The SIU-crewed Flickertail State received the Professional Ship Award from U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. William Schubert during a ceremony July 15 in Newport News, Va.
SIU Vice President Government Services Kermett Mangram took part in the event. He congratulated the crew for “an outstanding job” in Operation Haiti and Operation New Horizons— performances which earned them the recognition from the Maritime Administration.
“Welcome home, and thanks for making us all proud,” Mangram stated.
Speaking to the rest of the audience, he noted, “Most of you here today are very familiar with the long history of the U.S. Merchant Marine and our role as the fourth arm of defense. We’ve proven our value time after time. We’ve proven our loyalty and reliability since the very beginnings of this country.”
In a letter to the crew, SIU President Michael Sacco noted, “Your recognition is well-earned and it certainly isn’t something to be taken lightly, considering that the U.S. Maritime Administrator’s Professional Ship Award is given to non-military vessels that achieve the highest degree of readiness, performance, efficiency, reliability, productivity and safety.
“During Operation Haiti, when you worked under fire delivering supplies and equipment to the Marine Corps, and in Operation New Horizons, when you tested new technology at sea during exercises in the North Atlantic, you lived up to the U.S. Merchant Marine’s vital role as America’s Fourth Arm of Defense. That role remains as important as ever, with our nation leading the fight in the global war against terrorism and also continuing the rebuilding of Iraq.”
The letter concluded, “I simply couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of you. Your performance, your patriotism and your dedication are a credit to the entire union and indeed the entire U.S. Merchant Marine. Your story will be shared with the membership as a shining example of what the SIU is all about.”
Schubert praised the crew and officers. “The crew of the Flickertail State is an outstanding example of the integral role the Ready Reserve Force plays in our national defense operations,” he said. “Our nation’s Ready Reserve Force helps ensure our security by supporting the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.”
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the U.S. Transportation Command and the Military Sealift Command, which have operational control of Ready Reserve Force ships when they support the military.
The Flickertail State is operated by SIU-contracted Interocean Ugland Management. Seafarers sailing aboard the vessel during Operation Haiti included ABWs Heather Frizzelle and Curtis Williams; ABMs Adrian Jones and Jonathan Davis; STOSs Melvin Stegall, Christopher Bryan and Melvin Hall; OMUs John Morrison, John Steeber and Brad Neathery; Wipers Nathan Jenkins and Vincent Knight; Chief Cook Adele George and SAs Willie Uzzle, Teresa MacMartin and Kareem Walters.
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