From the Seafarers-crewed USNS Pollux, docked in Marrero, Louisiana, Chief Mate Jan Genemans sent this account along with photos reflecting the U.S. Merchant Marine’s response to Hurricane Katrina.The Pollux is operated by AMSEA.
“We were under repairs and could not leave when Hurricane Katrina unleashed her devastation on the New Orleans area,” Genemans wrote. “We are at our layberth at Marrero, LA in reduced operating status with a skeleton crew.”
He credited the crew members and officers for “creatively engineering solutions by thinking far outside of the box to directly and indirectly save lives and property as soon as we heard the desperate situation from the community begging for help. Captain Lansden made his way to the closest hospital, West Jefferson, and offered our assistance the morning after the storm. The hospital was critically low on their emergency generator fuel – only a few precious hours left. The Marrero Fire Department borrowed a fuel tank truck from Retif Oil and the National Guard with their one operational fuel truck (others were flooded) and drove it on the dock where we were berthed.
“The engineers modified our fuel system using parts from the potable water system and fire system, and around noon of the day after we proceeded to load National Guard trucks and Fire Department trucks through a fire hose during the first three days. To date we have been pumping fuel for two solid weeks totaling more than half a million gallons of diesel around the clock … to keep the hospitals operational by providing fuel for generators and pumps for the Levy Board pumps, emergency vehicles, water and sewer board, telephone and power company repair vehicles, the airport, all the military bases in the area, the convention center, all kinds of rescue command centers, shelters, morgue, FEMA, and the list goes on and on, too numerous to count. Without the diesel fuel provided by the ship, there may very well have been a week's setback, if not longer, in the relief effort…
“This ship fueled the entire emergency/military machine in the area by itself for the first few days. As the need for fuel increased as more emergency services began pouring into the area, so did the need for dock space, as our dock was too small for 18-wheelers. The ship along with a chemical farm and a local oil/gas distribution company built a pipeline with hoses and pipe to the closest state road about a thousand feet away in about four hours time using labor from the chemical farm and the deck department of the USNS Pollux.
“Additionally, along with the Advanced Care unit in West Jefferson Hospital, since we were the only source of pressurized potable water that is required to operate dialysis machines, the crew of the USNS Pollux, in conjunction with the acute care unit located in Jefferson set up an emergency dialyses unit in our laundry room and treated patients until the remaining patients were air-lifted out of the area for better medical care….
“We tested the city water and provided a means for the military to get water for showers and washing their clothes throughout the area before any other major source of potable water was available. Our engineers also assisted with the Aquarium and the morgue with their pumping, refrigeration, and/or mechanical systems as well – all on their own time. Galley scraps were kept and distributed to many of the homeless pets that were left in the area. Another crew member organized and was successful in staging a rescue effort from the now infamous horrid convention center scene. I personally found extra plastic sheets around the ship and donated it to hospital personnel to cover holes and windows that were damaged by the storm. Our bosun (Seafarers Wilfredo Rice) assisted people with removing debris and water-damaged items from homes for the National Guard to pick up. I am sure that there were several other acts of extreme kindness that I haven't witnessed that were performed by the crew.
“The ship provided a rest haven, with A/C in 100 degree heat, running water and working toilets for hospital nurses who worked beyond the point of exhaustion. The MDs were also offered this, but they put the needs of their staff before themselves. The ship also provided hot meals, laundry and showers to fire fighters, military personnel, policemen, hospital workers and civilians who were actively engaged in the humanitarian effort in the area outside of normal working hours before there was any other source….
“The entire crew of the USNS Pollux poured out their hearts in the relief effort, and performed miracles in the assistance of the unprecedented tragedy that was brought on by fury of Hurricane Katrina…”
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