MARINE ENGINEERS' BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO)
         "On Watch in Peace and War Since 1875"

MEBA TELEX TIMES                          JULY 14, 2006

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 28

In this issue...
WHEAT in multinational exercise...MAUNALEI delivered, christening set...KNOX activated...TAKU rescues fishermen...All packed up, we make a move and put you in your place with a truckload of oversized industry articles. Handled with care, we do the heavy lifting and unbox a fully furnished issue as we relocate you to an upscale maritime neighborhood. The Telex Times is a moving experience!

MEBA PREPO SHIP TAKES PART IN MULTINATIONAL EXERCISE
The Military Sealift Command prepositioning ship USNS LCPL ROY M. WHEAT took part in the 34th annual Baltic Operations 2006 military exercise from June 6-18. The Keystone-managed vessel is crewed with MEBA officers on deck and in the engine room.

During the exercise in which maritime forces from nine countries met in the Baltic Sea, the WHEAT was used as a critical training platform for military teams from NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. The prepo ship is part of the European theater's Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One. WHEAT played the role of a merchant vessel suspected of carrying contraband. Teams from Germany, Denmark, Poland, Russia and the United States practiced intercepting and boarding the ship via speed boats and helicopters. Once aboard, the teams searched the ship for illicit cargo. Overall, the WHEAT was boarded and searched 13 times during the exercise.

"We were amazed at how cohesive a unit the personnel from all of the nations became by the end of the exercise. Although we all hailed from different countries, we became a team," said the ship's civilian master and MEBA member Capt. Rick Jordan.

On June 14, WHEAT also trained with German, Swedish, Danish, Scottish, U.S. and Russian warships during the exercise's minesweeping scenario. Wheat posed as a ship being escorted through a "Mine Danger Area" by a convoy of U.N Peacekeeping Force warships. After being "hit" by mines during the drill, WHEAT's crew simulated containing flooding aboard ship, rescuing injured crewmen and abandoning ship.

"The ships of Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One have been regular participants in BALTOPS since the squadron was established in the mid-1980s, and particularly since being forward-deployed to the European Command area of operation since 1995," said Capt. Edward K. Zurey. Capt. Zurey commands MPSRON One, which strategically prepositions combat cargo at-sea in the event that U.S. troops need to respond to a military or humanitarian crisis in the 6th Fleet AOR. "This exercise helps NATO and Partnership for Peace nations hone their maritime interdiction skills which contribute to the overall maritime security of the region," continued Capt. Zurey. "It also helps the nations involved strengthen the already steadfast partnerships that unite us."

AKER DELIVERS LATEST MATSON SHIP/ CHRISTENING SET FOR JULY 22
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard has delivered the fourth and last of a series of newbuilds purchased by Matson Navigation. The Independence Class CV2500 containership is to be christened as the M/V MAUNALEI at a ceremony next week. The 681 foot long MAUNALEI, which means "Mountain Flower" in Hawaiian, will join Matson's fleet with three similar vessels also constructed at the yard and delivered between 2003 and 2005. Those three vessels (MANUKAI, MAUNAWILI and MANULANI) as well as the new one and all the ships in the Matson fleet are crewed by MEBA officers.

The MAUNALEI will be christened by Mary Mildred "Millie" Akaka, wife of Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii. In August, the containership will be placed into service in Matson's Hawaii-Guam-China route.

CAPE KNOX GETS ACTIVATED
The Ready Reserve Force vessel CAPE KNOX has been ordered into Full Operating Status and final preparations are being made before it sails for the Middle East. The Keystone-managed vessel is crewed by MEBA deck and engine officers and is normally berthed in New Orleans. The vessel initially received a no-notice turbo activation. Once she was crewed up and at sea, orders changed and the vessel was activated for Persian Gulf duty. At last word, the vessel was loading up key cargo in Philadelphia before making headway for the war zone.

TAKU PLUCKS UP HAPLESS FISHING BOAT CREW
MEBA members aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry TAKU helped rescue the crew of a fishing boat that was listing near Gull Island, Alaska. At 4 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, a crewmember from the fishing vessel Stella radioed the Coast Guard's North Pacific Search and Rescue Coordination Center, notifying them the vessel was taking on water, and that three crewmembers were donning survival suits.

The command center immediately issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a rescue boat and crew from Station Juneau. Meanwhile, the crew of the Stella entered their lifeboat after the water filled the engine room, causing the vessel to list to port. The AMHS ferry TAKU arrived on scene soon after. Launching their own lifeboat, they towed the Stella's lifeboat away from the rocks and brought them safely aboard the ferry. The Coast Guard rescue boat and crew arrived five minutes later, assessed the situation of the Stella and escorted the TAKU to the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. Afterwards, they interviewed the Stella's crew and determined that the operator fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vessel to hit the rocks at Gull Island, ripping a hole in the vessel.

MEBA CLOSES ON PACT FOR AMHS FERRY
Along with two other unions, MEBA has finalized an agreement with the State of Alaska to continue operations aboard the ferry M/V LeCONTE.

In March, the U.S. Coast Guard directed the Alaska Marine Highway System to operate the M/V LeCONTE in a manner that ensures that the crew gets a minimum amount of rest. The MEBA, along with the Masters Mates & Pilots and Inland Boatman's Union, has been negotiating with the state since that time.

Changes in ship operations that affect crew staffing levels require modifying existing contracts. Negotiations were headed up by MEBA's Executive Vice President Bud Jacque along with our Representative in Juneau Ben Goldrich. MEBA lobbyist Don Kubley provided valuable behind-the-scenes work.

MEMORIAL BRICK ORDERS EXTENDED
By popular demand, the MEBA Merchant Marine Memorial Foundation is extending the order date for memorial bricks from July 5th to September 5th. This is your chance to help memorialize loved ones and old conquerors of the sea that helped make this Union great.

With your contributions, the 4MF (the Memorial Foundation) continues to make meaningful upgrades to this beautiful new addition to our training school on the eastern shore of Maryland. This is an historic opportunity to take part in this lasting tribute to our Fourth Arm of Defense.

Anyone interested must complete and return a donations form and monies prior to September 5th. Please place your order now - donations are greatly needed for the maintenance of the park!! For more information and to obtain the form please visit the School's website at www.mebaschool.org and click on "What's New." You can also contact Jessica Milligan at (410) 822-9600 ext. 306 or e-mail memorial@mebaschool.org.

MEBA WORKING ON NEXT SAMSON CONTRACT
MEBA Executive V.P. Bud Jacque along with our Juneau Rep. Ben Goldrich is already plowing ahead on a new contract covering our members working for Samson Tug & Barge. Samson provides service between Seattle, WA and Alaska.

MEBA represents all crewmembers aboard the SAMSON MARINER/FAIRWEATHER. Our existing contract won't expire until next year, however the MEBA negotiating team is already in discussions with Samson President George Baggen for the next one.

FORM TO GET MD MEBA LICENSE PLATES IS ONLINE We've made it even easier for active and retired members living in the State of Maryland to get an MEBA license plate. The State recently okayed the special MEBA license plate available for cars registered in Maryland for the low, low price of $25. MEBA has placed a link to the form on our website. Go to our homepage at www.meba.us.  Once you click the scrolling license plate article at right you will be able to view what the plate looks like and will be provided a link to the form (in .pdf format). Fill out the form and send it back to Bette Doranz at Headquarters along with your $25. We expect to process the orders in the next few weeks. Call or e-mail Bette for further information at (202) 638-5355 or e-mail bdoranz@d1meba.org.

ALASKA FERRY FLEET WELCOMES BACK TONY BAXTER
Members in the Alaska Marine Highway System were happy to be rejoined by longtime member Tony Baxter who returned to work after a scary accident nearly put him out of commission. Tony was lucky to only injure his hip after tumbling down a hatch. His recovery complete, the Chief Engineer resumed his post aboard the M/V MATANUSKA. Brother Baxter is a Calhoon graduate who has put in 25 years of service with the Union. Welcome back Tony!

MINETA HAS NEW JOB, CINO IS ACTING HEAD AT DOT
Norman Mineta has landed on his feet after recently stepping down as Secretary at the Transportation Department. He announced this week that he would join Global Communications Consultancy as its Vice Chairman beginning on July 24. In that capacity he will prove to be a valuable counsel to Hill & Knowlton clients on a broad range of domestic and international issues.

Meanwhile, back at the DOT, Deputy Secretary Maria Cino is serving as the Acting Secretary until a Bush nominee for the job can be confirmed. As yet, no one has been named. Rumors had been swirling that the spot would be offered to former Kansas Governor Bill Graves. However, Graves who is the president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, insisted that he has no interest in the position.

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, August 7 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, August 8 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, August 9 - Calhoon School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, August 10 - Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, August 11 - Honolulu.

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