The Seafarers International Union over the years consistently has provided unlicensed mariners with the opportunities and skills necessary to achieve success and provide for their loved ones.Eighteen bosuns took full advantage of this offering recently and parlayed it into milestones in their respective careers. Each earned prominence as a recertified bosun.
The mariners, who comprised two different classes, received their graduation certificates in August, and December respectively, following their completion of the bosun recertification course—the highest level of vocational education available at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education to members of the deck department. The SIU-affiliated school is located in Piney Point, Md.
During the month-long course, the 18 Seafarers learned more about the industry in which they work. By their own enthusiastic acknowledgements, each now is better equipped to assume leadership roles by taking this knowledge back to their shipmates at the hiring halls and aboard individual vessels.
Those completing the class in August, and their respective home ports were: Bosuns Conrad H. Burke (New York); Riccardo Ciolino (Boston, Mass.); Roberto A. Contreras (New York); Philip Corl (Wilmington, Calif.); Richard Dobbyn (Boston); Basil D’Souza (New York); Rudolph Fraser (New York); Elkanah B. Ladia (Jacksonville, Fla.); Wilfred P. Maurice (New York); and Cecil Yearwood (New York).
The December group consisted of Bosuns Egidio Ferreira (Boston); Keller Gilyard (Jacksonville); Abdul Hassan (New York); Raphael James (New York); Matthew Sagay (Houston); David Shaw (Wilmington); Roy Tyler (Jacksonville) and Samuel Uyatede (Houston).
Besides making complimentary remarks about the instruction they received, the new recertified bosuns had high praise for the training center’s staff and facilities. Collectively, they lauded the SIU leadership for the fashion in which it is conducting the business of the union and keeping the best interests of its rank-and-file members on the front burner. Each of the graduates also offered words of encouragement to unlicensed apprentices and upgraders who are attending the school. They urged the apprentices to work hard, pay attention and to be good shipmates when they go to their first vessel. Upgraders were advised to continue taking advantage of their opportunities to enhance their skills at the school and to freely share their knowledge with others.
The bosun recertification course blends hands-on training and classroom instruction. It also includes meetings with representatives from the Seafarers Plans and various SIU departments. Topics include fire fighting and other safety training; sealift operations; the amended STCW convention; small arms; computer skills; water survival; other international maritime conventions and more.
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