As part of the expansion of the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP) fleet, the union recently welcomed three newly reflagged vessels added by SIU-contracted American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier (ARC).SIU President Michael Sacco; Gen. Norton Schwartz; Gen. John Handy; and ARC Integrity in Baltimore, one of the company’s three new additions. The others are the Courage and the Honor.
Other SIU officials and members as well as students from the union’s affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education also attended the ceremony.
Schwartz, the newly appointed commander of TRANSCOM, delivered the keynote address. He called the growth of the MSP “a critical expansion of our nation’s maritime capability.”
He also noted that the military “relies heavily on our commercial partners and associated labor organizations…. This increase in fleet size plays a critical role in expanding our U.S. mariner base.”
Additionally, he pointed out that Operation Iraqi Freedom has reinforced the fact that the “vast majority” of materiel is moved via sealift.
Handy, who recently retired as head of TRANSCOM, said that the fleet’s growth is important to the nation. “Thousands of jobs for American seamen means that when we need seafarers to man our military ships, they will be there,” he told the audience of approximately 300 people. “Reflagging these ships (under the Stars and Stripes) is the right thing to do.”
Ebeling described the event as “an unprecedented day in American maritime history. No one has ever brought more tonnage under the U.S. flag than we are today.”
He then provided insight regarding the work involved in preserving and growing the MSP. In so doing, he called Sacco and Handy two of the “fathers” of the program.
Ebeling also cited support from the Defense Department for U.S.-flag shipping; the “virtually unprecedented” partnership among maritime labor and businesses working to increase the fleet; and the “team of great Americans that make ARC work,” including the SIU crew members.
Sacco declared that the growth signaled good news not only for the industry, but for the entire nation, “Because what’s good for the U.S.-flag fleet is good for the United States of America.”
He credited Ebeling and Handy for their respective efforts and also welcomed Schwartz, who already has voiced his strong support for the U.S. Merchant Marine.
“When you put all of these pieces together, you’ve got a genuine success story,” the SIU president continued. “You’ve got an expanded MSP that is bringing new tonnage into the American-flag fleet and new jobs to this nation. You’ve got a company that already has been very active in supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. You’ve got top military leaders who understand the importance of U.S.-flag sealift and the value of American mariners. And you’ve got a union in the SIU that is extremely proud to serve as part of this country’s fourth arm of defense.”
He reminded the audience that Seafarers are “out there right now, sailing aboard military support ships in the Middle East in support of our armed forces. Our members are the best-trained seafarers in the world. They’re safe, they’re reliable, they’re courageous—and just as importantly, they love their country. That’s who mans the MSP fleet and the other American-flag ships that support our troops: SIU members —and other U.S. mariners—who are proud to deliver the goods.”
Before and after the ceremony, Seafarers aboard the Integrity said the ships are welcome additions not only because they bring new jobs, but also because the vessels themselves are first rate.
“It really is state-of-the-art,” said Bosun Carl Pedersen
QMED Mike McQueary said the ship has “great layout and creature comforts.”
The ship normally will sail between U.S. East Coast ports and overseas locations that may include Antwerp, Bremerhaven and Southampton.
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