The rebirth of the U.S.-flag deep sea cruise ship industry continued June 17 as the SIU-crewed Pride of America was christened in New York City.In many ways, the afternoon proved glorious. The stirring ceremony, the magnificent ship, the pleasant weather and the appreciative crowd combined to make the christening memorable.
For the SIU, the Pride of America means more new shipboard jobs along with the bolstering of an important sector of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Both SIU President Michael Sacco and U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, who served as the vessel’s godmother, addressed the latter point in their respective remarks at the christening.
Also addressing the audience (consisting of hundreds of guests and some crew members) were NCL America President and CEO Colin Veitch, Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri Lim Lok Thay, and U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Thomas Gilmour.
“NCL America is a huge success story,” Sacco stated. “Working in partnership with the shipboard employees and their unions, NCL America has led the rebirth of the deep sea U.S.-flag cruise ship industry. I’m proud that we are crewing the Pride of America with the best-trained and safest professionals in the world.”
He also offered thanks to Secretary Chao and the administration “for helping make this ceremony possible. Your steadfast support of the U.S. Merchant Marine is vital to America’s national and economic security, whether we’re talking about the cruise-ship sector or commercial cargo ships or civilian-crewed military support vessels. They’re all part of the merchant marine, and they’re all good for America.”
A longtime backer of the U.S. Merchant Marine, Chao gave the keynote address and christened the ship. She pointed out that the Pride of America is the largest U.S.-flag cruise ship ever built (921 feet long, with 15 decks and a passenger capacity of more than 2,100) and “the first newly constructed oceangoing U.S.-flag cruise ship in 50 years. It will provide thousands of jobs for American workers.”
She further noted that both the Pride of America and NCL America’s first ship, the Pride of Aloha, “will be joined next year by the Pride of Hawaii. These three ships will employ nearly 4,000 American seafarers.”
Tan Sri Lim Lok Thay said that the vessel was built at a cost of $400 million—mountainous evidence that the company has “committed ourselves to the rebuilding of a vibrant U.S.-flag sector” of the industry. He also credited the crew members for their outstanding work and noted, “We are in this for the long haul.”
Gilmour conveyed his congratulations on the christening and complimented the company and the mariners for their commitment to shipboard safety. He pointed out that modern safety regulations set high standards for vessel and crew alike, and said he is confident that the Pride of America will continue meeting those standards.
Veitch called Sacco “our strongest supporter and partner.” He also complimented the crew, describing them as “professional, ready and raring to go.”
One of the ceremony’s highlights took place when Veitch introduced (en masse) crew members from various departments, who then walked from the deck above the stage down the stairs and through the applauding crowd.
Recertified Bosun Dan Marcus, who joined the SIU 33 years ago, told the Seafarers LOG, “This is a historic time for the U.S. maritime industry, and this crew is one of the finest I’ve ever sailed with. Everyone has gone the extra two miles. We know how important it is for the membership to have these jobs, and we’re committed.”
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