The union recently welcomed new shipboard jobs with the Jan. 27 delivery of the MV Liberty Eagle. It is the eighth vessel in Liberty Maritime Corporation’s SIU-crewed fleet, which transports food shipments overseas as part of the U.S. government’s “Food for Peace” program.
Seafarers flew from New York to Japan to join the ship and sail it to the United States. It arrived in New Orleans late last month to load humanitarian aid cargo for East Africa.
“The addition of this vessel to the U.S.-flag fleet not only strengthens America’s economic security but also boosts our national defense,” stated SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez.
SIU members aboard the Liberty Eagle’s first voyage were Recertified Bosun Thomas W. Lasater, ABs Juan L. Torres, José E. Ortiz, Edgardo Castro, Mohamed S. Soliman and John S. Daunoras, GUDE Vicente T. Cueva Jr., QMED Jimmy Sabga, Oiler Calvin Hicks, Recertified Steward Richard M. Worobey, Chief Cook Benjamin J. Advincula and GSTU Simon Perez.
The U.S.-flag vessel was built at Oshima Shipyard in Japan as were two sister ships, the Liberty Glory and Liberty Grace, delivered in April 2001 and July 2001, respectively. All are 623 feet long with a 105-foot beam and can travel at 15.3 knots. The bulk carriers are equipped with four cranes and six hatches apiece and have the additional ability of carrying containers. The Liberty Eagle, however, at 52,500 DWT, is slightly heavier than the other two at 50,599 DWT each.
Liberty Maritime Corporation is based in Lake Success, N.Y.
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