Opportunities abound for mariners in the Seafarers International Union. That was the consensus among the 12 members of the graduating class of recertified stewards as they stood and spoke before an audience of their fellow Seafarers, SIU officials, friends and guests at the union’s August membership meeting in Piney Point, Md. Expressing their gratitude for those opportunities that have helped them better their own lives and improve the lives of their fellow shipmates were Michael Amador, Sherman Anderson, Alexander Banky, Mark Cabasag, Cynthia Caster, Steven Dickson, Michael Fields, Gloria Holmes, Paula Kaleikini, Justo Lacayo and Ronnie Richardson. William Moe also graduated from the month-long steward recertification program but shipped out prior to the graduation ceremonies.Considered the school’s top curriculum for steward department Seafarers, the steward recertification program included fire fighting and basic safety training, a trip to the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C. and meetings with SIU department representatives at the union’s headquarters in Camp Springs. Students also trained in the galley lab and participated in a “mystery basket cook-off” designed to utilize their culinary creativity and skills.
First up to the podium to receive his graduation certificate was Alexander Banky, who ships from the port of New York. The 40-year-old told those assembled at the meeting that he is upholding a family tradition of sailing. He noted that his many years as a Seafarer have shown him the best and worst that life has to offer. The amazing places he has seen—the Suez and Panama canals as well as the Great Wall of China—are some of the best. Traveling with military supplies aboard ship into a war zone ranks among the saddest.
He reminded the future Seafarers—those unlicensed apprentices still in training at the school—that they, too, are part of this great seafaring tradition.
Mark Cabasag, 48, started sailing in 1988 aboard the SS Independence in Honolulu. This is his third time upgrading at the school and he expressed thanks to everyone for making his time there so comfortable—from the driver and front desk personnel to the purser, travel coordinator, admissions, housekeeping and instructors. Cabasag thanked the Paul Hall Center staff for all their help, patience, time and care. He expressed gratitude to SIU President Michael Sacco for his constant guidance and for the opportunity afforded him to enhance and upgrade his skills. He also thanked VP Contracts Augie Tellez for “pushing [the recertified steward class] toward our aspirations and goals.”
Cabasag urged the current class of trainees to “work hard and don’t give up.”
Cynthia Caster, 54, joined the SIU in 1982. Now sailing from the port of Tacoma, Wash., she noted that most of her time at sea has been spent aboard freight ships running to the Far East. This is the eighth time back at Piney Point for Caster, a place she described as a “supportive environment where I have learned, trained, reflected, researched and rejuvenated over the years.”
Caster was instrumental in conceptualizing a computerized monthly menu planner, which she believed could be a real time saver at sea. With the help of Instructor Rick Prucha, that idea has been formatted into an Excel worksheet program, available to all.
To the unlicensed apprentices, Caster wished them smooth sailing and hoped they would always wake up each morning “with a sense of gratitude and a willingness to go for it.’”
Since joining the SIU in the port of San Francisco in 1991, Steve Dickson has returned to the Piney Point facility four times. Each time he has learned more about the efforts and dedication involved in running a successful organization and will be better prepared to answer crew members’ questions with honest and useful information.
He noted that the SIU is a large and diverse family with an honorable tradition of delivering the goods that make the world a better place, “and I am proud to be a member of that family.”
Now sailing from the port of Tacoma, Dickson, 48, congratulated his fellow recertified stewards and told the trainees that they should listen, learn and work hard for tomorrow for they are the next generation. “It is our responsibility to learn from the past and look to the future,” he concluded.
Michael Fields, 48, tossed aside his prepared statement and spoke “from the heart.” He told the audience that he is an alcoholic and that he will celebrate his first year of recovery in September. Fields thanked the union for its belief in him and warned the unlicensed apprentices of how easy it is to get some substances overseas which are illegal in the U.S.—and urged them to be careful.
Fields, who sails from the port of Wilmington, Calif., said he has come to recognize his membership in the SIU as not only a privilege but also as a responsibility.
This is the third time back at the school for Gloria Holmes, who started sailing with the Marine Cooks & Stewards (MC&S) in 1978 in the port of San Francisco. The 55-year-old Seafarer thanked the union for giving her a life of adventure, freedom and the opportunity to travel.
She advised the trainees to learn all they can while at school and aboard ship, to listen to their supervisors and work as a team—always keeping safety in mind.
Justo Lacayo, 41, joined the SIU in 1991 in the port of Jacksonville, Fla. He stated he has sailed as an OS, chief cook, SA, chief steward—and now will sail as a recertified steward—and that he is proud to be a member of the SIU. He said the union changed his life in a positive way. While many things in life are difficult, he said, if you work hard in the SIU, “they give you the tools you need to make something of yourself.”
Ronnie Richardson, 51, began sailing with the MC&S 28 years ago in the port of San Francisco. When that union merged with the SIU, he noted, there were jobs for all. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he concluded.
Joining the SIU 10 years ago was one of the best decisions Paula Kaleikini said she has made. Now sailing from the port of Tacoma, Kaleikini, 53, first shipped from out of Honolulu in 1992, following in the footsteps of her son, who was working aboard the American Hawaii cruise ships.
She noted that it has been a personally satisfying career, more than she ever expected—and is pleased that it has afforded her some rewards, like moving into a new home soon. The best part, she told the audience, was being on a U.S.-flag vessel.
Kaleikini told the trainees that shipboard life is quite different from land-based jobs and that it is not for the meek, but that it is a very rewarding career.
Sherman Anderson, 56, who ships out of the port of Tacoma, has been an SIU member since joining 22 years ago. He stated, “it’s been said, join the Navy and see the world.’ But it wasn’t until I joined the SIU that I truly saw the world. I can find my way around the streets of Hong Kong as easily as the streets of Seattle.”
He advised the trainees to listen to their instructors and learn to work as a team. He reminded them that when they’re in the middle of an ocean and an emergency occurs, there is no 911 to call. “You are the 911!” he said. “Working as a team and using what you learn here at the school and at shipboard drills can save your life and those of your shipmates.”
He further noted that the merchant marine helped defend our country in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. “We were ready, willing and able then, and we will be again if called upon in the future.”
Now sailing from the port of Jacksonville, Fla., Michael Amador started his SIU career in 1985 in the port of Honolulu. This was the seventh time he has returned to upgrade his skills—and he said it was the best yet—including fun, knowledge and hard work.
Amador, 55, encouraged the trainees to practice what they learn at the school when they go aboard ship and then to return for upgrading courses to “learn, learn, learn.”
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