Seafarers Log
February 2017An SIU-crewed vessel was in the news in mid-December during a brief but tense incident that sparked international headlines along with a social-media comment by then President-Elect Donald Trump. On Dec. 15, the USNS Bowditch was performing part of a planned scientific mission in the South China Sea.…
Seafarers Log
February 2017The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation has scheduled the final hearing on the loss of the SIU-crewed El Faro to begin on Feb. 6 in Jacksonville, Florida. This third hearing will examine additional data included in the investigation, primarily the information gathered from the retrieval of…
Seafarers Log
February 2017 The AFL-CIO’s Maritime Trades Department (MTD) recently hosted a presentation by New York Times investigative reporter Ian Urbina, who in 2015 wrote an exhaustive, in-depth series of articles covering crime and lawlessness on the ocean, particularly in Southeast Asian waters. During the Jan. 10 gathering in Washington,…
Seafarers Log
February 2017SIU President Michael Sacco underscores the long, effective partnership between the U.S. Merchant Marine and our nation’s military personnel Secretary of Transportation nominee Elaine Chao made a vital point about the U.S. Merchant Marine’s role in supporting our troops during her confirmation hearing in the United States Senate.…
Seafarers Log
February 2017During her confirmation hearing Jan. 11 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Elaine L. Chao voiced strong support for the U.S. Merchant Marine and the Jones Act. A longtime backer of the American maritime industry, Secretary Chao – the Transportation Secretary designee – stated…
Seafarers Log
February 2017The latest chapter in the union’s rich tradition of supporting America’s military members eloquently was penned during the 2016 Christmas holiday season at the Port of Tacoma, Washington. And some chapter it was, as Seafarers continued their philanthropic practice of backing the annual Santa’s Castle Project. Santa’s Castle…
Seafarers Log
February 2017The domestic fleet of SIU-contracted ships got a boost before the New Year with the christening of a tanker on the West Coast. On Dec. 17, union shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO christened the Liberty, the third ECO Class tanker under contract with SEA-Vista LLC (following the Independence and…
Seafarers Log
January 2017New Tonnage Every Month Punctuates Year of Remembrance The year 2016 saw an abundance of new, SIU-contracted tonnage enter the American-flag fleet, signaling job security for Seafarers. Every month of 2016, at least one vessel was either christened, delivered or reflagged under the Stars and Stripes. Most of…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 Seafarers from four vessels were honored late last year during the United Seamen’s Service’s annual Admiral of the Ocean Seas event in New York. Earning recognition were the mariners from the MV Ocean Glory, MV Maersk Kentucky, MV Courage, and USNS Mercy, respectively. The Ocean Glory and Kentucky…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 The American maritime industry has applauded the nomination of Elaine L. Chao as the next United States Secretary of Transportation. Chao, who most recently served as Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush, is also a former Deputy Administrator of the DOT’s Maritime Administration, former Chair of…