Seafarers Log
April 2017 The magnitude of the moment was reflected by the stature of the keynote speaker. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao delivered remarks March 3 in Beaumont, Texas, as the SIU-crewed car carrier Liberty Passion formally was welcomed into American-flag registry. SIU President Michael Sacco also spoke at a…
Seafarers Log
April 2017 An official from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) punctuated his presentation to the Maritime Trades Department (MTD) executive board with a simple but powerful message: “When somebody tells you that cargo preference is too expensive, you ask them whether or not they would prefer that a foreign government…
Seafarers Log
April 2017 Chris Lee and Michael Hebert see the Jones Act from different perspectives, but they both view the nation’s freight cabotage law as critical to America’s national and economic security. That message came through in their respective speeches to the Maritime Trades Department (MTD) executive board early last month…
Seafarers Log
April 2017 Following its christening late last year, the SIU-crewed tanker Liberty formally was delivered March 1 in San Diego. The 610-foot-long tanker, which will sail in the Jones Act trade, is the third and final ship built at General Dynamics NASSCO (a union shipyard) for SEA-Vista LLC. The first…
Seafarers Log
April 2017 In order to help mariners stay up-to-date with the latest U.S. Coast Guard requirements stemming from the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (PHC) offers numerous courses. Two of the newest classes, explained below, are…
Seafarers Log
April 2017 The first quarter of the New Year has almost felt like a blur at times, with so many efforts underway to continue promoting the U.S. Merchant Marine in the new administration. The SIU never stops working to protect your jobs and secure new ones, but even by our…
Seafarers Log
March 2017 Rank-and-file Seafarers employed at E.N. Bisso & Son, Inc. have approved a three-year contract that boosts wages and maintains benefits. The pact covers approximately 70 SIU boatmen who sail as wheelmen, deckhands and engineers. Members overwhelmingly ratified the contract during voting that took place last year from Nov.…
Seafarers Log
March 2017 SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey in late January was reappointed to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority by the Houston City Council. He was originally appointed by the council in January 2013. Port commissioners serve two-year terms without pay. Corgey serves on the…
Seafarers Log
March 2017 SIU crews from two ships have successfully completed another resupply mission to Antarctica’s McMurdo Station. The annual undertaking, called Operation Deep Freeze, provides crucial supplies to personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Coast Guard as well as Department of Defense civilians and other individuals who…
Seafarers Log
March 2017 The third and final Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation hearing into the loss of the SIU-crewed cargo ship El Faro took place over two weeks beginning Feb. 6 in Jacksonville, Florida. On each day, the board heard testimony from more than a dozen witnesses, who spoke about…