PIPELINE THE VANE BROTHERS COMPANY WINTER/SPRING 2020

Peak Performance Vane Hits New Heights Since Expansion To West Coast

Also Inside: n Marine Safety Extends Life-line to Readers n Crews Complete Bridge Resource Management Refresher

Winter/Spring 2020 Winter/Spring 1 No. 19, Vol. If you use a mobile phone to take If you to set it on please remember pictures, be Also, possible. the highest resolution that so hold the phone sideways to sure formatted. horizontally photos are your All photos become the Please note: be and may Brothers Vane of property and communications promotional used for purposes. Photo by Vane Brothers Captain Ed Scott. Captain Brothers Vane Photo by is published twice annually by: twice annually The Pipeline is published Companies Brothers Vane The MD 21226 / Baltimore, Avenue 2100 Frankfurst 410-631-7773 www.vanebrothers.com Hughes S. Editor: Elizabeth Executive Editor: Blaise Willig Ideas or comments? Email: [email protected] Timonium of and Design: PCA Production and barge tug Delaware The On the cover: in mid-2019 alongside Double Skin 311 work United Washington the MOL Explorer at the Tacoma. of in the Port Terminal All Vane employees are eligible to are employees Vane All ends on which participate in the contest, prize Thirteen grand 2020. 17, July Friday, a cash prize! winners will receive submit that you requesting are Judges files of at least 1MB, high-resolution and/or vessels Vane featuring scenes of shots can email your You members. crew Manager Blaise to Communications at [email protected]. Willig

Marine Safety Round-up Mike Reagoso McAllister’s Portlight: and Notes News Follow-up Pipeline Lite Follow-up News Industry Talent - New Faces New New Vessel Vessel Update New Anniversary First Coast’s West Management Bridge Resource

or the Vane Brothers 2021 Brothers Vane or the Voyages” Our “Moments From Licensed Calendar Contest,

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16 18 10 15 Engineer Lewis Wheatley recently recently Wheatley Engineer Lewis Vane’s submitted this photo of one of

50,000-barrel barges closing in on the barges 50,000-barrel Manhattan skyline.

4 2 CONTENTS Photo Moment Photo

Vane Calendar Contest Vane Deadline On Horizon F Vessels FIRST APPEARANCE BY TUG ANNAPOLIS Charleston AT/B Also Among Newest Builds Now in Service

t 94 feet long with a 34-foot beam, each 3,000-horsepower Avessel in Vane Brothers’ Salisbury Class of push tugs is, as Port Captain Jim Demske puts it, “a really robust inland pusher.”

More than two years ago, Demske began collaborating with Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp., Shipbuilders and Naval Architects in Salisbury, Maryland, to introduce Subchapter M-compliant vessels that would be “quiet and comfortable and work efficiently in shallow draft areas,” according to Demske. “These tugs handle beautifully and are spacious throughout.”

Of the four push tugs ordered from Ray Hoffman, who works on the historic Upper Ferry, captured this photo of the tug Annapolis Chesapeake, two have already been earlier this year. Ray often gets close-up views of Vane Brothers vessels moving to and from nearby delivered: the Salisbury last year and the Salisbury while he ferries three cars at a time across the Wicomico River. Annapolis earlier this year. Addressing the shallow-draft requirement, both ANOTHER AT/B ADDITION articulated tug/barge (AT/B) units. While square-bow tugs have a molded depth of at the St. Johns Ship Building yard in Vane has also been getting solid service 10.5 feet, nearly three feet less than the Florida, the Jacksonville and Charleston out of the two 4,200-horsepower sixteen model-bow Vane tugs that have were fitted with an innovative Beacon Elizabeth Anne Class vessels that, unlike been built at Chesapeake since 2007. Finland JAK-400 Hydralok AT/B coupling previous tugs in this class, function as system. This system allows the AT/B tugs to be securely paired with 500 series barges that were modified as AT/B barges at Lyon Shipyard in Virginia.

“The success of this retrofit program has afforded us the ability to improve the operational performance of our existing fleet Elizabeth Anne Class tugs and 50,000-barrel barges,” says Captain Rick Iuliucci, Vane Vice President, Operations. “The recent addition of these tug/barge combinations has been well received by our customers, crews and regulators. “

The Jacksonville/Double Skin 504 AT/B went to work for Vane in 2018. The Charleston/DS-506 joined the fleet late last year. The tug Salisbury heads outbound on the Wicomico River together with the Double Skin 214 in this photo taken in January by Port Captain Jim Demske. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 1 Operations

Vane Brothers’ beautifully maintained equipment complements the impressive downtown Seattle cityscape. [Photo by India Fleet Port Captain Patrick Dougan] PEAK PERFORMANCE ON WESTERN FRONT Fleet Operations Continue Forward Progress Since First Anniversary

hat a year it’s been! Long Beach, Seattle/Tacoma and the Iuliucci says. “We are regarded as a As first reported in the San Francisco Bay area.” skilled and safe operator, just as it is in December 2019 edition of all other ports we serve.” W Vane has gradually added more our Pipeline Lite digital newsletter, the equipment since first venturing out one-year anniversary of Vane Brothers’ west during the winter of 2018. Most expansion to the West Coast has recently, the barge Double Skin 303 quickly come and gone. Expectations began the new year by joining Vane’s are high for sustained growth in bunkering operations in the Ports of Los partnership with Vane’s valued Angeles and Long Beach. customers there. While still drawing on the expertise of The company has maintained forward veteran mariners well-versed in Vane’s momentum with a knowledgeable equipment and operational system, staff of shore-based personnel the company has also increased and top-notch crews sailing out of the number of local crew members Washington (Vane’s India Fleet) and familiar with the West Coast geography. California (Juliet Fleet). “We have Approximately 70 percent of Vane’s been fortunate to bring on a very India Fleet crews currently operating talented team of shore-side managers around Puget Sound hail from the Vane Brothers Juliet Fleet Port Captain Mike and recruit many highly skilled Erwin mans the booth during a California general vicinity. mariners,” says Captain Rick Iuliucci, Maritime Academy Career Fair on October “We have adapted to the nuances of 22. The Fair, which was also attended by Port Vice President, Operations. “This has Engineer Max Rosenberg, occurred less than a the West Coast markets and gained allowed us to successfully grow our week before a wildfire prompted the temporary the respect of the port communities,” evacuation of the campus. Classes resumed at operations in the ports of Los Angeles/ the Academy on November 6.

2 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com Captain Igor Loch Jr., Vane’s Director which is the most heavily transited lock • On-the-job training has been taking of West Coast Marine Operations system in the nation. place among India Fleet Deckhands and Labor Relations, adds, “We have • The West Coast team helped to to better familiarize them with barge received a number of compliments on develop and execute a Bridge Resource cargo operations. “This training is being the equipment, quality and efficiency of Management (BRM) refresher course done so that the Tug Deckhands, when service provided by Vane crews.” through MITAGS West, the Maritime acting as Assistants to the PIC (Person- Institute of Technology and Graduate In-Charge) on watch on the barge, have a Loch joins Iuliucci in thanking the Studies’ Seattle-based campus. [MITAGS solid understanding of cargo operations shore-based teams and vessel crews for East, which is located a short drive from and their associated duties and their professionalism and dedication. “It Vane’s Baltimore headquarters, has since responsibilities,” explains Loch. He adds is their hard work and can-do attitude started a similar training program with some that Deckhands working with Vane’s Los that have been key to building our of Vane’s East Coast crews. You can read Angeles/Long Beach bunker operation reputation and providing a positive more about the BRM training on page 4.] will receive similar training. impression for customers, pilots and regulatory entities,” he says. “We remain committed to doing everything in our power to ensure our Among many notable accomplishments “We have received a number customers’ success,” Iuliucci says. “As from the past year: of compliments on the long as we maintain our core values, • Vane vessels transited Western equipment, quality and our attention to detail, and never Canadian waters for the first time en efficiency of service provided forget who we are, the West Coast will route to a Vancouver shipyard. continue to provide opportunities for • Vane vessels completed an inaugural by Vane crews.” growth well into the future.” voyage through Seattle’s Ballard Locks, - Captain Igor Loch Jr.

More than one year since heading west, the Vane Brothers articulated tug Assateague and barge Double Skin 802 are a well-entrenched part of the California maritime scene. [Photo by Chief Mate Hank Carter] vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 3 Operations BRIDGE REFRESHER Classroom and Simulator Training Emphasizes Emergency Preparedness

econd Mate Marty Granberg was carefully guiding an articulated Stug/barge (AT/B) unit through the crowded Arthur Kill tidal strait near Staten Island when rain began to fall. Then an approaching boat veered toward the AT/B, an alarm sounded on the bridge, and a thick fog suddenly rolled in, completely obscuring visibility beyond the nose of the barge.

It was just another day in the simulator at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS), where several dozen Vane Brothers mariners recently participated in a custom- designed Bridge Resource Management Shown during a BRM Refresher simulator session at MITAGS West are members of the Vane tug Hudson crew, from left, Captain Jeremy Dann, AB Deckhand Steven Semler and Mate Ryan Watson. (BRM) Refresher course.

Provided at MITAGS facilities on both of emergency situation the MITAGS staff ‘RIGHT ON THE MARK’ the East Coast and West Coast, the could throw at them. The BRM Refresher migrated across course explored multiple themes such The primary goal of the BRM Refresher the U.S. in mid-January. Captain Bill as situational awareness, the role of was “to create extremely relevant Meekins, Vane General Manager, Port of the towboat operator, voyage planning simulation scenarios and engage Philadelphia, coordinated participation procedures, and working within a with the ‘Emergency Preparedness’ at the MITAGS East campus, which “Culture of Safety.” Each three-day BRM section of our Towing Vessel Safety is located a short drive from Vane’s training session included classroom- Management System,” says Vane India Baltimore headquarters. based case-study analysis as well as Fleet Port Captain Patrick Dougan. Captains and Mates on Vane’s AT/B’s time spent on the simulator, where Dougan took input from other received first crack at the East Coast Vane mariners responded to every sort Operations personnel and worked training, with the expectation that more closely with staff at the MITAGS West mariners will get involved in the future. facility in Seattle to customize “Any mariner who is in the wheelhouse the program for Vane. as Master or Mate, or a Deckhand The first BRM training session looking to move to the wheelhouse, can occurred at MITAGS West in and should be able to take something early November, after which away from this course,” Meekins says. Dougan reported, “By using “For years, BRM has always been based the simulator to act through on managing a ship’s bridge, which events like loss of tow, main was not our reality as towing vessel engine propulsion failure, operators. This course that has been steering failure and loss of designed for us is right on the mark and critical systems, our mariners Captain Jonathan Ward, right, speaks about situational relevant to what we do on a daily basis.” awareness as tug Hudson Mate Kevin Freemire, left, and truly became better prepared Though both coasts followed the same Captain Jeremy Dann listen in. Captain Ward, a former to enact the contingencies President of the Puget Sound Pilots, was joined by retired general program outline, simulator Ship Captain Bob Febos as the primary instructors for the outlined in the Safety scenarios were adjusted appropriately. BRM Refresher at MITAGS West. Management System.”

4 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com For example, the MITAGS steering loss. … The course is West sessions incorporated a good concept for training the “Puget Sound areas that our next generation of Masters and mariners transit every day,” Mates for Vane Brothers.” Dougan says. At MITAGS East, After the simulator portions Granberg tackled Arthur Kill of the BRM Refresher, Vane while assisted by two Vane mariners were able to sit down Captains very familiar with the with MITAGS instructors to be waterway: Butch Cornelius and “debriefed” on what occurred Chuck Rochon, both of whom on the bridge. Simulator runs joined Vane in 2006. were also recorded, allowing Captain Cornelius of the AT/B additional discussion of “highly tug Wachapreague thought effective as well as ineffective this course’s case studies event responses,” says Dougan. A discussion inside the MITAGS East simulator involves, from left, and simulator scenarios were Vane Captain Butch Cornelius, Captain Chuck Rochon and Second MITAGS East instructor Mate Marty Granberg. particularly effective compared Captain Bill Skahan gave to other BRM training in which Granberg a very positive he has participated over the debriefing following his years. He adds, “Learning Arthur Kill simulator run, something new can provide and included praise for the a different viewpoint. You way Captains Rochon and should never turn down an Cornelius interacted with the educational opportunity.” AT/B tug Chincoteague Second Eric Takakjian, who, like Mate. “You’re getting really Rochon, is a Captain on the good coaching,” Skahan AT/B tug Chincoteague, also said to Granberg. took part in a BRM Refresher Mate Richard Edwards, who session at MITAGS East. “The joined Vane in late 2018 and training was tailored for ATB’s, was part of the first BRM Before heading to the MITAGS East simulator, charts are studied and I thought it was spot on,” Refresher session at MITAGS and a passage plan shared among, from left, Vane Captain Paul he says. “Very, very relevant to Hawkins, Captain Butch Cornelius, Second Mate Marty Granberg, West, says, “Any type of Captain Chuck Rochon and Chief Mate Matt Swank. what we encounter.” training that pushes your Captain Tim Clagg joined employees to become better Vane in 2007 and is assigned is a good thing.” He adds that to the California-based managers also benefit from AT/B tug Assateague. He “being able to see what the participated in the BRM operators are made of, to see Refresher at MITAGS West their strengths and weaknesses and appreciated the chance and how they handle being put to interact more closely with in a stressful situation.” younger mariners, particularly Captain Clagg recognizes those still building their the BRM Refresher as a “very bridge skills: “The simulator valuable” training tool for the provides a great opportunity company. “I want Vane Brothers to put them in situations that to grow and succeed,” he says, I would be worried about them During a post-simulator debriefing, MITAGS East instructor Captain “and with this course Vane is Bill Skahan, right, speaks with Vane Captain Chuck Rochon, while on experiencing in real time: putting the initiative forward to the screen AT/B tug Brandywine Captain Paul Hawkins, left, and restricted visibility, traffic- Chief Mate Matt Swank familiarize themselves with the simulator. make sure we all succeed.” A second MITAGS instructor, Captain Jerry Hasselbach, also worked congested areas, radio and with the Vane mariners. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 2019 / Pipeline 5 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 past newsletters, as well as previous editions of Pipeline magazine, are available at WWW.VANEBROTHERS.COM/NEWS.

To be notified when a new edition of Pipeline Lite is posted to the website, please send your email address with the subject line “Pipeline Lite” to [email protected].

Historic Ship Given A Helpful Nudge

he USS Constellation, a popular attraction in Baltimore’s Inner THarbor area, received a tug assist in September from Port Captain Jim Demske together with the crew of the Vane Brothers tug Cape May.

The 19th-century sloop-of-war, which is maintained by an organization called Historic Ships in Baltimore, was moved just a few hundred feet while work is completed on a new shore- side museum/ticket building. Visitors are still welcome on the ship while construction continues nearby over the next several months.

Vane Brothers has provided assistance with moving the USS Constellation as needed for the last quarter-century. The Vane Brothers tug Cape May maneuvers the 199-foot-long USS Constellation around a tight space in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in September. Launched in 1854, the USS Constellation was the last sail-only warship designed and built by the U.S. Navy.

Next Sub-M Goal Already Achieved

ane Brothers has hit the next Thanks to the full commitment of VSubchapter M compliance Vane crews and shore-side personnel, target with several months to more than 50 percent of the company’s go before the U.S. Coast Guard’s tugboats had already received a valid industrywide deadline. COI as of February.

Sub-M refers to newly established, The next Sub-M deadline is 75 percent federally regulated safety standards compliance by July 2021. A company’s for “inspected towing vessels.” The entire fleet must be in compliance by Coast Guard requires that 50 percent July 2022. Vane Port Captain Jim Demske, left, confers of applicable tugs in a company’s fleet with Historic Ships in Baltimore Executive earn a valid Certificate of Inspection Director Chris Rowsom on the USS Constellation’s deck. (COI) by July 20, 2020.

6 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com Maritime Safety Award Presented for ‘Outstanding Compliance Programs’

Tug and Barge Safety Award A company’s safety statistics and was presented to Vane Brothers rate of drug testing compliance are of A in October during the annual particular importance. American Maritime Safety Inc. (AMS) The AMS is a non-profit maritime Membership Meeting and Safety Awards trade association that primarily Luncheon. The award recognizes facilitates industry compliance with AMS members for implementing U.S. Department of Transportation “outstanding compliance programs and U.S. Coast Guard drug and alcohol that serve to enhance crewmember South East Regional HSE Manager John Shkor, testing regulations. The Safety Awards left, accepts the AMS Safety Award on behalf efficiency and the safe operation of Luncheon was held October 17 at the of Vane Brothers from AMS President Lee vessels in U.S. coastal waters.” Yale University Club in New York. Seham, Esq.

Tug Crews Earn ‘A’ Rating for Getting It Right

ane Brothers once again received among 258 vessels monitored from Van overall “A” grade for safe and January to May 2019 while transiting responsible vessel performance in an the National Oceanic and Atmospheric environmentally sensitive area off the Administration (NOAA) Stellwagen Bank northeast coast of the United States. National Marine Sanctuary. Portions of the sanctuary overlap with the Cape A “Certificate of Corporate Cod Bay and Off Race Point seasonal Responsibility” was presented to management areas. Vane in December, recognizing the company’s commitment to mandatory Five Vane tugs that earned an “A” or seasonal speed restrictions in waters “A+” rating were the Baltimore, Magothy, where endangered North Atlantic Right Pocomoke, Wicomico and Wye River. by the sanctuary in 2016 in conjunction Whales are particularly vulnerable to The Right Whale Corporate with the International Fund for Animal collisions with vessels. Vane tugs were Responsibility Program was initiated Welfare.

vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 7 Industry News JUSTIFYING THE JONES ACT AWO Supports Century-old Statute as Integral to Nation’s Security

he Jones Act turns 100 this some of the “hardworking men and year, and the American women that comprise this industry.” Waterways Operators (AWO) T One post featured Vane Brothers towing industry advocacy group is Captain Mark McCluskey and his son, working hard to ensure that this of the world’s coastlines. Here in the Captain Jordan McCluskey. Another important federal statute sticks around U.S., the nation’s Jones Act-protected showed a veteran mariner, Vane Launch to celebrate many more anniversaries domestic maritime industry is said to Captain David Steckel, working side by down the line. support 650,000 American jobs. side with a relative newcomer, Vane Introduced by Senator Wesley Jones • National Security – According to the Launch’s Steven Manson. as part of the Merchant Marine Act of AWO, “strong 1920, the Jones Act requires that vessels vessel operating transporting cargo between two U.S. companies; a ports be American-built, American- skilled, available owned and American-crewed. This supply of includes tugboats and barges working mariners; and a in the coastwise trade. robust shipyard industrial base AWO officials say they fully support are critical force the Jones Act’s role in preserving the multipliers economic, national and homeland that the U.S. security of the United States. government • Economic Security – Cabotage laws must have, similar to the Jones Act are in place but could not across the globe among nearly 100 sustain, without countries that account for 80 percent the commercial domestic maritime industry.” SAFETY DISCUSSION

• Homeland Security – The AWO notes In other AWO news, Vane Brothers’ West that Jones Act mariners operating Coast Health, Safety and Environmental on the nation’s 25,000 miles of (HSE) Manager Jim Peschel was navigable waterways “serve as the U.S. a presenter at the AWO Safety Coast Guard’s eyes and ears … and Committee’s Annual Meeting, held in consistently come to the aid of their January in New Orleans, Louisiana. fellow Americans in times Peschel was invited to speak about the of emergency.” West Coast Harbor Safety Committees’ Last year the AWO launched a “Jones push to develop best practices for Act Centennial Countdown Campaign” overhead container loading that occurs that the organization had created. while bunker operations are underway. The Campaign demonstrated the Act’s “There have been instances in the positive impact on American jobs, industry of containers falling onto In late November, the American Waterways Operators shared a “Faces of the Jones Act” families and communities. Several barges,” Peschel says. “More common is Facebook post with a spotlight on three Vane Brothers employees were among where lashing gear, rods, cones and tools members of the Meekins family. The AWO promotes the tugboat, towboat and barge various industry representatives fall from the ship onto the deck of the industry as the safest, most efficient and featured in “Faces of the Jones Act” barge, posing a huge risk to Tankermen most environmentally friendly mode of social media posts that highlighted working below.” freight transportation.

8 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com Also representing Vane Brothers at the annual meeting was Philadelphia-based HSE Compliance Manager Tim Sell.

ROUNDTABLE TALK

The AWO held its Atlantic Region Baltimore Member Roundtable at Vane Brothers’ headquarters in August to discuss issues of importance to the industry. The roundtable was preceded by a U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland- National Capital Region luncheon hosted by the AWO in the Vane galley. Topics ranged from Subchapter M to offshore wind energy.

Jim Peschel, Vane’s West Coast Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, speaks in January Captain Rick Iuliucci, Vane Brothers’ during the AWO Safety Committee’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Vice President, Operations, serves on He adds, “With good communication moving the containers, and the bunker the AWO Board of Directors as Atlantic between the ship, the shore gangs crew, we can avoid dangerous conflicts.” Region Vice Chairman.

Sporting their best bow ties for the BME Port Vane Brothers mariners welcomed Port Party attendees aboard the tug Cape May. Shown Party last September were, from left, Captain are, from left, Deckhands Glen Scroggins and Tom Patzold, Licensed Engineer Earnest Eric Nielsen of the Association of Maryland Hardy Jr., and Captain Jordan McCluskey, together with Maryland State Senator Johnny Pilots, guest of honor Dave Stambaugh, and Salling, State Delegate Ric Metzgar, and two guests from the Cianbro construction Vane Brothers President C. Duff Hughes. services company. Former Maritime Exchange Manager Honored at Port Party

ave Stambaugh, the Stambaugh spent nearly a half- Stambaugh, who was known for his recently retired Manager century with the BME, serving the nifty neckwear. of the Baltimore Maritime last two decades as Manager D The BME is recognized as “the Exchange (BME), was the guest of before handing the reins to voice of the Chesapeake Bay,” honor during the organization’s another longtime BME employee, providing valuable tracking and annual Port Party and Shrimp Feast, Ingrid Londoño. communications services at the Port held last September outside the Vane Many of the more than 400 Port Party of Baltimore. Brothers headquarters building. guests wore a bow tie as a tribute to

vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 9 New Faces - New Talent

Extend a warm welcome to these in her honor back in the 1970s!) And he says. “It’s a breath of fresh air to be individuals who recently came on though Scott left baseball, football with a company where optimism and board as part of Vane Brothers’ and basketball behind upon entering positivity are part of the culture.” college, the lifelong resident of Bel shore-side team. While getting acclimated to his Air, Maryland says, “Sports taught new job, Scott and wife Christine me the value of being were having their endurance and able to work well on a discipline tested at home by their twin team. I enjoy making daughters! Grace and Nora were not contributions whether quite one year old when Scott started in a leadership role or a with Vane. support role.” “People try to tell you, but nobody can Even before graduating really prepare you for how much your from West Virginia life will change having kids, much less University with an twins!” says Scott. He quickly adds, “It’s Accounting degree, indescribable the love you feel.” Scott had already Christine, with whom Scott was friends secured a job with a in high school and college before large accountancy firm. they “reconnected” via social media Over the next several several years after graduation, is an years, he mostly lived elementary school Speech Pathologist. out of hotel rooms while traveling as far west Their life revolves around the twins, as Arizona to conduct but they also enjoy hiking together. Vane Brothers Controller Scott Tolliver. audits. “Being on the And Scott recently picked up bow auditing side of the hunting, though he never had an process, you play a very interest in it while growing up. “I guess SCOTT TOLLIVER specific role and don’t often get to I’m what you would call an ‘adult onset Controller make a positive impact on a company,” hunter,’” he says. hile preparing in 2017 he says. “But I learned a lot and paid for the rigorous Certified my dues.” DAN LATCHMAN Public Accountant (CPA) W He later signed on with a provider of Port Engineer, Alpha Fleet exam, Scott Tolliver spent several supplemental learning services. There, months studying before and after hen Dan Latchman left he made several positive changes and work. “It was a test of endurance and his native Guyana, he was rose to Manager of Accounting and discipline,” he says. a wide-eyed 18-year-old Inventory, which set him up nicely for W wanting to advance his education Those same words could easily apply his next career move: joining Ellicott in New York. Bidding farewell to the to Scott’s success in other facets of his Dredges as Corporate Controller. South American farm where his family life. Endurance and discipline not Working for a global company based grew fruit trees and raised cattle and only helped him earn his CPA license, at the Port of Baltimore, Scott gained pigs, he admits to feeling some culture they also served him well while an understanding of the maritime shock upon arriving in the “City That excelling in sports, advancing in his industry that helped him when he Never Sleeps.” career, and especially raising identical became Vane Brothers’ Controller twin daughters! “Guyana was more relaxed and not so last August. much pressure,” he says, “It took some Scott was a three-sport athlete in Scott says he was immediately getting used to, but within maybe six high school, just like his mother, impressed with the Vane operation. months I had completely adapted to Elizabeth Panos Tolliver. (In fact, “It is refreshing to come here every life here.” “Diamond Liz’s” athletic achievements day because of the people and the were so remarkable that Harford That was 25 years ago. Today, Dan positive attitude they demonstrate,” County, Maryland established a day (whose full name is Eshwar Danesh

10 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com “The gear box was so the two oldest Latchman daughters got hot, and the temperature to visit Guyana a few years ago. was so hot in Florida, Of his homeland, Dan says, “I mostly miss that I had to take all of the climate. It is warm and breezy pretty the frozen food out of much all year round.” But he is quick to the tug’s freezer and note, “I am happy with being here and pack it around the shaft feel very appreciated by Vane Brothers. I to cool it down,” Dan wouldn’t trade this for anything.” says. “It worked. And the guys on the boat still got to eat their vegetables!” STEVE ZERAVICA Mechanic Along the way, Dan attended trade schools, hat most people would built up his certifications consider a nice, traditional and advanced his career. Woffice at Vane Brothers’ A resident of Sayreville, Brooklyn, New York, facility is, for Steve New Jersey, Dan joined Zeravica, “more of a tool storage area Alpha Fleet Port Engineer Dan Latchman. Vane Brothers last and changing room.” September upon the “I prefer to be out getting my hands retirement of Port Latchman) can look back on a dirty,” adds Steve, who was hired as a Engineer Ronald Boyajian. successful career that started in an Mechanic in October. auto shop and now finds him on Vane Dan describes himself Brothers’ New York-based Operations as a hands-on problem- team as Alpha Fleet Port Engineer. solver who values effective communication Dan had already earned a degree in above all else. “In this Mechanical Engineering from the position, you always University of Guyana before coming answer the call,” he says. to New York. To pay the bills, he went “I let the guys know, ‘I’m right to work at a mom-and-pop auto here for you.’” shop in Queens, and later took his auto mechanic skills to Staten Island. Dan’s wife, Melissa, is a Finance Manager at One of his clients turned out to be Rutgers Biomedical and a Port Engineer with a local marine Health Sciences, and they transportation provider. Dan was have three daughters: offered a job that he initially turned Aryana, 10, Alyssa, 9, and down, “but then the auto business got Aliyah, 5. Cheerleading is slow,” he says. a popular pursuit among Dan had no problem transitioning from the Latchman girls: autos to tugs. “The only difference was Alyssa’s Sayreville squad New York-based Mechanic Steve Zeravica. that everything was bigger,” he says. (currently undefeated!) “The principles for fixing them were recently won a national the same.” championship at a competition held This is not his first experience with Dan traveled extensively and “worked in Disney World, while Aryana’s team Vane. As a cadet at the State University whatever hours were necessary to get finished third in its age group. of New York (SUNY) Maritime College, he spent three months shadowing the problem resolved.” He remembers Dan’s family enjoys activities such as the Engineer on board the Christiana/ one particular job when he was called going to the movies, bowling, skating Double Skin 143 articulated tug/ upon to replace a bearing amid the and traveling abroad. Dan, Melissa and sweltering heat of Fort Lauderdale. barge (AT/B) unit. He also found time vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 11 New Faces - New Talent whenever possible to sail on other has been able to visit the country in Gabi says that a career in counseling Vane vessels, such as the AT/B tug Southeast Europe several times. Then appeals to her because, “I just like the Jacksonville. And he filled in as a part- there was the time an uncle “with idea of helping people.” At an early age, time Mechanic when additional hands connections” let Steve accompany Gabi began volunteering at Community were required in early 2019. him on a tour of the Guantanamo Bay Christian Church in Nottingham, military prison in Cuba. Maryland. Then during college she “The crews were great on the AT/B’s,” interned at nearby Mountain Christian Steve says, “and I gained a lot of He also recently joined a friend on a trip Church. mechanical experience. I got to do a lot to the Philippines, where they rented of trouble-shooting.” motorcycles for $10 a day to explore the She has also worked at a chiropractor’s countryside: not a bad way to get away office close to her home in Parkville. Steve was once an electrician’s from everything for a while! That’s where she became familiar apprentice, and he currently holds a with some of the forms and procedures welding certificate. “I like working that are now relevant to the tasks with my hands,” he says. “It kind of GABRIELLE EIERMAN she completes for Vane’s Risk comes naturally.” Administrative Assistant, Fleet Recruiting and Risk Management Management department. The variety of tasks he performs at Gabi officially joined the company in Vane keeps the work interesting. “Every hile splitting time between August after having spent four months job I get is a little different,” he says. “I two departments at in a part-time role arranged through a enjoy figuring them all out.” Vane Brothers’ Baltimore W temp agency. headquarters, Gabrielle “Gabi” Eierman At home in Wantagh, New York, is able to utilize her mind in different Balancing work and graduate Steve has a shop where he maintains ways. Her role with Risk Management studies has its challenges, but time and rebuilds cars and motorcycles, requires that she carefully input vital management shouldn’t be a problem mostly for himself but sometimes insurance claim information. And for the daughter of a train engineer! for friends and family. He owns a though she also handles 2019 Yamaha Tracer that he rides to a fair amount of data work whenever possible to help the for Fleet Recruiting, she lengthy commute go faster. He also sometimes gets to interact has a 2002 Ford Explorer, “but nothing directly with potential on my truck is the original part,” he new hires. says. “I’ve dropped in a new engine, transmission, differentials, axles, By working with numbers a custom suspension. ... I’ve been on one hand and people bringing the thing back from the grave on the other, “I’m for like a decade!” utilizing both sides of the brain,” notes Gabi, who He enjoys going “overlanding” with his often has brains on her truck, often finding off-road trails in mind. She is currently New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Camping pursuing a Master’s with friends also ranks high on his list of degree in Clinical Mental ways to relax. (Be sure to ask him about Health Counseling his brief campground confrontation with through Johns Hopkins a knife-wielding bear!) University. “Everything I do for work is Administrative Assistant Gabrielle Eierman. “It fascinates me, learning mechanical and loud,” Steve says. “It’s about the brain and how completely different to be outside in it works,” explains Gabi, nature, away from everything. I like who studied Psychology at Milligan the juxtaposition.” Gabi’s father, Jarrod, keeps Amtrak College in East Tennessee. “It really commuter service running on schedule Steve’s other interest is traveling. He opens your mind to how normal ‘not between Baltimore and destinations has grandparents from Croatia and being normal’ is!”

12 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com such as New York and Washington, D.C. equipment), you don’t Gabi’s mother, Leah, and older brother, think about what it Andrew, both work at Stella Maris, a takes – every little detail long-term care facility in Timonium. that goes into the work that is done here. It’s so Gabi has a creative side nurtured by important, and really her aunt, Kas Lippa, a self-taught amazing to see.” artist who formerly owned a studio in Portsmouth, Virginia. “As a kid, I was Before starting with the able to watch and learn from my aunt Virginia-based VBMSS and other artists,” Gabi says. “Just being team last July, Kim’s around that type of atmosphere made closest contact with the an impact.” maritime industry came years ago when she was Gabi enjoys painting with acrylics. working for a company Among her favorite subjects are the that created signage for logos of sports teams, such as her shipyards. Otherwise, her beloved Baltimore Ravens. extensive administrative But she hasn’t been doing much Administrative Assistant Kim Golden. and managerial painting lately, instead concentrating background is in the on her studies. She expects to earn her retail and foodservice/ Master’s degree in the summer of 2021. Born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, hospitality industries. Kim spent 16 years in North Carolina Meanwhile, Gabi is thinking about Asked whether adapting to Marine but has lived in Virginia Beach for the adding a new tattoo. Among the six Safety proved at all challenging, Kim last eight. Away from VBMSS, she can be she already has are her grandfather’s says, “As far as learning the product, yes. found helping part-time at Catherines signature, a cross and Tennessee’s As far as talking to people, not at all.” clothing store and, during tax season, Roan Mountain. “My next idea is for a She explains, “Working with liferafts at the JTH Financial call center. “I stay brain!” Gabi says. and immersion suits is all new to busy,” she says. me. But working with a computer, When time allows, Kim enjoys collecting payments, interacting with KIM GOLDEN reading. She lists The Help by Kathryn Administrative Assistant, Marine Safety people – it’s pretty much the same Stockett among her favorite books. “I wherever you go.” earing the story gave Kim would sit out on the deck with that Golden “chill bumps.” In One other recent position held by book and just start laughing out loud,” Hearly January, a fishing vessel Kim – something quite different from she says. “I’m sure my neighbors named Papa’s Girl capsized in North anything in the retail, foodservice thought I was crazy!” Carolina’s frigid Pamlico Sound. Three or maritime industries – was “Lead crewmembers lost their lives; the lone Infant Teacher” at Wave Church in survivor wore an immersion suit and Virginia Beach. A major motivation for GLENN KING Liferaft Technician was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard taking that job was to be close to her from a raft that had been inspected grandson, Cash, who was enrolled in lenn King doesn’t seek the and packed by Vane Brothers Marine the church program. spotlight, but he wouldn’t mind Safety and Services (VBMSS). helping other people find it. Cash turns 7 in June and loves staying G Though horrified by the tragedy, Kim is active, whether playing basketball or For now, the Virginia-based Liferaft thankful that at least one life was saved, bouncing on his “Ganney’s” bed. Technician is enjoying his work as and that VBMSS played a small role. part of the Vane Brothers Marine Kim has two children: daughter Megan Safety and Services (VBMSS) team “It’s reassuring to know that we are (Cash’s mom), who does web work in Virginia. Glenn notes, “Inspecting part of keeping people safe,” she for the Navy Exchange (NEX), and son liferafts and immersion suits, going to says. “Until you see the process (of John, an Emergency Room Nurse and vessels, getting rafts from container inspecting and properly packing safety part-time musician. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 13 New Faces - New Talent ships, interacting with foreign crews Glenn expects to earn his Full Sail – it’s all different from anything I ever degree in March 2021. He is currently WELCOME ABOARD imagined doing.” looking for an internship with a TO OUR NEW booking agent while keeping fit and Just prior to joining VBMSS last May, “pushing forward through life with a EMPLOYEES! Glenn attended the Tidewater Tech positive attitude.” trade school and was a Mate Evaluation Nicholas A. Bahl OS Deckhand Craig D. Bailey Jr. Welder’s Assistant at two Glenn grew up in Pittsburg, Scheduler Dominik T. Barcikowski Norfolk-based shipyards. Pennsylvania, where he attended Tankerman Evaluation Jason M. Berger OS Deckhand Zachary K. Blake Carrick High School and first But his dream is to one day be a AB Deckhand Sean R. Brady contemplated a career in Licensed Engineer Cory E. Buckhalter concert promoter and booking agent, Warehouse Manager Timothy S. Califano entertainment. Often OS Deckhand Monte E. Cross IV he would work with AB Deckhand Brandon G. D’Angelo Licensed Engineer Richard B. Daves local artists, promoting OS Deckhand Chasen D. Davis their music on Tankerman Evaluation Aaron H. Donehue podcasts. Administrative Assistant Gabrielle K. Eierman The oldest of five OS Deckhand Anthony O. Elekwachi children, Glenn now Scheduler Sean M. Feeley Tankerman Evaluation lives in Virginia Beach, Richard L. Fincher Jr. Virginia, near his OS Deckhand Benjamin R.J. Fowler Assistant Engineer Lucas R. Franco parents, three sisters, Deckhand Trainee Maxwell J. Freeman brother and cousins, OS Deckhand Quinn A. Freeman OS Tankerman Samuel P. Gittens but he also spends Assistant Engineer Brendan M. Glass a lot of time back in Licensed Engineer Jayson B. Gould Deckhand Trainee Bernard W. Greenhow Pittsburgh with his Deckhand Trainee Adam T. Greenwood 3-year-old daughter, Deckhand Trainee Martin Guderle OS Deckhand Jacob E. Harris Anais. Deckhand Trainee Isaiah J. Heffernan Vessel Supervisor Robert A. Hintz Sports have been Tankerman Evaluation Abraham Isaacs AB Deckhand Jonhard Frodi Joensen important to Glenn OS Deckhand since an early age. He Darteis Ra’Shard Jones-Cooper Liferaft Technician Glenn King. Port Engineer Eshwar D. Latchman fondly recalls meeting Captain Corey L. Lawrenson friends for pick-up Deckhand Trainee Carlton H. Lee AB Deckhand Jade Lyon basketball games on Barge Captain Michael P. MacNeil maybe even working with some of “King’s Court” in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill Licensed Engineer Alexander J. Marts his idols in the music world, such as OS Deckhand William A. McAdam community. Mate Sean C. McCarthy Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Tracy. Deckhand Trainee Anastasia P. McDowell Though he roots for baseball’s Pirates AB Deckhand Anthony C. McFarland “I want to be the guy behind the and ice hockey’s Penguins from his old Lead Tankerman John D.K. Morel scenes, pulling everything together,” AB Deckhand Peter S. Munro hometown, his favorite hoops team OS Deckhand Dylan W. Page says Glenn, who is pursuing an online is the Houston Rockets, largely due to AB Tankerman Luis D. Pantoja degree through Full Sail University. Deckhand Trainee Brett E. Price James Harden’s stellar play. And his OS Deckhand Wyatt L.F. Price Full Sail, based in Florida, specializes favorite football team is the Green Bay Deckhand Trainee Brad T. Revere in studies related to the media and OS Deckhand Justin S. Roberts Packers, especially after they outplayed OS Deckhand Richard L. Simpson III entertainment industries. the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 OS Tankerman Stephen L. Strickland AB Deckhand Christopher S. Thompson “I don’t look to be the big, popular guy Super Bowl. Mate Evaluation Corey M. Toscano out in front of the crowds,” Glenn says. OS Deckhand Don L. Wetherington Jr. Watching the half-time show that year, Deckhand Trainee Scott K. Wheatley “I would gain more satisfaction from Glenn probably wondered if he might OS Deckhand Dale M.C. Williams putting together a show and having the Mate Terry F. Williams someday book the Black-Eyed Peas into Tankerman Evaluation Jullian C. Woods tickets sell out.” a concert venue! Mate Evaluation Howard W. Young Mechanic Steven A. Zeravica

14 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com Marine Safety VBMSS Reaches Out With Marine Safety Life-line

he first issue of Marine Safety than a dozen lifeboat and davit factory Life-line was posted online certificates and seven premier fire in December 2019. This systems certifications. T environment where they also have digital newsletter is being utilized Issue Two of the newsletter, posted in access to manufacturers’ manuals and by Vane Brothers Marine Safety and January, addressed the advantages of necessary repair materials.” Services (VBMSS) to discuss topics of having immersion suits inspected and significance within the marine safety The International Maritime repaired at a shore-side facility rather industry and to inform readers of new Organization (IMO) backs this up with than on board a vessel. As explained by happenings at VBMSS. a similarly worded recommendation in Frank Hornig, VBMSS General Manager, its guideline for “the periodic testing of Issue One of Marine Safety Life-line Marketing, “To ensure a thorough job, immersion suit and anti-exposure suit highlighted the importance of working qualified technicians should work in seams and closures.” with a service provider such as VBMSS a climate-controlled, particulate-free that carries the protection of a Marine The Marine Safety Life-line digital General Liability Policy. To emphasize newsletter and accompanying videos this point, a brief but dramatic video can be found on the Marine Safety page was created to show what can go wrong of the Vane Brothers website: during ship lifeboat drills. www.vanebrothers.com/MarineSafety.

Mention was also made of the Anyone wishing to be emailed a link partnerships between VBMSS and when new issues of Marine Safety Life- an increasing number of major line are posted should send an email, manufacturers. As noted in the VBMSS Lifeboat and Davit Technician Brian with the subject “Marine Safety Life- Carter attends a recent HLB/Hyundai Lifeboats line,” to [email protected]. newsletter, the team possesses more Service Agent Training Course in Korea.

COMFORT COMES CALLING • As part of a busy start to 2020, the VBMSS team in Virginia inspected 76 life rafts transported from the USNS Comfort. The Comfort is a Mercy Class hospital ship that was formerly homeported at a Vane Brothers pier in Baltimore but is now based at Naval Station Norfolk. While on a humanitarian mission from mid-June to mid-November 2019, the vessel carried nearly 200 medical professionals who provided medical, surgical, dental and optometry services to areas of the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 15 Portlight

“PORTLIGHT” refers to the glass in a vessel’s porthole that lets in light and, when swung open on its hinges, admits fresh air. In a similar way, the “Portlight” section of Pipeline sheds light on long- time associates at the Port of Baltimore, home of Vane Brothers’ headquarters.

Captain Mike Reagoso has been with McAllister Towing and Transportation for 15 years. McALLISTER VP IS ACTIVE PART OF PORT’S ‘CLOSE-KNIT’ COMMUNITY t’s a sentiment often expressed WELL ACQUAINTED WITH VANE Port Captain, Russi Makujina. “I was throughout the Port of Baltimore immediately struck by how he is always Mike has held leadership positions with community, and one that Captain such a gentleman,” Mike says of I the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Mike Reagoso fully embraces: “The Captain Russi. “Just the nicest person, Center, Propeller Club of Baltimore, Port is like a family, very close-knit,” and honest.” Baltimore Port Alliance, and various says Mike, who is Vice President of other groups. So widespread are his Even after the shipyard was sold later Mid-Atlantic Operations for McAllister outreach activities that the Propeller that year, Mike continued on an upward Towing and Transportation. “‘Trust’ Club honored him with its “Port Person career trajectory while occupying is a big word around here. Trust and of the Year” award in 2017. At that time, other maritime positions, including friendship. I can often get things he humbly noted, “I thoroughly enjoy Port Captain with Höegh Autoliners. done with just a handshake or one being active in the maritime community Along the way he enjoyed connecting phone call.” and interacting with so many of the with other members of the Vane team, Over the last two decades Mike has great Port partners that have become including President C. Duff Hughes and developed many enduring alliances at friends over the years.” Vice President, Operations Captain the Port, and his ongoing involvement Rick Iuliucci. Mike’s earliest memory of striking up an with numerous maritime organizations acquaintance with someone from Vane “I have always felt comfortable reaching keeps him constantly moving. Brothers goes back to 1997. It was his out to Vane and working together on “The McAllister family and my previous first year in Baltimore after graduating behalf of the Port,” Mike says. In recent employers always encouraged me to get from the State University of New York years, this included joining other out in the community and be part of it (SUNY) Maritime College and sailing on Port businesses and organizations in an integral way,” Mike says. “I try not tugboats in the Philadelphia area. Having to welcome maritime-focused high to take on too much at any one time, just stepped in as Ship Superintendent schoolers who would visit the Vane but really, I cherish the involvement.” at the Bethlehem Sparrows Point headquarters while participating in Shipyard, he was introduced to Vane’s annual Port Fest activities.

16 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com At other times, Mike would work the job became a Coast Guard function. Chloe, 16; and Gabrielle, 18. Gabby alongside Vane Regional Health, Safety His father Mike, though never having currently attends Anne Arundel and Environmental Manager John worked in the maritime industry, loved to Community College, but you never know Shkor when they were both part of the take the family boating on the Sassafras when any of Mike’s kids might turn up to Baltimore Port Alliance’s Environmental River for many years. And his 14-year-old lend a hand at maritime-related events. Committee. Or, while arranging for the son Mike (who goes by his middle name, Mike’s wife Susan is a Special Education liferafts on board McAllister’s tugs to be Hawkin) has shown an active interest in teacher in the Anne Arundel County inspected, he might share surf-fishing working on the water. “Hawkin knows his Public Schools system. stories with Frank Hornig, General way around a boat,” says Mike. “He can Away from work, Mike says, “I just enjoy Manager, Marketing for Vane Brothers throw a line as good as anybody!” spending time with the family and being Marine Safety and Services. Mike’s other children are Harper, 12; on the water.” And visiting Vane’s headquarters is a treat, says Mike. “I am always totally impressed with the technology, class and thoughtful way the headquarters is put together.”

Mike’s involvement in the larger maritime community includes serving on the Atlantic Region Board for the American Waterways Operators (Rick Iuliucci is the regional Vice Chairman) and maintaining a Board position with the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay (again joined by Rick).

Mike has been with McAllister since 2005, working out of an office that is a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Captain Mike Reagoso enjoys when his children get involved with maritime activities. From left, As McAllister’s Vice President of Mid- daughter Gabby, Baltimore City Mayor Jack Young, Mike and son Hawkin attend a Baltimore Port Alliance-sponsored meet-and-greet. Atlantic Operations, he is most often engaged with the ship-docking and towing company’s 30 employees and three tugboats in Baltimore, but he also provides oversight and planning for McAllister’s Philadelphia operations.

He sees definite parallels between McAllister, which was founded in 1864, and Vane, which dates back to 1898. Both companies are family-owned, “and similar to Vane, we treat each other like family at McAllister,” Mike says. “There is a lot of respect here.”

FROM ONE MIKE TO ANOTHER

The guy who works for McAllister happens to be just one in a long line of Among the participants in the American Waterways Operators 2020 Atlantic Region annual meeting, held in Norfolk, Virginia, in January, were, from left, Vane New York Fleet Manager John Bowie; Mike Reagosos. His grandfather Mike was McAllister’s Mike Reagoso; Vane Virginia General Manager Mason Keeter; and Vane Vice President, Captain of the Port of Philadelphia before Operations Captain Rick Iuliucci. vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 17 News and Notes

SHIP DISASTERS AND WRECK DIVING Tug Captain’s New Book Delves Deeply Into Dangerous Shallows

hen Captain Eric Takakjian Massachusetts, home are one big Captain Eric Takakjian, shown diving in 130 isn’t at the helm of a Vane graveyard of ships. “Rumors of vast feet of water at the Steamship Newcastle City wreck site in 2008, includes an anonymous quote Brothers tugboat, he might riches, ruthless betrayals and needless W at the front of his book: “It helps to have a screw be found (or more appropriately, unable deaths abound. But what’s the truth? So or two loose to be a wreck diver.” When asked to be found) exploring sunken vessels in many lost worlds call to me.” if he actually knows the source of that line, Eric admits, “Yes. It’s me!” [Photo by Tom Packer] the murky depths of the ocean. Eric is With that thought in mind, readers are ON THE BACK COVER: Eric first dove to the tug a hard-core deep-wreck diver, placing invited to join Eric and his dive buddies Baleen wreck site in 1994. [Photo by Heather him in the company of what he calls on more than a dozen expeditions that Knowles] “a very small and select brotherhood of have taken place over the last thirty Randall Peffer’s 2016 book, Where Divers underwater adventurers.” years. We accompany him as he performs Dare: The Hunt for the Last U-Boat. Unlike Every dive, according to Eric, involves initial research (“Every successful that book, which concentrates on the some level of risk “both to personal shipwreck search starts in the library,” lengthy mission to locate one particular safety and financial security.” This begs Eric says), we face the perils of diving 200 World War II vessel, each of Dangerous the question, “Why, then, would anyone feet below the ocean’s surface, and we Shallows’ twelve chapters spotlights a choose to participate in a hobby that is feel the adrenaline rush that comes with different wreck. so costly and fraught with danger?” probing a “virgin wreck” – one that no “This is almost kind of a prequel to other diver has ever seen before. Eric provides his response in a new book, Where Divers Dare,” Eric says. “It follows a Dangerous Shallows: In Search of the Ghost With the turn of each page, Eric and similar cast of characters, but we dial the Ships of Cape Cod. co-author Randall Peffer deliver clock back.” a satisfying blend of history, high In the prologue, he writes, “With each Eric felt comfortable collaborating on adventure and personal intrigue. kick of my fins, I feel like I’m leaving Dangerous Shallows with Randall, an the twentieth century and planet A DIVERSITY OF DIVES accomplished sailor who has penned Earth, as we know it, farther behind.” multiple nonfiction books and crime Eric later notes that the waters located The last time we heard of Eric’s deep- novels. “I would write a chapter, a short boatride from his Fairhaven, wreck diving exploits, he was featured in putting in the historical narrative and

18 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com everything that went in to finding the wreck, and then Randy would tweak it Dangerous Shallows: In Search and send it back,” Eric explains. “Me not of the Ghost Ships of Cape Cod, being a professional writer, I learned a written by Eric Takakjian and Randall lot from him.” Peffer and published by Lyons Press, Just as writing the book was a copyright 2020, is available through collaborative effort, the process of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and finding and exploring each shipwreck Books-a-Million. required an entire team’s input – from his wife Lori to some three dozen friends and relations who are fellow “wreck enthusiasts.” the disaster; nearly half as many divers attention, could have led to permanent The most well-known ship in the have since lost their lives visiting the paralysis or even death. After being book is the SS Andrea Doria, which Eric wreck, which rests in 250 feet of water. lifted off his boat by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, Eric spent six hours in a U.S. describes as “the Mount Everest of Hazards run the gamut from stiff ocean Navy recompression chamber. wreck dives.” The ocean liner sank on currents to submerged trawler nets and a foggy night in 1956 after colliding nearly invisible fishing line that can snag Recalling the details of that near-death with the MS Stockholm near Nantucket, a person. Equipment malfunctions are dive wasn’t especially difficult. “The Massachusetts. Forty-six people died in another threat: Just one week prior to same thing has happened to so many of Eric’s first Andrea Doria adventure us to greater or lesser degrees,” explains. in 1992, a 32-year-old diver died Eric, who was back at the same dive spot due to complications with the a couple of months later. But he had oxygen mixture in his tanks. “The learned a valuable lesson: “No wreck ocean is a hostile environment,” dive is ever routine.” Eric writes. “Careful preparation Elsewhere in Dangerous Shallows, Eric and constant vigilance are your pursues a wide range of wrecks, from best survival tools. And sometimes the passenger steamer City of Columbus, they are inadequate. The sea is which sank in 1884, to the MV Oregon, hungry. It takes what it can.” the victim of a deadly collision with an Eric assumes a very different American warship in 1941. Some stories tone when he recounts his 1993 even incorporate input from actual discovery of a virgin wreck: the wreck survivors or their descendants. MV Regal Sword, which sank near In a chapter titled “We’re Rich???” Cape Cod in 1979. “Nothing is as Eric and his buddies find the virgin exciting to me as the opportunity wreck of the Steamship Newcastle City, to bear witness to the time which had sunk more than a century capsule that is a shipwreck,” Eric earlier. Though he has recovered many writes. “I love the challenge of interesting artifacts in his diving career, the search above and below Eric could hardly believe his eyes the water.” when, at the Newcastle City wreck site, Away from the bridge of the AT/B tug The challenge got the better of he discovered a large and “somewhat Chincoteague, Captain Eric Takakjian likes to Eric in 1995 when he developed jumbled” stack of ingots. Could these be speak to dive groups and historical societies. decompression sickness (a.k.a. highly valuable silver pieces? Might Eric “Telling the stories of the ships, what happened to them, and what it took for us to find them, is “the bends”) during what was finally recoup some of the “unspeakable very satisfying,” he says. “For me, it’s all about otherwise a routine 114-foot amount of money” he had sunk into tangibly interacting with history and then dive. Stress and dehydration boats and dive equipment? being able to share that with the public.” Eric is contributed to his condition, already pursuing another book that promises You’ll just have to read the book to which, without quick medical more history but less diving. find out! vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 19 News and Notes

Captain Kevin Maloney on the tug Fort Schuyler, in which he took great pride. Captain Kevin Maloney, right, with Engineer [Photo by Jess Yeomans] Luke Bailey, left, and Deckhand Dylan Page. IN MEMORIAM: Captain Kevin Maloney evin M. Maloney, Captain of the family. “He was always willing to share Our thoughts go out to Kevin’s family: Ktug Fort Schuyler, is remembered stories about his experiences,” recalls He was the beloved husband of wife by his friends at Vane Brothers as a Mate James Berman, who sailed with Carolyn and loving father of seven skilled mariner and constant source of Kevin on the Fort Schuyler and earlier on children. A service was held near the encouragement for co-workers. Kevin the tug Houma. Maloney home in West Sayville, passed away unexpectedly on February New York. 12 at the age of 63. Kevin maintained a “great working relationship” with his crew, says James. • We also offer our condolences to “Kevin loved to teach and train “He had an immense amount of local Unmanned Barge Captain Willie L. mariners coming into the industry,” knowledge and skill that was priceless Burnham, whose mother, Lilly Faye says John Bowie, Vane’s Port of New to me. Working with him and absorbing Vernon, passed away on September York General Manager. “He was an that knowledge and skill, which he 3, 2019. Barge Captain Willie L. excellent captain and great guy.” shared freely … I could never repay Burnham Jr. is Lilly’s grandson. that. Hopefully I’ll be able to pass it A memorial service was held in Kevin joined Vane Brothers in 2013 as along to somebody in turn.” a veteran mariner from a tugboating Chesapeake, Virginia.

Tankerman Ties the Knot Congratulations to South East Fleet OS Tankerman Jacob Miller, who exchanged vows with wife Lisa Marie on September 21.

The Millers celebrated with what Jacob called “a hometown rustic country wedding” in Jacksonville, Florida.

Honeymooning in Orlando, they enjoyed Universal Studios’ Captain Welcomes Son • Tug Captain Richard Harman and Halloween Horror Nights Dawn Strohmaier are happy to announce the arrival of their and Volcano Bay second child, Mason Blaine Harman, born October 14, 2019 at water park. Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. Mason weighed 11.1 Jacob Miller and wife Lisa. lbs. and was 23 inches long. He has a 2-year-old sister, Taylor.

20 Pipeline / Winter/Spring 2020 vanebrothers.com Airman Graduates And Gets Hitched Eric S. Pierce Jr. graduated from U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, on October 18, 2019, and got married two months later. The Airman First Class and wife Courtney Ulrich are now at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. Eric is with the 437 MXS (Maintenance Squadron) working on the C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft. Eric’s proud parents are mother Jenessa and father Eric Pierce Sr., a former Air Force Staff Sergeant who is Team Lead for Vane Clean Products Chartering and Scheduling. His grandfather is Vane Purchasing Manager Robert Pierce. The wedding took place on December 27 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Airman First Class Eric S. Pierce Jr. Eric Pierce Jr. and wife Courtney. White Marsh, Maryland.

Licensed Engineer Anthony S. Smith Mate Walter N. Egan Jr. Mate Shane C.C. Steelman Licensed Engineer George W. Fitting Jr. BELLS & Port Engineer-Maintenance AB Deckhand Caitlyn T. Foster Paul V. Virgintino Marine Safety Fire Technician Assistant Engineer Rickey A. West Arthur E. “Chip” Frank WHISTLES ______Chief Mate Robert W. Glas ______5 YEARS OS Tankerman Steven D. Gurganus Jr. Congratulations to these valued employees OS Deckhand Geoffrey B. Haire who have reached service milestones or are Marine Safety Fire/Liferaft Davit Tech Mate John-Michael A. Hammer Matthew Carter marking special anniversaries by mid-year. AB Deckhand Nathan G. Hill Facility Manager Matthew J. Ciarpella Mate James D. Howe ______Vane Launch Manager Vessel Supervisor Alexander D. Hughes ______25 YEARS Michael P. “Red” Davis Vessel Supervisor Danielle F. Jones Barge Captain Jay C. Dittmann Unmanned Bargeman Billy F. Cooper Jr. AB Tankerman William F. Juliano Tankerman Trainee Cory A. Flynn Marine Safety Liferaft Technician OS Deckhand Thomas M. Patzold Regional HSE Manager Matthew S. Frank ______Glenn T. King Warehouse/Inventory Coordinator Warehouse/Inventory Coordinator ______20 YEARS Agustin Irizarry Sanchez Ronald J. Lewis Licensed Engineer Darrell H. Johnson Captain Kevin D. Buttry Licensed Engineer Terrance W. Lindsey Barge Captain Phillip S. Marsh Mechanic/Fabricator John A. Goldstein OS Tankerman Naigash C. Martin Property Maintenance Frank R. Martin Marine Safety Assistant Shop Manager AB Deckhand Natasha M. McCarty AB Deckhand Michael J. McGuire Aurelio Huerta Rivera Assistant Engineer Cuyler E. McChesney AB Deckhand Christopher M. McKelvey Barge Captain Jack C. Jones OS Tankerman Jacob A. Miller AB Deckhand Daniel K. Mitchem Licensed Engineer David G. Morgan AB Deckhand Kevin M. Mulder Mate Jason M. Myers Unmanned Bargeman Curt D. Price AB Tankerman Randall P. Nevels OS Tankerman Scott A. Stevens Assistant Engineer David L. Shaffer OS Deckhand Derek M. Noble Administrative Assistant Kelly A. Stevenson AB Deckhand Jason L. Nuttall Barge Captain Albert J. Tate AB Tankerman Daniel S. Turner ______Assistant Engineer Richard D. O’Brien Communications Manager Blaise K. Willig Barge Captain Michael S. O’Leary ______15 YEARS AB Tankerman Harold E. Yates AB Deckhand William T. O’Reilly ______Captain Erik F. Hansen AB Deckhand Isaac B. Parker Barge Captain Steven M. Meck ______1 YEAR OS Tankerman Brian L. Poteat Mate-Second Robert A. Petrie Licensed Engineer Richard T. Abrahamsen OS Deckhand Luke A. Raut Barge Captain Michael F. Vinalon Assistant Engineer Scott A. Acopulos Mate Michael D. Rhinehardt ______Captain Bryan L. Adams Mate Luis I. Robles-Maldonado ______10 YEARS Captain Wayne E. Allen AB Tankerman Romel A. Saweress AB Deckhand William M. Shackelford Barge Captain Jeffrey A. Brown AB Tankerman Marcos A. Briceno Vane Launch Deckhand/Warehouse Barge Captain Willie L. Burnham Jr. Port Engineer Joshua R. Brittain Assistant/Driver Brandon K. Smith Licensed Engineer Larry W. Bynum OS Tankerman Richard A. Butrim Jr. OS Tankerman Michael J. Smith AB Tankerman Ricky A. Darr AB Tankerman Clayton P. Christie OS Tankerman Michael R. Szekely AB Deckhand Ryan P. Gilbert Barge Captain Adam G. Cowart Captain Steven R. Velie AB Deckhand William K. Lennon Jr. Chief Engineer Antonio L. Cuesta Jr. Mate Ryan L. Watson Captain Jordan M. McCluskey AB Tankerman Kevin W. DeWitt OS Tankerman Tyre A. Wilder Captain Joseph E. Morris IT Support Tech Mark S. Diemer OS Deckhand Karl L. Wilson Barge Captain Daniel E. Schroeder Mate-Second Brian P. Edmiston vanebrothers.com Winter/Spring 2020 / Pipeline 21 The Vane Brothers Company 2100 Frankfurst Avenue Baltimore, MD 21226

Baltimore • New York • Philadelphia • Norfolk • Charleston • Savannah • Jacksonville • Tampa Bay Puget Sound • Los Angeles/Long Beach • San Francisco PIPELINE

Annapolis Away! ...... Page 1 Managing the Bridge ...... Page 4 Diving into History ...... Page 18 2021 Calendar Photo Contest • Employees must submit images by July 17, 2020. Pipeline Announcements • Contact [email protected] by August 1, 2020. Pipeline Lite Sign-Up • For an email notification when the next digital newsletter is posted, send your address to [email protected].