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

MEBA TELEX TIMES               DECEMBER 29, 2006

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 52

In this issue...
M.E.B.A.-crewed oiler rescues fishermen...Support Project Liberty ship...Horizon elects Mineta to Board...We rise to the occasion and reach for the sky with a towering issue of lofty maritime news. Going above and beyond to elevate you to a higher news level, we give you a lift with a newsletter that soars to new heights. A real pick-me-up, the Telex Times will never let you down!

M.E.B.A.-CREWED MSC OILER RESCUES FILIPINO FISHERMEN
The crew of the Military Sealift Command oiler USNS RAPPAHANNOCK rescued three Filipino fishermen found clinging to their overturned boat off the coast of the Philippines on Dec. 19.

RAPPAHANNOCK, crewed with M.E.B.A. civilian mariners, was operating in the South China Sea when the ship's crew spotted flashing lights from a small, overturned vessel just minutes before midnight. The fleet replenishment oiler deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat to pull the three fishermen from the rough waters. Once aboard the MSC ship, the rescued men were examined by medical personnel, clothed and fed. All three were reported uninjured. The men were transferred from the ship to authorities at Subic Bay. "It's like a miracle. They were all lucky to survive for several days," said Jeremy Guida, one of 85 civil service mariners who crew RAPPAHANNOCK.

At the time of the rescue, the MSC ship was conducting routine replenishment operations in the area.

HORIZON LINES BRINGS MINETA ON BOARD
Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that its Board of Directors has voted to elect former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta to its Board effective January 1, 2007. Mineta fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Admiral James Holloway (USN-Retired) from the Horizon Lines Board.

Mineta, 75, is currently Vice Chairman of Hill & Knowlton, one of the world's premier communications consultancies. His distinguished career includes 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the heart of California's Silicon Valley, the chair of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission and cabinet service under the last two United States Presidents. Mineta was the longest serving Secretary of Transportation in the history of that cabinet post and also served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton.

Horizon Chairman and CEO Chuck Raymond has worked closely with Mineta, particularly from May 2001 through May 2004 during which period Raymond served as the inaugural Chair of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council. "Norm Mineta has a wealth of knowledge of our nation's commercial opportunities as well as the strengths and opportunities in our national transportation system," Raymond said. "He will be an invaluable source of energy and guidance as we look to the future."

"I am pleased to be able to work with Chuck Raymond, my fellow Horizon Lines board members and management to help the company address the future," Mineta said. "As Secretary of Transportation I was keenly aware of the progress Horizon Lines has made since its separation from CSX Corporation in 2003. In my view Horizon Lines is the best in its class and is capable of filling a number of the needs of our national transportation system."

Mineta adds "star" power to the Horizon team which was recently joined by Gen. John Handy, formerly Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, who serves as Horizon's Executive Vice President.

DUES LAGGARDS WILL BE DROPPED
Any member or applicant two or more years in arrears on their dues and/or service charges will be put under review by the District Investigative Committee and WILL BE DROPPED from the membership or applicant rolls. If you are in arrears and desire to retain your membership or applicant status, you must contact Headquarters immediately to make payment on your arrearage to return to good standing.

CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PROJECT LIBERTY SHIP
Copies of Project Liberty Ship's 2007 calendar are still available and going fast as the New Year approaches. This non-profit organization dedicates itself toward the preservation of the SS JOHN BROWN, one of only two World War II Liberty Ships that are still operational. The ship is berthed in Baltimore, MD. Project Liberty Ship is an all volunteer organization with no paid staff that raises money to keep the BROWN seaworthy. Many M.E.B.A. retirees dedicate their time and efforts for the cause. The calendars are one way the Project raises money - you can order yours immediately by calling them at (410) 558-0646 or visiting the website at www.liberty-ship.com. 

Other activities promoting the Project are the Living History Cruises. These six-hour "Voyages into History" are staged periodically and feature at-sea reenactments of an enemy aircraft attack, ship tours, barbershop and 1940's Big Band music, military re-enactors and a lunch buffet among other treats. Three such voyages are scheduled and a special Veterans' day trip is planned in November. The first of these living cruises is set for May 19. Get your tickets now by giving them a ring or visiting the website for additional information.

PELOSI TO BE HONORED WITH CITY BLOCK NEAR BALTIMORE UNION HALL
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to be elected Speaker of the House, will have a city block in Baltimore dedicated to her next week. A native Baltimorean, Pelosi is very familiar with the M.E.B.A. Union hall in Baltimore having grown up two blocks from our space on Eastern Avenue in Little Italy on Albemarle Street. On Tuesday, the 200 block of Albemarle Street will be renamed "Via Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi." Pelosi is the daughter of Baltimore Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. The renaming will take place at Albemare and Fawn Street at 3:30 on that day. M.E.B.A. Branch Agent Bill McHugh will be in attendance as well as Rep. Pelosi and her brother Thomas D'Alesandro III (who also served as Baltimore Mayor). Current Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, who will be sworn in as Maryland Governor on January 18, will also be in attendance.

CONTINUED REMINDER ON OILY WATER AND RECORD BOOKS
All Officers are again reminded to make sure they are in compliance with all rules and regulations with respect to pumping of oily water and slops. Officers must make sure they continue to keep accurate records in all Official Log Books including the Oil Record Book. All machinery that has the capacity to pump bilges and oily slops must be operating properly, including the oily water separator.

STRINGENT BALLAST WATER REGS GO INTO EFFECT IN MICHIGAN
Stringent rules regulating ship ballast water that go beyond national standards are set to go into effect in Michigan on January 1. The regs are designed to reduce the number of non-native, invasive species in Michigan waters. The rules will require oceangoing vessels to have a permit from the state in order to use its ports. The permit will be issued only to those able to demonstrate that they will not discharge aquatic invasive species into state waters. Similar laws are being considered in a handful of other states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Indiana. However, legal challenges are expected to the new law since it appears that many fleet operators would need to install new equipment, retrofit existing infrastructure, and train personnel to comply. As those in the industry know, ballast water is known to harbor many species of aquatic plants and animals and is often loaded hundreds or thousands of miles from the site where it is discharged. This can spread non-native species into areas where they have never before been found. Particularly aggressive species, termed "invasive," can damage the surrounding environment and compete with native species for food and habitat. The Great Lakes are now home to more than 160 non-native species, with approximately ten percent of these, including the zebra mussel, causing billions of dollars in damages.

The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards shoulder the burden of keeping aquatic invasive species out of the Great Lakes. They require oceangoing ships carrying ballast water to either exchange the water offshore, or keep it onboard. Of the roughly 500 ocean-going vessels entering the Great Lakes in a year, about 90 percent are exempt from these regulations because they are cargo-laden and report no ballast onboard (NOBOB). NOBOB vessels must submit ballast water reporting forms and are encouraged to flush their ballast tanks mid-ocean (swish and spit) but they may still carry residual water or sediments into the Great Lakes.

By ratifying the new bill, Michigan legislators indicated dissatisfaction with the efficacy of mid-ocean ballast flushing and endorsed four ballast treatment systems considered experimental by many experts. Among Michigan ports, Detroit and Menominee could be most affected by the new law since they handle the majority of saltwater ships in the state. However, the number of ships is very small since most of the salties on the Great Lakes are bound for Canadian ports and terminals in other states. To date, no shipping companies have applied for a Ballast Water Control General Permit from Michigan -- although there is still time, since the oceangoing shipping season doesn't begin until late March.

AUTHOR TRYING TO CONTACT SS UNITED STATES, SS AMERICA CREWMEMBERS
Maritime author Larry Driscoll is interested in interviewing former crewmembers of the S.S. UNITED STATES and S.S. AMERICA who have some good stories to share. He is also trying to research additional information about the maiden voyage of the S.S. UNITED STATES in July of 1952. Feel free to contact him at elaurens@yahoo.com, phone (315) 568-9698 or drop him a note at 5 Leland Dr Seneca Falls NY 13148.

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday January 8 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, January 9 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, January 10 - Calhoon M.E.B.A. School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, January 11 - Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, January 12 - Honolulu.

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