Seafarers Log
In many ways, 2024 for the SIU proved uplifting, productive and promising. The exceptions were big ones, though. Throughout the year, there were more than 300 reported attacks on vessels from various nations by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. While no SIU-crewed ships…
Seafarers Log
Ahead of Thanksgiving, SIU members and officials, along with representatives from other local unions ensured that students from Julian Marrero Special Education School in Corozal, Puerto Rico, would close out their school year with a little extra holiday cheer. Representatives from the Federation of Workers of Puerto Rico (FTPR), American…
Seafarers Log
Sailing Ahead as One Crew For several months leading up to Election Day, both in this space and elsewhere, I periodically suggested that our society as a whole would do well to remember that we are ultimately on the same side, even if we differ about certain governmental policies and…
Seafarers Log
With SIU members and union representatives in attendance, Seafarers-contracted Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) on Oct. 25 conducted a naming ceremony for its newest trailing suction hopper dredge, the Galveston Island. Approximately 70 people attended the event, which took place in warm, sunny weather in Galveston, Texas. According to…
Seafarers Log
Voting started last month and will continue through Dec. 31 in the election of officers of the SIU’s Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters. Balloting is taking place at 20 SIU halls across the country. Full-book SIU members in good standing are eligible to vote in the election, which will…
Seafarers Log
Congressional candidates who received backing from the SIU’s voluntary political action fund enjoyed lots of success on Election Day. Of the 50 House of Representatives members (from a total of 435, plus four delegates) receiving support from the Seafarers Political Activities Donation (SPAD) during the 2024 cycle, 47 of them…
Seafarers Log
The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) on Oct. 28 recognized U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) with its Legislator of the Year Award “for her efforts advocating for the Great Lakes Navigation System and the American workers that ensure a resilient maritime supply chain which drives the nation’s economic base,”…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: The following news item was issued by the National Maritime Center in late October. It is available on the agency’s website and on the SIU website. Rejection of Incomplete Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) Applications During Initial Screening The National Maritime Center (NMC) will begin rejecting incomplete merchant mariner…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: The U.S Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) issued the following notice on Aug. 12. The bulletin is available on the SIU website; printed copies have been posted at the hiring halls. Additionally, the notice appears in the September LOG. Please note that as of early November, both…
Seafarers Log
The crew onboard the OSG ATB Horizon (from left to right): Kelly Marsh, Dan Doherty, Ed Putro (who also served on the negotiating committee) and Grant Fedukovich. Seafarers have approved a new three-year contract with the inland division of Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG). Members unanimously ratified the agreement in mid-August;…