The first commercial dry cargo ship built in the U.S. in 10 years was christened last month in San Diego, signaling new shipboard jobs on the horizon for Seafarers.The union joined with SIU-contracted Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. (TOTE) and the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in welcoming the new Orca-class vessel Midnight Sun Aug. 3. U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) served as the christening’s keynote speaker.
Leading the SIU group were Pres. Michael Sacco, Exec. VP John Fay, VP Contracts Augie Tellez, VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey and VP West Coast Nick Marrone.
Sacco stated that in addition to representing new jobs for Seafarers, the Midnight Sun—as well as a sister ship scheduled for delivery next summer—means greater security for the nation. “The civilian crews who work aboard these ships will learn and use the exact same skills that are needed to support our armed forces in times of war. So when the next Desert Storm unfolds, the men and women who maintained their skills in the commercial fleet can be an asset for our military—and therefore our nation,” he said.
“Whether it’s replacement tonnage or new additions, America needs the kind of investment made by TOTE in the new Orca-class vessels,” he added. “This is an important step in strengthening the merchant marine.”
Both new ships are expected to operate in TOTE’s service from Tacoma, Wash. to Anchorage, Alaska. The Midnight Sun, and her sister ship, the North Star, are 840-foot-long, 118-foot-wide roll-on/roll-off cargo ships offering the option to carry trailers as large as 53 feet long.
TOTE reports that the vessels already have been recognized for their environmentally sensitive design. The ships received the States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force Legacy Award for 2000, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner’s 2000 Pollution Prevention Award, and the Biennial William M. Benkert Foundation 2002 Environmental Excellence Bronze Award.
Lynn Garvey, wife of Mike Garvey, chairman of the board of TOTE’s parent company, Saltchuk Resources, Inc., and Lily Stevens, the daughter of Sen. Stevens, were the Midnight Sun’s sponsors.
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