Seafarers Log
At long last, I’m happy to report that I have completed my COVID-19 vaccinations. There’s no shortage of “getting back to normal” things I’m looking forward to as the year progresses, but visiting with all of my family tops the list. Vaccines are an everyday topic around the world. Personally,…
Seafarers Log
The global COVID-19 pandemic continues affecting most if not all parts of life, and it prominently figured in the respective remarks of this year’s Salute to Congress honorees. The annual event, sponsored by the Propeller Club of the United States, is considered one of the maritime industry’s most prestigious gatherings.…
Seafarers Log
Worldwide attention focused on the maritime industry in late March, as the runaway-flag vessel Ever Given became wedged tight inside the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most important shipping waterways. On March 23, the Ever Given was transiting the Suez Canal when it was caught in a sandstorm. The…
Seafarers Log
The U.S. Coast Guard on March 22 issued a change to its previously released Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MISB) 02-21, which outlined the requirement for people to wear masks while aboard vessels and at transportation hubs. The change reflects the inclusion of mask requirements at seaports and provides additional information…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: The following list of questions and answers on the mask order are provided to afford clarity to mariners with specific concerns. They were provided by the CDC and U.S. Coast Guard. Q: Does the mask order apply to all commercial maritime conveyance activity in the United States? A:…
Seafarers Log
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphatically voiced his backing of America’s freight cabotage law – and U.S. mariners – during a recent hearing on Capitol Hill. Buttigieg spoke March 25 as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee conducted a hearing titled, “The Administration’s Priorities for Transportation Infrastructure.” Rep. Kai…
Seafarers Log
How’s this for a sign of the times: Mariners from the SIU-crewed cable ship Dependable on March 21 rescued a boater in the middle of the Pacific Ocean – and the individual quickly reassured his liberators that he’d recently tested negative for COVID-19. While the pandemic added a new wrinkle…
Seafarers Log
Consistent with the goals laid out by the Biden Administration, the SIU has been leading the charge for mariners to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic. That aim became easier last month, as Biden announced that every adult in the U.S. became eligible to register for a vaccine. [caption id="attachment_713961"…
Seafarers Log
Once mariners receive their COVID-19 vaccination, they will also be given a paper vaccination record card. The card primarily serves as a reminder of when to schedule your second dose if you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, but also potentially may be used as proof of your vaccination date.…
Seafarers Log
SIU members and officials were saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of American Maritime Officers (AMO) Executive Vice President Mike Finnigan, who succumbed to a brain hemorrhage March 19 at his home in Palm Coast, Florida. He was 57. Well-known and highly regarded…