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

MEBA TELEX TIMES           DECEMBER 12, 2008

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 50

In this issue...
Aker lays keel of latest M.E.B.A. ship...New fax numbers for Oakland hall...Delinquent applicants dropped...Renovation done in Wilmington...In an undead, Dracula-loving edition, we feed your insatiable bloodlust for "Type A' maritime news in a humorous vein. Put a stake through the hearts of batty, pain-in-the-neck newsletters that bleed you dry. We defang those suckers and take a bite out of them in a vamped-up, shape-shifting issue that goes for the jugular. You can really sink your teeth into the Telex Times!

AKER LAYS KEEL OF NEXT OSG PRODUCT TANKER; REPORTS PROGRESS
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard held a traditional keel laying this week for the eighth MT-46 Veteran Class product tanker being constructed at the yard - to be called the OVERSEAS MARTINEZ. When completed, the vessel will join its seven other sister ships and be sold to American Shipping Company and bareboat chartered to OSG America. Like the others in these series, the vessel will be crewed up with expert M.E.B.A. officers in the engine room.

During the ceremony, coins were placed under the keel block before it was lowered into the dry dock as a long held symbol of good fortune and safe travels. The ceremony comes a short few weeks after an official agreement was signed to enter Aker and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into a partnership to improve the health and safety of workers. By working together on common safety goals, the program could make the yard eligible to apply for OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program in as early as two years.

The yard currently has three other product tankers under construction in the series of twelve.

Hull 010, to be known as the OVERSEAS BOSTON, was floated out of the drydock last month and transferred to the outfitting dock. The vessel will undergo many stages of testing and commissioning as work continues in preparation for sea trials next month.

Hull 011, to be known as the OVERSEAS NIKISKI, was recently skidded forward into its permanent building position. The ship's bow is under construction in the Grand Block Shop. After final construction, the 285 metric ton section will be moved to the paint shop where it will be blasted and painted before being lowered into the dry dock for final assembly.

Progress in the Pre Fabrication Shop has been steady since the first steel plate was cut for Hull 013 - to be known as the OVERSEAS ANACORTES. Steel plates are being prepped for construction and soon will move over to the double bottom line where the double hull sections are constructed - one of the key elements which make this vessel environmentally friendly.

SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND FAX NUMBERS CHANGE
The fax numbers for our Union hall and Plans office in Oakland have changed. The phone numbers remain the same. Please make a note of the new fax numbers:

Main Fax/Dispatch: (510) 835-0384
Plans Fax: (510) 992-6121

APPLICANTS DROPPED FOLLOWING DIC REPORT
A large number of applicants who hadn't kept up with their service charges were dropped from the rolls this month after the District Investigating Committee put them under review.  The DIC is next setting its eye on members who are delinquent on their dues. They will issue their next report in June.

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 and return to good standing.

RENOVATION COMPLETED AT MM&P/M.E.B.A. HALL IN WILMINGTON
A renovation at the MM&P Union hall in Wilmington, CA, which is shared by the M.E.B.A., has been completed. Cost-effective and completed ahead of time, the work was performed by all union laborers. More office space was created for staffers and officials, and active and retired members stopping by the hall will find it more comfortable and convenient. Drop on in and visit!

M.E.B.A. "GOOD & WELFARE" FUND BOOKS AT HALLS
M.E.B.A. has dispatched Good & Welfare receipt books to each of the Union halls and offices that will help active and retired members build this important fund. The Internal Revenue Service recently ruled that our Good & Welfare Fund is exempt from Federal Income tax. The Fund is used to help active and retired members and their families in case of crisis. It proved very useful following Hurricane Katrina when money from the fund helped members recover from the devastating aftermath of the storm. Your contributions to the fund are tax deductible so please help out if you can so we are better able to assist a Union brother or sister in need. Seek out your local Union hall for further details.

HORIZON LINES SECURITY BREACH
On or about October 14, 2008, a Horizon Lines server in transit from Texas to Washington via FedEx, containing employment record information including names, addresses, social security numbers and other information, was lost. To date, it is unknown whether the server was stolen, lost or misplaced. In the past week, Horizon Lines sent letters to some affected current and former employees; it is unclear if all possibly affected employees were contacted.

As a result, M.E.B.A. is encouraging members who currently or have in the past worked for Horizon Lines to take security measures to prevent possible identity theft. As recommended in Horizon's memo, this may be achieved by placing a fraud alert on your credit profile that will temporarily (90 days) require lenders issuing new credit to you to use additional measures to ensure your identity. A fraud alert can be enabled by contacting the reporting agencies at one of the numbers below:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Experian: 1-888-397-3742

M.E.B.A. will remain vigilant to help protect members' financial and identity security. The current breach (although unintentional by and largely outside Horizon's control) cannot go unaddressed as employers hold member

EU TO BEGIN SOMALI PIRATE PATROLS
European Union warships and aircraft are due to launch anti-piracy patrols off the Somali coast, BBC News has reported. At least four ships and two observation planes from several EU countries, including the UK, France and Greece, will escort aid and merchant ships. The area, including one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, the Gulf of Aden, has seen almost 100 pirate attacks this year. It is the first naval operation in the bloc's history.

It will take over from the existing NATO mission and last at least a year. The goal is not only to increase security for seafarers and shipping in the hazardous Somali waters, but to help in the delivery of food aid to Somalia. EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday will formally launch the mission, and approve what officials describe as robust rules of engagement. But while EU foreign ministers will authorize the use of military force, the fate of any captured pirates will be unclear.

The Saudi supertanker SIRIUS STAR and its crew remain under pirate control after being hijacked in mid-November. It was the biggest tanker ever hijacked, carrying a cargo of two million barrels of oil - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output and worth more than $100 million. Among other vessels being held is the Ukrainian-owned MV FAINA, carrying 33 tanks, as well as grenade launchers and ammunition. It was seized on September 24th. Various countries have ships patrolling the Somali coast, including the US, India, Malaysia and Russia.

DEADLINE FOR VACATION & PORT RELIEF BENEFITS COMING UP
Apply for vacation early to avoid the year end rush. The deadline for filing for Vacation and Port Relief Benefits in the Outports is Friday, December 26, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The deadline for filing at the Plan Office in Baltimore is Monday, December 29, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. EST.

It is always wise to plan ahead, so you may want to verify your specific Outport holiday schedule with the Plan Office Representative.

Split Your Vacation Payments Between 2008 and 2009
Remember that you may submit an Application for Vacation Pay prior to the end of the year and request that your vacation wages be split between 2008 and 2009. It MUST, however, be a continuous vacation period. Please contact the Vacation Plan staff in Baltimore at 800-811-6322 or 410-547-9111 if you have any questions.

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

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