New Jobs for AMO As Crowley Tanker Louisiana Enters Jones Act Service
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Volume 46, Number 6 June 2016 NNeeww jjoobbss ffoorr AAMMOO aass CCrroowwlleeyy ttaannkkeerr LLoouuiissiiaannaa eenntteerrss JJoonneess AAcctt sseerrvviiccee Continuing its innovative vessel (dwt) 330,000-barrel-capacity Louisiana Attendees representing Marathon monial bottle of champagne across the build program, Crowley Maritime joins two Crowley sister ships, Texas and Petroleum Corporation, the vessel’s charter- hull at the Port of New Orleans. Corporation May 5 christened the third Ohio, to be the first tankers ever to receive er, and shipbuilder Philly Shipyard Inc., “This is a great day of celebration of four new Jones Act product tankers the American Bureau of Shipping’s LNG- watched as Carrie Templin, wife of Don for Crowley, Marathon, Philly Shipyard at the Julia Street Cruise Terminal in Ready Level 1 approval, giving Crowley Templin, Marathon executive vice presi- and all the people who had a role in New Orleans. the option to convert the tanker to liquefied dent, carried out the time-honored tradition ◆ The 50,000 dead-weight-ton natural gas for propulsion in the future. of christening the ship by breaking a cere- See Louisiana Page 2 Photo: Crowley Maritime Corporation American Maritime Officers mem- bers working aboard the Jones Act tanker Louisiana May 5, here in New Orleans at the ship’s christening cer- emony, included (in no particular order) Captain Calvin Patterson, Captain Scott Davis, Chief Engineer Daniel Savoie, Chief Engineer James Gushee, Chief Mate Michael Stutevoss, Chief Mate Scott Payne, First Assistant Engineer Eric Dobbin, Second Mate Peter Guggina, Third Mate Kyle Demonterey and Third Mate Joseph Martinet. With them are Crowley Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley and AMO National Vice President, Inland Waters, David Weathers. Not in the picture are Second A.E. Matthew Hurd and Third A.E. Daniel Figge. AMO repre- sents all licensed officers aboard the Louisiana, which is the third in a series of four tankers being built for Crowley Maritime Corporation by Philly Shipyard. The ships are oper- ated for Crowley by Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning. Third ECO Class Jones Act tanker in U.S. merchant mariners honored at APT series christened, launched National Maritime Day observances On May 7, the Garden State — the third in a series of five Jones Act Pages 6-7: The service and sacrifice of U.S. merchant mariners tankers being built for American Petroleum Tankers by General throughout the history of our nation and in the present day were recog- Dynamics NASSCO — was christened and launched at the shipyard in nized and remembered during National Maritime Day ceremonies held San Diego. Coverage of this event will be featured in the July edition. on and surrounding the May 22 observance of the holiday. Page 11: New jobs for AMO aboard re-flagged Ocean Glory ■ Copyright © 2016 American Maritime Officers [email protected] 2 • American Maritime Officer June 2016 Agency for International Development, faith-based charities, non-governmental organizations and private volunteer organi- VPAF investments enhance zations advocate such flawed alternatives to the direct shipment of U.S. commodities to recipient countries in U.S. merchant ships. seagoing job and benefit security The good news is that House and Senate allies of the U.S. merchant fleet have By Paul Doell contract; and the waste of a fortune in pri- House Appropriations Committee approved not only prevented such diversion, but also National President vate capital investment in new tonnage, a transportation spending bill that would slowed the eight-year decline in the PL-480 efficient new design, innovative technolo- increase MSP funding from the fiscal 2016 food aid budget. For fiscal 2016, Congress Individual gies and sustained employment by TOTE level of $3.5 million per ship to $5 million increased this budget by $250 million; for m e m b e r s h i p and Crowley Maritime. per ship per year, beginning in fiscal 2017 fiscal 2017, the House Appropriations investment in the In addition, a Jones Act exemption next October 1. Committee approved $1.4 billion (a increasingly for Puerto Rico would set a dangerous The full Senate approved its trans- decrease of less than one percent from the important Amer- precedent. It would inspire new demands portation appropriations bill earlier, but 2016 amount), and the Senate ican Maritime for local exemptions and encourage Jones with funding short of the House level. The Appropriations Committee approved $1.6 Officers Voluntary Act critics pressing for harmful amendment differences on MSP and other matters will billion. A House-Senate conference will Political Action to or outright repeal of the venerable law. be resolved in a House-Senate conference. reconcile this and any other differences Fund continues to At this writing, the economic crisis in We also saw promise on a tradition- between the two appropriations bills. yield substantial Puerto Rico was awaiting consideration in ally difficult issue — funding of the PL- American Maritime Officers — the returns for all the Senate, where the Jones Act has fared 480 “Food for Peace” farm product export most recognized, respected and effective deep-sea, Great well historically, and where the Jones Act’s program. maritime interest in Washington — was front Lakes and inland waters AMO families. most prominent and persistent critic — Under Title II of PL-480 (the 1954 and center on these and other issues, and One fresh example arose on Capitol Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain — law that launched this humanitarian aid pro- credit for multiple successes goes to AMO Hill June 8 in connection with a Puerto Rico has conceded that U.S. maritime interests gram), the U.S. buys grains, soybeans and members who contribute to the AMO debt relief bill in the House of represent the strongest obstacle to what he other commodities from private sector agri- Voluntary Political Action Fund. The non- Representatives. Meeting late in the evening, calls Jones Act “reform.” But anything can cultural interests and ships them to impov- partisan, non-ideological VPAF works as the powerful House Rules Committee shot happen in Washington at any time for any erished countries to ease famine, promote intended by easing access to the right down a last-minute amendment to exempt reason, and our union will remain vigilant. stability and develop diplomatic good will. Congressional offices at the right time for the Puerto Rico from the Jones Act. The next Weeks before the positive Puerto Current law requires the use of privately right reasons, and U.S. maritime policy is our day, the financial aid package for the island Rico-Jones Act development, the House owned and operated U.S. merchant ships union’s exclusive focus on Capitol Hill. commonwealth was approved in the House voted 383-41 to torpedo a National Defense for delivery of up to 50 percent of these On behalf of the National Executive — with Jones Act jurisdiction intact. Authorization Act amendment that sought a farm goods — although the cargo prefer- Board of AMO, I encourage all deep-sea, A Jones Act exemption on this specif- Government Accountability Office study of ence level had been 75 percent between Great Lakes and inland AMO members ic front would have three immediate and budget savings that would result from the 1985 and 2011. and applicants to acknowledge the undeni- lasting consequences: the permanent dis- use of foreign-flagged ships as an alterna- The damaging effect of the reduced ably direct link between legislative leg- placement of all privately owned and oper- tive to the proven Maritime Security statutory U.S.-flag share of food aid exports work and seagoing job and benefit securi- ated U.S. merchant vessels now serving the Program — which ensures immediate is aggravated by a concerted, persistent ty by contributing to the AMO Voluntary two-way trade lanes between the U.S. main- Department of Defense access to 60 com- effort to reconfigure the program itself by Political Action Fund as their comfort lev- land and Puerto Rico and the corresponding mercial U.S.-flagged and crewed ships for diverting money from the purchase and els allow. loss of the U.S. seagoing jobs these vessels sealift service during prolonged national transportation of U.S.-grown commodities As always, I welcome questions and provide — jobs held primarily by AMO security emergencies. The MSP represents to foreign “local and regional purchase,” or comments. I can be reached at headquar- engine and deck officers; the preclusion of jobs for AMO engine and deck officers on to substitute cash transfers or vouchers to ters at 954-921-2221, extension 1001, on service by forthcoming U.S. vessels intend- 15 ships. overseas interests, ostensibly for on-scene my cell at 954-881-5651, or toll free at ed for this key domestic market under AMO In an encouraging related turn, the famine relief. The White House, the U.S. 800-362-0513. farers who will be counted on to operate her “The christening underscores our and general manager, petroleum services. Louisiana safely and reliably for our customer, continued commitment to building and “And, as is the case with its sister ships, we Marathon. There is nothing more important.” operating innovative vessels that deliver the designed and built the Louisiana to have the Continued from Page 1 PSI also built the tankers Texas and best possible service and efficiency for our capability to be converted to LNG propul- bringing this great ship to life,” said Tom Ohio for Crowley, and the fourth ship in the customers who depend on us for safe and sion in the future, increasing the likelihood Crowley, company chairman and CEO. program is under construction with delivery reliable transportation of petroleum prod- of a long service life as new emissions reg- “We also celebrate the men and women sea- planned for third quarter 2016.