The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) has issued the following news item. A number of SIU-contracted companies and SIU crews were among the honorees, including those mentioned in the release: Crescent Towing (tugs Savannah, South Carolina, and Lisa Cooper) and OSG (Overseas Long Beach). Other SIU-contracted honorees included Crowley Maritime Corporation, Keystone, Intrepid Personnel & Provisioning, Ocean Shipholdings, Pasha Hawaii, Seabulk Tankers, E.N. Bisso & Son, Farrell Lines, Maersk Line, Limited, Matson, Patriot, and TOTE Services Inc.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. maritime industry publicly recognized the merchant mariners responsible for safe ship operations at the Annual Safety Awards Luncheon conducted at the Hilton Riverside Hotel on June 20, 2023. Two Hundred and Twenty-Six individuals, representing 36 companies and their subsidiaries, attended the annual industry-sponsored event where 1,242 vessels with 8,224 cumulative years of accident-free operation were recognized.
Since 1958, the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) has also sponsored the Safety Achievement Award program which recognizes outstanding feats of safety that contribute to saving a life, a ship or other property. This was the Fifty-ninth Anniversary of the program. The awards programs are open to both CSA member companies and non-member companies.
In opening remarks, CSA President Kathy Metcalf said: “CSA’s members are committed to safe operations and CSA’s involvement in safety is longstanding with our ongoing commitment to represent the industry, domestically and internationally, on safety issues encompassing every facet of ship operations. It is only fitting that an industry so focused on safety, publicly recognizes the skills and dedication of the women and men who have enabled these many years of safe operations and who are responsible for actions in keeping with the highest traditions of the sea – aid to those in peril.”
Three vessels received Citations of Merit: the OVERSEAS LONG BEACH of OSG Ship Management for the rescue of twelve Cuban migrants who were at sea for twelve days with little food or fresh water; crew members acted as translators and caretakers providing medical aid, food, supplies and compassion for several days until the survivors disembarked off Key West; the SAVANNAH AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA of Crescent Towing which, acting together, prevented a maritime safety and environmental catastrophe on the Mississippi River when they responded to a breakaway by a berthed bulk carrier due to the strong currents, heading uncontrolled for a nearby petro-chemical dock; the crews of the Savannah and South Carolina in darkness expertly and calmly navigated the charging current, lack of communication with the bulk carrier and parted mooring lines to bring the bulk carrier under control and into a nearby anchorage.
Three Letters of Commendation were awarded, to the M/V LISA COOPER of Crescent Towing, the M/V BILL ATKINSON of Canal Barge Company, Inc. and the SAVANNAH of Crescent Towing.
The Chamber of Shipping of America represents U.S.-based companies that own, operate or charter oceangoing tankers, container ships, and other merchant vessels engaged in both the domestic and international trades and other entities that maintain a commercial interest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels. Membership inquiries may be directed to the President of CSA, Kathy Metcalf at [email protected]
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