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Seafarers Stay Cool under Pressure, Deliver in Operation Deep Freeze

April 2005

Seafarers aboard the USNS Paul Buck earlier this year completed a successful voyage that was anything but run-of-the-mill. The SIU-crewed vessel delivered gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to McMurdo’s U.S. station, a scientific research facility located in Antarctica. The annual resupply mission (which includes a separate delivery of food and other stores), known as Operation Deep Freeze, takes Seafarers to Earth’s coldest, windiest location—but that doesn’t stop crew members from not only doing the job, but doing it well. “The crew of the Buck was one of the finest I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” stated Bosun Phil Corl. “The camaraderie and professionalism of every member of the crew made the voyage not only bearable but a pleasure.” Seafarers sailing aboard the Paul Buck during the resupply mission included Corl, ABs Dio Bermudez, Albert Wambach, Carlos Burroughs and Carlos Machado Gomez, QMEDs Joseph Benavente and Orlando Pajarillo, Pumpman Micah Miller, DEUs Romero Jomoc and Terry Linyear, Chief Steward Norman Jackson, Chief Cook Nathalie Norie, GSUs Adolphus Young and Ahmed Hussain and Unlicensed Apprentice John Yi. “I am, and you can be very proud of these people,” Bosun Corl noted. “They represented themselves and the union at the highest standard. We all delivered the goods.” The USNS Paul Buck is operated by Seafarers-contracted Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. MSC Credits Mariners for ‘Superlative Performance’ After the voyage, a communication from the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) praised the crew for its “superlative performance during the recent Operation Deep Freeze polar resupply mission. Operating in severe weather conditions, both ship and crew demonstrated the finest professionalism in providing critical logistical support to the men and women at McMurdo Station. “Your responsiveness and spirited cooperation with the three assist ice breaker vessels was most noteworthy and key to the success of this mission,” the MSC letter continued. “Bravo Zulu and thank you for your superb effort.” ###

Bosun Phil Corl sent these photos to the Seafarers LOG showing SIU members and other sights during the recently completed Operation Deep Freeze, the annual resupply mission to McMurdo Station in Antarctica.