The SIU-crewed USNS Red Cloud recently was recognized for its outstanding record of safe operations since the vessel’s delivery in 2000.The USNS Red Cloud is part of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command fleet and is operated by Seafarers-contracted Maersk Line, Limited (MLL), which is based in Norfolk, Va.
The honor, the “Constant Care Award,” recently was established to recognize vessels within the MLL fleet that have operated for at least five years without a lost time accident (LTA). According to the company, “Constant Care means being proactive, preparing for problems in advance, and taking the proper course to complete a task safely and efficiently.”
The Red Cloud is the first vessel to achieve this significant milestone since the award’s inception. The company pointed out that despite regularly scheduled crew rotations during the aforementioned five-year period, “the safety culture was passed on from crew member to crew member and continued to hold true. ‘Constant Care’ requires more than safety training. It requires commitment and reinforcement.”
On August 11, the award formally was presented by MLL Director of Operations Jerry Eker. SIU Vice President Government Services Kermett Mangram and SIU Norfolk Port Agent Georg Kenny joined Commodore George G. Galyo, USN, Commander, Sealift Logistics Command Atlantic, and others for the ceremony in Norfolk.
Captain Christopher Begley noted that one of the primary reasons for the USNS Red Cloud’s success is that officers and crew members view the vessel as their home, and they look out for one another as family. Both Mangram and Galyo praised the crew for their continued success.
During the past five years, the Red Cloud has logged more than one million nautical miles and completed more than 25 deployments or missions. The vessel is one of eight large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off (LMSR) vessels managed by Maersk Line, Limited. The LMSR ships are named for Medal of Honor recipients.
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