For Seafarers Faith Gonse and her son, Christopher, sailing with the SIU has proven to be a resoundingly positive experience – one that holds even greater promise for the future.
They shared a milestone late last year when they received their respective B-seniority books at the hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia. It took two long trips and the accumulation of sea time in order for Faith to earn it. Chris completed three rotations to qualify.
Faith waited until both she and her son were home for vacation in December so that they could get the books together, as a family. “It was nice to take a picture with my baby,” she said.
At press time, Faith was putting her hard-earned knowledge to work, serving as a chief cook aboard an Ocean Shipholdings vessel. Chris was on the same ship, sailing as a GVA. They shared their experiences with a LOG staffer via speakerphone from their vessel in the middle of the ocean, somewhere near Japan.
Faith joined the SIU in 2021, after having her fill of working a job in another industry that she felt was leading her nowhere. The SIU proved a good fit from the start: Her first trip went so well, she encouraged Chris (then a high school senior) to join upon graduation.
He eventually took the advice after a slight detour of sorts, joining in 2022 with the hope of building a rewarding career with longevity. Initially, Chris enrolled in a community college. “I finished one year and decided it wasn’t for me,” he said.
Faith recalled that the know-how and friendliness of SIU personnel at the Norfolk hall boosted her comfort with the career change. “Once I got in there, everyone was so warm, friendly, professional and very knowledgeable,” she said. “I just felt welcome and I knew that I was going to get a lot out of being there. And I did.”
She added, “We’ve got the best patrolmen and union hall staff. I mean they just go above and beyond for everyone that I’ve seen in my short time with the union. Whenever I go in there, they get everything done that I need.”
Although they only have been with the union for a few years, they have improved their quality of life and had many great experiences together as a result of their membership with the SIU, Chris and Faith both said.
Consistent with viewing their work as a career rather than merely a job, they also have made it a point to upgrade at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Maryland. Chris most recently went to the school in early 2023 for the government vessels class, while Faith upgraded to chief cook in December.
Faith said of her class, “I had the best time! All the chefs were very knowledgeable and very willing to help. It was a great environment. I learned a lot while I was there. I can’t wait to go back and upgrade again.”
Both members of this mother-son duo have aspirations for their futures with the union. Chris plans to upgrade to the highest level possible within the engine department. “I’ll be getting as much training and as much knowledge as I can on the ships and move up from there and go as far as I can,” he said.
Faith plans to sail more trips as a chief cook, and then enroll for the next advanced galley ops class in Piney Point.
Sailing together has been a great experience for Faith and Chris, they both said. When asked which voyage that they’ve been on is their favorite, they both mentioned a trip to Australia. “It was a very nice, very unexpected visit,” Faith said. “Every port we go to together is special, but this one was especially so. We got to cross the Equator, and we never thought we’d get to visit someplace like Australia. It’s not the usual port call so it was a surprise and a bonus for us.”
“It’s a surreal moment. We got to see the Sydney Opera House in real life, from right there on the water,” Chris said.
Having the ability to work alongside your family as you travel around the world is a rare experience that Chris and Faith are both thankful to have. “It’s a blessing to have home come with you when you’re going out to sea for long periods of time. It’s about as lucky as you can get,” he said.
“With Chris upgrading and eventually going in his own direction on a different ship, it’s been really amazing having this time with him and watching him grow and watching both of us grow and travel the world together,” Faith said. “He’s my favorite person and I love him to pieces, and it’s just nice to be able to have him here and watch him grow and know that he’s going to have a good career with SIU.”
She concluded, “We’re really grateful to have this opportunity and to be part of the union. It’s an amazing organization.”
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