A pair of SIU officials recently became members of maritime security committees in their respective geographical regions. They are Victor Nuñez, port agent in the port of Santurce, P.R. and Steve Judd, port agent in the port of New Orleans.Nuñez received an invitation to serve on the Puerto Rico Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) from U.S. Coast Guard Capt. W.J. Uberti, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC) for Puerto Rico while Judd received similar correspondence for membership in the New Orleans Area Maritime Subcommittee from U.S. Coast Guard Capt. R.W. Branch, FMSC for the New Orleans area. Both SIU officials completed required acceptance forms to verify their approval to the posts and now are full-fledged members.
Earlier this year, the following SIU officials also accepted AMSC appointments: Gulf Coast Vice President Dean Corgey, Atlantic Coast Vice President Joseph Soresi, Hawaii Port Agent Neil Dietz, Baltimore Port Agent Dennis Metz and Boston Port Agent Gerard Dhooge.
The AMSC positions are voluntary.
“It’s a real honor for me to be a part of this committee,” said Nuñez, who has been in his position as port agent since 1999. “I’ve been looking forward to this opportunity because a lot of decisions are made (by the agency) that directly affect SIU members and the vessels they crew. This is a chance to provide more input and further voice our concerns prior to final decisions.”
Nuñez served as a patrolman in Santurce from 1997 to 1999. He sailed as an AB for eight years before coming ashore.
Judd’s affiliation with the SIU dates back to the late 1970s when he worked as a deckhand aboard inland boats. In addition to holding a master’s license, Judd also has served as a safety director and union representative. He has held office in the local port council of the Maritime Trades Department and the New Orleans AFL-CIO. Judd became port agent in 1997.
“I look forward to serving on the committee,” said Judd, “because homeland security matters have a direct bearing on quality-of-life issues for our membership. My main goal will be to foster a happy balance between decisions affecting homeland security and issues relating to the interests of Seafarers. Such things as shore leave and entering and exiting ports affect our membership as a whole and our concerns need to be heard.”
AMSCs were instituted as a result of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. They are intended to provide a framework for communicating, identifying risks and coordinating resources to reduce threats and help ensure efficient responses. Chaired by the Coast Guard Captains of the Ports (COTP), the committees bring together a diverse group of port stakeholders to discuss maritime domain awareness and transportation security issues.
Committee members are appointed by COTPs. Those appointed must have at least five years of experience dealing with maritime or port security operations.
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