Arthur Machado’s reaction when asked to reflect on his 35 years in the SIU says a lot about his selfless nature.The longtime AB’s first response wasn’t about a particular voyage or even his overall experience, but instead an encouraging word for those just starting their maritime careers.
“The SIU is a good place for a young person to start out,” said Machado, 62, who lives near New Orleans. “You can learn and earn, and get an education at the same time. Plus you get to travel. I recommend it 100 percent.”
Considering his heritage, it’s no surprise that Machado chose the seafaring life. His father and grandfather also were merchant mariners.
However, Machado in one sense chose a different route—his father was an NMU member.
“I joined the SIU in 1968,” Machado recalled. “I was 27 years old, and I had friends who shipped SIU. They had told me, ‘You have a better chance of shipping out and seeing the world with us.’ That’s what I did.”
One of his first stops was Piney Point, Md.—home to the then-new Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, much of which still was being built. “They just worked us,” Machado remembered. “We got a place to stay and eat and all that. It was something new.”
During the ensuing 35 years, he often returned to Piney Point to upgrade. “Obviously, the school has come a long, long way since I first went there,” he said. “The classes, the buildings— everything is first rate. And the people really go out of their way to treat you nice.”
A lifelong resident of the New Orleans area, Machado, who sailed during Vietnam and during the Persian Gulf War, said he particularly enjoyed the travel that was such an integral part of his job. He especially liked sailing to South America.
“The travel really was one of the big benefits. I learned so many things,” he noted.
Machado’s last ship was the Altair, on which he sailed as an AB and also served as the chief security person.
Again turning his attention to the union’s newest members, he concluded, “Keep the winds to your back and full steam ahead!”
SIU New Orleans Port Agent Steve Judd wasn’t surprised that Machado seemed more interested in encouraging others than talking about himself. “Arthur is just a good person—the type of guy who’d give you the shirt off his back,” Judd stated. “I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s been a dedicated Seafarer all the way.”
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