In this issue...
M.E.B.A. members get MSC honors...Upswing in piracy incidents... BRUCE HEEZEN back from Vietnam...With another edition laid to  rest, we work the graveyard shift and dig up the dirt to unearth a body of maritime work. Don't be caught dead with warmed-over newsletters that'll bury you under with stiff and lifeless industry items. We put another nail in their coffin and revive you with a spirited issue that brings the latest news to life. Make no bones about it, the die-hard Telex Times is alive and kicking!

M.E.B.A. MEMBERS RECEIVE MSC ACCOLADES
A pair of M.E.B.A. members have been honored by the Military Sealift Command for continued outstanding performance aboard two of the newer vessels in the MSC Auxiliary fleet.

Robert McManus, Chief Engineer aboard the USNS LEWIS & CLARK, was presented with the "Distinguished Career Achievement Award" by MSC, the largest employer of U.S. mariners in the world. The LEWIS & CLARK is the lead vessel in a series of newbuild T-AKE dry cargo-ammunition ships being built at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard for the MSC. It was delivered last year.

In extending the honor to Brother McManus, MSC noted, "As Chief Engineer, you are commended for your meritorious service during the new ship construction and delivery involving a particularly challenging post delivery test and trials., guarantee period, total ship survivability trials, operation evaluation, and dynamic interface testing from the period January through November 2006. Your leadership, boundless energy, can-do attitude, forethought and preplanning were instrumental in ensuring success in all phases of the new ship training and operations. Your relentless pursuit of excellence, safe operational procedures, and professionalism distinguishes you as a superior leader. As Chief Engineer, your dedication and perseverance reflect credit upon yourself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Sealift Fleet Support Command."

Another member, Trevor Darling, the 1st Assistant Engineer on the USNS SACAGAWEA, the second ship in the T-AKE series delivered this year, was also honored. MSC found this M.E.B.A. Brother worthy of the Captain Arthur L. Johnson award for inspirational leadership. MSC also commended member Frank Zingales who was also key in triumphing over a number of issues that may have prevented their vessel from coming on line so quickly.

Darling was part of the first crew of the SACAGAWEA when she was still in the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego in June 2006. The commendation noted, "During the new construction period, Mr. Darling attended literally hundreds of compartment and system inspections where he was instrumental in identifying multiple construction flaws and defects. During these inspections Mr. Darling also went to great lengths to not only mentor the junior personal assigned to him in the intricacies of new construction inspections but to assist the Shipyard personnel in determining the cause of the defect and a potential course of corrective action. As part of the new construction process Mr. Darling, together with 2nd Assistant Engineer Frank Zingales, was instrumental in reviewing hundreds of Technical Manuals and drawings for accuracy and level of completion. This worked required countless hours to review and ship check for accuracy. Because this was a new vessel Mr. Darling had to stand-up the new Safety Management System and ensure that at delivery day the vessel would be compliant and ready to operate under all applicable regulatory body guidelines and directives.

While conducting ship checks of systems in support of the Technical Manual and Drawing review, Mr. Darling and Mr. Zingales helped identify a critical flaw in the ship's piping systems. This resulted in not only ship wide corrective action but class wide remediation and wholesale changes to the Shipyard construction procedures. This critical flaw identification resulted in the prevention of major damage from premature piping system failure. Approximately 20 days before delivery, the assigned Chief Engineer who had been there since June had to separate from the vessel due to a major family emergency. This left Mr. Darling in charge of preparing the vessel for delivery until a replacement Chief Engineer arrived approximately one week before delivery. The new Chief Engineer had never seen the vessel nor sailed on its sister ship. Mr. Darling along with 2nd Assistant Engineer Zingales were the two individuals who ensured a smooth transition to MSC operation at delivery.

Mr. Darling together with 2nd Assistant Engineer Zingales were the two individuals who trained the engine department watch standers in plant operation, casualty control and proper watch standing procedures. This dedication, drive, and determination exhibited by these two individuals resulted in the vessel safely and successfully transiting from San Diego, California, through the Panama Canal and to her homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon arrival in Norfolk, Virginia the vessel was faced with another challenge as the Chief Engineer who had brought the vessel around from California, departed the vessel and was relieved by another Chief Engineer who had no experience with the vessel or its systems. This represented Mr. Darling's greatest challenge as the vessel had to complete its Final Contract Trials (FCT) for the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) in approximately 6 weeks. This was in addition to completing the Aviation Certification and Deperming of the vessel.

The Final Contract Trials were successfully completed in great part due to selfless efforts of both Mr. Darling and 2nd Assistant Engineer Zingales...Mr. Darling is to be commended for his selfless effort, exceptional engineering s{blocked}s and tireless drive in making what under normal conditions is a difficult process the success it became. Mr. Darling exemplifies the characteristics, personality, drive, determination, ability and engineering s{blocked}s that truly identify him as not only an outstanding engineer, but truly deserving of the Captain Arthur L. Johnson award.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS THIS WEEKEND
The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a reminder that daylight saving time will end at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, one week later than in recent years. Prior to this year, daylight saving time has been observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. As a result of legislation enacted by Congress in 2005, beginning this year daylight saving time begins the second Sunday of March and ends the first Sunday of November. When daylight saving time ends, clocks will be set back one hour, providing an additional hour of daylight in the morning.

Federal law does not require any area to observe daylight saving time. But if a state chooses to observe daylight saving time, it must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law. In those parts of the country that do not observe daylight time, no resetting of clocks is required. Those states and territories include Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas.

Time zones were first used in the United States in 1883 by the railroads to standardize their schedules. In 1918, Congress made the railroad zones official under federal law and assigned the responsibility for any changes that might be needed to the Interstate Commerce Commission. In the Uniform Time Act of 1966, Congress established uniform dates for daylight saving time and transferred responsibility for the time laws to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

SPIKE IN SHIP HIJACKINGS NEAR SOMALIA
A wave of recent incidents in the waters off the Somali coast is illustrating the rampant danger in that lawless part of the world. In early October, the International Maritime Bureau, which tracks piracy around the world, released a study warning of an upswing in global piracy including increased violence near Somalia. A series of recent attacks, all involving armed pirates boarding vessels in international waters, underline the severity of the situation. Up until this year there had been a steady decline in piracy as far as frequency of attacks. IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan said, "2007 has shown a complete reversal of this trend, with the number of acts of piracy already well surpassing those that occurred during the same period in 2006."

On October 17th, a general cargo vessel, the AL MARJAN, was boarded approximately fifteen nautical miles from the Somali coast and forced to anchor closer to shore. The owners of the ship have lost contact with the crew and the fate of her eight member crew is currently unknown.

A Panamanian tanker, was attacked on October 28th while sailing through the Gulf of Aden. The crew sent out a distress call, but no one was able to make contact with the vessel. Coalition forces in the area were informed and it was ascertained that the ship was hijacked and forced into Somali territorial waters. There is no further information available regarding the whereabouts of the vessel or the twenty-three crew members aboard.

On October 29th, the North Korean-flagged general cargo vessel DAE HONG DAN was attacked by a group of armed pirates shortly after discharging cargo in Mogadishu. The crew resisted the pirates and soon after, a U.S. Navy vessel in the area, the guided-missile destroyer USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS, intervened.  Five pirates were captured with two {blocked}ed during the incident. Six crew members were injured, and one remains in serious condition. The naval vessel provided emergency medical assistance to all those who were injured.

Earlier this week, the Japanese-flagged vessel GOLDEN NORI, with a cargo of benzene, was hijacked. A U.S. destroyer, the USS PORTER came to their aid and apparently destroyed the pirate skiffs tied up to the vessel. The latest news reports have alleged that the pirates are seeking to negotiate out of their current situation. The ship is anchored in Somali waters.

There have been thirteen reported hijackings off the Somali coast to date in 2007. This is nearly three times the five hijackings reported in the area for all of 2006. The IMB recommends that anti-piracy watches are maintained and that any suspicious activity or acts of piracy are immediately reported. It is strongly recommended that all vessels not calling at Somali ports maintain a distance of 200 nautical miles from this coastline.

JUDGE THROWS OUT RACKETEERING SUIT AGAINST ILA
Brooklyn District Court Judge Leo Glasser tossed out federal racketeering charges against the International Longshoremen's Association telling prosecutors that the allegations against the dockworkers union didn't meet the criteria for RICO charges. The Government's case alleged that the union had conspired with the Genovese and Gambino crime families on a series of dirty business dealings including money laundering, investment kickback ploys, election and contract bid rigging. Prosecutors will have the option to file a second amended complaint within 60 days.

The ILA, through an attorney, issued a statement hailing the court decision: "This case was based on outdated stereotypes of the ILA, was an insult to ILA members, and never should have been brought. While Judge Glasser has given the Government the right to file a new complaint, we hope that the Government will realize on reflection that the public interest is not served by further litigation."

"STUPENDOUS" J.M.W. TURNER ART SHOW AT N.G.A.
Vast numbers of prominent 19th century British painter Joseph Turner's paintings and drawings are currently on display at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Turner painted in the first half of the 1800's and many of his huge paintings are images of the sea, the English Royal Navy and merchant shipping. The Tate Museum in London, in cooperation with other prominent museums in North America, worked with the N.G.A. to assemble this gigantic show of historically significant art works. This once-in-a-lifetime blockbuster exhibit is a must-see for all mariners and art aficionados if your wanderings bring you anywhere near the District of Columbia. It is on display through January 2008.

M.E.B.A.-CREWED OCEANOGRAPHIC SHIP WRAPS UP VIETNAM ADVENTURE
A Military Sealift Command Oceanographic survey vessel managed by Horizon Lines has finished up a visit to Vietnam that allowed American and Vietnamese weather and hydrographic experts to build their relationship and coordinate technical data and information. The HEEZEN is one of the seven MSC oceanographic vessels that the M.E.B.A. crews. The ship embarks up to 27 scientists from the Naval Oceanographic Office to perform oceanographic and hydrographic survey operations.

The visit included tours for representatives of Vietnam's Hydro-Meteorological Service, and related agencies. Briefings and static displays included an overview of the U.S. Navy's oceanography program and demonstrated the value of hydrographic, oceanographic, and meteorological data in ocean prediction as well as safe and secure navigation. One of HEEZEN's embarked Hydrographic Survey Launches also conducted a shallow water survey in Da Nang's harbor and the data collected by HEEZEN's scientists was shared with their Vietnamese counterparts. Representatives from the Vietnamese Navy also found time to visit the HEEZEN.

MEMORIAL BRICKS WILL BE ORDERED NEXT WEEK
The Memorial Foundation will be placing the next order for bricks on November 9, 2007. Memorial bricks can be engraved with names of loved ones and are part of the retreat at the Merchant Marine Memorial Park located on School grounds in Easton, MD. The park is a tribute to fallen mariners. Anyone wishing to purchase a brick must complete and return a donation form and monies prior to this date. Please continue to help the cause - 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" or contact Jessica Milligan at (410) 822-9600 ext. 306. The e-mail address is memorial@mebaschool.org.

APL PORT ENGINEER NEEDED IN OAKLAND
There is an immediate opening for an M.E.B.A. technical superintendent (Port Engineer) in the Oakland, CA area with American President Lines. APL needs someone to schedule and coordinate vessel repair and maintenance for APL C11 class container ships. The company would prefer an applicant with Chief Engineer experience and/or port engineer experience.

A complete listing of job duties and other details can be obtained from M.E.B.A. officials in the Oakland Union hall. Those interested in the position can forward their resume to APL's Liner Technical Manager Frank Angelacci. He is located at 1111 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607; Phone: (510) 272-7926; Cell: (925) 766-5447; Email: Frank_Angelacci@aplmaritime.com 

FOUR WEEKS LEFT TO CAST YOUR BALLOT
Members in good standing who have not yet received a ballot and want to vote in the upcoming District election still have time. Ballots for the District election were mailed to members' homes on Saturday, September 1.

If you did not receive a ballot or if yours was lost or destroyed you need to contact the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and request a ballot in writing from: Kenneth Egger, American Arbitration Association, 230 South Broad Street, Floor 12, Philadelphia, PA 19102-4199. Phone No.: (800) 273-0726; Fax No.: (215) 985-0977, E-mail: eggerk@adr.org.  If the original ballot and duplicate ballot are both cast, neither will count. Address clarifications should also be forwarded to Headquarters and to the Plans Office.

Members have until November 30th to fill out their ballots and return them to a depository in Washington D.C. They will be collected by the Impartial Administrator and an elected rank and file tallying committee on December 3, 2007 and tabulated.

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, November 5 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, November 6 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville;
Wednesday, November 7 - Calhoon School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, November 8 - L.A., New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, November 9 - Honolulu.