Exemplifying Safety, Professionalism
On behalf of the entire union, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the SIU members who recently performed back-to-back rescues aboard two different OSG ships. Because of the widespread online reporting about those operations (not to mention our own front page), you undoubtedly are aware of at least the basic components of the story. Nevertheless, it’s a big one, and the accolades for our members and the officers are well-deserved.
Likewise, kudos are in order for the SIU crews and officers who contributed to an entire year of voyages without any lost-time injuries aboard the Maersk Line, Limited fleet. While that recent milestone didn’t pop up in as many headlines, it nevertheless is worth celebrating.
In each of these cases, the outcomes underscore both the importance of safety training and our ongoing cooperative efforts with vessel operators and other unions. We regularly team up to focus on the latest safety initiatives and to refine the related training, whether it involves courses at our affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland, or shipboard exercises.
Again, congratulations to everyone who got the jobs done – safely and professionally. Scholarships, Benefits Conferences
I also offer congratulations to this year’s recipients of scholarships provided by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP). Be sure to read the profiles of the winners elsewhere in this edition, and I know you join me in wishing all of them continued success.
The scholarship program reflects much of what the union and the Seafarers Plans are all about. Collectively, we’ve long promoted continuing education, whether that’s in the form of vocational training or academic pursuits, or both. In fact, this core belief in the value of constantly striving for improvement is a founding principle of the Paul Hall Center and its Lundeberg School of Seamanship. It is part of our very fabric.
While the SHBP scholarships are an annual item, the everyday benefits enjoyed by Seafarers and their families will be in focus beginning later this summer when we kick off a series of conferences taking place at many of the hiring halls. I encourage all members and their families to attend whichever conference is most convenient. We have conducted these types of meetings in years past, and they are packed with useful information that will help you get the most from all the benefits to which you’re entitled.
Stay in touch with your hall and keep an eye on our website and on the LOG for specific conference dates. We’re planning to start them in August and continue into early 2024.
Save the Date
Last but not least, if you’re able to join our ceremonial reopening of the Norfolk hall, I hope to see you there. Our proceedings will kick off at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25, back at our old location at 115 Third Street. We have a web page set up as a reminder and in case we have updates: https://www.seafarers.org/norfolkhall2023/
The color of the exterior bricks may be the only thing you recognize at the hall, because this has been one thorough refurbishment. I’m confident our members, retirees and their families will be pleased with the results.
Those improvements won’t be the last ones that are made to the halls. We know there’s work to be done elsewhere, and it’s firmly on our radar.
For now, I look forward to celebrating the good-as-new facility in Virginia.
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