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Prayer Requests:
For the repose of the soul of Fr. Carl Feil, OSM - AOS Port Canaveral who passed away on March 30.
For Deacon Bill Wanca & Deacon Jack Rhine - AOS Port Canaveral who have both had to retire due to illness.
For the repose of the soul of Fr. Rivers Patout, AOS - Houston, who passed away last week. Our prayers go out to his family and friends and all at the Houston International Seafarers' Center.
For Mrs. Anite Badeaux, Grandmother of Doreen Badeaux. Anite had a stroke 2 months ago at the age of 101. She is now back in her home, but requires full care. She has more movement, and her mind is crystal clear. Her speach is improving and she continues to ask for prayer. She thanks everyone for their prayers. She says they are working.
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Fr. Rivers Patout: A Reflection on The Importance of Being Connected and Building Relationships in your Port
Dear Friends,
On Friday of last week, I attended the funeral of Fr. Rivers Patout, along with Fr. Sinclair Oubre. It was a beautiful tribute to his life to look at the crowd and see who was there.
The Co-Cathedral for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston was packed. There were old and young, and people of every nationality. There were people from the Maritime Industry, local leaders from the Seafarers' International Union, the ITF and Coast Guard were all present.
His parishioners from St. Alphonsus Church and churches around the Diocese were there, and Maritime Ministers of many faiths, who he worked with for so many years. And of course, there were board members and supporters of the Houston International Seafarers' Center.
I was most taken by the fact that his loss does not mean the death of the AOS Ministry in his port. Many times, it seems that the loss of one port chaplain does mean that the ministry may not survive. However, Fr. Rivers did one of the hardest things there is to do, in that he worked to grow the ministry around him. He was not a "Lone Ranger." He worked to build up the ministry to ensure that seafarers would be cared for in the future.
But how did he do this? It is in the relationships that he built and continued to nurture. He was very skilled at building relationships all around him. This was evidenced in the many articles that he appeared in in the Houston Chronicle, and in industry publications over the years, and in the diversity of people that came to offer their condolences. It was evidenced too in the many notes from Maritime Ministers from all around the world who wrote and told us that they knew him, and he had taught them something important about the ministry.
This is a challenge for each of us. Even in Dioceses where little funding or personnel are provided, there is a way to call people forward to help. But it takes real time building up relationships and getting to know the people in the industry that we are serving.
There are so many groups out there in our ports that are perfect vehicles for this. The Propeller Club, the Nautical Institute, the Council of American Master Mariners, the Maritime Unions, the local Pilots Association, the Port Authorities. Each of these organizations should know the Port Chaplain and the Seafarers' Centers WELL and they should be able to tell people what we do.
However, it is not enough to attend these meetings. If they don't see you out there visiting ships and transporting mariners, they will not be fooled.
If your chaplaincy or seafarers center is not "plugged in" to these and other organizations, get out there! The ministry does not grow on its own.
There are people out there wanting to be part of something important. They are wanting to help others. And your port has that important something that they can do! Ministry to Seafarers!
All the Best!
Doreen M. Badeaux
Secretary General
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World Churches Set to Celebrate Sea Sunday
Courtesy: MarineLink.Com
By: George Backwell
June 10, 2014
On Sea Sunday, 13, July 2014, churches all over the world come together to remember seafarers and pray for them, their families and those who support them, informs the 'Sea Sunday' web site.
The 'Sea Sunday' web site carries the following message:
"The Mission to Seafarers works tirelessly to provide help and hope to seafarers in distress in 71 countries worldwide. In 260 ports, from Southampton to Sydney, every day the world's 1.5 million crew men and women look out for the Mission's 'Flying Angel' flag. The Mission is universally trusted to be of service for everyday problems and in maritime emergencies. Please help the Mission by holding a Sea Sunday service this year."
Sea Sunday is the day which many Christian Churches set aside to remember and pray for seafarers and their families and give thanks for their lives and work. It is officially held on the second Sunday in July. During Sea Sunday, supporting ministries such as the Apostleship of the Sea conducts fundraisers and awareness campaigns about life at sea.
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SRI Spreads the Word on Priorities and Challenges for Seafarers' Rights
Courtesy: Seafarers Rights International
10 June 2014
SRI has hosted the latest in a series of initiatives to educate maritime law graduates and post graduates, and practising lawyers, on priorities and challenges around promoting and advancing the legal rights of seafarers.
The seminar, held on Monday June 9, 2014 at SRI's London offices, was attended by around 70 graduates and lawyers, and it presented a programme discussing the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), and industry perspectives on the future challenges for seafarers' rights.
Speakers from the SRI Advisory Board included Judge Thomas A. Mensah, international legal consultant and arbitrator; Brian Orrell OBE, Chairman of SRI's Advisory Board; Rear-Admiral (Maritime Affairs) Jean-Marc Schindler, former head of the French Marine Accident Investigation Office (BEAmer); Father Bruno Ciceri, representative of the Apostleship of the Sea International; David Cockroft, former General Secretary of the International Transport Workers federation (ITF); as well as Executive Director of SRI, Deirdre Fitzpatrick.
In a second panel discussion, Stephen Cotton, Acting General Secretary of the ITF presented future priorities of the ITF for seafarers, and participants had the opportunity to hear about the role and work of welfare agencies and the image of the maritime industry, including lawyers within the maritime industry.
Speaking after the event, Deirdre Fitzpatrick said: "We were delighted to deliver a programme on the context of seafarers' rights in law, the process that delivered the MLC, and the challenges ahead for the MLC to bring meaningful changes in the maritime industry. The MLC probably ranks as the most important Convention passed by the ILO. But the challenge ahead is for effective and uniform implementation of the MLC."
She added: "Knowledge of the law is crucial if seafarers are to be adequately protected. But a knowledge of the players in the industry, such as the unions and welfare agencies, and specifically their roles and priorities, is also essential if lawyers are to deliver the best service for seafarers. Knowledge starts with awareness and our event was geared to raise awareness in young professionals of the role of seafarers in one of the most dynamic industries in the world."
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Z ukunft Assumes Command of Coast Guard
Courtesy: WorkBoat.Com
2 June 2014
Adm. Paul F. Zukunft assumed command as the 25th commandant of the Coast Guard today, relieving Adm. Bob Papp during a military ceremony at the Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters Building.
"Adm. Papp's leadership and resolve have left an indelible mark on the service," said Zukunft. "The Coast Guard is more proficient, more capable and more resilient due to his contributions and I wish him fair winds and following seas."
"To the men and women of the Coast Guard, I'm humbled to stand before you as your 25th Commandant," said Zukunft. "You embody the world's best Coast Guard."
Adm. Zukunft reports to Coast Guard Headquarters from Alameda, Calif., where he served as the Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander since 2012. In this capacity, he was the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions from the Rocky Mountains west to the east coast of Africa.
Zukunft will lead the largest component of the Department of Homeland Security, comprised of 41,700 active duty, 7,800 reserve and 8,300 civilian personnel as well as more 31,000 volunteer Coast Guard auxiliarists.
During the change of command ceremony, Papp received the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal from Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and the Defense Distinguished Medal from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Amos.
"I thank Secretary Johnson for the personal recognition, but it is the men and women of the Coast Guard who deserve credit for all that we have accomplished over the past four years," said Adm. Papp. "I'm very proud to have led the service, and Linda and I wish Paul and Fran all the best."
Adm. Papp became the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard on May 25, 2010. Under Papp's leadership and vision the Coast Guard's focused on proficiency, expanding family programs for service members and recapitalizing aging assets. Additionally, Papp worked to secure funding for completion of the National Security Cutter program of record, the acquisition of new Fast Response Cutters and initial funding for the Offshore Patrol Cutter. He also oversaw the restoration of the nation's only heavy icebreaker. As Commandant, Adm. Papp led the service's efforts to respond to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of national significance and directed the roll out of the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy, the first in government to further the President's National Strategy for the Arctic.
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Deepwater Horizon Blowout Animation
Courtesy: WorkBoat.Com
10 June 2014
The blowout preventer that was intended to shut off the flow of high-pressure oil and gas from the Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20, 2010, failed to seal the well due to unrecognized pipe buckling, according to a new two-volume draft investigation report released last week by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB). The complete BOP failure scenario is detailed in a new 11-minute computer video animation by the CSB.  | | Deepwater Horizon Blowout Animation |
Click here to read more about the findings of the Deepwater Horizon investigation report: Deepwater Horizon
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Ports Vulnerable to Cybersecurity Attacks, Federal Report Says
Courtesy: WorkBoat.Com
By: Pamela Glass
9June 2014
Cybersecurity is a poorly understood threat to the nation's ports and should be further investigated by the Coast Guard, according to a new report by the General Accountability Office.
While the Coast Guard has made many strides to improve physical security at ports, it has not done a risk assessment that fully addresses cyber-related threats, vulnerabilities or consequences. Maritime security laws created since 9/11 did not address cyber-related threats, said the June 5 report that was prepared for the Senate Commerce Committee.
"Until the Coat Guard completes a thorough assessment of cyber risks in the maritime environment, the ability of stakeholders to appropriately plan and allocate resources to protect ports and other maritime facilities will be limited," GAO said.
Without such an assessment, port security grants that involve cyber threats lack a basis for evaluation for the federal funding.
In addition, the report said that abolishment of a Coast Guard council to share information among various entities has left port authorities and other stakeholders without an important vehicle to share information about cyber threats.
The report noted that the movement of $1.3 trillion in cargo through U.S. ports is streamlined by information and communication systems that are vulnerable to cyber attacks.
"Failures in these systems could degrade or interrupt operations at ports, including the flow of commerce," the report said. "Federal agencies - in particular the Department of Homeland Security - and industry stakeholders have specific roles in protecting maritime facilities and ports from physical and cyber threats."
The report said further that "as computer technology has advanced, our nation's critical infrastructure has become increasingly dependent on computerized information systems and electronic data to carry out operations. The security of these systems and data is essential to protecting national security, economic prosperity and pubic health and safety. Cyber threats to critical infrastructure are evolving and growing."
Ports are especially vulnerable, the report explained, because they rely on multiple information and communication technologies, such as terminal operating systems, industrial control systems, business operating systems and access control systems.
Among the biggest threats: adversaries that possess sophisticated levels of expertise and resources to disrupt maritime commerce, corrupt employees, criminal groups, hackers and terrorists.
GAO investigators visited three "high-risk" ports and reviewed current policies and laws to compile their report.
The GAO recommended that the Coast Guard complete an assessment of cyber risks and make it part of maritime security planning. It also suggested that the Maritime Modal Sector Coordinating Council be revived to facilitate the sharing of cyber risk information, and that the Port Security Grant program encourage applications for cybersecurity proposals.
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Captain of Japanese Tanker Found Dead
Courtesy: IHS Maritime 360
1 June, 2014
The captain of the Japanese tanker that exploded on 29 May was found dead on 31 May, the Japan Coast Guard told IHS Maritime. The body of Masaichi Ando, 64, was found after a search lasting more than 24 hours. Ando was the only one of the Shoko Maru's eight-man crew who was not rescued after the 1995-built 2,242dwt oil tanker exploded near Himeji port around 09.30hrs Japanese time. Coast guard officials said: "Divers found Ando's body in the hold of the ship after it sank and his family has identified the body." Shoko Maru, owned by Hiroshima-based Shoho Kaiun, sank about 10 hours after the explosion. Four other crew members were sent to hospitals after suffering severe burns. All crew members are Japanese nationals. The tanker had just unloaded crude oil at Himeji, about 450km west of Tokyo, when the explosion occurred. Japan's transport minister Akihiro Ota told journalists last week that the explosion was likely to have been caused by a crew member using a grinder to remove rust from the vessel.
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Tom Hanks Quote Regarding the Merchant Marine
Courtesy: Marine Insight October 19, 2013
(Editor's Note: We added this quote because...we like it! We know how important the Merchant Marine is, but it is wonderful when an actor or someone who can get the world's attention, speaks of the importance of the work that these men and women do, day in and day out.)
"I was actually quite dazzled..you see these ships all over the world and you don't think much of them, you don't realize how many people are on board or how difficult they are to run. It doesn't look like a glamorous job, and it's not, but it's an important one, and there are stresses that you can't even begin to believe or fathom. I think the standard myth about it is it's a rag-tag group of men and some women who get together and paint the same bulkhead over and over again. But in fact they have a lot of pressure on them...it's a very dangerous job, as well as an important one and you have to actually be accomplished in order to get it done. I was very impressed with how hard it is, how much is involved in doing so much as loading a bunch of containers on a 585 foot ship and getting them halfway around the world."
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RELEASE OF MV ALBEDO SEAFARERS WELCOMED BY MPHRP
Courtesy: Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme
7 June 2014
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Some of the 11 freed crew members of the MV Albedo, hijacked by Somali pirates in 2010, who were released on June 6 - Photo: UNODC
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MPHRP (The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme) has welcomed the release and safe return of the remaining crew from the MV Albedo.
Commenting on their arrival into Kenya on 7 June 20124 MPHRP chair Peter Swift said: "After 1288 days in captivity we are delighted for them and their families after the terrible ordeal and hardship that they have suffered. At the same time our thoughts are also with the family of the Indian seafarer who died in captivity and the families of the four Sri Lankan seafarers who are reported as missing after the vessel sank in July 2013."
"The generous support of MPHRP's partners and friends, together with the extensive groundwork and cooperation of the UNODC and others, helped to facilitate the release of the 7 Bangladeshi, 2 Sri Lankan, 1 Indian and I Iranian crew members after they had been abandoned by the owner and with no direct support forthcoming from other parties. The efforts of all those involved in securing their release and safe return are greatly appreciated."
MPHRP Acting Programme Director Hennie La Grange said: "For more than three years MPHRP has been supporting the families of the crew with regular contact and visits, has organised a series of combined and individual counselling sessions in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, and has been providing, together with its partners, financial assistance to help with tuition fees, medicines and other living costs. On several occasions the Programme formally appealed to the Somali and international communities to press the hijackers to release the seafarers on humanitarian grounds. "
"MPHRP is meeting the seafarers and will help them to get home. The Programme's care of these seafarers and their families does not stop here. Upon repatriation the seafarers will be helped to reunite with their families and to reintegrate in society. Their complete recovery will entail a return to health after living in squalor for the past three and a half years and a return to gainful employment, hopefully at sea. MPHRP will continue its efforts to facilitate the Albedo crew's successful rehabilitation."
La Grange also paid tribute to the personal efforts and dedication of MPHRP Programme Director Roy Paul and Regional Director Chirag Bahri to support and assist all of the affected families, often on a daily basis.
Swift and La Grange also added: "Today we remember also the nearly 40 seafarers and fishers still held hostage in Somalia, all of whom have been held for more than two years - some for over four years - and encourage everyone who can do so to work tirelessly for their prompt release and to support and assist them and their families."
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IMO Resolution on Medical and Pastoral Care of Victims of Crime on Ships
Courtesy: International Maritime Organization
Resolution A.1091(28)
Adopted on 4 December 2013
The following are guidelines on preservation and collection of evidence following an allegation of a serious crime having taken place on board a ship or following a report of a missing person from a ship, and pastoral and medical care of persons affected.We note this in today's e-news, because it urges Member Governments to consider the Guidelines in the annex, and to advise shipowners, operators and masters to "provide pastoral and medical care to persons affected"
Click to read the entire document:
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Important Upcoming Events for
AOS USA Members
Sea Sunday
July 13, 2014
National Maritime Day
May 22, 2014
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