Several Seafarers, working in conjunction with the American Red Cross, recently rendered vital assistance to the residents of Guam in the aftermath of Supertyphoon Pongsona.The catastrophic storm on Dec. 8 struck the U.S. territory in the Mariana Islands with sustained winds of 150 mph and gusts to 184 mph—a force comparable to a Category 5 hurricane. Essentially, everything in Pongsona’s path was completely devastated, as winds did not subside for nearly 10 straight hours. Parts of the island were flattened, and many of the island’s 120,000 residents were left without electricity and water. Thousands took refuge in shelters, fearing their homes would be crushed. No official death toll has been released, but leaders on the island estimate damage caused by the storm to be in excess of $73 million.
Since that fateful day, a cadre of SIU volunteers and representatives from other labor organizations with Guam-based members have assisted the Red Cross in large-scale relief operations. The distribution of travelers’ checks and comfort kits (packages containing hygiene items) to storm victims were two areas of high priority during the relief effort. Some 3,800 comfort kits were delivered to the residents of 13 shelters. Seafarers provided assistance not only in these areas, but others as well.
AB Samuel Lloyd helped clear storm litter and served both as a guide driver and courier, delivering goods to a pair of Red Cross Service Centers involved in the effort. “The Red Cross put out the call for help, and here I am,” Lloyd said at the outset of the relief effort. Also joining in the trash and debris retrieval effort was AB Michael McMerline. In addition, he provided muscle needed to help move large objects in Red Cross shelters.
QMED Michael Ryter’s skills especially were in high demand. He performed a variety of electrical repairs during the operations. Not to be left out, SIU Guam Secretary Francis Booker verified claims and worked as a guide. Finally, Malou Holley, wife of SIU Guam Port Agent Matthew Holley, acted as translator in Japanese, Korean and Talgalo.
Besides SIU members, other integral players in the Red Cross response hailed from the Labor Council of the Western Pacific, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM&AW), and the Guam Federation of Teachers.
Guam was ceded to the United States by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the U.S. three years later. The North Pacific Ocean Island is located about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines (13 28 N, 144 47 E). Guam is about three times the size of Washington, D.C.
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