Seafarers Log
September 2017 The SIU in late July welcomed news of the delivery of a state-of-the-art tanker that will sail in the Jones Act trade. The American Liberty is the third of four 50,000 dwt product tankers built by Philly Shipyard (a union facility) for American Petroleum Tankers (ATP), a Kinder…
Seafarers Log
September 2017 The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan office last month conducted a series of educational conferences, and more are scheduled. The inaugural session took place Aug. 7 at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Maryland. This event was followed by conferences at…
Seafarers Log
September 2017 Two positions of great significance to the American maritime industry recently were filled. In early August, the U.S. Senate confirmed Lt. Gen. John Broadmeadow as the new deputy commander of the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). Then, on Aug. 14, Rear Adm. Mark Buzby (U.S. Navy, Ret) was sworn…
Seafarers Log
September 2017 SIU members will continue sailing aboard seven oceanographic surveillance ships, following a recent government contract award to Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. (OSI). The new operating agreement includes a series of one-year options and one shorter option that would extend it to mid-April of 2022. It covers the following vessels:…
Seafarers Log
September 2017 With the Senate’s proposed Transportation Bill approved, the Maritime Security Program (MSP) is on track to secure the the necessary funding to operate at full strength through 2018. The proposed “FY2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act” passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with unanimous…
Seafarers Log
September 2017 SIU members are reminded that they have an online option for placing orders for clinic exam services in addition to services offered at the hiring halls. As previously reported, those services may be ordered through the membersonly portal on the union’s website, www. seafarers.org. The members-only area itself…
Seafarers Log
September 2017 The Brotherhood of the Sea once again came to the fore July 22 near Galveston, Texas, when the SIU-crewed Overseas Texas City rescued five people from a capsized boat. No one was injured. “We got everything ready in no time,” recalled Bosun Lonnie Porchea. “Everybody was in position…
Seafarers Log
September 2017 Nine deck department Seafarers recently achieved the crowning triumphs of their respective upgrading careers when they graduated from the bosun recertification course at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (PHC) in Piney Point, Maryland. In recognition of their ascent to the pinnacle of the…