Posted:
November 1, 2012
Accepting the AOTOS Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the M/V Ocean Titan was Captain Christopher Hill (second from right). Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez was AMO National Executive Vice President Robert Kiefer. With them at the AOTOS awards ceremony were (left to right) AMO National Assistant Vice President David Weathers, AMO National President Thomas Bethel and AMO National Secretary-Treasurer José Leonard.
Leading figures of the maritime industry gathered Oct. 26 to honor the heroism at sea of U.S. merchant mariners and the career accomplishments of industry and government leaders at the United Seamen's Service's annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) awards ceremony in New York City.
Among those honored with AOTOS Mariners' Plaques were the officers and crew members of the M/V Ocean Titan and the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez, both of which are manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
Receiving AOTOS Awards for 2012 from the United Seamen's Service were Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Captain Robert Johnston, senior vice president and head of the U.S.-Flag Strategic Business Unit for Overseas Shipholding Group, and Niels Johnsen, CEO and chairman of International Shipholding Corporation.
"Tonight's recipients are three great Americans who in their respective capacities have been leading the way to keep the American-flag merchant marine on the high seas," said Edward Morgan, president of United Seamen's Service.
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, served as the general chairman of the AOTOS awards dinner.
"America has a proud nautical history, and as we look towards a stronger future, we acknowledge a reliance on our nation's maritime industry and the U.S. merchant marine to keep us competitive in the global economy," Sen. Inouye said.
The officers and crew of the M/V Ocean Titan were recognized for the courageous rescue at sea of the crew of the M/V Florece. Accepting the AOTOS Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the ship's officers and crew was Captain Christopher Hill, master on the Ocean Titan.
In its account of the rescue at sea executed by Captain Hill and the officers and crew of the Ocean Titan, the United Seamen's Service (USS) wrote:
"In near gale force winds, a dark night and 12 to 14 foot seas, the tanker M/V Afrodite collided with the M/V Florece 250 miles southwest of Land's End, sending the bulk carrier to the ocean floor within an hour. The M/V Ocean Titan arrived on the scene.
"Captain Christopher Hill, enlisting the aid of Chief Mate Thomas Lisante, Second Mate Daniel Landgrebe, Third Mate Zachary Gray, Chief Engineer John Vlahakis and First Assistant Engineer Sean Donovan ... determined the M/V Afrodite was unable to perform a rescue, and launched a rescue of its own. Despite a full load of cargo and a shoreside crane with a high center of gravity, Hill maneuvered his vessel close to the survivors.
"Using engines and rudder to block the swell and minimize roll, he was able to move to the raft just long enough to drag survivors on the decks by throwing a heaving line to the raft, and after the men in the life raft had tripped their sea anchor ... hauled the raft to the pilot ladder where safety harnesses were engaged. Once the seven were aboard, Hill made a quick port call into Lisbon to disembark the survivors. All were in good health and good spirits. The Ocean Titan crew saved lives, while demonstrating proficiency and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the sea."
The officers and crew of the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez were recognized for their successful lifesaving efforts in resuscitating a contractor onboard the ship and helping to ensure his safe transport to a medical facility.
"Due to the skill and teamwork of my crew members, our shipmate of over four years was able to go home to his family," said Captain Peter Clark, master on the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez. "All of the training and constant drilling we do came together for a fortunate outcome. When an incident such as this occurs, it is reassuring to know that the men and women of the Lopez will respond in a professional and skillful manner."
AMO National Executive Vice President Robert Kiefer accepted the AOTOS Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez, of whom the USS wrote:
"The USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez of MSC's Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two was in the Diego Garcia lagoon in the central Indian Ocean island when a Honeywell contractor became gravely ill with a heart-related medical problem.
"When the contractor collapsed in the ship's licensed galley, Chief Mate Dave Schumacker alerted Captain Peter Clark, the Lopez's civilian master, that the man was unresponsive, unable to breath on his own, and was on his back, teeth clenched in obvious distress. Clark directed Third Mate Jacob George to assist in establishing an airway, while he began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures and then the automated external defibrillator.
"As George and Schumacker attached AED paddles to the patient's chest, the defibrillator electrical jot was administered. The patient took two breaths, but stopped breathing again, and another AED shock was administered. Again, the patient began breathing and crew members administered oxygen. The patient regained consciousness and Chief Engineer Tom Oliver helped roll the patient to his left side, ensuring the airway would remain clear. Within minutes, the patient was coherent and able to breathe on his own.
"Crew members then moved him to the launch area, where Bosun Gerald Kelly lowered him to a waiting launch (at the) vessel's stern for transport to the local Diego Garcia Naval Support Facility.
"Lopez's crew members acted quickly, efficiently and calmly, while responding to (a) time-critical medical emergency, demonstrating dedication to duty and compassion for a fellow mariner, in keeping with the highest traditions of the MSC and the Navy."
AMO members honored at 2012 AOTOS awards ceremony
Accepting the AOTOS Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the M/V Ocean Titan was Captain Christopher Hill (second from right). Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez was AMO National Executive Vice President Robert Kiefer. With them at the AOTOS awards ceremony were (left to right) AMO National Assistant Vice President David Weathers, AMO National President Thomas Bethel and AMO National Secretary-Treasurer José Leonard.
Leading figures of the maritime industry gathered Oct. 26 to honor the heroism at sea of U.S. merchant mariners and the career accomplishments of industry and government leaders at the United Seamen's Service's annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) awards ceremony in New York City.
Among those honored with AOTOS Mariners' Plaques were the officers and crew members of the M/V Ocean Titan and the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez, both of which are manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
Receiving AOTOS Awards for 2012 from the United Seamen's Service were Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Captain Robert Johnston, senior vice president and head of the U.S.-Flag Strategic Business Unit for Overseas Shipholding Group, and Niels Johnsen, CEO and chairman of International Shipholding Corporation.
"Tonight's recipients are three great Americans who in their respective capacities have been leading the way to keep the American-flag merchant marine on the high seas," said Edward Morgan, president of United Seamen's Service.
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, served as the general chairman of the AOTOS awards dinner.
"America has a proud nautical history, and as we look towards a stronger future, we acknowledge a reliance on our nation's maritime industry and the U.S. merchant marine to keep us competitive in the global economy," Sen. Inouye said.
The officers and crew of the M/V Ocean Titan were recognized for the courageous rescue at sea of the crew of the M/V Florece. Accepting the AOTOS Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the ship's officers and crew was Captain Christopher Hill, master on the Ocean Titan.
In its account of the rescue at sea executed by Captain Hill and the officers and crew of the Ocean Titan, the United Seamen's Service (USS) wrote:
"In near gale force winds, a dark night and 12 to 14 foot seas, the tanker M/V Afrodite collided with the M/V Florece 250 miles southwest of Land's End, sending the bulk carrier to the ocean floor within an hour. The M/V Ocean Titan arrived on the scene.
"Captain Christopher Hill, enlisting the aid of Chief Mate Thomas Lisante, Second Mate Daniel Landgrebe, Third Mate Zachary Gray, Chief Engineer John Vlahakis and First Assistant Engineer Sean Donovan ... determined the M/V Afrodite was unable to perform a rescue, and launched a rescue of its own. Despite a full load of cargo and a shoreside crane with a high center of gravity, Hill maneuvered his vessel close to the survivors.
"Using engines and rudder to block the swell and minimize roll, he was able to move to the raft just long enough to drag survivors on the decks by throwing a heaving line to the raft, and after the men in the life raft had tripped their sea anchor ... hauled the raft to the pilot ladder where safety harnesses were engaged. Once the seven were aboard, Hill made a quick port call into Lisbon to disembark the survivors. All were in good health and good spirits. The Ocean Titan crew saved lives, while demonstrating proficiency and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the sea."
The officers and crew of the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez were recognized for their successful lifesaving efforts in resuscitating a contractor onboard the ship and helping to ensure his safe transport to a medical facility.
"Due to the skill and teamwork of my crew members, our shipmate of over four years was able to go home to his family," said Captain Peter Clark, master on the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez. "All of the training and constant drilling we do came together for a fortunate outcome. When an incident such as this occurs, it is reassuring to know that the men and women of the Lopez will respond in a professional and skillful manner."
AMO National Executive Vice President Robert Kiefer accepted the AOTOS Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez, of whom the USS wrote:
"The USNS 1st LT Baldomero Lopez of MSC's Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two was in the Diego Garcia lagoon in the central Indian Ocean island when a Honeywell contractor became gravely ill with a heart-related medical problem.
"When the contractor collapsed in the ship's licensed galley, Chief Mate Dave Schumacker alerted Captain Peter Clark, the Lopez's civilian master, that the man was unresponsive, unable to breath on his own, and was on his back, teeth clenched in obvious distress. Clark directed Third Mate Jacob George to assist in establishing an airway, while he began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures and then the automated external defibrillator.
"As George and Schumacker attached AED paddles to the patient's chest, the defibrillator electrical jot was administered. The patient took two breaths, but stopped breathing again, and another AED shock was administered. Again, the patient began breathing and crew members administered oxygen. The patient regained consciousness and Chief Engineer Tom Oliver helped roll the patient to his left side, ensuring the airway would remain clear. Within minutes, the patient was coherent and able to breathe on his own.
"Crew members then moved him to the launch area, where Bosun Gerald Kelly lowered him to a waiting launch (at the) vessel's stern for transport to the local Diego Garcia Naval Support Facility.
"Lopez's crew members acted quickly, efficiently and calmly, while responding to (a) time-critical medical emergency, demonstrating dedication to duty and compassion for a fellow mariner, in keeping with the highest traditions of the MSC and the Navy."