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Prayer Requests:
For the repose of the soul of the Father of Fr. Matt Mauriello, AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest Program. We pray that God will give the family the comfort and understanding that they need at this time.
For Miss Mary Cadotte, step-daughter of Jim McGee, with the Seafarers' International Union in Houston. Mary was just diagnosed with Hodgekin's Disease, and is undergoing testing at MD Anderson.
For Deacon Bill Wanca & Deacon Jack Rhine - AOS Port Canaveral who have both had to retire due to illness.
For the continued healing of Mrs. Anite Badeaux, Grandmother of Doreen Badeaux. Anite had a stroke 3 months ago at the age of 101.
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Join AOS USA Today!
To join AOS USA simply click on the following link:
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Celebrate the Day of the Seafarer!
June 25
Dear Friends,
The International Maritime Organization invites you to join them in celebrating the fourth edition of its global campaign: Day of the Seafarer, held every year on 25 June.
Seafarers are the people without whom food, clothes, gifts, gadgets or even basic needs would not reach our doors. We rely on them every day. Yet how many people have ever said "thank you" to a seafarer?
For this year's campaign, the IMO invites you to complete the sentence:
"Seafarers brought me..........." with a word denoting an object or something specific of your choosing - and if possible, to supplement this with a photo, video and/or written message and post it on the platform of your choice using the social media hashtag #thankyouseafarers
You can also voice your support on the IMO's virtual wall
http://dayoftheseafarer2014.imo.org/
We invite you to watch and share the official video message from the IMO Secretary-General shot in the port of Hamburg.
 | | Day of the Seafarer 2014 - Video message |
The following video can even help explain visually to children, the many things seafarers bring to us, and the dangers that they experience just to get those items to us.
 | | Seafarers brought me... |
Finally, you can click the following link for a downloadable toolkit from the IMO:
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Celebrating the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's 75th
Courtesy: Coast Guard Compass
Official Blog of the US Coast Guard
Posted by LT Stephanie Young
Written by Auxiliarist Tom Ceniglio
Since June 23, 1939, when congress established the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in an effort to build upon the boating experiences of civilians, Auxiliarists have reached out to their communities and supported the men and women of the Coast Guard.
This year the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary celebrates its 75th anniversary and this is the first of several articles that will describe how each decade contributed to the evolving relationship between the active duty Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. These are stories of bravery, honor and devotion to duty sprinkled with humor, common sense, American ingenuity and hard work.
Auxiliary members build upon their skills developed in their military and civilian careers to serve as a force multiplier. Auxiliarists, if qualified, may work alongside their shipmates performing similar tasks as their active duty counterparts except for military and law enforcement functions. As volunteers, they give freely of their time and talents, and support the Coast Guard core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.
Auxiliarists stand radio watches and provide administrative support at Coast Guard stations, man boats, walk docks, observe ice flows by air, document ceremonies and historic events and help recruit Coast Guardsmen and cadets. They also teach boating safety classes, conduct free vessel safety checks, help marina owners get the latest Coast Guard flyers and manufacturer recalls and participate in search and rescue missions. During times of natural disasters, qualified auxiliarists augment incident command centers.
Although the minimum age is 17, there is no maximum age. Consequently, several Auxiliarists have served our nation for more than 60 years. Their experiences provide a unique, firsthand perspective of the Auxiliary's history.
To help tell this story, we are looking for photos, interviews, stories, artifacts and historical items to add to official archives and possible display. Whether you are a member of the public who has been impacted by the volunteer efforts or an auxilirast yourself, please send your stories! You can contribute by connecting with Tom Ceniglio at DVC-AR@auxpa.org for possible inclusion in this year's celebration events.
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The following tribute is about Chandrika Sharma. She was a passenger on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. I knew her as the executive secretary of the International Collective in Support of Fish Workers.
Lost in Flight but not in Spirit
By: Capt. Pietro Parravano
AOS-USA Fishing Chair
I met Chandrika in New Dehli, India in November, 1997. The occasion was the creation of a global fishing organizatio
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Chandrika Sharma
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n-the World Fisheries Forum (WFF). Representatives from fishing organizations from 23 countries met in New Dehli. I travelled there with my friends and colleagues Barbara Stickel from Morro Bay, CA and Angela Sanfilippo from Gloucester, MA. We attended the event as the representatives from the United States. The creation of WFF was founded on the common principles of sustaining the fishing communities, sustaining the fisheries, social justice, and preserving the cultural history of fish harvesters and fish workers.
Chandrika attended this historic event as a representative of the International Collective in Support of Fish Workers located in Chennai, India. She spent her career educating fish workers and fish harvesters and improving their role in the community. She was able to empower the fish workers and this resulted in an increased awareness of their social and economic value in their fishing community. Having achieved these accomplishments from her work and passion, she was able to assist the WFF with the guidelines and principles of creating a global fishing organization.
Since our meeting in New Dehli, I continued my work and communication with Chandrika as we participated in many conferences and workshops. She gave presentations surrounded by the glow of her heart and the passion of her work. Her overarching principle was equality in the workplace, specifically in the fishing sector. Social justice was a guiding principle as she comforted the fishing communities that were losing their access to the fishery resources. She advocated for justice as she observed industrialized countries controlling the fishery resources of under developed countries that were utilizing artisanal fishing practices. She used education as a tool to promote the future of fish workers and fish harvesters by developing programs and standards that will result in sustainable fisheries and an improvement in their quality of life. Her personality was like a magnet. I am blessed and enriched to have known her.
The quest for sustainable fisheries and communities will always be identified with Chandrika. She was able to nurture an impressive and expanding following to her global vision. She was a pioneer who achieved international recognition and respect. Her vision and spirit has been imprinted on me with a comfort and a smile that only belongs to her.
Capt. Pietro Parravano
Chair, Fishing Committee
AOS-USA
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USS AOTOS 2014 Award Winners Named
Courtesy: MarineLink.Com
By: George Blackwell
June 17, 2014
(Editors note: AOS-USA Congratulates AOS-USA Mariner Member Joe Cox who is one of the recipients of this years award! Congratulations Joe!)
The United Seamen's Service (USS) informs that 2014 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF); Joseph J. Cox, President/CEO, Chamber of Shipping of America; and Frederick J. Harris, President of American shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO.
The awards will be presented at a gala industry dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on November 7, 2014. Recognition will also be given to American Seafarers for specific acts of bravery and heroism while at sea.
In announcing the recipients, General Kenneth Wykle, USA(ret.), Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee, said: "This year's recipients represent greatly diverse sectors of the maritime industry. Stephen Cotton oversees a significant labor group whose mission is the well-being and fair treatment of the world's seafarers. Joe Cox is well-regarded in international transportation circles and is greatly involved in safety issues. Fred Harris' company has designed and built innovative tonnage for America's sea-going fleet. We anticipate a good turnout for these three gentlemen."
General Wykle, who is also President of the National Defense Transportation Association, will be presented with an AOTOS Recognition award at this year's event.
The recipients
Stephen Cotton has taken over the duties of General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), an international association of more than 700 transportation-related unions from 150 countries. Mr. Cotton had served as the ITF's Maritime Coordinator until he was appointed Acting General Secretary in October 2012.
Joe Cox is president and CEO of CSA which is recognized as the definitive organization representing owners, operators and charterers of U.S. and foreign flag ocean-going vessels, before U.S. and international regulatory, legislative and administrative entities.
Frederick J. Harris became president of General Dynamics NASSCO and a vice president of General Dynamics Corporation on January 1, 2006. For more than four decades, Harris has worked to foster innovation and realize excellence in shipbuilding.
AOTOS
Proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad for the U.S. merchant marine, seafarers of all nations, and U.S. government and military overseas.
For AOTOS 2014, Michael Sacco, President of the Seafarers International Union, is Dinner Chairman. F. Anthony Naccarato of American Maritime Officers Service and John L. Degurse, Jr., Esquire, USS Legal Counsel, will be serving as National Committee Co-Chairmen.
Edward Morgan is President and Roger Korner is Executive Director of USS. Information about the gala, tickets and advertising journal is available from USS AOTOS Coordinator, Barbara Spector Yeninas at aotos@bsya.com or (732) 817-0400 x 16. To contact USS directly, call (201) 369-1100.
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Announcing the 2015 Houston Maritime Ministry Training Program!
The Houston International Seafarers' Center would like to announce the next Houston Maritime Ministry Training Program, which will be held Feb. 1 - 13, 2015. This is a 2 week program designed to assist those who are new to Port Chaplaincy and Maritime Ministry about the full scope of the work. If you are interested in attending, please fill out the application and mail, email (wells6652@msn.com) or fax (713.672.2444) as soon as possible to Rev. David Wells, Coordinator (application deadline is December 1, 2014): Click here to download the application:
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Thailand Listed as Tier 3 Human Trafficking Country, Possible Sanctions Could Affect Gulf Shrimp Prices
Courtesy: GulfSeafoodNews.Com
Compiled from State Department and News Reports
Contribution by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
June 23, 2014
(Editors note: AOS-USA began addressing this issue of human trafficking in the maritime industry with maritime ministers during our Annual Conference in Baltimore several years ago. Sadly, this issue continues.)
Thailand, a major provider of shrimp and other seafood to the U.S., has joined Afghanistan, Barbados, Chad, Maldives, Malaysia, and Venezuela as Tier 3 countries in a recently released Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Report.
The announcement made by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department. These countries join 16 others including North Korea, Iran, China and Russia in the lowest tier.
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Human Rights Watch and the American Federation of Labor, said Thailand "does not meet the minimum standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, nor is it taking real steps to meet those standards." Photo: State Department
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The State Department's human trafficking methodology is a three-tier system. Tier 3 is comprised of countries that are the most egregious participants in trafficking and are thus subject to heavy sanctions. Tier 2 includes countries complicit in trafficking, but which, from the State Department's perspective, are making significant efforts to counter the problem. Tier 1 is comprised of countries not significantly engaged in the industry.
A Need to Do Better
In an exclusive article with IntraFish, Thai officials thought they had done enough to avoid falling to Tier-3 of this year' report, but US officials told the publication "the bad outweighed the good."
"There is acute awareness throughout Thailand of the need to better identify and help victims of trafficking, and there is strong commitment from the nation's leadership and all Ministries working together as a team," Director General Songsak Saichuea, Ministry of Thailand Foreign Affairs, told the publication.
Because of the reduction in status, Thailand and its multi-billion-dollar shrimp industry could see severe sanctions from the United States, said the State Department's Ambassador At-Large to Combat Trafficking in Persons Luis CdeBaca following the announcement.
Human Rights Watch and the American Federation of Labor, said Thailand "does not meet the minimum standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, nor is it taking real steps to meet those standards." Shrimp and other seafood fishing are vital to the Thailand economy that employs more than 650,000 people and produces more than $7 billion in seafood exports to dinner tables all over the world, including a large majority in the U.S.
Dark Side of Human Trafficking
"If the cries of those who are enslaved around the world today were an earthquake, then the tremors would be felt in every single nation on the continent on every continent simultaneously," said Kerry. "For years, we have known that this crime affects every country in the world, including ours. We're not exempt. More than 20 million people, a conservative estimate, are victims of human trafficking. And the United States is the first to acknowledge that no government anywhere yet is doing enough. We're trying. Some aren't trying enough. Others are trying hard. And we all need to try harder and do more."
Long a magnet to workers from other counters, there are an estimated two to three million migrant workers in Thailand. Many of these become trafficking victims and are subjected to forced labor aboard Thai fishing boats, according to the TIP report.
"Some men remain at sea for up to several years, are paid very little, and are expected to work 18 to 20 hours per day for seven days a week, or are threatened and physically beaten," it states.
Implications For Gulf Shrimp
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"Many in the Gulf and domestic shrimping industry have called out numerous countries on their abusive labor practices resulting in unfair pricing on imported shrimp in the American market," said Kim Chauvin, owner of Bluewater Shrimp Company in Dulac, La. Photo: LaSeafoodNews.com
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Human rights violations by countries, or individuals, is unacceptable at any level," said Margaret Henderson, executive director of the Gulf Seafood Institute. . "Disturbing revelations made public in the recent TIP Report is yet another example of why it is so important for the U.S. seafood community to arm consumers with traceability and sustainability information. We in the Gulf seafood community are working to do just that."
An editorial published in the Sunday New York Times by the editorial staff, reported revelations about Thailand should persuade major global corporations, including Costco, Walmart, Carrefour and Tesco, to change their business models. "They should refuse to import from fishermen or companies that have been reliably identified by watchdog groups as using slave labor. They also need to pressure the Thai government to ensure that abusers who hire trafficked employees are prosecuted and that the victims are protected and treated with respect," it said.
Any decision on sanctions must from the President. According to CdeBaca, President Obama could potentially limit any and all shrimp imports to the United States. This could have an impact on the already high prices of U.S. shrimp, including Gulf shrimp.
According to GSI board member Jim Gossen who serves as chairman of Sysco Louisiana Seafood, "We will see major buyers both retail and food service shy away from shrimp produced in Thailand. This will help Gulf shrimpers continue to receive a higher dock price. This ruling will effect Thailand for at least a year assuming they correct the human trafficking charges, and longer if they don't."
"Many in the Gulf and domestic shrimping industry have called out numerous countries on their abusive labor practices resulting in unfair pricing on imported shrimp in the American market," said Kim Chauvin, owner of Bluewater Shrimp Company in Dulac, La. "It's such a travesty to hear these stories of people being used and abused."
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Attention Seafarers!
Scam Lures Seafarers to Australia
Courtesy: Maritime Executive
21 June 2014
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is urging people to beware of a global scam offering overseas residents a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) and Australian visas to gain jobs with cruise companies.
Scammers have been targeting people in several countries via emails offering job opportunities with cruise line operating in Australia and a relevant visa. AMSA became aware of the email scam in October last year and a number of people have reported being targeted by the scam or have been scammed.
The email scam offers job opportunities with bogus cruise lines, including Silver Cruise and Princess Line Australia, operating in Australia and a relevant visa on the completion of paperwork of the inaccurately named "Australia Maritime Security Identification Card" (AMSIC).
Ship Safety Division General Manager Allan Schwartz said the form sent to those responding to the email was fraudulent but has fooled some with a reasonably sophisticated look.
"The form has AMSA's logo and name at the top and requests a payment, along with scans of passport and identity cards to apply for the identification card," Schwartz said. "AMSA does not issue Maritime Security Identification Cards. Not only will the scam cost people money for something they will never receive but it also risks their personal information."
The scam has also implicated other Australian federal government agencies, non-existent overseas embassies and a local union in a bid to appear authentic but may come in various forms.
Anyone who receives the scam email or has fallen victim to the scam should contact local police authorities.
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AOS Great Britain Launches Emergency Fund for Seafarers
Courtesy: AOS Great Britain
20 June 2014
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(pictured L to R Martin Foley, AoS GB National Director, Stephen Bond, Videotel International, Jim Fitzpatrick MP)
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Catholic seafarers' charity Apostleship of the Sea Great Britain has launched a maritime emergency fund which aims to provide fast and modest cash grants to seafarers in difficulties.
The dedicated fund is designed to respond to emergency financial or welfare requests from seafarers or their families in less than 24 hours, taking the immediate pressure off stressful situations.
"Most seafarers and fishermen enjoy good living and working conditions but there can be circumstances when crew are not paid, cannot access communications to speak to family and loved ones and even lack food, water and heating," AoS Great Britain National Director Martin Foley said during the launch of the fund on board the HQS Wellington in London on June 19.
"AoS is often called upon to provide emergency support in what quickly becomes a very stressful and difficult situation for crew and their families, many of whom depend on remittances to pay for basics back home. Resolving these problems can take months so quick cash grants can really help. Our port chaplains are uniquely placed to judge whether a modest grant will alleviate a crew member's situation without compromising efforts to resolve the underlying problem," he said.
Father Bruno Ciceri of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, which coordinates the activities of AoS worldwide, congratulated AoS GB on this initiative.
"The emergency fund is a practical example of how of the Church and AoS is responding to the immediate needs of those in difficulty and crisis."
Foley explained that when a need is identified, AoS' port chaplains will contact either the National Director, (or, depending on the sum involved, the chair of the AoS Great Britain finance committee) to authorise the grant.
"Payment will then be made directly either to the chaplain, the seafarer or his family. This short chain will ensure payments are made quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy. Experience tells us that Individual payments will be hundreds, rather than thousands of pounds."
Foley stressed the fund would not duplicate other existing sources of help for seafarers and fishermen.
"Regular reports of grants made will be submitted to the AoS trustees' finance committee, who at the end of each year will have the discretion to transfer any surplus to AoS' general charitable funds for seafarers' welfare. This is to avoid the accumulation of funds year on year."
Case studies
The following case studies illustrate the need for the Maritime Emergency Fund:
- Seafarers family crippled by debt caused by unpaid wages
For much of 2013, the 'Independent' was stranded in Shoreham port with all crew having left (without payment), save the Master and one seafarer who remained onboard. This seafarer hadn't been paid for five months, leaving his wife and children in the Ukraine without income. They were surviving by borrowing and running up credit card bills. The lack of wages and increased borrowing to sustain the family's income during this period was a significant cause of stress for both the seafarer and his family.
In addition to providing practical support to the Master and the seafarer, AoS made a one-off emergency grant to the seafarer of US$1,000 (the average Ukrainian salary being US$300 per month.
There was no other fund that could provide emergency support to this seafarer as existing funds would not give cash directly to a seafarer even where vetted by a charity engaged in the case, such as AoS.
2. Fishermen - emergency funds for food and communications.
On the 27 March 2013 AoS Seychelles was contacted to assist 27 Malagasy crew from two vessels that had been apprehended for alleged illegal fishing. The two skippers and one chief engineer were charged with illegal fishing in Seychelles waters. The 24 crew members were not been charged with any offence but remained on the fishing vessels as prohibited immigrants.
The Acting Superintendent requested AoS Seychelles to intervene and assist the stranded crews. As well as emotional support AoS provided basics such as food.
However, AoS in the Seychelles had little funds to purchase food, phone or SIM cards or to help with purchase of airline tickets and organise the crew's travel documentation.
There was no emergency fund that could support all these crew with immediate assistance as they were classed as fishermen rather than seafarers.
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Research Reveals Seafarers Bring Our Favourite Foods (But No One Knows It)
Courtesy: Maritime Security Asia
23 June 2014
Survey reveals major misconceptions about the scale and importance of the UK maritime industry.
The vast majority of people in the UK don't realise they rely on seafarers to bring them their favourite foods, new research has revealed.
A survey of one thousand people across the UK - commissioned by charity Seafarers UK as part of Seafarers Awareness Week (www.seafarersawarenessweek.org, 21-29 June 2014) - has revealed major misconceptions about the scale and importance of the UK maritime industry, with less than half of people (43 per cent) knowing that the vast majority of food we import comes to us by sea.
Half the food eaten in the UK is imported and, of this, a staggering 95 per cent comes by ship (a fact known by only two per cent of the public.) Yet despite this, a quarter of us (27 per cent) assume the bulk of our food comes by air and one in five of us (20 per cent) think it comes by road.
The top item Brits can't live without is the potato - with almost half of those surveyed (43 per cent) saying it's their favourite food we import. A staggering 465,000 tonnes of spuds are imported every year to support our passion for the potato - the equivalent weight of 38,750 London buses.
Next on the maritime menu is cheese - with 40% of people saying they couldn't live without it - closely followed by sugar and rice (both 39%), chocolate (37%) and the banana (35.5%).
As an island nation, the UK relies on merchant shipping for 95 per cent of its imports and 75 per cent of exports. The UK's sea ports handle over half a billion tonnes of goods a year* with 1.5 million seafarers employed in the global shipping industry, of which 71,310** people are from the UK. Our most valuable food export is chocolate - with £571m exported every year by sea.
Yet, according to Seafarers UK, the vital importance of this hidden industry often goes unrecognised due to what it calls 'sea blindness'.
TV presenter and maritime expert Monty Halls is spearheading this year's campaign. He said: 'It's ironic that in the month the world has paid fantastic homage to those who took part in the D-Day landings, that so few of us appreciate how much we continue to rely on the maritime industry today.
'As an island nation we rely heavily on seafarers to bring vital food, fuel and other goods into the UK. Many seafarers work around the clock, sometimes in extremely dangerous and hazardous conditions, and campaigns such as Seafarers Awareness Week are incredibly valuable in highlighting how much we rely on an industry that is essential to our everyday lives, but that often operates over the horizon or hidden from view.'
Barry Bryant, Director General of Seafarers UK, said: 'The maritime industry is one of the oldest in the world and today remains the number one means of bringing vital food into the UK, as well as most other household items from phones to fridges, iPads to irons. Yet shockingly our research found that a third of us think seafarers are less important today than 100 years ago.
'It's a concern people don't understand how much seafarers do for us. Not just importing food and other goods but also exporting UK-made produce, keeping shipping lanes open and protecting the UK's interests at home and abroad. It's therefore critical that when seafarers do fall on hard times, that we are ready to support them and their dependants. That's what Seafarers Awareness Week is all about.'
An average container ship travels the equivalent of three quarters of the way to the moon and back in one year during its regular travel across the oceans. A single 20-foot container can hold approximately 48,000 bananas - so in theory the average container vessel can carry approximately 746 million bananas in a single voyage - enough to give everyone in Europe and North America a banana for breakfast.
Seafarers Awareness Week (www.seafarersawarenessweek.org) is the biggest campaigning initiative in the maritime calendar and runs from 21-29 June. It is run by Seafarers UK - a grant-making charity which helps people in the maritime community by providing vital funding to support seafarers in need and their families.
It does this by giving money to organisations and projects which make a difference to people's lives across the Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleets, Royal Navy and Royal Marines. In 2013, Seafarers UK gave grants totalling £2.5 million to 84 maritime welfare charities and other organisations.
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ATTENTION PORT CHAPLAINS:
Vatican Fundraising Survey - Please Respond!
Dear AOS Port Chaplains in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean:
This is a friendly reminder to fill out the following survey if you have not already done so. All surveys must be completed by the end of July.
AOS Vatican is requesting that all AOS Port Chaplains participate in a Survey regarding Fund Raising. This is important, in that it is needed if they are to be able to assist in the development of initiatives to address this.
Our Regional Coordinator for AOS North America and the Caribbean, Karen Parsons, would like to ask all AOS Port Chaplains in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean to please click the following survey link and fill it out. There are only 10 questions, and we ask that you fill it out by the end of July.
So, best idea....do it today!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5TQ7GLV
All the Best!
Doreen M. Badeaux
Secretary General
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Important Upcoming Events for
AOS USA Members
Day of the Seafarer
June 25, 2015
Sea Sunday
July 13, 2014
Houston Maritime Ministry Training School
Feb. 1 - 13, 2015
Houston International Seafarers' Center
Click below for the application:
Houston School Application 2015
National Maritime Day
May 22, 2015
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