SIU members are working aboard the Badlands Trader, a tanker that reflagged to United States registry April 17 in Piraeus, Greece.
U.S. Marine Management, Inc. (USMMI) is operating the ship for Maersk Line, Limited.
Built in 2016 in South Korea, the Badlands Trader is 600 feet long and has a deadweight tonnage of 50,034. According to a USMMI spokesperson, the ship will replace the Maersk Michigan – though, at press time, the latter vessel remained in service.
The first SIU crew members on the Badlands Trader included Recertified Bosun Basil D’Souza, ABs Faustino Cosby, Yoland Legaspi, Dean Diaz Sr., Donovan Armstrong and Richard Diaz Jr., Pumpman Tousif Khan, QMEDs Christopher Eason and Anson Johny, Steward/Baker Alba Ayala, Chief Cook Khalid Mohamed and GVA Desiree Wilson.
“The crew is awesome,” said USMMI Risk Manager Henly Ervin. “Everyone stepped up and did an outstanding job to ensure a smooth reflag and certificate of inspection.”
Diaz stated, “It’s a nice ship – a simple layout, nice and roomy as far as tankers go.”
He added, “As far as the vessel’s condition, she was foreign-flag, so she needs a little TLC, but it shouldn’t take much to get her looking good. We’re bringing the living conditions up to what U.S. mariners are accustomed to.”
Armstrong said he appreciates the chance to assist with a reflag.
“This is only my third ship and it’s my first trip as an AB,” he said in early May. “It’s a learning experience for the whole crew, but I’m personally really grateful to go through a reflag this early in my career. It has been unique and eye-opening.”
Armstrong added that he expected the vessel to continue its shipyard period for at least a few more weeks.
“We’ve been getting deliveries of stores and supplies almost every other day,” he stated. “We got 13 pallets’ worth of stuff today, including some TVs, and everything is coming along.”
While there is plenty of work on the ship, the crew also has enjoyed time ashore- and they appreciate the strong internet connectivity that has been available since the reflag, Armstrong noted.
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