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

MEBA TELEX TIMES           NOVEMBER 14, 2008

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 46

In this issue...
AOTOS awards...MarAd study on oil prices favors water-based transport...TWIC & piracy news...Choo-choo! Coming at you like a locomotive, we get you stoked and keep chugging along in an express, station-to-station issue with all the maritime bells and whistles. Don't lose steam and blow your stack over pain-in-the-caboose newsletters that derail your train of thought. Those hobo-hauling runaways are asleep at the switch! All Aboard!! Putting you on the right track, the Telex Times is "the little engine that could!!!"

M.E.B.A. MARINERS HONORED AT AOTOS AWARDS
M.E.B.A. mariners were among the honorees at this year's Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) award ceremony held in New York City last Friday.

The United Seamen's Service hosts the prestigious event and selected three new Admirals who have made outstanding contributions to the industry. This year's Admirals include James Capo, Chairman & CEO of U.S. Maritime Alliance, Ltd., and Michael Garvey, a Founding Partner and Past Chairman of Saltchuk Resources, Inc. A special AOTOS Award was given to General Norton A. Schwartz, USAF, former Commander of the United States Transportation Command and now USAF Chief of Staff. All proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad for the U.S. Merchant Marine and those of other free world countries.

Six seafarer awards were handed out to officers and crews of vessels who have particularly distinguished themselves aboard ship or participated in dramatic rescues at sea in the past year. Three Military Sealift Command ships, with M.E.B.A. officers aboard, were honored in this portion of the program. Representatives from the hospital ships USNS COMFORT and USNS MERCY and Maritime Prepositioning Ship USNS GYSGT FRED W. STOCKHAM were on hand to receive AOTOS Mariner's Plaques in recognition of humanitarian assistance and life-saving efforts.

The masters and crews of the hospital ships USNS COMFORT and USNS MERCY received special Humanitarian Service Recognition Mariner's Plaques for their respective four-month humanitarian deployments to Latin America and the Caribbean in 2007 and Southeast Asia and the Pacific in 2008. The extraordinary support provided by each ship's 68 civil service mariners enabled deployed medical personnel to treat a combined total of more than 188,000 patients in 17 countries.

MERCY's and COMFORT's civil service mariners made these historic missions possible by safely navigating the 894-foot ships in challenging coastal waters and undeveloped ports, transporting thousands of patients and mission personnel between ship and shore in small boats and providing a reliable supply of electricity and fresh water to the ships' hospitals.

COMFORT's civil service master Capt. Edward Nanartowich and MERCY's civil service master Capt. Robert Wiley - accompanied by MERCY Chief Engineer Joseph Watts - each accepted the plaques on behalf of their crews. COMFORT's Chief Engineer for the deployment, Douglas B. Puritis, was at sea and unable to attend the ceremony.

The ship's officers and crew of the Keystone-operated USNS STOCKHAM received a Mariner's Plaque for their rescue efforts during Typhoon Fengshen off of Sibuyan Island and Panay Island in the Philippines June 23 through July 3. The STOCKHAM's helicopters and inflatable boats were deployed and, along with Navy divers, they aided the Philippine Coast Guard in a 34-hour, 17,000 square mile search that resulted in saving 43 people from an 849 passenger ferry capsized by the huge waves. STOCKHAM's M.E.B.A. master Capt. Perry Seyler, who helped direct rescue operations, was present at the ceremony to accept the award.

Another M.E.B.A. crewed ship, the LIBERTY STAR, was involved in another of the seafarer awards. The Bosun aboard that vessel, Scott Heginbotham, took decisive action in assisting an engineer who was in harm's way once a subcontractor aboard the ship mistakenly discharged CO2 gas in the engine room. Realizing the 1st A/E would be affected, Heginbotham put on a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, located the engineer and placed an Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus on him. He then administered chest compressions to ensure that the engineer was saved. Heginbotham was presented with an AOTOS Mariner's Rosette for his heroism.

Finally, the crew of the Alaska Marine Highway system fast ferry CHENEGA was awarded an AOTOS Mariners' Plaque for a rescue that took place near Whittier, Alaska in June. The M.E.B.A. and MM&P officers worked in conjunction in locating three persons struggling in the chilly waters after their 22-foot pleasure boat was overcome by waves. Within three minutes, CHENEGA's rescue boat crew sped to the boaters and saved two men and an eight-year old boy who were clinging to debris to remain afloat. MM&P Capt. Sam Daniels accepted the award on behalf of his crew including Chief Engineer Bob Keene and others who were instrumental in the rescue. The same officers and crew participated in another rescue in September that saved the lives of four kayakers who had been surprised by a fast developing storm. The crew again worked in tandem to deliver the struggling souls to safety aboard the CHENEGA.

"Seafarers are often considered the fourth arm of defense, but they do not often get the recognition," said United Seamen's Service executive director, Roger Korner. "So when seafarers get an AOTOS award, they are so proud. It allows them to emerge to the forefront."

FORMER HONOLULU REP. SAILS INTO THE SUNSET
Tom Park, who served as our Representative in Honolulu for 21 years, sailed into the sunset in late October at the age of 84. Tom had been living on the Big Island in Hawaii growing avocados and enjoying his retirement. He sailed for years as an engineer with the Union, including during World War II, before manning the Honolulu hall in 1970. Tom had also served as a Honolulu police officer. Brother Park is survived by his sons Robert, Russell, Radford and Kaulana; daughters, Puamana "Kimmie", Soonie "Mikiala"Park-Ledbetter and Soo Whan "Pumehana"Cullen; 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

HEARD AT THE HEAD - SHORESIDE SCUTTLEBUTT
MSC's Military Sealift Fleet Support Command had a dedication ceremony recently marking the establishment of their new headquarters complex on Naval Station Norfolk. At the ceremony, a beautiful black granite and brick monument 10 feet in width was unveiled paying tribute to civil service mariners who have served with such patriotic distinction. The monument depicts civil service mariners awaiting their next underway replenishment customer...Coast Guard Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, told the M.E.B.A that 1st A/E Steve Burock has been promoted to Chief Engineer aboard the Army Corps Dredge YAQUINA and 1st A/E Dave Paquet was promoted to Chief Engineer aboard the Dredge ESSAYONS...M.E.B.A.'s Government Fleet Representative Randi Ciszewski has new contact information. She now can be reached by e-mail at randic@d1meba.org and called at (202) 841-4252. Make a note of it!!

MARAD SAYS OIL PRICES MAY ENCOURAGE SHIFT TO WATER, RAIL
Oil prices have fluctuated dramatically over the past six months, and were, at one point recently, more than twice what they were five years ago. In order to understand the impact of oil prices on transportation markets and their logistics chains, the Maritime Administration sponsored a study that reviewed U.S. and international forecasts of potential oil prices and assessed how higher fuel prices would affect different modes of transportation.

The study found that the more fuel-efficient modes, such as water and rail, are less affected by rises in oil prices than trucking, particularly over long distances. The study also provides separate analyses of major freight corridors, and looks at the potential for increased use of Great Lakes, Mississippi River, and coastal services. The study is available on the Maritime Administration web site, www.marad.dot.gov.

TSA/CG BULLETIN CLARIFYING USE OF "PROTOTYPE" TWIC CARDS
In 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began issuing prototype TWICs to transportation workers in approximately 34 locations nationwide to evaluate their use in the maritime mode. The prototype TWICs were issued through 2006. The testing and evaluation period for the TWIC prototype ended in 2006. On January 25, 2007, TSA and the Coast Guard issued a joint rulemaking for implementation of the TWIC program in the maritime sector. Enrollments for TWIC began in October 2007 and all transportation workers applying for TWIC will be issued an updated version of the TWIC. Compliance for the TWIC program is being phased-in by Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone.

The first grouping began October 15, 2008, where a valid TWIC is required to gain unescorted access to secure areas of a facility. By April 15, 2009, all facilities, outer continental shelf (OCS) facilities, vessels, and merchant mariners must be in possession of a valid TWIC to gain unescorted access. A prototype TWIC is NOT considered a valid TWIC and therefore unescorted access may NOT be given to an individual presenting a prototype TWIC. Questions or comments related to the Informational Bulletin should be directed to your nearest Coast Guard COTP.

MARAD ADVISORY ON ANTI-PIRACY DISTRESS CALLS
The Maritime Administration has issued a new advisory to mariners regarding piracy distress calls procedures for commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden. When in distress, it is advised that a call for help should be made on VHF-16 and MF/HF DSC. In addition, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) should be called at +971-50-552-3215 or e-mail at ukmto@eim.ae.  If UKMTO isn't available, the Maritime Liason Office in Bahrain can be called at +973-3940-1395 or e-mailed at marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil.  MarAd also reminds mariners to activate the Ship Security Alert System in such cases.

For further information regarding the MarAd advisory, contact Mr. Rawlins, Maritime Administration, Office of Security, Code: MAR-420, Room W23-440, 1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590, Telephone 202-366-5524, Fax 202-366 -3954 or email maradsecurity@dot.gov.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, December 8 - Boston, Jacksonville, Seattle;
Tuesday, December 9 - Baltimore, Houston, San Francisco;
Wednesday, December 10 - Calhoon School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, December 11 - L.A., New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, December 12 - Honolulu.

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