles Credit To learn whether this legislation was enacted resulting in changes that affect your 2018 tax return, go to Recent Developments at IRS.gov. What’s New for 2018 - The Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017. Described as the largest major tax reform in over three decades, the TCJA contains a host of tax provisions that impact individuals and businesses. See some additional changes in the tax provisions below: n Miscellaneous Deductions - Job-related expenses, as well as other miscellaneous itemized deductions that were previously subject to the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income floor, are no longer deductible in 2018. The eliminated deductions include expenses for tax preparation, union dues, and investment fees. n Kiddie Tax - The taxable income of a child attributable to earned income is taxed under the rates for single individuals, and taxable income of a child attributable to net unearned income is taxed according to the brackets applicable to trusts and estates. The rule applies to the child’s ordinary income and his income taxed at preferential rates. n Mortgage Interest Deduction - The deduction for mortgage interest is limited to underlying indebtedness of up to $750,000 ($375,000 for MFS). The deduction for interest on home equity indebtedness is eliminated. The new lower limit doesn’t apply to any acquisition indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017. n Charitable Contribution Deduction The limitation under IRC Sec. 170(b) for cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations is 60%. Contributions exceeding the limitation are generally allowed to be carried forward and deducted for up to five years, subject to the later year’s ceiling. n Gambling Losses - All deductions for expenses incurred in carrying out wagering transactions, and not just gambling losses, are deductible only to the extent of gambling winnings. n Deduction for Qualified Business Income - An individual generally may deduct 20% of qualified business income from a partnership, S corporation or sole proprietorship, as well as 20% of aggregate qualified REIT dividends and qualified publicly-traded partnership income. The 20% deduction is not allowed in computing AGI, but rather is allowed as a deduction reducing taxable income. A limitation based on W-2 wages paid or capital investment is phased in for MFJ taxpayers with taxable income of $315,000 or more ($157,500 for other individuals). A disallowance of the deduction with respect to specified service trades or businesses also is phased in above these threshold amounts of taxable income. n Moving Expenses – Moving expenses are no longer deductible unless you are a member of the armed forces on active duty (And their spouse and dependents) who moved pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station. Your Online Account – In order for you to access your online account, you must authenticate your identity. To securely log in to your federal tax account, go to IRS.gov/Account. View the amount you owe, review 18 months of payment history, access online payment options, and create or modify an online payment agreement. You can also access your tax records online. Consumer Alert - The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for emails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agencies and which mention their tax refund. These are almost certainly a scam whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. The emails and calls usually state that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or deposit it into the taxpayer’s bank account. The emails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS website or an IRS “refund application form.” However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for. The IRS does not send taxpayers emails about their tax accounts. Also, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward the message to: phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration tollfree at 1-800-366-4484 or TTY/TDD 1-800877-8339. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@ uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/ idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Visit IRS.gov and enter “identity theft” in the search box to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, etc., contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the National Taxpayer Advocate helpline toll free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778. February 2019 �Dispatchers’ Report for Deep Sea Aboard USNS Maury December 15, 2018 - January 15, 2019 Aboard the Ocean Shipholdings-operated vessel, steward department Seafarers wish all of their SIU brothers and sisters the best in the new year. Pictured from left are GVAs Camilo Villafania, Walter Wise and Rey Ramos, SA Crystal Cobbs, Chief Cook Brandon Hamilton and Steward/Baker Joseph Hernandez. Thanks to MDR Brandon Maeda for the pic. Personal Craig Vann would like to hear from anyone who sailed with his late grandfather, Willie P. Smith, a Navy veteran and mariner. Smith had family in the Philippines and for a time resided in New York. Vann can be reached at Davis-craig1971@gmail.com, (928) 202-0436. February & March Membership Meetings Piney Point..................................Monday: February 4, March 4 Algonac..........................................Friday: February 8, March 8 Baltimore...................................Thursday: February 7, March 7 Guam......................................Thursday: February 21, March 21 Honolulu....................................Friday: February 15, March 15 Houston......................................Monday: February 11, March 11 Jacksonville...............................Thursday: February 7, March 7 Joliet......................................Thursday: February 14, March 14 Mobile................................Wednesday: February 13, March 13 New Orleans..............................Tuesday: February 12, March 12 Jersey City...................................Tuesday: February 5, March 5 Norfolk.......................................Thursday: February 7, March 7 Oakland..................................Thursday: February 14, March 14 Philadelphia............................Wednesday: February 6, March 6 Port Everglades......................Thursday: February 14, March 14 San Juan...................................Thursday: February 7, March 7 St. Louis.....................................Friday: February 15, March 15 Tacoma.......................................Friday: February 22, March 22 Wilmington................*Tuesday: February 19, Monday: March 18 * Wilmington change due to Presidents Day observance. Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m ATTENTION SEAFARERS Another New Ship SPAD Works For You. Contribute To The Seafarers Political Activities Donation SPAD February 2019 Total Registered Total Shipped All Groups A B Port Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Deck Department 33 17 0 7 4 0 3 47 16 0 3 2 1 2 3 0 4 3 2 2 8 2 1 4 2 0 1 8 2 1 20 6 8 17 11 7 10 34 13 6 4 3 0 2 0 0 0 6 5 0 13 1 2 12 3 3 7 16 5 6 6 3 1 4 2 1 2 11 8 2 46 10 13 33 13 14 29 99 28 16 37 19 8 24 17 3 13 63 23 15 44 7 7 27 7 1 17 65 14 10 4 2 0 1 2 0 0 3 5 0 12 4 4 7 2 1 2 17 6 5 26 16 7 24 12 3 10 30 21 13 11 3 3 5 1 1 3 21 7 5 6 2 0 6 2 0 7 10 2 1 3 1 2 0 3 1 1 5 1 2 9 5 1 5 2 0 1 16 10 2 28 8 1 22 3 5 8 51 19 8 2 0 2 0 0 2 1 3 1 1 26 6 5 21 7 4 11 52 13 10 341 117 66 223 96 46 130 560 201 105 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Engine Department 4 3 3 2 0 0 1 9 4 4 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 6 0 0 3 1 1 5 3 0 11 4 0 12 4 1 6 15 7 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 2 0 3 2 0 1 0 0 1 5 8 0 7 2 2 3 3 2 2 19 3 4 11 6 2 12 4 2 6 25 15 3 21 18 2 18 8 1 8 33 25 3 12 2 3 12 0 0 4 25 5 4 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 4 1 1 1 3 0 3 2 0 0 3 5 1 14 13 11 10 15 6 9 18 20 13 7 5 1 6 3 2 1 10 9 2 3 1 0 1 4 0 0 5 4 0 0 4 0 1 3 0 1 1 3 0 3 2 2 4 1 0 1 11 3 4 11 6 3 8 0 2 2 20 13 6 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 3 1 0 10 8 1 14 9 2 8 15 12 3 126 89 31 111 61 20 53 230 144 50 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Steward Department 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 10 2 1 8 4 0 3 15 4 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 1 8 2 1 7 1 0 4 1 0 2 14 1 0 15 3 1 9 2 0 3 30 6 3 19 5 3 19 5 0 6 32 11 4 6 3 0 1 3 0 0 18 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 5 1 5 3 1 3 4 6 0 17 6 2 12 7 3 12 29 11 2 20 6 0 8 4 1 4 30 6 1 6 0 0 4 0 0 2 4 0 0 4 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 2 2 3 1 0 2 3 0 1 5 5 0 15 4 0 6 0 0 1 24 7 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 18 11 0 11 10 0 14 37 14 0 154 51 10 103 46 6 54 263 87 16 Algonac Anchorage Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Guam Harvey Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Jersey City Joliet Mobile Norfolk Oakland Philadelphia Piney Point Puerto Rico Tacoma St. Louis Wilmington TOTALS Entry Department 0 12 10 1 2 0 0 1 8 13 1 2 1 0 3 2 0 1 2 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 7 0 5 0 2 1 8 14 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 2 3 1 0 1 1 1 3 4 1 3 5 1 5 3 1 2 8 8 4 19 11 4 6 7 2 4 21 23 3 32 24 1 11 11 2 6 38 73 0 12 12 0 7 5 4 5 24 19 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 17 22 0 11 10 7 0 26 41 0 5 10 0 7 9 2 4 9 25 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 5 9 7 1 8 5 2 7 14 9 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 21 14 0 11 6 1 5 49 19 19 140 132 9 78 59 24 40 221 261 GRAND TOTAL: 640 397 239 446 281 131 261 1,093 653 432 C Trip Reliefs Registered on Beach All Groups A B C A All Groups B C Seafarers LOG 15 �Seafarers International Union Directory Michael Sacco, President Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer George Tricker, Vice President Contracts Tom Orzechowski, Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast Kate Hunt, Vice President Government Services HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 Inquiring Seafarer This month’s question was answered by Seafarers in Piney Point, Maryland. Question: What are your plans for the New Year? Casey Pearson Chief Cook My goal for this year is to get my A-book, then apply for colleges. I’ll also be applying for the (SHBP) scholarship, which will help me pay for whatever college I enroll at. I’m also planning on moving this year, and on top of all that, I’m getting married! Devon Pullins OS My plan is to sail as much as I can, so I can save up to start my own business. This job is really secure, and I love what I do, but I’m trying to be my own boss as soon as I can.. Jack Boscia Chief Cook Get my schooling done, then get back to work on board a ship. Later in the year, I’m coming back to Piney Point to upgrade my skills and become a chief steward. Nathaniel Hunter GUDE I’m going to keep on upgrading by taking classes here at the Paul Hall Center. My goal is to become an AB next, then continue on up as far as I can go. I’m SIU for the long haul. Eddie Solichin Junior Engineer Finish my studies, and then switch over to working on tankers. I’ve never sailed on one before, and I’m excited to take on the new challenges that type of ship brings. Brittany Steward Chief Cook Education-wise, I’m going to keep coming back to Piney Point and keep upgrading my skills. Being around the trainees is very inspirational, and brings back memories – Class 826! ANCHORAGE 721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 561-4988 BALTIMORE 2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 327-4900 GUAM P.O. Box 3328, Hagatna, Guam 96932 Cliffline Office Ctr. Bldg., Suite 103B 422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96910 (671) 477-1350 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 625 N. York St., Houston, TX 77003 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 281-2622 JERSEY CITY 104 Broadway, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 434-6000 JOLIET 10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 723-8002 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 478-0916 NEW ORLEANS 3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 328-7545 NORFOLK 115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 622-1892 OAKLAND 1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 444-2360 PHILADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215) 336-3818 Pics From The Past For the second month in a row, retired Bosun John Gallagher is sharing photos from the 1940s. Pictured at anchor in the Persian Gulf is the T2 tanker SS Stony Creek. The bosun is standing at far left in the inset, with SIU shipmates. The vessel was one of approximately 500 such tankers built for the U.S. during World War II. PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 SAN JUAN 659 Hill Side St., Summit Hills San Juan, PR 00920 (787) 721-4033 ST. LOUIS/ALTON 4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 TACOMA 3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 272-7774 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers, please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org 16 Seafarers LOG February 2019 �Welcome Ashore Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days ahead. DEEP SEA AHMED AHMED Brother Ahmed Ahmed, 65, signed on with the SIU in 1981, initially working aboard the Connecticut. He upgraded at the Piney Point school in 1997 and sailed in all three departments. Brother Ahmed concluded his career aboard the Overseas Houston. He makes his home in Dearborn, Michigan. TRACY AUSTIN Brother Tracy Austin, 69, began his career with the Seafarers in 2002, first sailing on the John U.D. Page. He upgraded at the Piney Point school the same year, and shipped as a deck department member. Brother Austin most recently sailed on USNS Bowditch. He calls Hatteras, North Carolina, home. LOUIS BROOMFIELD Brother Louis Broomfield, 65, joined the SIU in 1969, initially sailing on the Columbia Owl. He upgraded at the Paul Hall Center within his first year and shipped in all three departments. Brother Broomfield last sailed aboard the Ogden Traveler and resides in New Orleans. DAVID CASTRO Brother David Castro, 67, embarked on his career with the Seafarers in 1989, first sailing aboard the USNS Algol. He worked in the engine department and upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Castro last sailed on the USNS Fisher. He settled in Borrego Springs, California. ROGER CLEGG Brother Roger Clegg, 68, joined the SIU in 2005 when he sailed on the Pride of Aloha. An engine department member, he upgraded his skills in 2017 at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Clegg most recently sailed on the Pride of America. He makes his home in Honolulu. February 2019 KEVIN COOPER Brother Kevin Cooper, 66, joined the union in 1971. His first vessel was the Bienville. Brother Cooper sailed in the engine department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. He last sailed on the Safmarine Nimba and resides in Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania. with Crowley Puerto Rico. He upgraded at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center in 2001 and concluded his career working on the Endurance. Brother Mottley is a resident of San Juan, Puerto Rico. VLADIMIR NITRIANSKY Brother Michael Earhart, 65, began his SIU career in 1990. He initially sailed on the Independence and worked in the deck department. Brother Earhart upgraded on multiple occasions at the union-affiliated Piney Point school. He most recently shipped on the Pacific Collector and resides in Merlin, Oregon. Brother Vladimir Nitriansky, 73, signed on with the Seafarers in 2000 when he shipped aboard the American Merlin. Brother Nitriansky was a deck department member and last sailed on the Patriot. He calls Theodore, Alabama, home. DESTA GEBRAI BENNY OROSCO MICHAEL EARHART Brother Desta Gebrai, 66, donned the SIU colors in 1993 when he sailed aboard the Independence. He worked in both the deck and steward departments and last sailed on the Yorktown Express. Brother Gebrai makes his home in Tacoma, Washington. TIMOTHY GIRARD Brother Timothy Girard, 65, signed on with the union in 1991, initially sailing on the Constellation. He was a deck department member and upgraded on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Girard most recently sailed aboard the Maersk Idaho. He resides in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. SYED MEHDI Brother Syed Mehdi, 65, joined the SIU in 1996 and initially sailed on the American Cormorant. A deck department member, he upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. Brother Mehdi last shipped aboard the Maersk Montana. He makes his home in Brooklyn, New York. KENNETH MOTTLEY Brother Kenneth Mottley, 80, became an SIU in 1994. A deck department member, he sailed in both the inland and deep-sea divisions. Brother Mottley was first employed Brother Benny Orosco, 62, joined the SIU in 1989. His first vessel was the Independence. Brother Orosco worked in both the steward and engine departments. He upgraded on multiple occasions at the maritime training center located in Piney Point, Maryland. Brother Orosco most recently sailed on the Horizon Enterprise. He makes his home in Honolulu. JAMES ROBAK Brother James Robak, 67, started shipping with the Seafarers in 1970. A deck department member, he first sailed aboard the Fort Hoskins. Brother Robak’s last vessel was the Transcolorado. He lives in Margate, Florida. JANUSZ SMOLIK Brother Janusz Smolik, 65, joined the union in 1992, first sailing aboard the Independence. He sailed in all three departments and upgraded often at the Piney Point school. Brother Smolik most recently sailed on the Maersk Iowa. He resides in Poland. MAHMOOD TAHIR Brother Mahmood Tahir, 66, signed on with the SIU in 1991. A member of the deck department, he initially sailed aboard the USNS Vindicator. Brother Tahir shipped in both the inland and deep-sea divisions. He upgraded in 1992 at the Paul Hall Center and concluded his career aboard the Tyco Decisive. Brother Tahir is a resident of Stamford, Connecticut. INLAND ROBERT CARROLL Brother Robert Carroll, 62, became a union member in 1995. He first shipped with Penn Maritime and worked in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Carroll upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. He last sailed aboard the Pacific Reliance and makes his home in St. Augustine, Florida. ROBERT EASTWOOD Brother Robert Eastwood, 58, donned the SIU colors in 1989, initially working with Steuart Transportation. He sailed in the deck department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Eastwood was most recently employed by Crowley Towing and Transportation. He resides in Palatka, Florida. EMMANUEL ELIADIS Brother Emmanuel Eliadis, 65, started shipping with the SIU in 1978 when he worked for G&H Towing. A deck department member, he upgraded on numerous occasions at the Paul Hall Center. Brother Eliadias last worked for Interstate Oil. He is a resident of Essex, Maryland. JOHN GATES Brother John Gates, 57, began his career with the Seafarers in 1991. Initially sailing in the deep-sea division, his first vessel was the Cape Charles. Brother Gates was a deck department member and upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. He was primarily employed with Crowley Towing and Transportation and lives in League City, Texas. ALFREDO GONZALEZ Brother Alfredo Gonzalez, 62, joined the union in 1981 when he shipped with Crowley Puerto Rico. He sailed in both the engine and deck departments. Brother Gon- zalez upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center and remained with the same company for the duration of his career. He makes his home in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. PAUL HART Brother Paul Hart, 60, signed on with the SIU in 1996, after he worked as a member of the Seafarers-affiliated United Industrial Workers. He was employed by Crowley for the duration of his SIU career. Brother Hart Resides in Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania. JEFFERY JOHNS Brother Jeffery Johns, 59, donned the SIU colors in 1992. He was first employed with Penn Maritime and sailed in the deck department. Brother Johns upgraded on multiple occasions at the Piney Point school. He remained with the same company for his entire career and resides in Cortland, Ohio. STEVE PALMER Brother Steve Palmer, 65, began his SIU career in 1977, initially sailing in the deep-sea division. He was originally employed with Mt Vernon Tankers and worked in both the deck and engine departments. Brother Palmer upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. He concluded his career working with Mariner Towing and settled in Keystone Heights, Florida. NED TELLER Brother Ned Teller, 63, joined the Seafarers in 1974 when he worked for G&H Towing. A deck department member, he upgraded in 1980 at the Piney Point school. Brother Teller last worked for Crowley Towing and Transportation. He calls Port Aransas, Texas, home. JOHN WILLETTE Brother John Willette, 68, started shipping with the SIU in 1994. He first sailed on Port Imperial Ferry’s George Washington. Brother Willette was a member of the deck department and upgraded often at the Paul Hall Center. He was employed with the same company for his entire career and lives in the Philippines. Seafarers LOG 17 �Final Departures DEEP SEA VELONDER ALFORD Chicago Trader and retired in 1994. He resided in Rochester, Minnesota. Pensioner Velonder Alford, 76, died November 6. Born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, she embarked on her SIU career in 2001 and initially sailed on the Kauai. A steward department member, Sister Alford last sailed aboard the John Paul Bobo. She went on pension in 2008 and was a resident of Spanaway, Washington. VINCENT FLORES WILFREDO ANGALA ROMALIES JONES Brother Wilfredo Angala, 54, passed away September 23. He became an SIU member in 2006 and first sailed on the Pride of Aloha. Brother Angala was a deck department member and most recently sailed on the Green Cove. He resided in Salinas, California. Pensioner Romalies Jones, 63, died December 25. He joined the union in 1986 and first sailed aboard the USNS Regulus. Brother Jones was a steward department member and most recently shipped aboard the National Glory. He began collecting his pension in 2017 and made his home in Avondale, Louisiana. ANDREW AUSTIN Brother Andrew Austin, 62, died March 20. He joined the union in 1979 when he shipped on the Cove Trader. Brother Austin was a member of the steward department. His last ship was the USNS Regulus, and he lived in Philadelphia. ARNALDO AVILA Brother Arnaldo Avila, 66, passed away October 6. He began shipping with the Seafarers in 1993 and initially sailed aboard the Robert E. Lee. Brother Avila was a deck department member and last shipped aboard the Liberty Glory. He lived in his hometown of New Orleans. CLIFTON BLAKE Pensioner Clifton Blake, 91, died November 16. He started his SIU career in 1966, initially shipping aboard the Van Venture. A deck department member, Brother Blake last sailed on the Santa Elena. He began collecting his pension in 1985 and settled in Baltimore. ABAD CALERO Pensioner Abad Calero, 78, passed away November 20. He joined the union in 1972 and first worked for Delta Lines. Brother Calero sailed in all three departments and last shipped on the Crusader. He retired in 2002 and called Isabela, Puerto Rico, home. ARTHUR DEPUY Pensioner Arthur Depuy, 89, died November 21. He donned the SIU colors in 1967, initially sailing aboard the Penmar. Brother Depuy briefly sailed in the inland division. The engine department member last shipped on the 18 Seafarers LOG Pensioner Vincent Flores, 67, passed away December 17. He embarked on his SIU career in 1982 and initially shipped on the Lurline. Brother Flores sailed in all three departments and also worked on shore gangs. He became a pensioner in 2003. Brother Flores was a resident of Oakley, California. MELVIN KERNS Pensioner Melvin Kerns, 70, passed away December 10. He donned the SIU colors in 1993 and first sailed aboard the USNS Regulus. A member of the engine department, Brother Kerns last worked on the Maersk Tennessee. He retired in 2010 and resided in Bogalusa, Louisiana. DONALD MELONSON Pensioner Donald Melonson, 72, died December 21. He became an SIU member in 2001 and first sailed on the Chemical Pioneer. A member of the deck department, Brother Melonson also concluded his sailing career aboard the same ship. He retired in 2013 and made his home in Houston. member of the SIU in 1951. Brother Mullis was a deck department member and concluded his career aboard the Ambassador. He went on pension in 1993 and resided in Mobile, Alabama. BOBBY SPENCER Pensioner Bobby Spencer, 81, passed away November 27. He began sailing with the SIU in 1961. Brother Spencer’s first vessel was the Madaket; his last, the Independence. The engine department member retired in 1998. He called Westminster, South Carolina, home. ALFRED TAMPOL Pensioner Alfred Tampol, 90, died November 22. He joined the union in 1945 and first sailed aboard the Steel Director. Brother Tampol was an engine department member and also worked on shore gangs, most recently in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He retired in 1994 and lived in New Milford, New Jersey. EDWARD TOMAS Pensioner Edward Tomas, 93, passed away November 14. He signed on with the SIU in 1991 when he shipped on the Independence. Brother Tomas worked in both the deck and steward departments, sailing last on the Horizon Enterprise. He began collecting his pension in 1999 and settled in Waipahu, Hawaii. DANNIE TRUSS Pensioner Dannie Truss, 68, died November 24. He embarked on his SIU career in 1978 when he shipped on the Economy. A deck department member, Brother Truss’s final vessel was the William R. Button. He became a pensioner in 2018 and lived in Thailand. W. Darnell. Brother Smith retired in 2015 and called Plymouth, North Carolina, home. RONALD WILLIAMS Pensioner Ronald Williams, 60, passed away November 19. He became an SIU member in 1978, initially sailing aboard the Allegiance. Brother Williams sailed in the engine department, most recently on the El Yunque. He retired in 2014 and called Jacksonville, Florida, home. GREAT LAKES GREGORY VLIEK Pensioner Gregory Vliek, 68, died November 29. He started his career with the SIU in 1970 when he shipped on the G. Steinbrenner. Brother Vliek also sailed in the deep-sea division and worked in both the deck and engine departments. His final vessel was the Detroit Princess before retiring in 2015. Brother Vliek made his home in Ashtabula, Ohio. INLAND WILLIAM RICHARDSON Brother William Richardson, 49, passed away December 5. Born in Pittsburgh, he signed on with the SIU in 2007, working for Harley Marine New York. Brother Richardson worked in both the deck and engine departments and was employed with the same company for the duration of his career. He was a resident of Centerville, Pennsylvania. MELBOURNE SMITH Pensioner Melbourne Smith, 67, died November 23. He started shipping with the Seafarers in 1989 when he worked for Express Marine. Brother Smith sailed in both the steward and deck departments. He last worked in the deep-sea division, sailing briefly aboard the Gus NMU PAUL BORG Pensioner Paul Borg, 78, passed away November 14. He was an NMU member before the 2001 SIU/NMU merger. Brother Borg was a deck department member and last sailed aboard the Admiral William Callaghan. He began collecting his pension in 2006 and was a resident of Bend, Oregon. JOSEPH GALLANT Pensioner Joseph Gallant, 87, died November 24. Brother Gallant was born in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, and became a pensioner in 1972. He continued to reside in his home state in the city of New Bedford. FRANCISCO ROSALES Pensioner Francisco Rosales, 80, passed away December 1. He was born in Texas and began collecting his pension in 1998. Brother Rosales resided in Goleta, California. In addition to the foregoing individuals, the following union members have also passed away. Insufficient information was available to develop summaries of their respective careers. Name Bonilla, Luis Furman, Jannet Graham, Eddie Harrison, Clyde Holmes, L Johnson, Alonzo Mercado, E Moore, Francis Ramirez, Roberto Rivers, Hafford Schwold, Elmer Age DOD 94 75 85 90 94 91 94 97 82 77 89 11/27/2018 12/08/2018 11/17/2018 12/03/2018 12/15/2018 11/25/2018 12/23/2018 11/30/2018 11/25/2018 10/01/2018 12/04/2018 Aboard Jean Anne HAROLD MONPLAISIR Pensioner Harold Monplaisir, 95, passed away November 14. He signed on with the union in 1959 and first sailed on the Santa Mariana. Brother Monplaisir was a steward department member and last sailed aboard the Adventurer in 1985. He retired the following year and settled in Katy, Texas. JOHN MULLIS Pensioner John Mullis, 88, died December 14. Initially working for Waterman Steamship Corporation, he became a Steward department members aboard the Pasha ship went all out for the Christmas and New Year’s meals. Be sure to visit the SIU Facebook page for additional photos and menu details. Meanwhile, thanks to Chief Cook Sheilla Punzalan for the photos – and for the record, that’s sparkling apple cider in the bottles in this New Year’s photo. February 2019 �Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings MAGNOLIA STATE (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning), October 12 – Chairman Adel Ahmed, Secretary Maili Wang, Educational Director Eddie Pittman, Deck Delegate Ryan Boltz, Steward Delegate Tracey Newsome. Chairman discussed upcoming federal elections and reminded crew to be sure documents are up to date. Members requested fresh produce be supplied bi-weekly. Crew waiting on Wi-Fi connection for computer in crew lounge and DVR availability in all staterooms. Members requested change in vacation benefits and relief schedules. Crew would like more visits from union representative. ENDURANCE (TOTE), October 14 – Chairman Yamira Colon, Secretary Robert Davis, Deck Delegate Derek Melvin, Engine Delegate Robert Thomas, Steward Delegate Sheilla Punzalan. Beefs reported for unpaid compensation for trash handling and unpaid OT for washing linen. Chairman asked for suggestions regarding use of ship fund. He reminded crew to properly measure soap for washer and to clean up spills immediately. Members were informed of possible delays for relief. Cleanest room recognition won by Derek Melvin. Crew read three incident reports. New material posted in crew lounge. Educational director recommended members upgrade at Paul Hall Center as soon as possible. He reminded everyone to check dates on all documents. Crew went over latest issue of the LOG and read itinerary for the next trip. Use of ear plugs and other hearing protection The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted. Ships’ minutes first are reviewed by the union’s contract department. Those issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships’ minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. advised for loud work environment. Members were encouraged to donate to SPAD. Steward and deck departments were commended for good work. LIBERTY PROMISE (Liberty Maritime), October 15 – Chairman Stig Sasse, Secretary Lissette Ramirez, Deck Delegate Lloyd La Beach, Engine Delegate Brandon Webb, Steward Delegate John Noel. Secretary encouraged members to upgrade at the Paul Hall Center and keep documents current. Crew requested two-course meals be served. Steward department presented members with company menu and went over food portioning. HORIZON RELIANCE (Sunrise Operations), October 20 – Chairman Kissinfor Taylor, Secretary Mark Cabasag, Educational Director Mark Campbell, Deck Delegate Jesse Sunga, Engine Delegate Cameron Newberry, Steward Delegate Teresito Reyes. Chairman discussed length of trip and right to sail. Secretary directed members to change linen every Wednesday. He advised crew to be mindful of document expiration dates, pay dues on time and contribute to SPAD. Educational director reminded crew to upgrade at Piney Point. Members requested Wi-Fi. NORTH STAR (TOTE), October 21 – Chairman Tar Ahmed, Secretary Mohamed Shibly. Chairman read president’s report from LOG. He reminded crew to be safe and stay warm in Alaska. Steward department asked mem- bers to use rugs to wipe their feet and clean up spills to prevent accidents. Educational director encouraged crew to upgrade often at Piney Point. He advised everyone to keep paperwork up to date and directed members to the SIU portal to keep track of paperwork expiration dates. Educational director reminded crew to empty pockets before washing clothing. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked steward department for good food. NATIONAL GLORY (Crowley), October 28 – Chairman Joseph White, Educational Director Oswald Bermeo, Steward Delegate Jesus Pacheco. Microwave still needed in crew lounge. Chairman thanked crew for keeping common areas clean and being quiet while other members sleep. He went over his discussion with port engineer regarding inadequate a/c and drain clog issues in galley. Vote of thanks for the steward department for a job well done. Chairman advised members to add up OT hours before payoff. Members were asked to refrain from deleting movies on computer hard drive. Educational director recommended members upgrade their skills at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next Port: San Juan, Puerto Rico. OVERSEAS LONG BEACH (Overseas Ship Management), October 28 – Chairman David Martinez, Educational Director Edgardo Barrios, Deck Delegate Basil McMillan, Engine Delegate Stanley Bailey, Steward Delegate Latosha Love. Chairman sent request to captain for Wi-Fi booster. Members went over president’s report from October LOG. Chairman urged crew to vote for candidates that support the Jones Act. Members were encouraged to donate to SPAD and to join Seafarers 401k program. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked steward department to serve all members the same as officers. As of November 9, their request was addressed and resolved. GREEN COVE (Central Gulf Lines), October 28 – Chairman Peter Hokenson, Secretary Robert Bostick. New linen, blankets and pillows on ship. Chairman emphasized importance of safety. Crew was reminded to keep drapes closed and to place garbage in dumpsters. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Members discussed importance of the Jones Act. They requested new pay raises and one-hour sanitation pay for rooms. Crew praised the steward department for a job well done. SEABULK ARCTIC (Seabulk Tankers), October 28 – Chairman John Cedeno, Secretary Rafael Cardenas, Educational Director Brian Jackson, Deck Delegate Cristopher Sanchez, Engine Delegate Greg Alvarez, Steward Delegate Ma Marilynda Nance. New Wi-Fi router and board games available on ship. Chairman reminded everyone to be considerate of sleeping members and to stay hydrated. He encouraged crew to vote and to participate in the 401k program as well as donate to SPAD. He also discussed new design of TWIC cards. Secretary reiterated importance of cleaning lint trap in dryers. He asked members to keep hands off bulkheads in ladder wall to avoid greasy smudges. Crew went over reimbursement procedures. Bridge watch responsible to ensure sanitary duties occur daily. No beefs or dispute OT reported. Members were instructed to use additional bags for cardboard trash in garbage room. Crew was advised to return tools to original location upon each use. New mattresses needed on ship. Members would like the following to be implemented: missing man wages, trash handling wages, weekly room sanitary wages to replace day off wages and an increase in monthly vacation days. Crew enjoyed pizza and wings on behalf of company representative, allowing steward department an evening off. Next Port: Lake Charles, Louisiana. AMERICAN PRIDE (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning), November 6 – Chairman Felsher Beasley, Secretary Danny Brown, Educational Director Nicholas Panagakos, Deck Delegate Selcuk Ozdencanli, Engine Delegate Marcus Brown, Steward Delegate George Burgos. Everything going well on ship. Educational director encouraged members to upgrade at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman mentioned increase in new jobs due to newly built ships. Safe transit to gate in Tampa. Next Port: Beaumont, Texas. 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 mail, return receipt February 2019 requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to members at all times, either by writing 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. Seafarers LOG 19 �Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information The following is a schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland, for the next several months. All programs are geared toward improving the job skills of Seafarers and promoting the American maritime industry. Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010. Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion June 29 July 5 Storekeeper Courses MSC Storekeeper Basic April 13 Deck Department Upgrading Courses RFPNW March 30 April 26 May 25 June 21 Engine Department Upgrading Courses Advanced Refer Containers Gap Closing Courses Leadership & Managerial Skills Title of Start Date of Course Date Completion MSC Supply Configuration Management February 23 March 22 May 4 May 31 Deck Department Upgrading Courses Able Seafarer Deck March 2 March 29 April 27 May 24 AB to Mate Modules Modules must be taken in order. Those who are not in the mates program cannot apply for these courses. Contact the Admissions Office for further details. May 31 BAPO March 30 April 26 May 25 June 21 Engineroom Resource Management May 3 May 18 June 22 June 28 FOWT March 2 March 29 Junior Engineer March 16 May 10 Marine Electrician May 18 July 12 Marine Refer Tech March 9 April 19 MEECE June 1 June 14 Welding February 16 March 8 Steward Department Courses Advanced Shiphandling May 11 May 24 Advanced Galley Ops March 30 April 26 Certified Chief Cook Modules run every other week. The next class will start February 18. Advanced Stability April 27 May 3 Chief Steward April 27 June 14 ARPA March 9 March 15 April 27 May 3 Galley Operations March 30 April 26 Advanced Meteorology May 4 May 10 Crane Familiarization April 6 April 12 ECDIS April 13 April 19 Fast Rescue Boat June 1 June 7 GMDSS July 20 August 2 Lifeboat March 9 March 22 April 6 April 19 May 4 May 17 June 1 June 14 June 29 July 12 July 27 August 9 Radar Observer February 23 March 8 April 13 April 26 Radar Renewal (one day) Contact the PHC Admissions Office RFPNW March 30 April 26 May 25 June 21 UPGRADING APPLICATION Name_________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________ Date of Birth___________________________________________________________________ Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security #_______________________ Book #__________________________________ Seniority_____________________________ Department_____________________________ Home Port____________________________________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________________________________ Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? o Yes o No If yes, class # and dates attended___________________________________________________ Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? oYes o No _____________________________________________________________________________ With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125) days seatime for the previous year, MMC, TWIC, front page of your book including your department and seniority and qualifying sea time for the course if it is Coast Guard tested. Must have a valid SHBP clinic through course date. I authorize the Paul Hall Center to release any of the information contained in this application, or any of the supporting documentation that I have or will submit with this application to related organizations, for the purpose of better servicing my needs and helping me to apply for any benefits which might become due to me. 20 Seafarers LOG Orientation/Assessment Chief Cook 2.0 March 9 Orientation/Assessment Chief Steward 2.0 February 23 Safety Upgrading Courses March 15 March 8 Basic Training/Basic FF February 23 March 1 April 6 April 12 Basic Training Revalidation February 22 February 22 Basic Training/Adv. FF Revalidation March 30 April 5 Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting March 2 March 8 April 13 April 19 Government Vessels February 16 February 22 Medical Care Provider February 23 March 1 Tank Ship Familiarization - DL February 16 February 22 Tank Ship Familiarization - LG March 30 April 5 COURSE ____________________________ ____________________________ START DATE _______________ _______________ DATE OF COMPLETION ________________________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ ____________________________ _______________ ________________________ LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________ Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________ SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE______________________ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. Not all classes are reimbursable. Return completed application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, 45353 St. George Ave., Piney Point, MD 20674; or fax to (301) 994-2189. The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits students, who are otherwise qualified, or any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or activities. 2/19 February 2019 �Paul Hall Center Classes Apprentice Water Survival Class #843 – Graduated November 11 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Freeman Adamson, Brianna Ashley, Jacob Booth, Taylor Hall, Yu-Jin Arthur Hendricks-Matsuda, Kalae-Mitchal K. Huihui, Benita Arta Margaronis, Robert Mason III, Johnny Matthews III, Michael Pena, Cyrus Silen, Christopher Solomon, Daryl Thomas Jr., Jonathan Torres, Paul Valiente, Marcelo Corbillon Villareal, Kamaul Wells and J’corei Williams. Important Notice To All Students Students who have registered for classes at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, but later discover - for whatever reason - that they can’t attend, should inform the admissions department immediately so arrangements can be made to have other students take their places. Water Survival Upgraders – Graduated November 20 (above, from left): Christopher Perry and Zoe Felton. Welding – Graduated September 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Christian Bryant, Darrin Cobb, Ricardo Fuentes, Martin McDonald and Kyle Williamson. Their instructor, Chris Raley, is at the far right. Fast Rescue Boat – Graduated September 14: Joseph Mesyna (above, center) and Paul Andrea (right). Thomas Truitt, their instructor, is at the far left. Pumpman – Graduated September 28 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Latiffe Brooks, Jonathan Collier, David Garrett, Antonio Griffin, Timothy Hetz, Ronilo Rublica Monares and Gajatri Normatova. Class instructor Keith Adamsom is at the far right. UA to FOWT – Graduated September 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Maurice Backey, George Beaufils, Shawn James Diaz Benosa, Adam Brundage, Ashley Burke, Julian Mariano Drago, Samuel Fagerness, Tony Hamaguchi, Jeffrey Hamer, Christopher Hinton, Paul Hudgins, Jared Johnson, James London, Ethan Love, Tyriq Mills, Dave Paler, Dontrell Riddick, DeRoyce Roquemore, Lorenza Session, Isaiah Thomas, Stephen Venditti, Derrick Walker II and Renita Walker. Class instructor John Wiegman III is at the far right. February 2019 Seafarers LOG 21 �Paul Hall Center Classes Combined Basic/Advanced Firefighting – Graduated September 21 (above, in alphabetical order): James Baldwin, Chantell Dawson, Earl Dimmick, Roy Cuenza Enriquez, Marc Goodman, Chris Linsley, David Miller, Peter Morrison Jr., Earl Stickell II and Eddie Thomas Sr. John Thomas, their instructor, is at the far right. Medical Care Provider – Graduated September 14 (above, in alphabetical order): Jeremy Boyd, Chantell Dawson, Earl Dimmick, Roy Cuenza Enriquez and David Miller. John Thomas, the class instructor, is at the far left. MSC Supply Configuration Management – Graduated September 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Julian Beasley, Phillip Best, Rocky Dupraw, Joseph Hernandez, Christina Price and Shaun Wood. Instructors Zak Schaver and Matthew Rogers are at the far left and far right, respectively. Small Arms – Graduated September 28 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Lindsey Austin, Joseph Bowen and Russell Horton. Instructors John Thomas and Matthew Rogers are at the far left and far right, respectively. Basic Training (Basic Firefighting Upgraders) – Graduated September 28 (photo at right, in alphabetical order): Chris Ceyzyk, Justin Chaney, Robert Cunningham, Ronaldo Adriano Fermin, James Kelly Jr., Susana McIntosh, Karl Meyer, Christopher Poff, Fitzgeraldo Casayurab, Ma Corazon Bolalin Rebancos, Dustin Schaaf and Carlos Edgardo Suazo. Joseph Zienda, their instructor, is at the far right. 22 Seafarers LOG February 2019 �Paul Hall Center Classes SUA (Galley Ops) – Graduated September 7 (photo at left, in alphabetical order): Carlos Arjune, Adam Bechtold, Billy Burgos-Burgos, Esperanza Crespo-Guillen, Caprice Howard, Derick Yanier MoralesBerly, Kenisha Neal, Nathalie Reyes-Ortiz, Derrick Turner, Carlton Williams and Unique M’stati Wood. Advanced Galley Ops – Graduated September 21 (above, in alphabetical order): Jasmine Garrett, Mary Maddox, Tania Ramirez-Diego, Derrick Williams and Craig Wooten. Galley Ops – Graduated September 7 (above, from left): Angel Manuel Berrios Jr. and Kevin Collins. Also graduating, but not pictured, was James Kingsley. Certified Chief Cook – Graduated September 7 (above, from left): Johathan Perez Borroto Sanchez and Bob Tuilaepa. Galley Ops – Graduated September 7 (above, in alphabetical order): Tomas Gabriel BernardezMartinez, Carlos Colon De Jesus, Alexander Emrick and Travis Rogers. Chief Steward – Graduated September 21 (above, in alphabetical order): James Kelly Jr., Richard Paulson, Edward Porter, Exxl Ronquillo and Rose Ward. February 2019 Chief Steward 2.0 – Graduated September 28 (above, from left): Lamont Faulks, Eileen Mendiola and Gregory Keene. Seafarers LOG 23 �FEBRUARY 2019 VOLUME 81, NO. 2 Paul Hall Center Class Photos Pages 21-23 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S E A F A R E R S I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I O N AT L A N T I C , G U L F, L A K E S A N D I N L A N D W AT E R S , A F L- C I O SIU members generously donated to the annual toy drive. ‘People Look Forward to it Every Year’ SIU Enthusiastically Backs Military Families; Annual Santa’s Castle Project Successful Again Holiday traditions may vary from home to home, but for 12 straight years, Seafarers in the Pacific Northwest have shared an especially meaningful one. Specifically, the SIU has participated in Santa’s Castle, a holiday toy drive benefiting U.S. military families (mostly E-4 and below) from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, as well as other bases. The union also hosts a related luncheon at the hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington, featuring guests from the Army and from the organization that runs Santa’s Castle. During the recent winter holiday season, SIU members – joined by generous executives from Seafarers-contracted companies – donated approximately $10,000 worth of gifts. The goodies included bicycles, smart watches, gaming headsets, sporting goods, American Girl dolls and much more. Teaming up with the members and making their own respective donations were Lee Egland of Crowley, Melissa Serridge on behalf of TOTE, and Dan Morrison of Harley Marine. SIU Port Agent Joe Vincenzo has led the union’s work with Santa’s Castle, which is the name of both the operation and the non-profit organization. An all-volunteer program founded in 1994, Santa’s Castle benefits the children of Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve families (normally lower enlisted pay grades). During remarks at the luncheon on Dec. 13, Vincenzo – an Army veteran – emphasized the important, respectful connections between the U.S. Merchant Marine and the armed forces. “A lot of our work is on military support ships, and many SIU members are veterans, so we welcome this yearly chance to give back to our war fighters, peace keepers and our partners with respect to national, economic and homeland security,” Vincenzo said. “The relationship between the U.S. Military and the U.S. Merchant Marine dates back to the founding days of our country, and it’s a longstanding tradition of which we can all be proud.” Heartfelt comments from SIU members who donated to the 2018 toy drive left no doubt about their genuine enthusiasm for the yearly endeavor. “I think it’s really great,” said Recertified Steward Dennis Skretta, a Navy veteran who helped serve food at the luncheon and who has donated to the program every year. “It’s a very good thing and everybody seems to appreciate it. Seeing the military Among those pictured are Seafarers Richard Goings, Michael Bell, Obaid Ali, William Cassel, William Britton, Dahiya Mahmoud, Basheer Ghazali, Mohamed Alghazali, Sanjay Gupta, Wilma Joy Smith and Efren Isberto. personnel at the Christmas party is always something to look forward to, and the donations are going to kids that need them.” Chief Cook Ingra Maddox said the most recent Santa’s Castle outreach “went well. Our family is military and I thought it would be something nice to do, kind of say thanks. Our soldiers Continued on Page 8 Seafarers have donated to Santa’s Castle for 12 straight years. Pictured above are some of the gifts that were given in 2018. � 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 2010-2019 Description An account of the resource Volumes LXXII-LXXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies 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 2010-2019 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 February 2019 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SIU WELCOMES NEW JOBS ABOARD TAINO TACOMA SEAFARERS ANSWER CALL AGAIN SIU LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE, LOG DATABASE CREW OF CROWLEY-OPERATED WRIGHT HONORED OSG ANNOUNCES 10-YEAR CHARTER OF JONES ACT TANKER MV GREEN LAKE RESCUES 7 IN DEADLY CAR CARRIER FIRE NY WATERWAY CREW HELPS SAVE A LIFE HOUSE BILL AIMS TO HONOR WWII MARINERS NMC ISSUES MITIGATION UPDATE ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SEAFARERS CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS AT HALLS USNS VICTORIOUS MARINERS HELP ORPHANS IN PHILIPPINES COMBATING THE COMMON COLD WITH SEAFARERS ON THE GREAT LAKES TAX TIPS FOR MEMBERS SIU ENTHUSIASTICALLY BACKS MILITARY FAMILIES; ANNUAL SANTA'S CASTLE PROJECT SUCCESSFUL AGAIN Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Digital Copies 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 2/1/2019 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. 81, No. 2 2019 Seafarers Log