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Hurricane Ike update (9/15)

The union is in the process of trying to ascertain the extent of the damage to the SIU hall on Pierce Street in Houston. SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey reports that Seafarers employed by G&H Towing went “beyond the call of duty” when the hurricane struck. It appears that four ships (none of them SIU-contracted) were stuck in port during the storm. One broke loose, but the Seafarers-crewed tugs “got lines up and pushed her up into the mud in extreme conditions. Additionally, there were numerous barges and small vessels that were secured to maintain the safety of the port.” Additional SIU crew members were dispatched to the Cape Taylor, Cape Trinity and Cape Texas in the Houston area before the hurricane arrived. Maersk Line, Limited is praising Seafarers aboard the Maersk Nevada who weathered Ike’s full force while protecting the vessel, cargo and (in the words of the company) “most importantly, the crew.” Updates will be posted as they become available, and the October edition of the Seafarers LOG also will include coverage of both Ike and Gustav (which caused the activations of numerous SIU-crewed ships).