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

MEBA TELEX TIMES                      AUGUST 04, 2006

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 31

In this issue...
GALENA BAY enters fleet...AMC's Tosi announces retirement...Connaughton confirmed...Absentee ballot info mailed...Queue up for another show-stopping performance on sale now at MEBA's theater of operations. Take a rain check on slow moving newsletters that'll have you waiting clear around the corner and give you a partially obstructed view of the news. We'll hold your place for a front row seat with our maritime box office bonanza. You're at the top of the line! Admit one to the Telex Times - that's the ticket!

SMOOTH TRANSITION AS OSG/MEBA TAKES OVER GALENA BAY
MEBA officers crewed up the latest entry into our contracted fleet as OSG Ship Management took over a 50,920 dwt, double-bottom product tanker previously bareboat chartered to SeaRiver Maritime Inc., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil. Everything went smoothly as MEBA and SIU mariners assumed control of the ship on July 5th. MEBA member Bob Fauvell, who came aboard the ship as 1st A/E, informed the Telex Times that Chief Engineer Fred Payne headed up the first complement of MEBA officers shipping out aboard the vessel. Junius Mattoon has also sailed as Chief since the vessel began operations under OSG. The ship was crewed up out of the Houston area. It is the Sister ship of the PUGET SOUND, another vessel that joined the OSG fleet after service with SeaRiver. The GALENA BAY is currently carrying gasoline between Tampa, FL and Corpus Christi, TX.

OSG is getting to welcome its first of a series of newbuilds being constructed at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. The first of the double-hulled product tankers will be called the OVERSEAS HOUSTON and is expected to be unveiled in October. MEBA engineers will serve aboard that vessel.

AMC's TOSI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
The longtime leader of the American Maritime Congress, Gloria Cataneo Tosi, has announced her intention to retire from that position effective September 1. Gloria has worked behind the scenes on Capitol Hill performing important and productive work on behalf of the Union and our contracted companies since 1981. She has been involved in the industry since 1969 when she worked for "the "First Lady of Maritime" Helen Delich Bentley who chaired the Federal Maritime Commission. She was also the Governmental Affairs Director for the International Longshoremen's Association for a five year stretch before coming aboard the AMC.

At an appreciation gathering recently at MEBA Headquarters Gloria recalled that one of her greatest satisfactions among her many achievements was the successful fight for recognition of WWII mariners that she spearheaded in the late 1980s. MEBA Pres. Ron Davis praised her as someone who has not only achieved important gains for mariners of the past but who has succeeded in protecting today's mariner with numerous beneficial initiatives.

"She has been a guardian of strong cargo preference laws with her acute knowledge and a vigilance that has helped beat back challenges to important maritime programs by foreign interests, Pres. Davis pointed out. "Gloria is someone who knows how to get things done on Capitol Hill," he continued. "There's no doubt she'll continue to be a valuable contact even after she wraps up her terrific career spent battling on behalf of our contracted companies and members."

Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.) paid tribute to Gloria on the floor of the Senate earlier this week. "I have known Gloria for many years. There has not been a significant piece of maritime legislation that has been considered by the Congress during the past dozen or so years that has not benefited from her counsel. From the Maritime Security Act of 1995, to the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, to the Maritime Security Act of 2003, and including many provisions included in other laws, she helped ensure that the U.S. maritime industry's concerns were addressed. Equally important, she ensured that the industry's concerns were understood when legislation was proposed that would have had a negative impact on the industry. Gloria is trusted as an honest voice for all of America's maritime world. She has devoted her professional life to enhancing the American fleet, improving its business opportunities, and establishing a better regulatory regime under which to operate the fleet."

Gloria broke the announcement at a Propeller Club luncheon this week featuring guest speaker Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR). Gloria also wrapped up her tenure as the President of the D.C. Chapter of the Propeller Club. AMC will steam ahead with Brian W. Schoeneman, formerly MEBA Government Affairs Director, at the helm. He joins AMC as its Acting Deputy Director with Tosi's blessing. "I am pleased to welcome Brian aboard here at the American Maritime Congress," she said. "I have worked with Brian for several years now while he has served at the MEBA. He has proven himself as both highly knowledgeable and hardworking. I am confident that he will continue his success here with us in the vital role of promoting the importance and viability of the U.S. Merchant Marine to our Nation's security, foreign policy, defense sealift, economy, trade and intermodal transportation. Before heading up Government affairs at the Union, Brian served as MEBA's Assistant Political Director. At MEBA, he was responsible for overseeing the union's political and legislative departments.

CONNAUGHTON CONFIRMED AS MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR
The Senate has approved the nomination of Sean Connaughton to be the next Maritime Administrator. The voice vote that occurred on Thursday night confirms Connaughton to the position that has been filled in an interim capacity since Capt. William Schubert stepped down from the post in February 2005. Deputy Maritime Administrator John Jamian served as Acting Administrator for over a year followed by Counsel Julie Nelson who has led the agency since May.

Earlier this week, the Senate Commerce Committee approved the Connaughton nomination along with eight others to the full Senate. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) had vowed to steer the nomination to a Senate vote before the upper chamber began its summer break and he made good on that promise. The Senate begins its recess this weekend.

Connaughton is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ('83). He served on active Coast Guard duty from 1983 to 1986. A lawyer, Connaughton also most recently served on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in Virginia as Chairman At-Large.

ABSENTEE BALLOT INFO NOW AVAILABLE AT UNION HALLS
Headquarters has mailed each of the MEBA Union halls packets with absentee ballot information that can be used in the November elections. These materials are designed to help members of the U.S. Merchant Marine participate in the U.S. general elections during 2006 and 2007 even though they may not be able to vote in person at the polls. The packets include: 2006-7 voter assistance guide books, election posters, registration and absentee ballot request forms and federal general election write-in absentee ballots.

Please encourage all MEBA members and retirees to register to vote and participate in the general election on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.

DO YOU LIVE IN MARYLAND? SHOW YOUR UNION COLORS WITH AN MEBA LICENSE PLATE!
The Union is about to put in its first order for Maryland license plates with an MEBA logo and just need a few more orders to make it happen. We've made it easy for active and retired members living in the State of Maryland to get this beautiful and novel new license plate that will help you sport your union colors proudly. 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 left 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 as soon as we get the five new applications. Call or e-mail Bette for further information at (202) 638-5355 or e-mail bdoranz@d1meba.org.

IMO LAUNCHES AWARD FOR BRAVERY AT SEA
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a new award for exceptional bravery at sea. The Award will provide international recognition for those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment. Nominations are now being invited for the 2007 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. Nominations are expected to focus on such factors as location of the incident; prevailing weather conditions; skill displayed; leadership demonstrated; determination to conduct the rescue operation; exceptional courage demonstrated; and degree of risk (to human lives and/or the marine environment) involved. The Award may also be granted posthumously.

The nominations for the Award should be made by April 15, 2007, and will be scrutinized initially by an assessment panel made up of members of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO. A panel of judges will select the winner from the shortlist provided by the assessment panel.

The winner of the Award will be presented with a medal, which will be accompanied by a certificate citing the act of exceptional bravery performed, at a special ceremony to be held, in London or elsewhere, on the occasion of World Maritime Day or another major IMO occasion.  For further information please contact Lee Adamson, Head, Public Information Services on 020 7587 3153 (media@imo.org) or Natasha Brown, External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3274 (media@imo.org).

A FEW MORE SPOTS FOR AUG. 19 STUDENT PHYSICALS
Members attending courses at the Calhoon MEBA Engineering School will have the opportunity to get a physical at the Baltimore Clinic on Saturday, August 19, 2006. Up to seven students can sign up with a few spots still remaining. Take advantage while you still can!

The School will provide transportation if needed. Those wishing to sign up can contact Laurie Swaine at (410) 822-9600, ext. 200.

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.
 

--------FINISHED WITH ENGINES---------