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Maersk Crew Members Attend Safety Seminars

June 2007

Twenty-two crew members from Seafarers-contracted Maersk Line Limited last month attended safety seminars at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (PHC) in Piney Point, Md. The Maersk group on May 9 completed the two-day class which honed as well as supplemented their individual safety skills. Among several other significant topics covered during the seminars, the mariners studied job safety analysis, risk of electrical shock, communications/leadership and harassment/discrimination. Maersk officials Capt. Robert Powell, Kim Estes and Ed Hanley, Cal Hayden, Dennis Houghton, Fred Olsen, Tom Ulrich and Dan Marsh each met with the mariners as did SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez. Additionally, Lois Stephenson and Jay Henderson of the PHC each conducted seminars. Those who successfully completed the training and the respective vessels on which they sail were: Bosuns Mark Coleman (USNS Pomeroy) , Morris Foster (USNS Altair) , Tim Girard (Maersk Alabama) , James Gregory (USNS Charlton) , Adrian Jones (USNS Pomeroy) , Steve Kastel (Meteor) , Clarence Poore (USNS Watson) , Henry Peterson (USNS Watkins) and Denyse Sineath (USNS Loyal) ; AB Francisco Bravo (USNS Denebola) ; QMEDS Donald Christian (MV Maersk Virginia) , John Collins (SL Pride) , Ralph B. Garner (USNS Pomeroy) , Jurgen Gottschlich (USNS Pollux) , Michael Kirby (SL Achiever) and Michael Seyler (USNS Denebola) ; Chief Steward John L. Gibbons (PFC James Anderson Jr.) ; and SBs Shirley E. Adkins (USNS Soderman) , Edward Banks (USNS Denebola) , Ed Collins (SL Pride) , Gerhard Schwarz (SL Quality) and Christopher Sykes (SSG Edward A. Carter). Each of the crew members was asked to complete a course evaluation form at the conclusion of their training. According to Maersk, the feedback was very positive for the entire program. Mariners said the training definitely would benefit them while performing their daily duties aboard their respective vessels. Maersk officials thanked the PHC staff for its contribution in making the entire experience a positive and successful one for the crew members. Safety training is a staple of many curriculums at the Southern Maryland-based maritime training complex. The school offers dozens of Coast Guard-approved classes concentrating on shipboard safety as well as specialized courses such as STCW Basic Safety Training (BST). ###