Mourning friends and family streamed in by the hundreds to bid farewell to Mike Nizetich as he was laid to rest on Wednesday in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. M.E.B.A.’s Executive Vice President made his final voyage last week at the young age of 48. The mass and interment that followed at Green Hills Memorial Park was heavily attended and included many M.E.B.A. officials, rank and file members and retirees who paid their final respects to the popular Nizetich. His final resting place overlooks the bustling harbor in San Pedro.

As a kid, Mike loved the outdoors, was always on the go and had great energy. He became a great surfer, skateboarder and skier. Drawing and painting was his passion. He graduated from San Pedro High in 1979 and the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School soon after. There he met his future wife Cindy who he married in 1989 in St. Michaels, MD. They had two great children – Nadia and Max. After shipping out for 16 years he was elected L.A. Patrolman. He later became the Branch Agent at the hall then Executive V.P. He was a great union man, father, husband and friend. He will be truly missed, but will always be in our hearts and minds.

The maritime industry came out in force on Thursday for the well-organized Congressional "Sail-In" that brought our important issues to over 120 lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The industry has lost important Congressional maritime champions in recent years due to retirements of lawmakers such as John Breaux, Trent Lott, Fritz Hollings and Ted Stevens. The Sail-In was designed as a step to foster new relationships with Congressional figures who have only modest awareness of maritime issues. It was also undertaken to better reinforce our friendships with lawmakers who already demonstrate an acute understanding of our industry’s importance.

Top representatives of maritime labor, shipping companies and other varied maritime interests united for the cause calling themselves the "U.S. Maritime Coalition." They came out in force – 136 strong -- and hit the Hill visiting a combined 120 Senators and Members of Congress.

Participants gathered at a House meeting room in the early morning on Thursday, coordinated the day’s schedule and heard remarks delivered by Acting Maritime Administrator David Matsuda as well as Congressman James Oberstar. They then began a marathon day of congressional appointments in 22 teams of 5-7 people. M.E.B.A. President Don Keefe’s group included Liberty President/CEO Phil Shapiro, APL Maritime President/CEO Eric Mensing, MM&P Secretary-Treasurer Don Marcus and American Maritime Congress Legislative Director Matt Dwyer. President Keefe called the event "an absolute success" and complimented its chief organizers: Maersk Lines’ Clint Eisenhauer, MIRAID’s Jim Patti, AMC’s Matt Dwyer and AMOS’ Brenda Otterson. "We all know the importance of maritime to the economy and to national security. But it’s often disheartening that many elected policymakers in Washington have less-than-passing familiarity of this vital industry. Of course, there are still many knowledgeable lawmakers on Capitol Hill that well understand our issues and fight for us, but our coalition made a broad step today in bringing maritime newcomers onboard while at the same time strengthening alliances with our longtime Capitol Hill friends."

Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo looks forward to the Sail-In becoming an annual event. "We can’t afford to let our industry become anonymous in the halls of Congress. Without their support, our livelihoods could be legislated out of existence. We’ll keep up our regular visits on the Hill and continue our support of various lawmakers courtesy of our Political Action Fund, but you can’t put a price on the Congressional push made today by this bombardment of maritime industry emissaries. Maritime Sail-In day was a real success bringing management and labor together and the diverse groups that shape our industry. Kudos go to all those who organized and participated in this great event."

Liberty President and CEO Phil Shapiro said, "She clearly is the most efficient, cleanest burning ship we have in the U.S. Flag Fleet and has the state-of-the-art modern technology that is available now…She’s a very fast ship. So she can be deployed quickly to move things from point to point," he continued.

Capt. Gary Nipper, Army transportation operations officer talked about the new ship’s importance to military operations overseas. "We are constantly having more demands overseas, the cargo; the equipment we are getting is getting bigger and stronger. With that, we need bigger and stronger vessels to carry it over there. When you're a war-fighter over there and you're waiting for your equipment to get overseas to you so you can do your job in the war on terror, it is very important..."

Highly skilled M.E.B.A. engineers and deck officers crewed up the vessel with SIU representing the unlicensed. The wife of South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn served as the ship sponsor at the ceremony hand handled the christening honors. Baltimore Branch Agent Tom Suneson attended the ceremony for the Union.

The Military Sealift Command has announced the construction of five new joint high speed vessels (JHSV) – with the first two of them to be crewed by M.E.B.A. and MM&P officers. As part of the new program, the following three vessels would be contracted out in a bid process to take place at a later date.

"Crewing the first two JHSVs with civil service mariners will give us the experience that MSC needs to best operate and maintain these new platforms," said MSC Commander Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby. "It will also give us insight into ship limitations, crew experience levels and level of management control needed to develop contracts for crewing the next three JSHVs, and will give us the most comprehensive information to determine how MSC will crew and operate these ships in the long run."

A total of 10 JHSVs are planned under the current contract, five for the Navy and five for the Army. JHSVs 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 will belong to the Navy and JHSVs 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be delivered to the Army. The Navy ships will have crews of 21, while the Army plans to have larger crews composed of soldiers.

L.A. Branch Agent Larry Young headed up the M.E.B.A. negotiation team that included Oakland Patrolman Jim Staats and Oakland Rep. Christian Yuhas. The talks were assisted by Golden Gate Ferry M.E.B.A. Masters Enid Marcus (acting shop steward), Todd Nelligan (shop steward) and Bart Hackworth.

The Golden Gate Ferry District was represented by James Swindler (deputy general manager of the ferry division), Gregory Hansard (marine superintendent) and Jerrold Schaefer (Partner, Hanson Bridgett).

The vessel will undertake its "California Maritime Academy Cruise" on June 26 leaving at 9 a.m. and returning at 6 p.m. This will enable guests to tour the CMA in Vallejo. About two hours of this cruise includes a tour of the campus and lunch in the mess hall. It will allow guests to see what it’s like to steer a ship on the Bay with the CMA’s two 360-degree Bridge simulators. There will be a live band, continental breakfast and lunch at $125 per person for the trip.

On July 17, there will be a Bay Bridge Cruise departing at 10 a.m. and returning at 2 p.m. Guests will tour the Eastern Span and hear about the past, present and future of one of the Bay area’s most recognizable landmarks. It includes 1940s music, a continental breakfast and picnic lunch at $125 per person.

Project Liberty Ship, the foundation that preserves the vessel, is a volunteer, nonprofit organization. Donations will continue to allow generations to view this historic floating museum and get a taste of how the Fourth Arm of Defense helped win World War II. Call (410) 558-0646 or visit www.liberty-ship.com  to volunteer your time, make a donation or find out more!

Be sure to inform Headquarters if you have recently changed your contact information. There is an address change form on our website to help expedite the process. You can get the form in either a .pdf or a Word document from www.mebaunion.org.  Under the "Members" tab click "Address Change." Address changes require a signature for validation along with your new information. The form can be printed out by the member or retiree, filled out completely with a signature and faxed or mailed to Headquarters. Those of you with scanners can complete the document with your signature then scan and e-mail it back to us.

Liberty Maritime is seeking résumés from Chief Engineers interested in sailing for the company. Interested individuals should send their particulars including a résumé via e-mail to personnel@libertymar.com.  You may also contact Nina Timonina at (516) 488-8800 with any specific questions about these opportunities.

Monday, June 7 – Boston; Jacksonville; Seattle;
Tuesday, June 8 – Baltimore/Calhoon School@CMES, Houston, San Francisco (Oakland);
Wednesday, June 9 – Charleston, New Orleans;
Thursday, June 10 – L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, June 11 – Honolulu.