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SIU-crewed hospital ship honored (11/8)

The hospital ship USNS Mercy, crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division, was honored by the United Seamen’s Service in New York City. The Mercy’s crew and officers received a Mariners’ Plaque Nov. 4 at the annual Admiral of the Ocean Seas (AOTOS) dinner. The U.S. Military Sealift Command has issued a press release concerning the Mercy’s recognition. That release appears below. Two other SIU-crewed ships – the Cape Knox and Cape Kennedy – and SIU member Brett Sunderland also received awards. Full coverage of the AOTOS event will be included in an upcoming issue of the Seafarers LOG. Hospital ship wins seamanship award The captains and crew of Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy were honored during the 39th Admiral of the Ocean Sea awards gala hosted by the United Seamen’s Service in New York City Nov. 4. AOTOS awards are handed out annually to recognize American mariners who have demonstrated extraordinary seamanship, devotion to duty and courage while at sea. USNS Mercy played a vital role in the United States’ relief efforts following the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia on Dec. 26, 2004. In addition to operating and maintaining the ship during its five-month humanitarian mission to Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea, Mercy’s 65 civil service mariners worked alongside the ship’s Navy medical personnel to improve the lives of those affected by the disaster. In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Mercy’s engineering department helped rebuild the region’s badly damaged Abidin University Hospital and personally donated thousands of dollars of equipment and supplies. In Nias Island, Indonesia, the site of a second earthquake that struck the country March 28, the ship’s crew again ventured ashore to help rebuild damaged infrastructure and collect donations to buy clothes, food and other necessities for the disaster victims. Capt. Nathan Smith, one of the masters of Mercy during her mission, accepted the award on behalf of the ship’s crew during the ceremony. “Being aboard Mercy to help others that were suffering from tremendous hardships was the most rewarding experience I've had as a mariner,” said Capt. Michael Leahy, who also acted as the ship’s master for a portion of the mission. “The experience we gained, the friends we made and the bonds we formed will not be broken for years to come.” The United Seamen’s Service is an organization that promotes the welfare of American seafarers worldwide. MSC operates 115 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that move combat cargo for U.S. forces, replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, chart ocean bottoms and strategically preposition equipment and supplies at sea around the world. ###