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Prayer Corner
For the people of Japan recovering from the effects of Earthquake and Tsunami, and Nuclear radiation.
We especially pray for the fishermen & mariners of Japan who have been affected by the Earthquake and Tsunami, and will likely be affected for months and years to come.
For the people of Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast, who were affected by the tsunami, especially Fishermen, Mariners and Coastal families who rely on the sea for their livelihood.
For Fr. William Bauman AOS USA Cruise Ship Priest who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He asks for prayers from his AOS Family for "Faith to return to the Lord in a happy death".
For Fr. Joseph Gaugh, AOS USA Cruise Ship Priest who is recovering from a hip infection.
For Fr Cleo Schmenk, AOS USA Cruise Ship Priest recovering from cataract surgery.
For the sister of Fr Frederico DeSouza, (AOS USA Cruise Ship Priest ), recovering from open heart surgery in Mozambique.
For the Mother of Fr John Belmonte, (AOS USA Cruise Ship Priest), recovering from illness.
For our mariner member, Jon Furukawa, during his deployment in Iraq.
For those held hostage by pirates throughout the world.
For our Fishers, Shrimpers, Crabbers, Lobstermen, Oystermen, etc., that God will bless them with a fruitful harvest this year.
For all those in pirate infested waters that God will protect them.
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Join AOS USA Today!
To join AOS USA simply click on the following link:
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AOS USA Annual Conference: Register Today!
Dear Friends,
The AOS USA Annual Meeting will be held from May 3-6, 2011, in Duluth, Minnesota.
Our AOS USA cruise ship priest and Pastoral member, Fr. Bob Sipe, has invited us to visit the two busiest shipping communities on the Great Lakes: Duluth, MN. and Superior, WI.
In a special way, we wish to invite our AOS CANADA Friends, as many of them serve this same area, on the other side of the border.
To register, click the following link:
AOS USA Conference Registration
We hope to see you there. Duluth is a beautiful place, and the hotel is right on the Great Lakes, where you can see the inner workings of the Great Lakes fleet.
We also have a great deal to discuss as an organization, and want as many members to attend as possible, so that you can give your input.
We hope to see you there!
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Sinclair Oubre, J.C.L.
President
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Inn on Lake Superior
1-888-668-4352
Register by April 15 to receive conference rates!
The Inn on Lake Superior will play host to AOS USA's tenth annual conference. This is the second time we will be in the Great Lakes. Our third conference was held at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan in 2004.
The hotel is holding a block of rooms for AOS USA through April 15, 2011. So if you are considering coming, but are not sure, I strongly encourage to make your hotel reservations now. These can be easily canceled up to 72 hours ahead of time, and you will not be charged. However, it would be sad that you would have to pay a higher rate, if the reservation date passed, or the room blocks were filled.
To call for reservations, call 1-888-668-4352. We have a room block from May 2-May 6. Be sure to tell them you are with the Apostleship of the Sea USA conference. If you need to come earlier or stay later, I believe that they will be happy to work with you.
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Quest for Funding: Total Damage to state may not be enough to qualify for Federal help
Courtesy: The Triplicate
Anthony Skeens
The Continuing plight of Fishermen and Coastal Residents affected by the Tsunami in Crescent City, CA.
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Harbormaster Richard Young submitted Monday to the California Emergency Management Authority a cost assessment of damage to Crescent City Harbor from the March 11 event.
CalEMA will combine the assessments with other totals from California counties that sustained damages and submit them for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Young said.
"We should know sometime this week," said Young of whether California will be eligible for FEMA funding.
California must have sustained more than $44 million worth of damage caused by the tsunami to be eligible for FEMA assistance.
The funding threshold uses a formula based on a state's population, which puts counties in largely populated states at a disadvantage, Young said.
"What's difficult about that is both Brookings and Crescent City are in similar situations," said Young, adding they are both small, rural counties that typically see costs fall heavier on their cash-strapped local agencies.
Brookings, however, was granted federal money on Friday.
Oregon has a much smaller damage total it must meet in order to be eligible for federal funding because of its population size, Young said.
"It makes it rough," Young said. "This is the hurdle we faced in 2006."
Damages caused by a tsunami in 2006 fell short of being declared a federal disaster, but still caused multi-million dollars worth of damage.
Del Norte County was eligible for state emergency funds, though it had to find 25 percent of the $22 million dollar tab it would cost to repair the inner boat basin.
If California doesn't receive a federal disaster status then the county will fall into a similar predicament as in 2006.
"Finding the matching money will be extremely difficult," said Young.
Crane pulls vessels from harbor
Progress continued throughout the weekend at the harbor to remove pollution threats from the inner boat basin.
Hordes of people watched as two sunken vessels emerged from the inner boat basin Saturday with the help of a crane during the U.S. Coast Guard's continued efforts to clean up pollutants in the water.
Another boat was lifted Sunday before the Coast Guard shifted its focus Monday onto fallen pilings that are obstructing the other submerged vessels deemed pollution threats in the basin.
The Coast Guard is continuing to remove potential pollutants from sunken vessels. It has removed 1,428 gallons of petroleum products from damaged vessels, 1,250 cubic yards of debris from the inner boat basin and has deployed 1,300 feet of containment boom, said Rachel Polish, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard.
MM Diving Inc., which is the dive company that raised the first boat in Crescent City Harbor, has been awarded another contract to lift a boat, Polish said.
"Once they finish that job, obviously, we'll look for more opportunities," said Polish.
As the boats come out of the water they are being placed in a designated area in the harbor parking lot, Polish said.
Owners wanting to access their sunken boats after they are recovered should call the harbor district office to set up a time, Polish said.
The harbor is likely going to have to foot the bill on the demolition and removal of sunken boats that owners aren't able to financially take care of, Young said.
"The bottom line is they're in our parking lot," said Young. "If nobody can take responsibility of them, we have to." |
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Crane Barge Arrives Offshore: Pollution removal top Priority
11th Coast Guard District
Crescent City Tsunami Operations Center News Release
March 24, 2011
Location: Crescent City Inner Basin Harbor, Crescent City, California
Cause: Tsunami following 9.0 earthquake in Japan (March 11)
Operational Update:
·A heavy-lift crane barge from the San Francisco Bay Area has arrived offshore to facilitate the mitigation of pollution hazards. This is an important step, so Crescent City can begin restoring its harbor.
·Once the four-man crew has positioned the crane barge in the harbor and completed set-up, it will begin hoisting operations. Set-up may take several days, weather permitting.
·Responders have identified 10 sunken vessels that remain a potential pollution threat. The crane will raise the vessels to allow for removal of pollution, and then place them onshore for the Harbor District.
·Cleanup crews have removed approximately 1,307 gallons of petroleum products from damaged vessels and 1,250 cubic yards of debris from the inner boat basin.
·The Coast Guard reduced the safety zone, opening up the Crescent City Harbor to vessel traffic and commercial fishing. Only the inner boat basin remains closed.
·Those seeking to transfer their fishing vessel permits should contact the Department of Fish and Game's License and Revenue Branch at 916-928-7470.
·There are 71 personnel participating in the response effort. This includes two contracted dive teams.
·The Unified Command has used several local contractors and remains committed to using local resources whenever possible.
Closures or restrictions:
·Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., C, D, E, and F docks are open to owners of vessels within the boomed off area. Vessel owners should contact Coast Guard Auxiliary members at the Harbor Office to schedule a visit. For emergencies only, owners wishing to access their vessels outside of that time frame may contact the Coast Guard. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Personal flotation devices are required on all docks.
·Harbor is closed to the public at night, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., until further notice.
·Safety zone in place for inner boat basin only. The harbor is now open to vessel traffic.
Harbor operations:
Crescent City Harbor asks affected boat owners to contact the harbor at 707-464-6174 ext. 22 to provide the following information: Boat name, official number/VIN, fuel capacity, actual fuel onboard, and contact information.
Wildlife: There have been no reports of oiled wildlife. Monitoring is ongoing.
Crews deployed: U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), Harbor District personnel and oil spill response organizations.
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LIVE Facebook Webcast from NYC - Women At Sea: panel of seven women mariners
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Wednesday, March 30 · 7:00pm - 8:30pm | |
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WEB - Jack Tar Magazine - via Ustream from Community Church of New York
40 East 35th Street | |
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For those who can't make it to New York for Working Harbor Committee event "Women At Sea": Jack Tar Magazine will be streaming live the panel discussion of seven women mariners following a screening of the PBS documentary "Shipping Out-The Story of America's Seafaring Women".
All you need is just to visit the Jack Tar Facebook page around 7:00PM on Wednesday - the screening starts at 6:00PM and we will start the first ever Jack ...Tar magazine webcast just after the 56 minutes long documentary.
For those in New York and vicinity - come and join for the full program - Women At Sea: Screening, Conversation, Reception, Wednesday, March 30th, at the Community Church of New York, 40 East 35th Street, New York, NY at 6:00 PM. The program features a screening of the PBS documentary "Shipping Out-The Story of America's Seafaring Women" followed by a conversation with seven women mariners who work as captains, mates, engineers and pilots.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at through the Working Harbor Committee
For further information on the live event, please go to: http://workingharbor.com/
FILM: Shipping Out
The Story of America's Seafaring Women
Produced by Maria Brooks - Waterfront Soundings Productions
This unusual documentary tells the history of seafaring women in America. We meet modern women performing jobs in commercial shipping. They work on container ships, tankers, tugs and other vessels, as pilots, engineers, mates and ordinary 'seamen'. "Shipping Out" explores the history, mythologies and attitudes which limited women's participation in seafaring roles until recent times.
PANEL DISCUSSION:
A panel of seven women active in maritime trades including:
Jessica DuLong, chief engineer retired NYC Fireboat John J. Harvey
Capt. Linda L. Fagan, USCG Captain of the Port of New York
Capt. Ann Loeding, tugboat captain
Capt. Coleen Quinn, Sandy Hook Pilot
Marissa Strawbridge, KP'06, Second mate for American Marine Officers
Commander Linda A. Sturgis, USCG, Head of Prevention NY
Debra Tischler, Former second mate on tankers, car and bulk carriers
Betsy Frawley Haggerty, Maritime Writer will be the moderator
The panelists will talk about their maritime experiences and will take questions from the audience.
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 Vacation Substitute for Port Chaplains
My name is Father Dick Barclift. I offer to substitute for vacationing Port Chaplains. I am trained, certified, have my TWIC card and current credentials and I have the support of my local Bishop. I am also a Cruise Ship Priest Member of AOS USA. For more information and inquiries contact me at: Fr. Dick Barclift Catholic Diocese of Peoria in Illinois 110 19th Street #205 Rock Island, IL 61201 PH: 309-737-5353 frbe@mchsi.com |
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Other News Items
Norwegian Cruise Line CEO on "Undercover Boss" finds "really great crew" onboard his ships:
Tragedy at Sea - 40 years later
Sinking of Texaco Oklahoma Remembered
BOW WAVE - Issue 588 - Japan Edition:
(Thanks to Bow Wave, we have the following report on the status of some of the ports in Japan)
According to recent reports the north-east coastal ports of
Hachinohe, Sendai, Ishinomaki and Onahama are said to have
suffered so much damage that are not expected to return
to operation for months, possibly years. The ports of
Kashima and Hitachinaka were only partially damaged and
could be back on line in a few weeks.
However, Tokyo andall ports south of the capital are operating normally, but
due to a backlog of vessels, delays in cargo handling are
expected. What may be expected with confidence is that the
Japanese will spring back with determination and spirit.
The insurance consequences today, will be observable
tomorrow and the cycle of claims and reinsurance claims
will be felt more quickly than might be the case elsewhere.
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Apostleship of the Sea responds to Pope's request to aid Japanese
VATICAN CITY (CNS) --The Apostleship of the Sea, the Catholic Church's official society for the pastoral care of seafarers, is answering the pope's call to bring help to the Japanese people affected by recent natural disasters and to remain united in prayer. Seafarers are one of the groups hit hardest by the tsunami and earthquake, Soon-Ho Kim, director of the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) in Japan, told the Catholic news agency Fides. Kim, a Columban lay missionary, reported that more than 20,000 boats have been destroyed and 260 ports damaged in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunamis that followed. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Goro Matsuura of Osaka told Fides March 28 that the AOS and the Japanese bishops are focusing their efforts on fishermen and other people who do not qualify for government aid. "It will take many programs and projects to rebuild the human, social and working environments of these people," Bishop Matsuura explained. "It will be a long-term process because still today people look at the sea with extreme fear." The AOS has launched a campaign to raise money for the rehabilitation of Japanese seafaring communities. Kim said humanitarian aid is the first step the AOS is taking, followed by establishing an efficient communication network to reach coastal towns. Later, the AOS plans to hold reconstruction projects, he told Fides. |
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Instruction to remit donations for the
AOS special Fund for the victims of tsunami in Japan
In USA dollars
BANK: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK
ADDRESS: 4 CHASE METRO TECK
7th Floor 11245 Brooklyn
New York
COD. SWIFT: CHASUS33XXX
ABA ROUTING NR: 021000021
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 001 - 1 - 975 000
BENIFICIARY:
ISTITUTO PER LE OPERE DI RELIGIONE
(Cod. Swift: IOPRVAVXXXX)
00120 CITTA' DEL VATICANO
Details of payment: Pontificio Consiglio Migranti - account no. 22 52 70 14
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In Euros
BANK: JP MORGAN - CHASE BANK
ADDRESS: 14, JUNGHOFSTRASSE
60311 FRANKFURT AM MAIN
BLZ 50110800
IBAN: DE81501108006231606168
CODICE SWIFT: CHASDEFXXXX
BENEFICIARY:
ISTITUTO PER LE OPERE DI RELIGIONE (IOR)
00120 Cittą del Vaticano
Details of payment: Pontificio Consiglio Migranti - account no. 22 52 70 13
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Important Upcoming Events for
AOS USA Members
AOS USA Annual Conference
When: May 3-6, 2011
Where: Duluth, Minnesota
Focus: Connecting Great Lakes Seafarer Welfare Agencies with US and Canadian Lakers and Their Crews
National Maritime Day: May 22, 2011.
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