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4 SIU officials appointed to maritime security groups (3/24)

In an ongoing effort to protect members’ interests and to help safeguard U.S. mariners, ships and ports, four more SIU officials recently accepted appointments to separate maritime safety committees run by the U.S. Coast Guard. Receiving five-year appointments from the agency earlier this year were SIU Vice President Atlantic Coast Joseph Soresi (Port of New York/New Jersey Area Maritime Security Committee, or AMSC); Baltimore Port Agent Dennis Metz (Baltimore AMSC); Hawaii Port Agent Neil Dietz (Central Pacific AMSC); and Boston Port Agent Gerard Dhooge (Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts AMSC). The positions are voluntary. “It’s an honor for SIU officials to be chosen to serve on the safety committees,” said SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, who also serves as vice chairman of the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s Special Seafarers’ Section – a body that performs considerable work on maritime security. “They understand the committees will require a lot of time and effort, but there’s no question that the SIU must be involved. It’s another way to protect our members’ rights and to play a role in the ongoing effort to improve shipboard and port security.” As previously reported, SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey late last year was appointed to the Houston-Galveston AMSC.