PIPELINE THE VANE BROTHERS COMPANY WINTER/SPRING 2021
North Border News page 1 also inside: Captain Russi's Remarkable Career - A New Vessel Update Anniversary
First Pipeline Circulated 20 Years Ago
illed as “news and notes for our friends,” Vane Brothers’ Pipeline Bmagazine was launched 20 years ago. The Fall 2001 issue – Volume 1, Number 1 – delivered six pages of news about the rapidly expanding company.
Vice President, Communications, Elizabeth Hughes served as the There was plenty to read about back is an honor still enjoyed by Vane and publication’s Editor and Writer. She in 2001. Two construction projects had Port Captain Jim Demske. received design assistance from IT recently begun: a pair of double-skin The Vane tug Capt. Russi received Systems Engineer Bob Foertsch, who is tank barges were being built for Vane in a couple of mentions in that first celebrating 25 years with the company. Indiana, and the current headquarters issue. Named for Senior Port Captain (See the story on page 12.) building was just taking shape in Russi Makujina, the Capt. Russi was Baltimore’s Fairfield neighborhood. Pipeline was a quarterly publication in the acquired by Vane in 1993 and served beginning, but is now circulated twice a Also in the inaugural Pipeline was a the company well for more than two year. This change occurred in 2018 after story about Vane tugs escorting the decades. As for Captain Makujina, you Vane Brothers started posting timely historic sloop-of-war USS Constellation can read about his impressive career Pipeline Lite digital newsletters on the to destinations in the Port of Baltimore. beginning on page 10 of this Pipeline. company’s website. Providing assistance to the Constellation
1 Vane Enters Great Lakes Region Winter/Spring 2021 Vol. 20, No. 1 4 Pipeline Lite Follow-up The Pipeline is published twice annually by: 8 Vessel Construction The Vane Brothers Companies 2100 Frankfurst Avenue / Baltimore, MD 21226 10 Celebrating Captain Russi's Career 410-631-7773 www.vanebrothers.com 25-Year Anniversaries Executive Editor: Elizabeth S. Hughes 12 Editor: Blaise Willig
14 An Innovative Maritime App Ideas or comments? Email: [email protected] 16 New Faces - New Talent Production and Design: PCA of Timonium On the cover: While operating a drone above the News and Notes 18 Fox River in Green Bay, Wisconsin on New Year’s Day, photographer Chuck Zentmeyer captured the Bells and Whistles 21 Vane Brothers tug New York and asphalt barge Double Skin 509A moving through the ice. See the story on the facing page. Operations NORTH BORDER NEWS Vane Brothers Covers New Ground Throughout Great Lakes Region
or the first time in company The 4,200-horsepower tug New York and history, Vane Brothers is 50,000-barrel asphalt barge Double Skin Fconducting operations in the 509A entered the region in October 2020 Great Lakes region, serving both U.S. and with Captain Tim Ladd at the helm. Canadian ports along the North Border. Ladd handed off to Captain Steve Tillett, and then Captain Rusty Harris came Vane Brothers President C. Duff Hughes on board in mid-November as service notes, “Similar to Vane’s arrival on the officially got underway. West Coast more than two years ago, the Great Lakes region represents an “When talk of the Lakes job came up, I exciting business opportunity in a looked at it as an opportunity to explore new location. The potential is here for new areas,” says Harris, who has been long-term success in partnership with a with Vane Brothers since 2007. “It’s been valued customer.” exciting learning about the conditions we must face.” Harris explains that Captain Rick Iuliucci, Vane’s Vice The tug New York flies the flags of both the U.S. the weather around the Great Lakes is and Canada. [Photo by Brian Wroblewski] President, Operations, adds, “We have known to “get rougher quicker, so we the equipment, personnel and expertise Vane’s North Border crews have stocked need to be prepared for anything.” now in place to take full advantage of up on ice mallets, snow shovels and bags our presence in this new operational Captain Iuliucci acknowledges, “There of salt, while also packing extra clothes area for an extended period of time.” are some pretty nasty storms in the and foul-weather gear. region, and odds are that we will Vane’s North Border service incorporates Evidence of icy conditions was very encounter ice on a grander scale terminals everywhere from Kingston apparent during a foray into Green than what we might see along the and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to Bay, Wisconsin on January 1. Maritime Hudson River or in other waters where Buffalo, New York; Green Bay, Wisconsin; enthusiast and photographer Chuck Vane operates.” Cleveland, Ohio; and Detroit, Michigan. Zentmeyer witnessed the arrival of the
The tug New York and asphalt barge DS-509A are escorted beneath the Peace Bridge, which connects Buffalo, New York to Fort Erie, Ontario. [Photo by Mike Mambretti] vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 1 Operations
pulled during ice season, so there is no winter service there.”
Amid extreme cold conditions, the DS-509A keeps its precious cargo extra hot. Asphalt, similar to many other petroleum products, must remain at an elevated temperature to reduce viscosity so that it flows efficiently during the pumping process. “The typical asphalt barge has a much more robust cargo heating capability than other barges designed to transport heavy fuel oil,” says Steve Magdeburger, Vane Brothers Special Projects Manager in charge of new barge construction. “Liquid asphalt is typically loaded at temperatures between 290 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit and is pumped off at temperatures upwards of 270 to 275 degrees. If the temperature is allowed to drop below that, it becomes more difficult, if not impossible, to pump the asphalt.”
Such high temperatures contribute to the fog that often surrounds a barge operating in a frigid climate. “The heat of the cargo is conducted throughout the areas around the cargo tanks,” Magdeburger explains. “Surfaces can be extremely hot to the touch.” For this purpose, tankermen wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) One of the tug New York crews: From left, OS Deckhand David Marchione, AB Deckhand Nino Pollari, Mate Rand Attaway, Chief Engineer Mark Johnson, and Captain Rusty Harris. such as temperature-resistant safety footwear, and they know to utilize Vane vessels and posted a drone image captured more if his camera battery on his Facebook page with a description hadn’t died in the cold. that read, “Tug New York with barge While several of Wroblewski’s photo Double Skin 509A say ‘Happy New Year’ captions described the location and to Green Bay this New Year's Day. Always operation, one simply read, “What a neat to see the ice being broken.” nice-looking tug.” The appearance of Vane vessels on the Great Lakes has captured the THE HEAT IS ON imagination of other enthusiasts, such Regarding the vessels’ work schedule as Brian Wroblewski, who is part of the along the North Border, Captain Iuliucci “Buffalo Area Transportation, Industry, notes, “The expectation is that this will Architecture and Defense” Facebook be a year-round operation, though we group. The Hamburg, New York resident understand that seasonal adjustments posted nearly two dozen images of the need to be made. For instance, in New York and DS-509A on the group’s Tonawanda, New York, Black Rock Lock Vane vessels depart Tonawanda, New York on the page in mid-December, and might have closes down and navigational aids are Black Rock Canal. [Photo by Brian Wroblewski]
2 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com The Vane tug New York and barge DS-509A pass the M/V Iver Bright (assisted from Lake Erie by the tug Wisconsin) on February 7 at the Port of Monroe in Michigan. The M/V Iver Bright was delivering liquid asphalt. [Photo by Paul C. LaMarre III, Port Director, Port of Monroe]
elevated walkways and platforms when radio chatter to a minimum.” Harris river at night, it’s a beautiful city. And its traversing the barge’s deck. equates the experience to steering a Canadian counterpart across the river is, vessel past railroad bridges around too. The more rural coasts are lined with Aside from the weather, Captain Norfolk, Virginia – something he did big houses and many marinas.” Harris says narrow waterways pose for many years early in his career. “My a challenge while navigating parts of Wherever the work takes his crew, Norfolk experience definitely helped out the Great Lakes. As an example, he Captain Harris says his priorities are up here as far as the bridges and tight points to Detroit’s Rouge River, which unchanged. “I just want to make the quarters are concerned,” Harris says. is crossed by six bridges. “We must customer happy and keep everyone “It can get the adrenaline flowing, but I rely on accurate distances to navigate safe,” he says. “That's what I see as my enjoy the challenge.” some tight squeezes,” Harris says. “A most important job no matter where I crewmember is positioned on each side Harris has also enjoyed the scenery. happen to be.” of the barge and we must communicate “The area up here along the shore is with the assist boat, so we keep the nice,” he says. “Seeing Detroit from the
Asphalt must be kept at a high temperature to reduce viscosity. This contributes to the fog that Barge Captain Harvey Duff works on board the often surrounds a barge operating in the cold. [Photo by Brian Wroblewski] asphalt barge Double Skin 509A.
vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 3 Pipeline Lite Follow-Up
If you didn’t see Vane Brothers’ most recent Pipeline Lite online newsletters, here are some of the stories we covered. All Pipeline Lite newsletters and digital versions of Pipeline magazine are posted at WWW.VANEBROTHERS.COM/NEWS.
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TUG PERFORMS HISTORIC DOUBLE DUTY
he crew of the tug Cape May During the latter part of World War II, providing first aid to downed aircrews recently encountered more than the California-based P-520 made runs that were forced to “ditch over the T150 years of American military along the West Coast, rescuing and drink.” history while lending a hand to two World War II-era vessels in Baltimore.
In mid-October 2020, the tug towed the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter 37 from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to the Coast Guard’s Curtis Bay shipyard for scheduled maintenance. The Cape May then came to the historic vessel’s aid one month later, returning the “High Endurance Cutter” (WHEC) to her berth.
WHEC-37, known as the Roger B. Taney during her active days, is the last U.S. warship still afloat that fought during the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The vessel also served as the command ship at the World War II The WHEC-37, which saw action in defense of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, is towed to her berth Battle of Okinawa in 1945, and took part in Baltimore by the Vane Brothers tug Cape May, barely visible on the starboard side. in Vietnam War operations.
WHEC-37 was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1935. Decommissioned in 1986 and designated a National Historic Landmark two years later, she is now a museum ship functioning on behalf of Historic Ships in Baltimore and the Living Classrooms Foundation.
The Cape May also escorted a 1944-built “crash boat” around the Inner Harbor area in November. The U.S. Army Air Force P-520 is the last remaining 85-foot rescue boat in restored and operating condition. She is making appearances on the East Coast while her owners seek a permanent home for the vessel. Captain Jordan McCluskey and the tug Cape May escort the World War II-era P-520 “crash boat” around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
4 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com PORT FEASIBILITY STUDY IS ON FORRESTER’S RADAR
n the early months of his second the study by the U.S. Department two-year term as President of of Commerce. the Delmarva Water Transport I The study is expected to be completed Committee (DWTC), Vane Brothers this summer, with a primary goal Port Engineer Bob Forrester continues of determining the feasibility of to tackle issues that “ensure smooth constructing a multi-use port facility waterborne commerce” on the rivers on the Wicomico River, thus increasing of the Delmarva Peninsula. This Salisbury’s import and export tonnage. includes advocating for dredging and Otherwise, Forrester says that the maintenance of the waterways. biggest challenge he has faced in his Forrester is also a Steering Committee role as DWTC President has been member providing guidance for a Port “maintaining engagement through the Vane Brothers Port Engineer and Delmarva Feasibility Study being undertaken pandemic.” All meetings conducted by Water Transport Committee President Bob by the City of Salisbury, Maryland. Forrester is also on the Steering Committee for a the nonprofit member organization Among the businesses that, along Salisbury Port Feasibility Study. are being held virtually. This includes with Vane Brothers, have pledged their the annual Domestic Ice Operations Delmarva Peninsula saw the second support for the study is Chesapeake Planning Meeting that the lowest snowfall in the last 30 years. Shipbuilding and Naval Architects, DWTC co-sponsors with the The National Weather Service predicted the Salisbury-based company that has U.S. Coast Guard. that this winter would feature normal delivered multiple 3,000-horsepower snowfall but warmer-than-average air At an Ice Operations Meeting that tugboats to Vane. temperatures, says Forrester, who is occurred in November, it was noted Among various sources of funding, with Vane’s Foxtrot Fleet based out of that the winter of 2019-20 along the grant money has been earmarked for Portsmouth, Virginia. Vane Approaches Next Subchapter M Safety Goal
ith multiple tugboats fully The Vane articulated tug/barge (AT/B) vettings” throughout the year as part of prepared to earn their valid tug Jacksonville was issued a COI in normal business practices. W Subchapter M Certificate January, and as of early February, the of Inspection (COI) in the weeks ahead, COI process was well underway for Vane Brothers is well on its way to her sister AT/B tug, the Charleston. The hitting the July 2021 “75 percent application process had also been compliance” target set by the U.S. Coast moving along for the tug Fred E. Adams, Guard for all towing vessel operators. which is part of Vane’s Golf Fleet working in the Southeast United States. Subchapter M refers to federally regulated safety standards for Vane’s West Coast fleets have already “inspected towing vessels.” Vessel achieved 100 percent compliance, fleets were required to be 25 percent according to Captain Rick Iuliucci, Vane compliant in 2019 and 50 percent Brothers Vice President, Operations. compliant in 2020. Vane Brothers met He also notes that the company has both of those deadlines with months long made safety training a priority, to spare. and vessel crews as well as shore-side staff are constantly making ready The AT/B tug Jacksonville was issued a All applicable vessels must earn a valid Certificate of Inspection in January as part of for “multiple inspections, audits and COI by July 2022. the U.S. Coast Guard’s Subchapter M program. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 5 Pipeline Lite Follow-Up STRONG TIES TO MARITIME EDUCATION hen Vane Brothers India Fleet Port Captain Patrick WDougan took a tour of the Seattle Maritime Academy in early January, his visit not only gave him a A simulator is just one tool being utilized by the Seattle Maritime Academy. chance to learn about the programs being offered, it also allowed him to get Academy students to the variety of reacquainted with his former boss. maritime career paths available to them. “When students graduate each Dale Bateman, who was appointed June, they are ready to be put to work Associate Dean of the Academy in as very qualified Ordinary Seafarer October, formerly held the position Deckhands and QMED’s [Qualified of Assistant Director at the Maritime Members of the Engine Department],” Institute of Technology and Graduate says Dougan, who is excited about Studies (MITAGS)-WEST campus. future interactions with both the Seattle Dougan was a MITAGS-WEST instructor Maritime Academy and MITAGS-WEST. before joining Vane Brothers in 2018. Dougan is also involved on an advisory Seattle Maritime Academy offers two level with the region’s first Maritime Coast Guard-approved certificate India Fleet Port Captain Patrick Dougan. High School, opening this fall in Seattle. programs: Marine Engineering training to an increasingly diverse School officials say graduates will have Technology and Marine Deck community.” the skills to launch a maritime career Technology. Dougan notes that three or to continue studying in a two- or current India Fleet mariners are The Academy has a simulator and four-year college. Academy graduates, as is India Fleet labs for indoor instruction, and a fleet Port Engineer Josh Brittain. of commercial vessels that includes “Having started my professional career a 210-foot barge and 83-foot coastal as a high school history teacher before Bateman served for 22 years in the patrol boat. The boat, named Maritime becoming a mariner, I will definitely U.S. Coast Guard before moving into Instructor, was built in 1962 at the Coast get involved in this local high school maritime instruction. “I see great Guard’s Curtis Bay shipyard, just being formed,” says Dougan, whose opportunities for our students,” he says, around the corner from Vane’s daughter Penelope is approaching her “and for our school to be a catalyst Baltimore headquarters. 4th birthday. “Who knows, maybe when for positive change in the maritime of age, my kid may go there.” industry as we continue to provide Dougan has volunteered to provide a high-quality education and maritime presentation that will introduce new
SPIT AND POLISH • Captain Bryan Adams, left, and former AB Deckhand Nathan Hill (now a Tankerman Trainee for Vane) show off a freshly revitalized nameboard for the Vane Brothers tug Baltimore while in the Pacific Northwest in September 2020. Work on the tug took place as part of “proud upkeep from the crew to address regular wear and tear,” says Seattle-based Vane Brothers Port Captain Patrick Dougan, who notes that the vessel’s bell and brass window trimming were also “thoroughly polished.”
6 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com SAVING BOATER’S LIVES Life Rafts Serviced by VBMSS Play Role in Rescues
eeping people safe on the water In November, the Addis Sylvester fishing Ten months earlier, a fishing vessel is the ultimate goal of the team boat began taking on water while named Papa’s Girl capsized in North Kat Vane Brothers Marine Safety operating east of Tybee Island, Georgia. Carolina’s frigid Pamlico Sound. As and Services (VBMSS). As Shop Manager U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston in the case of the Addis Sylvester, a Shelia Ketterman notes, it can be “very provided quick assistance: An Air surviving crewmember of the Papa’s Girl gratifying” when their work plays a Station Savannah helicopter was tragedy was rescued by the Coast Guard direct role in saving the life of a mariner. directed to the scene, and the aircrew from a raft that VBMSS had inspected A pair of incidents in 2020 emphasized safely hoisted three people from a life and packed. the importance of a job well done raft serviced by VBMSS. by VBMSS. Marine Safety Fills Large MSC Order
long with inspecting and servicing marine safety A equipment that is already onboard vessels, Vane Brothers Marine Safety and Services (VBMSS) has been working with important partners in the safety equipment supply sector to furnish new equipment as needed.
Survitec, a major designer and manufacturer of life-saving technology, was happy to report in a recent company newsletter that VBMSS had secured the sale and delivery of four dual- liferaft gravity launching cradles and eight 50-person Zodiac liferafts for a Military Sealift Command (MSC) ship. In late August 2020, the equipment was transported to the MSC warehouse in Charleston, South Carolina, for installation on the USNS Lewis B. Puller.
A similar order procured through VBMSS in mid-July 2020 was delivered to the MSC’s San Diego, California, warehouse for the USNS Miguel Keith.
You can read more about the VBMSS SAFE ON SHORE • A 100-person life raft is carefully inspected inside the climate- operation and see videos of the team in controlled Vane Brothers Marine Safety and Services facility in Baltimore. The raft was one of action online at www.vanebrothers.com/ several that came from a Bermuda-flagged vessel in September 2020. MarineSafety. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 7 Vessels CLASS DISTINCTION Sassafras and Salisbury Class Tugs on Horizon
he Cape Fear arrived with Vane Brothers in October 2020, Tbecoming the seventeenth Maryland-built tugboat to join the Baltimore-based company’s fleet. Since 2008, fifteen 3,000-horsepower, model-bow Sassafras Class tugs A sliver of sunlight on the New York horizon complements the glow of deck lighting on the tug have been delivered by Chesapeake Cape Fear in this recent calendar contest photo submission by Barge Captain Billy Justice. (For Shipbuilding and Naval Architects of details about the 2022 Vane Brothers Calendar Contest, see page 20.) Salisbury, Maryland. Chesapeake has operations,” says Vane Brothers President tasked with towing petroleum barges also constructed two 3,000-horsepower, C. Duff Hughes. “Keeping this series of engaged in the Northeast and Mid- square-bow Salisbury Class push boats tugs similar in construction is a great Atlantic coastwise trade. Named for a for Vane. Two more push boats and one benefit to our crews, purchasing agents waterway in North Carolina, the Cape more model-bow tug are in the works. and contracted vendors.” Fear is to be followed by her sister tug, Featuring a design by the late Frank the Cape Henry, scheduled for delivery in "Soft-core" panels and top-line Basile, P.E., of Entech Designs, LLC, the spring. accoutrements appear throughout the Cape Fear and other Sassafras the tug, providing the crew with a Also set for a spring arrival is the Rock Class tugs measure 94 feet long and quiet, comfortable living environment. Hall, which is the next tug in the series 32 feet wide, with a hull depth of 13 State-of-the-art componentry is at the of 3,000-horsepower Salisbury Class push feet. The horsepower is provided by captain’s fingertips in the wheelhouse, boats. A fourth Salisbury Class vessel is twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines. which features mostly wooden accents expected before year’s end. “The 3,000-horsepower tug is for a more traditional look. powerful, practical and a perfect fit for These square-bow pushers have a Vane’s harbor and coastwise towing “The Cape Fear is another fine example molded depth of 10.5 feet, nearly three of an Entech-designed and feet less than the Sassafras Class tugs. As Chesapeake-built tug,” says explained by Captain Rick Iuliucci, Vane Port Captain Jim Demske, Brothers Vice President, Operations, “The who oversees Vane’s tugboat Salisbury Class push tugs are purpose- construction program. “These built for specific work environments superior model-bow tugs provide where their high maneuverability and exceptional safety, comfort shallow draft maximize efficiency. and reliability. And the open- They are ideal for operating in confined wheel design gives us great areas along the Southeast U.S.’s inland maneuverability while working waterways.” in unison with the Vane fleet of Captain Iuliucci adds that the push tugs coastwise tank barges.” “capitalize on safety, efficiency and crew
When the Rock Hall was rolled out of Construction After being delivered in late comfort, and have been constructed Building 1 at Chesapeake Shipbuilding on February 9, the October, the Cape Fear joined the as Subchapter M-compliant vessels; tug had not yet been fitted with the pilothouse. But by the company’s New York-based Bravo they already have their Certificate of next morning, the pilothouse was in place, as seen in this photo by Port Captain Jim Demske. Fleet and has been primarily Inspection (COI) upon completion.”
8 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com VANE SCORES ‘A’ FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
ane Brothers once again earned All six Vane tugs received an an overall “A” rating and six “A” or “A+” rating. They were VVane tugs each received a the Choptank, Elk River, Magothy, “Certificate of Corporate Responsibility” Patuxent, Philadelphia, and for their safe and responsible Wye River. operation while traveling through an The Vane tugs were among 201 environmentally sensitive area off the vessels monitored from January northeast coast of the United States. to May 2020 while transiting the The certificates, presented as part of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric “Right Whale Corporate Responsibility Administration’s Stellwagen Program,” recognize a company’s Bank National Marine Sanctuary. commitment to mandatory seasonal Portions of the sanctuary overlap speed restrictions in waters where with the Cape Cod Bay and Off sanctuary were the International Fund endangered North Atlantic Right Race Point seasonal management areas. for Animal Welfare and the Greater Whales are particularly vulnerable to Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office. Presenting the certificates in collisions with vessels. collaboration with the national marine
A TEAM EFFORT • Three tugboats and three barges that are part of Vane Brothers’ Seattle-based India Fleet got in on the action while performing a 40-hour-long lightering job in January at the Port Angeles Anchorage in Washington. The ship being lightered was the Florida, a 600-foot-long, U.S.-flagged oil/chemical products tanker. A great, collaborative, around-the- clock effort both ashore and afloat ensured that the operation was completed safely and successfully, according to India Fleet Port Captain Patrick Dougan, who added, “The crews did an exceptional job.”
vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 9 Personnel CAPTAIN RUSSI ENJOYS AMAZING CAREER He Helped Shape Vane Brothers’ Last 50 Years
ive decades ago, a Pakistani Ship Captain sailed with his wife and Ftwin sons on a vessel bound for the Port of Baltimore. Unfortunately, they arrived amid a longshoreman’s strike and were suddenly stranded.
Over the next several months, the head of a local maritime business buoyed the family’s spirits with his hospitality. A friendship blossomed. From left, Vane Brothers President C. Duff Hughes, Captain Russi Makujina, and Vice President, Communications, Elizabeth Hughes in September 2020. Returning to Pakistan, that same Captain and his wife soon became who was a teenager at the time of the A PATH TO AMERICA discouraged by events in their war-torn Captain’s arrival. Nearly two decades Captain Russi began life at sea as a homeland. Seeking a fresh start and later, they would serve together as teenager, when the recent high school new opportunities for their children, Tankermen on board the barge graduate apprenticed on a Pakistan they returned to America, where a job Double Skin 15. merchant vessel. He didn’t let the awaited the Captain and a furnished “As Vane Brothers’ Senior long hours of “chipping and painting” apartment had already been arranged Port Captain and then discourage him. The next 16 years for the family. later a trusted marine were spent sailing the globe, studying This is the story of Rustom “Russi” consultant, Russi has for licenses, and gaining promotions. Makujina, who recalls the date of long been integral to the Through most of the 1950s, he served September 14, 1972 as a key turning Vane operation,” Duff in various capacities aboard British point in his life. That was when Russi, says. “I have never Merchant Navy vessels. along with his wife Godi, twin sons known anyone else who In 1963, Russi married Godafrid John and Nosh and younger son Shah, combines so much Irani. They had known each other as arrived at Washington, D.C.’s Dulles knowledge of the youngsters but were reacquainted when, International Airport. They were greeted maritime industry with while working at the Pakistan Embassy by former Vane Brothers President and such an incredible work in England, Godi helped him renew his Chairman Charles Hughes Jr., who ethic, decency passport. “To show my appreciation, I crowded them into his station wagon and kindness.” sent her flowers. It was roses, and she and drove them to an apartment just Even after announcing his fell for it!” Russi recalls with a smile. northeast of Baltimore. There, the retirement in September, Russi earned his first command in Makujinas were welcomed by Charles’ Russi remains in touch 1964. Four years later, he took charge of wife, Elizabeth, and the two Hughes with several Vane the Scottish-built Ohrmazd passenger- children. They waved American flags. employees who seek cargo liner on her maiden voyage. Upon This tale of Russi’s relocation to the his advice or simply arriving in Baltimore, “we loaded about United States is also the story of Vane enjoy hearing 4,000 tons of steel billet at the old pier Brothers’ last half-century. “Captain anecdotes culled Captain Russi at Bethlehem Steel, and then all of a Russi is an indelible part of what the from the Captain’s Makujina cut quite sudden there was a longshoreman’s Vane Brothers Company has achieved,” impressive career. a dashing figure as a young naval strike,” Russi recalls. “The Port was shut says Vane President C. Duff Hughes, officer. down and all the ships were laid up.”
10 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com A berth became available near the Vane willing to work long hours, so he needed Brothers Company, located at the time me to join Vane,” says Russi. “It was in Baltimore’s Fell’s Point neighborhood taking a great risk for Charles to do that.” at the foot of Broadway. (This was Russi had never worked shoreside when Vane still operated primarily as before, and he possessed little a chandlery, providing a wide range of knowledge of tugboating. “At that time, I supplies and services for ships’ crews.) did not even know how to throw a line,” Godi went ashore and asked to use the he admits. chandlery telephone. “Then we But, as recounted in the 1998 book did business,” Russi says. “Then we Time and the Tide: A Centennial History became friends.” of the Vane Brothers Company: “Captain The Hughes family made the Makujinas Russi, a master mariner with invaluable feel welcome while in Baltimore and in international experience, brought with turn were entertained with spicy meals Captain Russi Makujina pauses at the foot of him the vision of what commercial Broadway in 2011. This was Vane Brothers’ on board the Ohrmazd. shipping could mean to Vane Brothers.” location when Russi’s vessel became stranded in Baltimore during the winter of 1968-69. Though Charles and Russi shared With Russi on board, the company stood maritime ties, it was the wives who poised to take “the next significant step” Vane Port Captain Jim Demske kept the family friendship alive after in its transformation to a multifaceted remembers first meeting Russi around the Ohrmazd finally sailed away. “It was maritime service enterprise. that time. “He was working as the between Betsy and Godi,” says Russi. ‘manager’ of the chandlery and I was “They were corresponding while I was THE RISK PAYS OFF operating Maryland Pilot boats,” Jim says. on the ship.” Russi made himself available to Vane “My first impression of Captain Russi was what a hard worker he was.” Pakistan’s internal strife boiled over Brothers any time day or night. He in 1971, splitting the country into spent long hours doing whatever was Russi credits Jim with teaching him East and West. “The government was necessary: gathering supplies, grabbing “everything about tugboats” and helping to nationalize merchant shipping, lines, and communicating with foreign him earn his First-Class Pilots License leaving no control to the ship owners, vessel crews in a half dozen languages. with nighttime study sessions. who advised me to leave,” says Russi, Despite his quarter-century of sea They also boarded vessels together who had considered opportunities in time, Russi had difficulty earning when delivering fuel or stores. “Captain Australia and Canada before deciding on the credentials required to work on Russi was a quiet man ashore, but when a return to America. American waters because he was not a he would step aboard a ship, he was in The Hughes family agreed to sponsor naturalized citizen. “Finally, the day after total control,” Jim says. “Most of the time, the Makujinas. “Charles had to convince naturalization, I went right to the Coast he would shout out to the crew in their the Labor Board that he could not find Guard and got my Tankerman’s license,” native tongue for direction to the Chief anybody locally who was qualified and he says. Engineer. And he always carried a small
That was 1978, when spiral notepad with him in his breast Vane’s entire clean- pocket; if he heard a word that threw oil fleet consisted of him, he’d jot it down to look up later. He the motor tankers never had to jot down many words while Duff and Vane Bros. I was with him!” The next year, Russi Beginning in 1989, Duff, Jim and Russi and Charles Hughes worked closely as Vane Brothers brought Jr. oversaw the design into the fleet the company’s first tugboat, and construction of the Elizabeth Anne, named for Duff’s the motor tanker Anne mother. “Russi’s skill in negotiating with (named for Duff’s shipyards and communicating with
Captain Russi Makujina is all smiles while showing off the newly built sister, Anne Hughes shipyard workers, his patience and his Vane Brothers barge Double Skin 51, delivered in 2002. DeCamps). (continued on page 12) vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 11
(continued from page 11) Personnel 25-YEAR ANNIVERSARIES Foertsch, Ketterman Recall Early Days as Company Expanded
n the early months of 1996, Vane BOB FOERTSCH the container shipping company’s Brothers welcomed two new Systems Engineer maintenance mechanics. employees who have remained I Systems Engineer Bob Foertsch says his He recalls that when he joined Vane, with the company for 25 years. We interest in computers helped get him his the company was based at Pier 11 in congratulate Bob Foertsch and Shelia first job at Vane Brothers in February 1996, Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood and Ketterman on achieving this but not in the Information Technology functioned with only a server and “maybe important milestone. Department. Such a thing didn’t exist at four PC’s.” But the tugboat fleet was Vane back then. quickly expanding, as were bunkering operations at ports from Philadelphia Bob happened to be at a FedEx to Norfolk. facility, signing for a computer that he had ordered for his personal use, “The exponential growth of the company when a bowling buddy, former Vane was kind of challenging as far as IT Controller Donna Kuemmer, walked was concerned,” Bob says. “We were in. At the time, Bob was filling data- putting the first computers on the boats entry jobs for a temp agency, so and trying to coordinate everything at Donna thought he might be a good different locations.” fit for a position in Vane’s Accounting Bob stuck with it and helped to bring Department. Vane Brothers into the 21st century with Twenty-five years later, Bob is still its computer network. at Vane. He spent four years in He was also part of the company’s initial Accounts Payable before becoming Pipeline newsletter staff. Volume 1, Issue part of the company’s initial two- 1 of the publication was circulated person IT team. in Fall 2001, with Vice President, Bob was already very familiar with Communications, Elizabeth Hughes the Port of Baltimore upon arriving serving as Writer and Editor. Bob drew on Systems Engineer Bob Foertsch stands outside the new at Vane. He had worked with Hapag- his experience creating newsletters for Server Room at Vane’s headquarters. Lloyd for seven years, supervising his homeowner’s association and local
projects with multiple contractors and professor, Nosh a mechanical engineer, CAPTAIN RUSSI Vane employees, and also oriented and Shah a patent law attorney. (continued from page 11) numerous Tankermen to the barges The Makujinas owe tremendous being built. attention to detail always stuck with gratitude to Vane Brothers and the me,” Jim says. On a personal note, Russi built a Hughes clan, Russi says. “They always reputation as an avid dancer along with treated us like their own family.” In 1993, Vane Brothers named a tugboat Godi. He is also a huge fan of the Arsenal Capt. Russi in honor of the Senior Port In return, Duff Hughes notes, “This and Newcastle football clubs, and one Captain. The vessel sailed for the company has been enriched by Captain of the kindest people in the industry. company for more than two decades. Russi’s influence and expertise over “Captain Russi is a true gentleman and the last 50 years, and I feel extremely Even bigger projects were on the horizon scholar,” says Jim Demske, “and although fortunate to have been able to work with for Russi, who says he is most proud of a humble man, he is always the biggest him, learn from him, and enjoy time the contributions he made toward Vane’s man in the room to me.” together with his family. Captain Russi is barge-building program. Beginning in Russi and Godi made good on their a cherished friend and truly one of 2000 with the 50,000-barrel Double Skin promise to provide new opportunities a kind.” 51, Russi collaborated on construction for their children: John is now a college
12 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com Democratic club to work on the 6-page Marine Safety and Services (VBMSS) layout and to furnish photos. 25 years ago. “I have had an interest ever since I saw my first one inflated,” He provided Pipeline support for several says the former Life Raft Technician quarterly issues, but “it just got to be too and U.S. Army Bosun. “There is a lot much,” Bob says. “We were doing more of stuff in that small package, and and more in IT as the fleet grew, and some life rafts are a real challenge things really exploded when Vane started to pack.” building new equipment.” As a VBMSS Shop Manager, Shelia has The first “newbuild” tug was delivered in always felt great responsibility for 2004. By then, Vane’s headquarters had making sure the task of inspecting moved to its current Curtis Bay location. and packing each raft is done Bob was actually among the first group of correctly, whether for a recreational Vane employees to cross over from Pier 11 boat, a commercial fishing vessel, or in late 2002. IT operated out of the Vane a large military ship like the USNS Brothers Marine Safety and Services lunch Comfort. “I have been packing rafts for room while work was completed nearby over 30 years, but the stress doesn’t on the headquarters building. “I remember Shelia Ketterman is able to look into the Vane Brothers ease,” she says. “Every time a boat Marine Safety and Services Raft Room from her desk at walking around the property when it was Vane’s Portsmouth, Virginia location. goes down, I check the vessel name just steel beams here,” Bob says. to see if we packed the raft, then I listen ration blocks and water stored in durable Bob is working on his own building for news that the people were rescued. packaging. “Things have certainly project inside the garage of the Essex, When you hear that the raft saved lives, it changed over the years.” Maryland home that he shares with is very gratifying.” VBMSS officially expanded into Paula, his wife of 21 years. He wants to Shelia’s maritime career began in 1983 Portsmouth, Virginia in 1995. Though the complete a train garden layout using when she joined the Army as a Watercraft company was relatively small at the time, HO-scale trains that once belonged to his Operator. She met her husband Scott Shelia could see the growth potential. The father, John. while both were stationed in Virginia Virginia Beach resident joined VBMSS in Trains of all shapes and sizes are one of Beach, Virginia. They then were ordered March 1996. Bob’s interests. He even participates in to the Azores, where they worked on Daughter Christa was also part of the computer-based train simulator games. board tugboats docking supply ships that VBMSS team for more than a decade. “It Bowling, the sport that indirectly had a came in to the Portuguese archipelago. was nice to work with her for all those hand in on Bob joining Vane (thanks to Two years later, the Kettermans were years,” Shelia says. Christa left Vane in his friendship with Donna Kuemmer), back in the States. Scott continued with 2017 when her husband Andy graduated has been part of Bob’s life for decades – the Army until retiring after 20 years of from Air Force Officer Training School and first duckpins, then tenpins. He has even service. He is now a Port Engineer with was sent to Florida. She now works in bowled a pair of perfect 300 tenpin games. Military Sealift Command. Finance at the local county sheriff’s office. SHELIA KETTERMAN Shelia, meanwhile, was offered a job by Daughter Carla, a Williamsburg, Shop Manager a marine safety company that became Virginia resident, is a Biologist with Vane Brothers Marine Safety and Services known to her as she helped one of her the Chesapeake Mosquito Control former skippers get an integrated tug and Commission. She and her husband Chris, Some people might walk right past one barge unit ready to sail. She stayed with a mining equipment Product Engineer, of those cylindrical life raft containers that company for more than eight years are expecting their first child in June. stowed on a vessel and barely give it while also raising two daughters. a second thought. As long as the raft Though Shelia and Scott have always inflates properly in an emergency “I remember packing rafts when the been happiest around water, they situation, that’s all that matters. water was in cans and the rations were recently sold their fishing boat and had sugar cubes or jelly beans,” says Shelia, a log cabin built in the Great Smoky Shelia Ketterman, on the other hand, noting that rafts now generally contain Mountains of North Carolina. “That will thinks about life rafts a lot, even going highly nutritious, temperature-resistant be our retirement home!” says Shelia. back to before she joined Vane Brothers vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 13 Personnel PASSING THE TEST Vessel Supervisor Creates Successful Maritime App
hile preparing for his U.S. Coast Guard license exams Wfour years ago, Alex Hughes spent long hours poring over the pages of “large books as thick as Bibles.” He also explored computer-based study aids that proved frustrating due to outdated software. Nowhere could he or his fellow Midshipmen find “refined, modern tools to help prepare for these daunting exams.”
Alex took it upon himself to lend future test-takers a hand. With entrepreneurial flair, he created Sea Vessel Supervisor Alex Hughes shows off his Sea Trials exam-prep mobile app. Trials, a user-friendly exam-prep Engineer license. (This went along During these assignments, Alex would website and mobile application. with the Tankerman-Person In Charge often think back to the grueling hours On the day the initial app was launched endorsement he had secured while spent studying to earn the credentials in March 2018, more than 70 students working on Vane tugs and barges during that are required for working in an downloaded it. Following that early high school summers.) officer capacity onboard any U.S.- word-of-mouth success, Alex knew he flagged vessel. He recalled spending A mere two weeks after receiving his was “dealing with something that had a $15 per month for access to a website Academy diploma, Alex was already lot of room for growth.” that seemed antiquated in its sailing as Third Assistant Engineer on functionality. He likewise sunk $30 into Sure enough, the number of Sea Trials the inaugural voyage of the American a “very rough iPhone app” specifically clients has since eclipsed 6,000. Liberty, an innovative oil/chemical to study for Engineering Licenses. Bringing his new study aid to life was products tanker built by just the latest accomplishment for the Philly Shipyard (formerly known as Alex resolved to build an inexpensive, forward-thinking Vane Brothers Vessel Aker Philadelphia). The 600-foot-long cutting-edge study platform featuring Supervisor, who, though early in his tanker was crewed and managed a mobile app that could function career, has already been able to draw on by Crowley Maritime for American completely offline and also be a variety of maritime experiences. Petroleum Tankers. synchronized with a website once online. It would include thousands of “This quick transition into the industry questions “pulled from the last publicly AN INNOVATIVE ‘APP’ROACH in a licensed capacity led me to do a lot available question bank” utilized by the The Sea Trials concept took shape in of reflecting,” says Alex, who completed Coast Guard. He also envisioned bringing 2017 during a key time for Alex. He had two tours on the American Liberty, content for multiple Engineering and just graduated from the U.S. Merchant most often transporting oil between Deck licenses all under one roof. Marine Academy (USMMA), having Louisiana and Florida. He then headed served as Senior Class President and for Washington State to join the crew But first, Alex needed to develop a new earned a degree in Marine Engineering of the USNS Fisher, a Bob Hope-class skill set: “I had to fully jump into the and Shipyard Management. He also held roll-on/roll-off cargo ship that sailed the rabbit hole of software development,” an Unlimited Tonnage Third Assistant Pacific Ocean. he says.
14 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com At the Academy, Alex had accumulated website. An Android app was added in practice tests to simulate the experience extensive engineering and vessel the summer of 2018. of sitting down and taking the actual knowledge as a result of multiple Cadet “One of our major selling points is exam. And it’s all for the price of just posts and internships, including time the freedom to study on any device $4.99 for one-month access or $11.99 for spent on Maersk Line and Military Sealift with one single purchase,” Alex says. three-month access. Command vessels. But it was perhaps “Additionally, users are able to pick up Francis Gryzmkowski, a deep-sea a 2013 summer internship right next where they left off seamlessly with mariner who has used Sea Trials to door to Vane’s Baltimore headquarters ‘resume’ functionality between the study for the Chief Mate Unlimited that most closely dovetailed with his mobile app and website. If you leave Tonnage-Any Oceans test, notes, app project. While with the Maritime off studying at a certain spot on one “Having the entire Coast Guard question Applied Physics Corporation (MAPC), device, you can open up the website or bank on my phone inside a user-friendly Alex learned to program vessel trackers app, see exactly where you left off, and app makes the studying significantly for unmanned military vessels. continue studying.” more manageable.” Five years later, Alex taught himself Integrating the apps and website, and Other satisfied Sea Trials customers coding in order to build an inexpensive doing it in a completely secure manner, who purchased the study aid via Apple’s iOS app. “I was putting in many long proved to be a huge technical challenge. App Store have left numerous five-star hours in between hitches at sea to get “Learning as I went and ‘going with the ratings, with comments such as “works this app out in time for the next batch flow’ was a must,” says Alex. “I’m a big flawlessly” and “worth every penny.” of license tests for the maritime schools believer that you just have to ‘do’ and around the country,” he says. “The Class “All of the maritime schools rely heavily figure out along the way.” of 2018 was the first to test-drive it.” on my app, but so do hawsepipers now,” At one point, Alex even decided to says Alex. “Because of great feedback, the From there, Alex worked with a change the name of his venture, which word has spread.” developer to introduce the SeaTrials.net was originally known as Mariner License Prep. “When talking to Vane employees who kept asking what it was called over and over again, I realized that the name was not memorable or easy to type out,” Alex says. “This led to me completely rebranding the app and website!”
TECHNOLOGY FOR THE TIMES
While living in Seattle since late 2018 and performing his Vessel Supervisor duties for Vane’s India Fleet, Alex has made sure to keep the Sea Trials software up-to-date with ongoing technological advances. “The maritime industry often gets stuck in the past,” he says. “Sea Trials is looking to disrupt this and show that we can have websites and mobile apps that help simplify our lives and truly represent where the future is going.”
The Sea Trials study platform now Fresh out of the U.S. Merchant Marine covers information relevant to nearly Thanks to his U.S. Merchant Marine Academy education, the sea time he Academy, Alex Hughes sailed as Third 50 Engineering and Deck license exams. Assistant Engineer on the inaugural voyage has gained, and his duties as a Vane And the website gives users the ability to of the American Liberty oil/chemical Brothers Vessel Supervisor, Alex Hughes is products tanker. generate and print randomly generated comfortable navigating an engine room. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 15 New Faces - New Talent
Georgia, where Levan formed warm handling Public Relations. They were Let’s give a warm welcome to memories of going to restaurants and married in 2016. Katie now fills an the following Vane Brothers clubs, or enjoying the beauty of one Accounting role at a business near the and Vane Launch shore-side of the country’s ski resorts. “I miss my family’s Reisterstown, Maryland home. team members. friends most of all,” he says. Levan finds it interesting that the What America has given Levan country of Georgia has a population of is a new beginning with his wife fewer than 4 million people, compared Katie and their two daughters, to 6 million residents in the state of Alexandra, 4, and Danielle, Maryland. “It’s very small over there,” he who is almost 2. “Family is my says. “Everybody knows everybody.” In number-one priority in life,” fact, Levan can now visit Washington, Levan says. “Being a father is D.C., to see old school chums who work a constant joy. I can’t really at the Georgian Embassy. express it in words.” And Levan is happy to note that, though Before joining Vane Brothers as hostilities still exist with Russia, “right a Baltimore-based Scheduler in now things seem to be pretty okay” in June 2020, Levan worked various his homeland. jobs in New York: at Amnesty International as a Canvasser MIKE MAHER Team Lead, at John F. Kennedy Warehouse Coordinator
International Airport as a hen Mike Maher accepted specialized freight forwarder, Scheduler Levan Mchedlishvili. a job at Vane Brothers’ and closer to his former home Philadelphia City Dock in Brooklyn as a trucking W LEVAN MCHEDLISHVILI location in May 2020, he was already company’s Dispatcher and very familiar with the ins and outs of Scheduler Fleet Supervisor. working in a warehouse setting. What eople living in the small country “Since I moved to Maryland, I’m with he didn’t know much about was the of Georgia, located where Western Vane and really glad to be,” he says. maritime industry and the important PAsia meets Eastern Europe, have “I like that there is always something role played by Vane’s crews and vessels. endured their fair share of turmoil in different happening every day. You The Warehouse Coordinator has since recent decades. Georgia’s secession never get bored.” enjoyed every opportunity to interact from the Soviet Union in 1991 led to Levan’s fine command of the years of civil strife. Then hundreds English language is owed in of lives were lost during the Russo- part to the years he spent at Georgian War, fought over the course of the School of Tomorrow, which, one month in 2008. when established in 1992, Growing up in Georgia’s capital city was recognized as Georgia’s of Tbilisi, Levan Mchedlishvili was first American-run academic reluctantly snagged in the unrest. “It institution. He later graduated was really tough during the civil war,” from Tbilisi State University says Levan, who would regularly see with a Bachelor’s degree in teenagers carrying guns in the streets. Business Administration. As an Army Reservist in 2008, he even The last job he held in Georgia found himself “kind of on the front line.” was at Tbilisi International Still, it was with mixed emotions that Airport, where he represented he left his homeland in 2016 and settled the German airline Lufthansa in the United States. His parents, two as a Duty Manager. His future sisters and younger brother remain in wife also worked at the airport, Philadelphia Warehouse Coordinator Mike Maher.
16 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com with mariners who give him an insight and Sundays. Saturday nights are During that gig, he met many notable into their daily experiences. “I have generally reserved for checking out personalities, including Bill Clinton and learned quite a bit from the Captains, the menu at local restaurants. “If I like George H.W. Bush. During one particular Engineers and Deckhands I get to speak a dish, I make it at home,” says Greg, event, as the two former U.S. Presidents with,” Mike says. “They tell me about who grew up in a “cooking family” that were ushered through the kitchen from the loading and unloading process, used food to bring people together. It’s a a service entrance, Clinton stopped and the jobs they perform. It’s a very tradition he happily continues. to speak and take pictures with the interesting industry.” “I enjoy making food that people enjoy,” workers. “I was just humbled by the Which brings us to the best part of says Greg, noting that he often eats his experience and his kindness,” Greg says. working at Vane, according to Mike. “All own dinner early in the evening, of the people here are excellent,” he then prepares a meal for the says. “They are understanding and work rest of the household and sits well together. It really helps to make the down with them as they eat. job go more smoothly.” Greg’s girlfriend, Crystal Before coming to City Dock, Mike had Sanchez, is his “favorite food- spent many years in the Shipping and tester.” The rest of the family Receiving Department for a printing – Greg’s 10-year-old son and company. “There are a lot of similarities Crystal’s two young daughters between what I did there and what I do – are more picky, “but Crystal here,” he says. “Even though it’s a very will try everything I make” says different industry, everything is pretty Greg, who speaks with pride of adaptable.” the tasty shrimp and spinach Outside of work, Mike has an interest alfredo he recently prepared for in classic cars. He drives a black Crystal’s birthday. 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that he His dream would be to maybe has owned since the age of 17. And one day own a food truck Vane Launch Deckhand/Warehouse Assistant/ though the interior has remained to serve the people of his CDL Driver Greg Brooks. unchanged, he has enjoyed “doing some hometown Philadelphia. For modifications” under the hood. Maybe now, Greg is sinking his teeth into These days, Greg is most humbled someday it will be show-worthy, but for learning all he can about the maritime by his relationship with son Noah. now “there’s always something more to industry while working as a Deckhand, “Becoming a father changed everything do,” he says. Warehouse Assistant and CDL Driver for me,” he says. “I began appreciating A Philadelphia native, Mike currently with Vane Launch. “This industry was the little things and taking time to lives in Wilmington, Delaware, where completely new to me when I started soak up the moment. There’s nothing I he takes pleasure in outdoor activities here, and I didn’t know how interesting wouldn’t do for him.” such as hiking at nearby state parks. it would be,” says Greg. “It’s cool to see how much is done for our country. A Noah shares his father’s interest in GREG BROOKS lot of people don’t realize how many sports. Greg was involved in youth Deckhand/Warehouse Assistant/CDL Driver products come to them from ships.” football for many years, earning accolades at multiple positions. Noah Vane Launch - Philadelphia Greg joined Vane Launch in October has also played football, but gravitates ecause the interview for this 2020 after spending nearly two years more toward baseball. Pipeline article took place on a with Waste Management as a garbage Tuesday morning, Greg Brooks collector. Before that, he drove While hoping to develop his son’s B interest in cooking, Greg has also already knew what he would be trucks and operated a bus for the preparing for dinner that night. “We Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation begun dabbling in gardening. If all have tacos every Tuesday,” he says Authority (SEPTA). goes as planned, the family will soon be growing spices and tomatoes to excitedly. “It’s my favorite food.” Back when he was still a teenager, Greg enhance Greg’s recipes. In Greg’s house, he is the master of the worked for a catering company based kitchen, creating meals on weeknights at Philly’s National Constitution Center. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 17 News and Notes ROCKET LAUNCH RECEIVES COAST GUARD ASSISTANCE
omel Saweress, Vane Brothers this historic mission, as it is always an Barge Captain on the Double honor to serve my country,” Romel says. Skin 51, received a Letter of R Along with the Letter of Appreciation, Appreciation from the U.S. Coast Saweress received the same Guard on December 12, recognizing his commemorative mission badge participation in a successful mission presented to the spacecraft’s four- tied to the launch of a crewed SpaceX member crew, which is now at the rocket. The launch in November was the International Space Station. first NASA-certified commercial human Romel has also been sworn in as a spacecraft flight in history. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 2021 Romel, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Diversity Officer. Auxiliary, volunteered to provide support The Crew Dragon space capsule is as the Falcon 9 Crew Dragon spacecraft capable of ferrying up to seven astronauts was launched on November 15 from to and from the space station. the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. His duties included patrolling, limiting access to restricted navigational water As an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard areas, and guiding the general public Auxiliary, Vane Brothers Barge Captain to ensure the safety and security of all Romel Saweress provided support during the involved. “It was an honor to be part of launch of a SpaceX Falcon rocket. Yates Earns Two Degrees
n a virtual commencement, Robert Joseph "Buddy" Yates graduated Ifrom the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) on December 12, 2020. Buddy’s proud parents are Vane Brothers Licensed Engineer Sean Yates and wife DoriJo of New Bern, North Carolina.
Buddy earned two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts. The Wilmington, North Carolina resident would like to pursue a career in video game design while also striving for a Master’s degree in Data Science from UNCW.
Buddy Yates sports his cap and gown during a virtual commencement for University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates.
18 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com OUR GROWING FAMILY
Luke Chandler Blake • Chief Engineer Zadie Esperanza Hernick • Port Captain Christopher Blake III and wife Amber of Jim Demske and wife Rose are happy to Beaufort, North Carolina celebrated the announce the arrival of a granddaughter birth of a baby boy on May 29, 2020. Luke on August 20, 2020. Parents Charles and measured 20.5 inches and weighed 7 lbs., Pamela Hernick of Eastport, Maryland 14 oz. His big sister is Lexi, and he has two welcomed Zadie in a home delivery. She grandfathers working with Vane Brothers: measured 21 inches and weighed 8 lbs. Tug Captain Kevin Buttry and Chief Zadie has three older sisters, Zoe, Gemma Engineer Christopher Blake Jr. and Paloma. The other grandparents are Phil and Marlene Hernick. Zadie’s first outing on the water occurred on Charles and Pam’s sailboat, the Gatsby, just nine days after her birth.
Raylan James Kosegi • Barge Captain Bryan T. Kosegi and wife Jordan Kosegi are the proud parents of a son born September 27, 2020, at Central Virginia Baptist Hospital. Raylan measured 20.5 inches and weighed 8 lbs., 5 oz. His happy grandfather, Bryan Cleo Rively Roosevelt • Congratulations P. Kosegi, is also a Barge Captain and has to Barge Captain Matt Roosevelt and wife been with Vane Brothers since 1999. Jenny. The Colora, Maryland residents welcomed their first child on June 22, 2020, at the University of Maryland Alannah Jean Brzezenski • Scheduler If you have an announcement to share Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. Cleo Paul Martello and wife Beth are thrilled about a birth, wedding, graduation or measured 20.25 inches and weighed to be first-time grandparents! A.J. was 8 lbs. She is the fourth grandchild born July 22, 2020, at Mercy Medical other family highlight, email it to of Vane Brothers Health, Safety and Center in Baltimore. She measured 19.75 Communications Manager Blaise Willig at Environmental Manager Robert Roosevelt inches and weighed 7.2 lbs. Her parents [email protected]. and wife Bernice. are Ryan and Sarah Brzezenski.
vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 19 News and Notes TYING THE KNOT
RAYBOURN – STOLBA • Vane Brothers Financial Analyst Megan Stolba and husband Brad Raybourn had twice the fun during their wedding. After the conclusion of one ceremony on the evening of December 11, 2020, they held a second ceremony the following day!
Megan and Brad had been planning their wedding for December 12, but complications that arose from increased COVID-19 restrictions in Baltimore prompted the couple to move their planned ceremony to a new date. The December 11 wedding and reception took place at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, with 16 members of the immediate family in attendance. Then to mark their “official wedding date,” Megan and Brad enjoyed a small outdoor ceremony by the water in Harbor East at 12:12 p.m. on 12/12.
As a surprise, Megan’s sisters created a video of well-wishes featuring friends and family who were unable to attend the wedding.
The Raybourns reside in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood. Brad is a Medical Device Consultant for an implantable epilepsy treatment.
CALENDAR CONTEST DEADLINE NEARS Don’t delay in submitting photos for the 2022 Vane Brothers calendar contest. The deadline is July 16, 2021. All Vane Brothers employees are eligible.
Images should be at least 1MB in size and feature Vane vessels and/or mariners. If you use a mobile phone to take pictures, please remember to set it on the highest resolution possible and hold the phone sideways so your photos are landscape-oriented.
Email your entries to Communications Manager Blaise Willig at [email protected].
Please note: All photos become the property of Vane Brothers and OS Deckhand Ryan Pittman’s photo of the Vane Brothers may be used for promotional and communications purposes. articulated tug/barge (AT/B) tug Charleston is a contender in the 2022 Vane Brothers calendar contest.
• Tankerman Blake Hedahl of Snohomish, Washington, IN MEMORIAM who lost his father, Captain Ronald Hedahl, on January 12.
Our thoughts are with these Vane Brothers employees who • Mate Second Daniel Van Sciver of Valrico, Florida, whose recently lost a loved one: mother, Virginia, passed away on January 15.
• Scheduler David Tomaszewski of Parkville, Maryland, • Barge Captain Clyde “C.W.” Overton of Belvidere, North whose mother, Pauline, passed away suddenly on Carolina, who lost his mother, Melba, on January 27. January 12. • Scheduler William R. Feeley of Sayville, New York, whose father, William F., passed away on January 29.
20 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2021 vanebrothers.com Licensed Engineer Michael A. Viola OS Tankerman James P. Murphy AB Deckhand Travis S. Weisel AB Deckhand Jerrod G. Perdue BELLS & Barge Captain David W. West OS Deckhand Brett E. Price Barge Captain Derrick M. Whitlock OS Deckhand Brad T. Revere Captain Edward J. Wright Mate Eric E. Skewis WHISTLES Mate Trainee Jessica E. Yeomans Life Raft Technician Daniel A. Troxel Jr. Congratulations to these valued employees 5 YEARS AB Tankerman Jullian C. Woods who have reached service milestones or are marking special anniversaries in the first half Mate Brent N. Bareswill Chief Engineer Christopher J. Beath ‘Welcome Aboard’ of 2021. Mate Monte E. Cross III To These New Barge Captain Patrick J. Dukes 30 YEARS Second AB Tankerman Timothy G. Eddy Vane Employees! Captain Gary P. Creighton AB Deckhand Matthew W. Eggleston Mate Garland R. Attaway Mate Charles L. George Tankerman Evaluation Reginald K. Banks 25 YEARS Warehouse/Inventory Coordinator OS Deckhand Thaddeus D. Bliss Wendy E. Gulley AB Deckhand Franklin E. Bodden Systems Engineer Robert J. Foertsch Mechanic Aubrey R. Halley OS Deckhand Georgianna L. Bode Shop Manager Shelia M. Ketterman Licensed Engineer James W. Hardin Jr. Deckhand/Warehouse Assistant/CDL Driver Unmanned Barge Crew Gary M. Tomlinson OS Tankerman Jack R. Mariano Gregory Brooks 20 YEARS Barge Captain Jesse G. Masek OS Deckhand Caleb M. Brunner AB Deckhand Eric S. Rucky OS Deckhand Gordon B. Daly Mate Lawrence W. Creedle III AB Deckhand Jessica L. Russo OS Deckhand Colin T. Erickson Unmanned Barge Crew William E. Crockett AB Tankerman Matthew G. Sanders Mate Mark O. Franz Chief Engineer Dale J. Rabuck Captain Michael J. Vaughan OS Deckhand John T. Griffin Scheduler Christopher J. Smith Assistant Engineer Gregory S. Webber OS Deckhand Melvin A. Harrell 15 YEARS Port Engineer/Shipyard Brandon S. Whitehorn OS Deckhand Casey A. Hurn Tankerman Evaluation Bradon M. Jordan Lead Tankerman Corey D. Copeland 1 YEAR OS Deckhand Gregory E. Joyner Captain Douglas H. Cornelius AB Tankerman Leroy Alexander III Mate Charles J. Lange Captain Logan D. Crockett Mate Richard C. Bates Deckhand Trainee Alexander C. Lewis Captain James W. Hunley Jr. OS Deckhand Zachary K. Blake Deckhand Trainee Ruben Madrigal-Corona Chief Engineer Kenneth E. McConville Warehouse Coordinator Blake R. Martin Captain Christopher H. L. Murphy OS Deckhand Paul J. Bosch OS Tankerman Mark E. Matthews Captain Bruce C. Robrecht OS Deckhand Lawrence H. Bronhard Licensed Engineer Gregory M. Merrithew Payroll Specialist Rhonda L. Shaffer Warehouse Manager Timothy S. Califano OS Deckhand Thomas C. Morris Licensed Engineer Robert S. Yates Chief Mate Charles D. Ertle Scheduler Sean M. Feeley Engineer Evaluation Chase A. O’Keefe 10 YEARS OS Deckhand Adam T. Greenwood Deckhand Trainee James H. Odegaard Mate Patrick J. Hickey Tankerman Evaluation Ibukun A. Oshin Captain Timothy J. Boehmer Vessel Supervisor Robert A. Hintz Mate Evaluation Adam D. Paetz Lead Tankerman Daniel J. Forrest Deckhand Trainee Wilmer A. Mate James L. Hutchinson AB Deckhand Seth R. Johnson Quinapallo Centeno Mate Jacoby L. Jarvis AB Deckhand Amber R. Joynes Tankerman Evaluation Kendall L. Reid Mate James M. Mitchem Mate Adam J. Lauderdale Mate Evaluation Richard H. Rittmeyer Licensed Engineer Daniel L. Mooney Warehouse Coordinator Michael J. Maher OS Deckhand Junior C. Rodney Scheduler Richard D. Pollock OS Deckhand David N. Marchione Mate Evaluation Todd M. Sauerwald Licensed Engineer Robert R. Popperwill III AB Deckhand Greg M. Massaro Mate-Second Guy C. Vance Scheduler Levan Mchedlishvili OS Deckhand Trimayne H. J. Whetstone OS Deckhand Cory R. W. Mills
vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2021 / Pipeline 21 The Vane Brothers Company 2100 Frankfurst Avenue Baltimore, MD 21226
Baltimore • New York • Philadelphia • Norfolk • Charleston • Savannah • Jacksonville • Tampa Bay
Great Lakes/North Border • Puget Sound • Los Angeles/Long Beach • San Francisco PIPELINE
Never Fear, New Tug is Here! .... Page 8 A Captain's Contributions ...... Page 10 Experience Goes into App ...... Page 14
Pipeline Personal Announcements • Contact [email protected] by August 1, 2021. 2022 Calendar Contest • Vane employees can submit photos until July 16, 2021. Pipeline Lite Sign-Up • For an email notification when the next digital newsletter is posted, send your address to [email protected].