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Prayer Corner
For Chris Fogarty, AOS USA Mariner Member, and Vice-President who is struggling with health issues related to diabetes. He appreciates the prayers of his AOS USA family.
For Lois Badeaux, Doreen's Mom who will have knee replacement surgery on Monday, Oct 31.
For those held hostage by pirates throughout the world.
For all those in pirate infested waters that God will protect them.
For those suffering from floods, droughts, tornados, and other harsh weather conditions. May the Peace of Christ sustain them, as they work to rebuild their homes and their lives.
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Join AOS USA Today!
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125 Years Later: Do we still subscribe to the words of Lady Liberty?
 Dear Friends,
Growing up at St. Mary's Elementary School, the Dominican Sisters taught us a great deal about history and our US Citizenship. When I heard the news today about the Statue of Liberty turning 125 years old, I immediately remembered Sr. Boniface Dehmer making us memorize the words inscribed at Lady Liberty's feet. The poem, "The New Colossus". Today, I think I finally realized why she made us memorize it, rather than just read it. Perhaps as the daughter of German immigrants, Sr Boniface knew how easy it is for us to lose site of what we have. Perhaps she knew that it is not enough to read about our rights, our liberties and what our country stands for. Perhaps we have to commit our hearts and minds to it and to commit to the rights and liberties of others as well.
Remember the words?
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips.
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883
The question is, do we still welcome the tired, the poor and the huddled masses? Or do we think that the rights and freedoms that we have in the United States are just for us who are already here, and no one else need apply?
Lady Liberty's full name is "Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World". Emma Lazarus poem calls her "Mother of Exiles" and states that "from her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome".
Why is it then that 10 years after the horrible attacks on America, we have yet to find a balance on homeland security and we can't figure out how to properly ensure shore leave rights for mariners who are doing us a favor, by bringing supplies to us and bringing our goods to the rest of the world? And mind you, most of these mariners are here quite often. It's not like we don't know who they are.
Why is it that there is now a bill going to the House which may take away the rights of foreign mariners on foreign passenger vessels access to the US Judicial System? (H.R. 2838 Section 404) (And yes, that is just a special gift to mariners on passenger vessels. If you work on a merchant ship, you can access our court system.) Double standard?
But some may ask why foreign mariners should have rights to the US Judicial System anyway. It's not their country after all. Well, I encourage you to read the story below about a good friend, and AOS USA Mariner Member Mr Shwe Aung. Read about what would have happened to him, had he not had access to our US Judicial system as a Burmese Seafarer. And in the process, we got a brand new American Citizen out of it who is doing a great deal of good in this country.
Lady Liberty is still calling us as Americans to "Enlighten the World"...not just our own front porch. I pray that Congress will make the right decision on Section 404 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act. We still need to leave the light on.
Doreen M. Badeaux
Secretary General
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ITF Inspector: 'I'm Proud to be an American'
Courtesy: Seafarers' International Union
Seafarers' Log
September 2011 Edition
The morning after formally being sworn in as an American citizen Aug. 17 in Houston, Shwe Aung summed up his feelings in one word: "Fantastic!"
Aung is an International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) inspector for the SIU. If it sounds like a cliché to say he came a long way in his journey to U.S. citizenship, consider his circumstances in the year 2000. A native of Burma, Aung was in his late twenties and sailing aboard a ship that sank in Venezuela. He survived the ordeal, but his credentials and other paperwork were lost.
His only option for securing a new passport involved returning to Burma, where he would have been jailed because of pro-union activities. After a complicated sequence that included long stays in Venezuela and Brazil, Aung, with the ITF's backing, found his way to the U.S. in December 2001.
Aung didn't exactly begin living the American dream upon his arrival. He was detained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, but - with key assistance from the SIU, the ITF and U.S. Rep. Gene Green's office - was granted asylum in 2002.
Since then, Aung has been an effective ITF inspector (his honors include recognition from the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance) who embraces his chance to assist fellow mariners.
"I was a foreign crew member, and I know what it's like to not get paid and to need the ITF's help," he explained. "Now, I'm the one helping. The cycle is complete."
Congressman Green (D-Texas), an ally from Shwe's earliest days in America, presented his citizenship certificate at last month's ceremony, which took place at a local education center. SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey was among Aung's other supporters in attendance.
Corgey noted that Aung had the honor of taking the citizenship oath not only for himself but also as a representative of the many other immigrants being naturalized that day. (For practical reasons, one person - Aung - was chosen to stand on behalf of everyone.)
"I think that's a real tribute to his reputation, the great work that he's done, and his standing in the community," Corgey said. "We're proud that he was selected and we're proud to be a part of Shwe's successful story and his journey to citizenship. He's a great guy, and his family was so happy. This is what America is all about."
Reflecting on the last nine years, Aung emphasized his gratitude to a host of backers including Rep. Green, Corgey, SIU President Michael Sacco and SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, who also has been an ITF official for many years. Aung further noted the invaluable support of ITF officials David Cockroft, Steve Cotton, Anna Llewellyn and Antonio Fritz, local contacts Stefani Nguyen and Jimmy McAuley, shipmates from the MV Global Mariner, his family and others.
"There are so many people who've helped me along the way," Aung stated. "I'm so proud to be in the SIU family and to also be part of the ITF. When I got here, the SIU took me in. Dean and Jimbo ( SIU Assistant Vice President Jim McGee) came to see me on a ship around midnight. They didn't even know me. I had lost my hope, but they worked with me.... Without the SIU, I wouldn't be here."
Heindel, who serves as chairman of the ITF Seafarers' Section, noted, "It's inspirational to see that Shwe has made a good life for himself in the U.S. Meetingthis young man in Brazil in late 2001 and hearing that Brazil was going to deport him back to Burma to face prisonjust for standing up for himself and fellow crew - something that we daily take for granted - was just too much not to assist him. I am proud that we, with the help of Representative Green, were able to assist Shweinmaking his way to the States and being there when he landed.I'm sure over the years it has not been easy for him to be away from his family in Burma, but his is a great American story; he has assimilated into our culture and now started a family of his own. Congratulations, Shwe!"
Aung concluded, "I'm proud to be an American. It's really great."
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Proposed ban on US damages lawsuits
Sparks Outrage
Courtesy: Lloyds List
Rajesh Joshi
October 28, 2011
Cruise lines to benefit if crew unable to sue for injury
A DRAFT provision in an upcoming US legislation that would bar non-US citizen crew on foreign-flag passenger vessels from seeking damages for injury or death in US courts has sparked outrage among seafarer rights advocates.
Other legal experts are bemused that the provision - whose main effect will be on cruise line employees - sets a different standard for this category of mariners as compared with crewmembers on cargoships or containerships, or any other merchant vessel.
The House of Representatives version of the new US Coast Guard Authorisation Act contains a section that stipulates that a seafarer who is not a US national or permanent resident, and who suffers injury or death outside US territorial waters, be debarred from bringing a damages lawsuit before a US court, as long as the mariner has a right to seek compensation under the laws of his homeland or in the ship's flag state.
The Bill, introduced by Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo in September, has been voted out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It is now before the Republican-controlled House for a full vote. This may take place before Christmas.
The Senate version of the USCG Authorisation Act does not contain this provision. Experts said the Democratic-controlled Senate is not expected to vote on its own Bill until next year, and questioned whether such a provision would find favour with the Democratic majority.
The House and Senate Bills, when passed, must undergo a reconciliation process in conference, before a final version appears on the President's desk.
The House provision would benefit top cruise lines, which are based in the US and carry a predominantly American base of passengers, but whose ships are foreign-flagged and employ mainly foreign crew.
Cruise lines are known to be guarded about multi-million dollar lawsuits brought by injured crew, often aided by the battalion of trial lawyers in the US. Industry observers agree that these concerns are well grounded.
However, legally awarded damages in many foreign jurisdictions are derisory or non-existent, and experts have called for a balance to be struck between the cruise lines' concerns and the traditional protection the US court system offers foreign crew.
Seafarer rights advocates said the proposed law upends this balance.
"This section raises grave concerns for the well being of the tens of thousands of migrant seafarers who serve, clean for and entertain American cruise line passengers," said the Rev Sinclair Oubre, diocesan director of the Apostleship of the Sea of the USA, the Roman Catholic ministry to mariners.
"It is impossible to imagine that these poor workers from China, Myanmar or Russia will be able to travel to a flag state like Liberia, and file their claim for an injury. If this legislation becomes law, the US government will be telling these thousands of men and women, 'We want your labour, but we do not want to deal with any of the hazards of your work'."
Miami attorney Ross Toyne added: "I am aghast that American lawmakers have specifically identified 'foreigners' in a draft law and told them that they do not belong in an American court. I have not seen this in any other statute."
Maritime regulatory consultant Dennis Bryant was more intrigued by the apparent differentiation the section makes between cruise line employees and other mariners.
"What I find curious is how seafarers performing many of the same functions, but only on a different kind of ship, could still seek legal redress in a US court for the same kind of injuries, but those on passenger vessels would not be able to do so," said Mr Bryant.
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Ministry onboard Cruise Ships Brings Catholics Back into the Faith
 | | Fr. Jack Treacy and crewmembers of the M/V Mercury |
Editors note: We receive many notes from Cruise Ship Priests, such as the one below, regarding the ministry onboard. From time to time, we share these with our readers so that you will know of the true ministry and work that goes on, onboard ship. Many people think that our Cruise Ship Priests are just "getting a free cruise", and that this is not a sincere, important, and needed ministry. We beg to differ!
Dear Doreen,
Thanks you so much for the thoughtful email about our two elderly and infirm brother priests. I paused to pray for them and to reflect on your words in the midst of a busy day on campus.
I'm reminded of my last cruise (last March) when a passenger approached me to hear his confession. He had had a very negative experience with a priest in confession some thirty years ago, and had not been back to that sacrament nor had he received communion in all that time. We had a graced encounter; the next day I almost had tears in my eyes when he approached to receive communion. I can only imagine all the stories our fellow chaplains have to share...
Blessings on you and your vital ministry of keeping us all connected!
Warm regards
Jack Treacy SJ |
Hello and Farewell!
The AOS Family says farewell to three longtime friends today.
Ted Richardson, National Director for Australia is retiring after many years of service.
Likewise, Alice Robinson with AOS Great Britain is retiring from the London office today.
Ted and Alice have both been wonderful collaboraters in this ministry and will be sincerely missed.
AOS USA wishes to say "Thank you" to both for their good and devoted service to the People of the Sea, and to their fellow AOS family around the world.
You will be missed! We send our prayers with you and wish you fair winds and following seas!
We also bid a final farewell to former AOS Director for Scotland, Mr. Leo Gilbert, who passed away at the age of 92.
Leo served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and following demobilisation worked with ex-serviceman. He became involved with the work of the Apostleship of the Sea on the Clyde becoming the Scottish National Secretary. Together with Fr Andrew Hosie, the then National Director, Leo established the Glasgow Stella Maris Seafarers Centre at Whiteinch. Following the death of Fr Andrew in 2002, Leo became the National Director of the Apostleship of the Sea in Scotland. In 2005, the Apostleship of the Sea in Scotland merged with the English branch taking on new port chaplains and recruiting volunteer ship visitors leading to an increased number of ships visited in Scottish ports. In 2006 Leo was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal by the Papal Nuncio to Great Britain for his services to seafarers. Leo was 92 and leaves his wife Catherine and four children.
And now we say hello to the new National Director for AOS Australia, Mr. Peter Owens. Peter has worked with AOS Brisbane for 30 years and will be a great asset to AOS Australia, as well as the entire AOS family throughout the world.
We send our prayers and commitment of working cooperatively with you Peter! |
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Important Upcoming Events for
AOS USA Members
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