The USNS John Ericsson, crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division, has received the 2006 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Quality Small Ship award, the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) announced.The Ericsson earlier this year had earned an environmental award from the Chief of Naval Operations. That honor made the vessel eligible for the more recent award.
MSC issued a news release that appears below and also is available on the agency’s web site HERE
Military Sealift Command oiler wins Secretary of the Navy environmental award
Fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson won the fiscal year 2006 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Quality Small Ship award.
Ericsson received the same award from the Chief of Naval Operations in February, and will compete in the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards later this year.
“We are extremely pleased to be recognized for our environmental efforts,” said Capt. Robert T. Wiley, the ship’s civil service master.
The 678-foot ship – currently operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and crewed by 81 civil service mariners and a military detachment of 23 active-duty Navy sailors – was cited for its crew’s work in preventing pollution, ensuring readiness in responding to environmental issues, conserving resources and complying with environmental regulations.
While the ship voluntarily met standards stricter than required by the Navy, it also ensured that each mariner received special training in environmental management, used environmentally friendly chemicals and conducted monthly spill drills. As a result, in two years, Ericsson transferred almost 82 million gallons of fuel in 353 separate fuelings at sea without a significant mishap.
“Every mariner that reports on board receives additional training on our environmental program, which is to prevent pollution, ensure response readiness, conserve resources and comply with regulatory requirements,” said Wiley.
The Secretary of the Navy Environmental Awards program recognizes Navy and Marine Corps individuals, teams, ships and installations for exceptional environmental stewardship.
In the message, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment BJ Penn extended his personal congratulations to the winners, telling them that, “Your accomplishments are outstanding in their own right and exemplify the Department of the Navy’s commitment to environmental stewardship.” The award will be presented at a ceremony in June in Washington, D.C.
USNS Ericsson is one of 14 fleet replenishment oilers that provide fuel to Navy combat ships and jet fuel for aircraft aboard aircraft carriers.
Military Sealift Command operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.
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