APRIL 2021 VOLUME 83, NO. 4 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS, AFL CIO SIU Excels During Tanker Exercise Operation Underscores Reliability of U.S. Crews & Ships Two Seafarers-crewed vessels – the Maersk Peary and the USNS Laramie – recently conducted an underway replenishment exercise near Crete. The mission’s success highlighted the U.S. Merchant Ma- rine’s dependability. Crew members on the Maersk Peary are pictured immediately below, while the photo at right shows both ships (Peary at left, Lara- mie at right). Page 20. Crew Assists in Rescue The SIU-crewed Padre Island (Great Lakes Dredge and Dock) recently helped save a family of six whose boat was sinking off the Florida coast. In the photo below, one of the family members transfers from the Coast Guard cutter Sea Dragon to a sheriff’s office vessel, prior to heading back ashore. (Photo courtesy of Nassau County Sheriff’s Office) Page 4. Seafarers Support Community SIU members and officials recently assisted with widespread community outreach in Houston follow- ing a devastating winter storm. In photo above, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (at podium) praises the volunteer efforts of local area unions. SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey is fourth from left. Page 4. WWII Mariner Recalls SS Henry Bacon Saga Former Seafarer Dick Burbine, 95, is the last living survivor of the SS Henry Bacon’s final crew. He still celebrates being rescued from the 1945 sinking on the Murmansk Run. Pages 10-11. Unions Back Relief Bill PRO Act Passes House Page 3 Page 5 68797_APRIL_2021_LOG.indd 1 3/22/21 3:59 PM President’s Report Time for Growth Earlier this year, the SIU teamed up with several other maritime unions to share our blueprint for American maritime growth with the new administration. In modern times, there have been long stretches where it felt as if the best-case scenario for our industry was simply hanging on. That is abso- lutely not the case today, and we’ve got to capitalize on this very real opportunity to boost our manpower pool, build new ships, and grow our fleet. Many of you know that President Biden and U.S. Rep. John Garamendi U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker U.S. Sen. Robert Casey Vice President Harris are longtime backers of the (D-California) (R-Mississippi) (D-Pennsylvania) U.S. Merchant Marine. This was evident during last year’s campaign and again when the administra- tion issued its Buy American executive order in late January. That document specifically stated strong support for the Jones Act, a critical maritime law that helps maintain hundreds of thousands of American Pro-Maritime Bill Back jobs. Michael Sacco That’s not the only good news we’ve reported in Pro-maritime legislation strongly If enacted, the bill will support Ga- maritime industry is essential to recent months. The establishment of a Tanker Se- backed by the SIU has been reintro- ramendi’s “Make it in America” our national defense,” said Wicker. curity Fleet bodes well for not just our industry but duced in both the House and Senate. agenda and spur the construction of “Ensuring the U.S. can move our our country, as does the application of the Jones Act to offshore domestic On March 11, U.S. Rep. John dozens of ships, support thousands of growing energy exports on Ameri- wind farms. Pro-maritime, bipartisan legislation recently was reintro- Garamendi (D-California) and U.S. duced in both chambers of Congress that would lead to more domestic new, good-paying jobs in American can-flagged, American-crewed ves- shipbuilding and increased exports moving on U.S.-flag ships. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) shipyards, and provide a boost to the sels protects the critical role these But our industry cannot afford to collectively exhale. We’ve got to and Robert Casey (D-Pennsylvania) domestic vessel component manu- vessels play in our national defense navigate forward and seize these opportunities while they exist. reintroduced the Energizing Ameri- facturing and maritime industries, and bolsters hundreds of thousands That is why the SIU and other shipboard unions wrote to President can Shipbuilding Act. This biparti- the congressman stated. According of American shipbuilding and mari- Biden, “We believe that with your leadership and support, and with the san and bicameral legislation would to an estimate from the Shipbuilders time jobs. As foreign nations con- support of Members of Congress, we now have the opportunity to develop recapitalize America’s strategic do- Council of America, the Garamendi tinue to invest heavily in their own an effective national maritime policy that increases the number of vessels mestic shipbuilding and maritime bill would result in the construction shipbuilding capacity, the United operating under the U.S.-flag, the amount of cargo carried aboard U.S.- industries by requiring that increas- of more than 40 ships: approximately States cannot allow our own capa- flag ships, and the number of jobs for American merchant mariners.” ing percentages of liquefied natural 28 LNG carriers by 2043 and 12 oil bilities to dwindle.” A potentially key step toward helping ensure that American ships have gas (LNG) and crude oil exports be tankers by 2035. “America’s merchant fleet has enough cargo is sensibly modifying our country’s cargo preference laws. transported on American-built ves- “U.S. exports of America’s LNG dwindled 60 percent since 1991,” That is why we’re pushing for a percentage increase for non-Defense, sels with U.S. crews sailing under and crude oil resources present a Casey stated. “Requiring LNG and government-generated cargoes reserved for American-flag ships from the the American flag. unique opportunity to create new oil to be exported on U.S.-built and current 50 percent to 100 percent. This is consistent with the intent of the According to Garamendi’s office, middle-class jobs by strengthening crewed vessels will help strengthen executive order and there is no doubt it would help solidify the U.S.-flag without passage of this bill “all U.S. our nation’s crucial domestic ship- our nation’s shipyards and maritime fleet. exports of LNG and crude oil will building, advanced manufacturing, industry and keep America competi- Other important steps that would help include establishing tax incen- continue to be on foreign vessels.” and maritime industries – which tive in international markets. The tives for transporting cargoes on U.S.-flag ships, negotiating cargo-shar- House original cosponsors ing agreements with our country’s trading partners, and fully funding both are key to national security and our bipartisan Energizing American the new tanker program and the longstanding Maritime Security Program include Reps. Rob Wittman (R- ability to project American military Shipbuilding Act would also cre- (on which it was patterned). Virginia), Julia Brownley (D- power abroad,” said Garamendi. ate good-paying jobs for our ports I’m excited about the prospects that lie ahead for the U.S. Merchant California), Brian Fitzpatrick “American shipyards and mariners in Pennsylvania, and throughout Marine, and I look forward to continuing our work in Washington and (R-Pennsylvania), Alan Lowenthal are ready for the job, and our bill the country, while increasing ship elsewhere to boost our industry. (D-California), Chris Pappas (D- ensures American workers are no manufacturing to ensure that we can New Hampshire) and Elaine Luria longer expected to compete against provide sealift capacity for our mili- More on Vaccines (D-Virginia). heavily subsidized foreign shipyards tary.” It took a lot longer than I wanted, but I’m finally scheduled for my The Energizing American Ship- in Korea, China, and elsewhere. Our Garamendi served as the top COVID-19 vaccines this month. Availability has been the biggest chal- building Act would require that domestic maritime industry is criti- Democrat on the House Subcom- lenge with the vaccines all across the country, but it looks like ample 15 percent of total seaborne LNG cally important to the U.S. economy mittee on Coast Guard and Maritime supply is just around the corner. As the president noted, the month of May exports by 2043 and 10 percent of and our national security, and I will Transportation from 2013 to 2018, appears to be the turning point, and by Independence Day we may finally total seaborne crude oil exports by work tirelessly until this bill be- and has sponsored this legislation be back to (mostly) normal. 2035 be transported exclusively on comes law.” since 2016 as part of his Make it in The other big challenge with the vaccine rollout has been educating vessels built in the United States. “Strengthening our domestic America agenda. the public. On that note, I strongly encourage every Seafarer to get the facts, as always. Read our coverage in the LOG and on our website, visit the CDC website, and stay on top of the latest developments. And note that the SIU continues pushing for mariners to be prioritized for vaccine access. So-Called ‘Right to Work’ Law Personally, I am completely comfortable taking the vaccine because I believe they’re safe and effective. But I understand that many people are hesitant, and those feelings themselves aren’t subject to debate. Again, though, I urge you to gather as much information, from as many reliable sources, as is reasonably possible. I’m confident that the more you learn Soundly Rejected in Montana about the vaccines, the more you’ll share my belief that they’re not only safe, but also essential for protecting you, your families and your ship- The continuing drive by anti- conditions,” Montana AFL-CIO Meanwhile, in the Mountain- mates.