Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: This is the sixth installment from a 1951 booklet titled “The Seafarers in World War II.” Penned by the late SIU historian John Bunker, the publication recapped SIU members’ service in the War. More than 1,200 SIU members lost their lives to wartime service in the U.S. Merchant…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers-contracted TOTE Maritime Alaska recently commemorated its 45th anniversary of providing service between Washington State and Alaska. “TOTE Alaska has a proud history of serving the people and communities of Alaska,” TOTE Alaska President Grace Greene said in a statement. “Driven by a commitment to excellence, we have consistently worked…
Seafarers Log
A NY Waterway ferry crew aboard the Empire State rescued a man from the Hudson River on Aug. 27, which is the third rescue in four years that SIU members Capt. David Dort and Deckhand Gregorio Pages have performed while on their ferry route. This was the first water rescue…
Seafarers Log
When applications arrived for this year’s Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) scholarship program, one might say the selection committee faced a proverbial “nice problem to have.” There were so many well-qualified applicants, the committee in early September designated an additional 2020 award – for QMED Charles Toliver Jr., who…
Seafarers Log
Beginning in late July, SIU mariners once again answered the nation’s call by crewing up a large number of Ready Reserve Force (RRF) and surge sealift vessels on very short notice. As explained by SIU Vice President of Contracts and Contract Enforcement George Tricker, “As directed by agreement with the…
Seafarers Log
There are a few main reasons why it costs so much to live in the Aloha State, but the Jones Act isn’t one of them. That’s the conclusion of a recent study by economists from Boston-based Reeve & Associates (reported in detail in last month’s LOG). Co-author John Reeve amplified…
Seafarers Log
An enthusiastic U.S. Merchant Marine supporter recently received a prestigious honor from the nation’s premier domestic maritime coalition. The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), to which the SIU is affiliated, on Aug. 18 announced it is honoring U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Virginia)…
Seafarers Log
They may not have been Seafarers, but Jack Martorelli and Robert Chiesa were supportive of the SIU for decades, and undoubtedly were well-known to many union members. The SIU was saddened to learn that both men recently passed away – Martorelli on Aug. 27,…
Seafarers Log
Election Day Approaches I don’t have to tell you that Nov. 3 isn’t far off. Make sure you’re registered to vote, and, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may want to consider absentee balloting this time around. Of course, many of our members utilize absentee or early voting…
Seafarers Log
Weighing the potential long-range effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. security, two maritime experts said the country desperately needs to bolster its commercial fleet and the corresponding manpower pool. Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby (left) and Navy League VP Jonathan Kaskin advocate for the U.S. Merchant…