(Editor’s note: the Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer’s intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.)
ABs Elshawa, Castillo Distinguish Themselves
I just got back to the office after responding to the fire aboard the M/V Patriot. Titan Salvage fixed the tug and sent a team over the water from Ft. Lauderdale. I led the team as salvage master, and the job was completed without incident; the ship is safely secured in Charleston.Prior to our boarding the vessel, all non-essential crew had been removed from the Patriot, by way of tug, to the sister ship Mormac Sun. When we boarded the ship, it was drifting in the Gulf Stream with six people on board, two of which were SIU members—Able Seamen Zach Elshawaand Jose Castillo.
In my initial meeting with the Patriot master, I asked him who was still aboard, and he informed me that the chief engineer, first assistant, second assistant, two able seamen and he remained. I was initially surprised that no other deck officers were aboard and that instead two ABs remained, but it didn’t take long to figure out why the captain had kept whom he did.
Both Zach and Jose are two of the finest seamen I have ever had the pleasure of working with. During the heat of battle, both men remained alert, attentive and focused on jobs that they were assigned. Both men were smart, tireless, safety-conscious and vital assets to our response. And this was after they had spent 30 hours on the deck of a dead ship after having secured spaces for release of the CO2 system, including the taping of vents as heat and smoke fought their efforts. Prior to our arrival, they had sustained themselves on nothing more than lifeboat rations.
Both of these men are a credit to the SIU and the American Merchant Marine. I would be proud to sail anywhere with them
. These men are SIU heroes and you should be proud of them.
Dan Schwall
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Seafarer Commended For Mercy’ Voluntarism
I am writing this letter in appreciation of a man from the SIU who volunteered his services on board one of our hospital ships. Mr. Ed Lobb (QMED) volunteered his time when our ship, the Caribbean Mercy, was schedule for a move.His service as an engineer aboard our ship was exemplary, and he went beyond the call of duty in serving with us. He left his friends and family to help our ship make a strategic move in preparation for its medical outreach in Honduras.
Mercy Ships is an all-volunteer organization and operates three hospital ships around the world, serving the poor and needy. I greatly appreciate Mr. Lobb’s service to our organization and, in turn, to those we serve, the poorest of the poor.
Steve Wargo
Marine Staffing Manager,
Mercy Ships
Rescued Owens Family Thanks Innovator Crew
(This letter was sent to Capt. Bob Lamb and the crew of the SeaLand Innovato, and then forwarded to the LOG. The rescue was reported on page 7 of the July issue.)
We thank you so much for coming to our rescue on May 20. You and your awesome crew went out of your way and totally over and beyond the call of duty. You helped us achieve a safe transfer from our disabled vessel to yours.
This was the hardest thing we ever had to do. We can’t begin to tell you what your hospitality meant to us. We’re at a loss for words, but we will never forget what you did for us.
Thank you so much.
The Owens Family
(Harvey, Krista, Taysia and kitty)
Vista, California
Hot Times In the Gulf
Greetings from the Persian Gulf. Here is a shot of the USNS Watkins pulling into Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait for “Operation Vigilant Hammer.” It was 120F in the shade. Sweat evaporated off you as it hit the air. You had to drink 8 oz. of water every 15 minutes to stay properly hydrated.We were the first LMSR to drop off the metal. All was a success, the download was done in 39 hours when originally estimated at 48-72. That’s a piece of cargo every two minutes.
A big Bravo Zulu from the Army. As always the SIU crew was paramount and did an exemplary job. The Captain (Dave Smith) gave the crew a big Bravo Zulu.
Also sending photos (see below) of our U.S. Army armed guard (“sea grunts” we call them!). They mounted 50-caliber machine guns on the bridge wings. These boys were happy to get out of the desert (and eat some dessert!) for a while and eat like kings under the stewardship of Mike Briscoe. We had an extra 30 people on board and the steward dept. stood to the challenge.
Giving credit where it’s due, the steward department consists of Briscoe, relief Steward Chris Cassie, Chief Cook Raul Napoles, ACU Ali Hussein and SAs Harry Hernandez, Shad Barrington and Ali M. Abdulla.
Bravo Zulu to all!
Second Mate Stephen Barry
Aboard the USNS Watkins
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