APT Tanker Lone Star State Christened

Volume 45, Number 11 November 2015 APT tanker Lone Star State christened Construction starts on fifth ship in series at General Dynamics NASSCO The Lone Star State, the first ECO tanker in a series of five being built for American Petroleum Tankers (APT) by General Dynamics NASSCO, was christened at the shipyard in San Diego on October 17. As the Lone Star State was christened, construction began on the fifth ship in the series. American Maritime Officers will represent all licensed officers aboard these Jones Act tankers. “Incorporating new and innovative green ship technology, these tankers are the future of American petroleum shipping. When delivered they will be among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly tankers anywhere in the world,” said Kevin Graney, general manager and vice president for General Dynamics NASSCO. During the christening ceremony, a moment of silence was observed for the 33 crew members of the El Faro. At left: Participating in the christen- “Whether we design, build or repair ing ceremony for the Lone Star State ships, or we go down to sea in ships, we are were American Maritime Officers all brothers and sisters in this industry in members Captain Robert Cates and sharing a love for the sea,” said Captain Chief Engineers Thomas Balzano Dennis DuBard, manager of public and and Michael Homan. With them are government relations for NASSCO. “We AMO National Executive Vice are extremely saddened by their loss and President Bob Kiefer and AMO extend our heart-felt condolences to the National Vice President, Inland partners and our friends and the members of Waters, Dave Weathers. the families of the El Faro.” of American Petroleum Tankers, a Kinder The five tankers being built for APT Morgan, Inc. subsidiary. “We look forward are 50,000 deadweight ton, LNG-conver- to taking delivery of this vessel next month sion-ready product carriers, each with a and, along with our seven other operating 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. The 610- tankers, providing first-class service to our foot-long tankers are a new “ECO” design, growing customer base.” offering improved fuel efficiency and the The ships were designed by DSEC, a latest environmental protection features subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & including a ballast water treatment system. Marine Engineering (DSME) of Busan, “This christening ceremony is an South Korea. The design incorporates important step forward for Kinder Morgan’s improved fuel efficiency concepts through expanding fleet of Jones Act product several features, including a G-series MAN tankers and demonstrates the strong ME slow-speed main engine and an opti- demand for domestic waterborne trans- mized hull form. The tankers will also have portation to move petroleum products and dual-fuel-capable auxiliary engines and the crude oil,” said Robert Kurz, vice president ability to accommodate future installation of Kinder Morgan Terminals and president of an LNG fuel-gas system. AMO establishes El Faro memorial Crowley Maritime Corp. tanker Ohio fund to aid officers’ families enters service in Jones Act trade Page 2: American Maritime Officers has established an independent trust Page 7: Crowley Maritime Corp. on October 1 took delivery of the fund for the exclusive benefit of AMO families who lost loved ones on Ohio, the first in a series of four new Jones Act product tankers, from the El Faro. Information about the fund and making contributions via Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. The ship was christened on PayPal online or by mail is available in this edition. November 3. AMO represents all licensed officers aboard the Ohio. Page 6: World’s first LNG-powered containership delivered ■ Copyright © 2015 American Maritime Officers [email protected] 2 • American Maritime Officer November 2015 den, but broader shoulders.” The burden borne by our El Faro families has not lightened since we last heard AMO memorial service honors from the ship on October 1. But shoulders have broadened significantly in each and every El Faro household. These moms, dads, courageous El Faro crew, families grandparents, husbands and wives and broth- American Maritime Officers on ers and sisters distinguish themselves not October 21 held a memorial service for the only by their bravery, but also by their grace, crew of El Faro at the Lighthouse their dignity, their perseverance and their Community Church in Dania Beach, Fla. encouraging example. I ask that we continue Following are the remarks of AMO to respect their collective right to privacy and National President Paul Doell. at least a moment’s peace. Thank you, Pastor Mario Cinelli, for As we meet here today, a U.S. Navy having opened this church to us today, and team is en route to El Faro’s last known for your ministry to this community, espe- location to search for the wreckage and cially for the services you provide for peo- remains, and an investigation by the ple in need. National Transportation Safety Board is Thank you as well to the South well underway. Broward High School ROTC Honor Guard American Maritime Officers will for the presentation of the colors. Your dis- refrain from all official comment during this cipline and demeanor will make you leaders Navy mission and during this independent in life, and we are grateful to you for your investigation. participation. American Maritime Officers National President Paul Doell speaks at a memorial I ask each of the mariners here to do And thank you all for joining us service held by the union for the crew of El Faro at the Lighthouse Community the same if approached at any time by a today. Church in Dania Beach, Fla. on October 21. broadcast or print reporter or if asked to It is appropriate that we gather in this respond to some social media post. House of Faith. As the British Poet William merchant mariners tend easily to see each In their lives and in their work, these I ask this because much of the media Butler Yeats wrote: “A sea captain, when he other as brothers and sisters, and senior heroes embodied the tradition of valor that coverage of the El Faro tragedy thus far has stands upon the bridge, or looks out from shipboard personnel often emerge as has distinguished American merchant been marred by speculation, supposition, his deckhouse, thinks much about God and parental figures to younger shipboard staff. mariners since the Revolution. They were sensationalism and second-guessing. These the world.” Mariners believe in each other and dedicated to the economic interests of the articles are written generally by people with Tragic events like the loss of the El depend upon each other at many levels, just United States, and they were available for no seafaring credentials, reporters who clear- Faro cause all of us to contemplate God and as they believe in and depend on kin await- defense shipping services in national securi- ly do not understand professional perspective the world — specifically, the dominant sea, ing their return to shore. At sea, family is ty emergencies. when they trouble themselves to find it. which we know to be both majestic and most frequently defined not by flesh and Today, we are reminded of at least Please excuse this brief diversion from menacing. blood, but by heart and soul. one timeless truth — all Americans who course, but I just had to make these points. But, in this setting, we focus on faith But faith, wherever it is placed, some- choose working lives at sea do so with the I will close with the words of contem- — faith in a loving deity, faith in family, times requires courage — another attribute clear understanding that the sea can some- porary Irish poet Van Morrison, who turned faith in friends. common among and in many ways unique day choose them. This is faith. This is the mariner’s experience into metaphors for Today, we have no doubt that the 28 to American merchant mariners. courage. This is strength. This is character. living life to its fullest and coming to terms American officers and crewmembers and Today, we have no doubt that the men And, as I know from direct experi- with life’s inevitable end: the five Polish contractors aboard the El and women on the El Faro were extraordi- ence and from what has been relayed to me “Hark — now hear the sailors cry. Faro had strong faith in each other — as narily brave under extraordinarily difficult by others, the families wrenched so emo- Smell the sea, feel the sky. Let your soul and friends and as family. circumstances. We know that they worked tionally by the loss of the El Faro are every spirit fly as we sail into the Mystic.” To seagoing professionals like the heroically to the final minute to save each bit as courageous as their lost loved ones. May our souls and spirits fly freely in men and women aboard the El Faro, a ship other and their ship, daring to take on an In this context, and in the ecumenical lasting memory of the officers and crew is a home underway from home. uncompromising storm of terrifying size spirit of this setting, I will paraphrase a aboard El Faro. Because they live where they work, and scope. Jewish proverb: “Give me not a lighter bur- Thank you. AMO sets El Faro memorial fund to aid officers’ families American Maritime Officers has The AMO El Faro Disaster Relief memory of Captain Michael C. Davidson, payable to the AMO El Faro established an independent trust fund Fund is a separate entity from the AMO Chief Engineer Richard J. Pusatere, Chief Disaster Relief Fund can be sent to: for the exclusive benefit of AMO fam- Membership Assistance Program, which Mate Steven W.

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