Posted:
November 22, 2013
Members of American Maritime Officers from five ships were honored at the 2013 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) awards ceremony, held Nov. 15.
Leading figures of the U.S. maritime industry gathered in New York City to honor the career accomplishments of industry and government leaders and the heroism of U.S. merchant mariners and seagoing military and government personnel at the annual United Seamen's Service event.
Among those honored with AOTOS Mariners' Plaques this year were the officers and crew members of the USNS Bowditch, Ocean Atlas and Wright, as well as the training ships Kennedy and Empire State VI.
Receiving AOTOS Awards for 2013 were Congressman Peter King (R-NY), Chas. Kurz & Co. President Philip W. J. Fisher, and Emanuel Rouvelas, maritime attorney and partner at K & L Gates. AMO-contracted company Key Lakes, Inc. is a Chas. Kurz & Co. subsidiary, operating nine self-unloading bulk carriers on the Great Lakes.
"Phil Fisher has devoted virtually his entire career to one company and one industry - the American-flag merchant marine. Congressman King is a leader in the ongoing effort to have homeland security funding based on threat analysis and is a strong supporter of the war against international terrorism. Manny Rouvelas is dedicated to promoting and protecting American maritime jobs vital to our national security," said Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee Gen. Kenneth Wykle, U.S. Army retired. "It is our honor to honor these three people with diverse shipping connections with the AOTOS Award this year."
More than 700 guests attended the 44th annual AOTOS dinner and dance. AOTOS Mariners' Plaques were presented by Acting Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen and former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley.
Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the USNS Bowditch - operated for Military Sealift Command by Maersk Line, Limited subsidiary 3PSC and manned in all licensed positions by AMO - was AMO National Executive Vice President Robert Kiefer.
As reported by the United Seamen's Service, the grounding of the USS Guardian, an Avenger Class mine countermeasures ship, on Jan. 17, 2013 on Tubbataha Reef, Philippines, triggered an immediate call for support. The USNS Bowditch made best speed and arrived on scene the next morning. In deteriorating weather conditions, with winds in excess of 25 knots and associated high seas over the shallow reef, the oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch joined the MSC-chartered C-Champion, both working in coordination the Philippine Coast Guard, to evacuate the grounded Guardian of its 79-member crew. Within hours, the evacuation was complete, all five of the ship's life rafts and one rigid-hull inflatable boat were brought onboard the USNS Bowditch, and 45 members of the Guardian's crew were housed aboard the ship. The USNS Bowditch and her Hydrographic Survey Launches surveyed the grounding site and other reef and shoal areas in the vicinity, allowing safe placement of salvage ships and crane anchors coming to the area for the damaged Guardian.
The seamanship and professionalism of the crew of the USNS Bowditch were instrumental in saving 79 lives and helping to protect a valuable marine resource from further damage. The crew's efforts were in keeping with the highest traditions of maritime service.
Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the Ocean Atlas was Captain Daniel Von der Haff, who was sailing as chief mate with Captain Scott A. Lund, master, on Nov. 21, 2012, when pirates attempted to board the Ocean Atlas while the ship was anchored near Lome, Togo.
As reported by the United Seamen's Service, the security team onboard the ship was in place to ensure a safe perimeter was maintained while waiting for a fueling vessel to arrive. Just before midnight, a skiff carrying six men threaded its way toward the Ocean Atlas through the many fishing and fueling vessels in the area. Twice the pirates in the skiff attempted to board the Ocean Atlas using a rope-and-wood ladder, but were spotted by the surveillance team, which in coordination with the ship's crew members, prevented the pirates from boarding. Following the attempt, the crew radioed the Togo navy to report the attack and request assistance. All of the ship's entry points were guarded, preventing an attempt to board the ship by pirates in three separate skiffs 30 minutes later. Throughout the night, the security team, officers and crew maintained surveillance on the skiffs. The performance of the crew in this high-stress situation demonstrated a high level of professionalism, as well as the value of Crowley's anti-piracy security and safety training.
Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the Wright - operated for the Maritime Administration by Crowley Liner Services and manned in all licensed positions by AMO - was Captain Fred Walley, master on the Ready Reserve Force ship during the relief operations following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the T.S. Kennedy was Captain Thomas Bushy, master on the training ship and vice president of marine operations at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the T.S. Empire State VI was TOTE Services, Inc. President and CEO Philip Greene.
All three ships provided support to relief workers operating in the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy. Shortly after the storm, the Wright and Kennedy relocated to Staten Island, N.Y., providing accommodations and meals for FEMA, Red Cross and other relief workers. The Empire State VI supported FEMA personnel during the relief effort while on station at Fort Schuyler. During the post-Sandy relief operations, both training ships were operated under General Service Agreements with MARAD. TOTE Services, Inc. operated the Empire State VI and General Dynamics American Overseas Marine operated the Kennedy. AMO members worked aboard both ships in licensed positions.
As reported by the United Seamen's Service, the vessels did not rely on commercial electrical power and were able to provide a full range of around-the-clock services to emergency responders, who ranged in age from 18 to 80. Based at SUNY Maritime College and at Homeport Pier in Staten Island, the vessels housed an average of 900 emergency responders each day. The three vessels provided a total of 38,291 berthing nights and 74,540 total meals during the relief effort.
For AOTOS 2013, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) was honorary chairperson. Seafarers International Union President Michael Sacco was dinner chairman and American Maritime Officers Service President and Chairman F. Anthony Naccarato served as national committee co-chairman.
Proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad for the U.S. merchant marine, seafarers of all nations, and the U.S. government and military overseas.
AMO members honored at AOTOS awards ceremony
Members of American Maritime Officers from five ships were honored at the 2013 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) awards ceremony, held Nov. 15.
Leading figures of the U.S. maritime industry gathered in New York City to honor the career accomplishments of industry and government leaders and the heroism of U.S. merchant mariners and seagoing military and government personnel at the annual United Seamen's Service event.
Among those honored with AOTOS Mariners' Plaques this year were the officers and crew members of the USNS Bowditch, Ocean Atlas and Wright, as well as the training ships Kennedy and Empire State VI.
Receiving AOTOS Awards for 2013 were Congressman Peter King (R-NY), Chas. Kurz & Co. President Philip W. J. Fisher, and Emanuel Rouvelas, maritime attorney and partner at K & L Gates. AMO-contracted company Key Lakes, Inc. is a Chas. Kurz & Co. subsidiary, operating nine self-unloading bulk carriers on the Great Lakes.
"Phil Fisher has devoted virtually his entire career to one company and one industry - the American-flag merchant marine. Congressman King is a leader in the ongoing effort to have homeland security funding based on threat analysis and is a strong supporter of the war against international terrorism. Manny Rouvelas is dedicated to promoting and protecting American maritime jobs vital to our national security," said Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee Gen. Kenneth Wykle, U.S. Army retired. "It is our honor to honor these three people with diverse shipping connections with the AOTOS Award this year."
More than 700 guests attended the 44th annual AOTOS dinner and dance. AOTOS Mariners' Plaques were presented by Acting Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen and former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley.
Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the USNS Bowditch - operated for Military Sealift Command by Maersk Line, Limited subsidiary 3PSC and manned in all licensed positions by AMO - was AMO National Executive Vice President Robert Kiefer.
As reported by the United Seamen's Service, the grounding of the USS Guardian, an Avenger Class mine countermeasures ship, on Jan. 17, 2013 on Tubbataha Reef, Philippines, triggered an immediate call for support. The USNS Bowditch made best speed and arrived on scene the next morning. In deteriorating weather conditions, with winds in excess of 25 knots and associated high seas over the shallow reef, the oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch joined the MSC-chartered C-Champion, both working in coordination the Philippine Coast Guard, to evacuate the grounded Guardian of its 79-member crew. Within hours, the evacuation was complete, all five of the ship's life rafts and one rigid-hull inflatable boat were brought onboard the USNS Bowditch, and 45 members of the Guardian's crew were housed aboard the ship. The USNS Bowditch and her Hydrographic Survey Launches surveyed the grounding site and other reef and shoal areas in the vicinity, allowing safe placement of salvage ships and crane anchors coming to the area for the damaged Guardian.
The seamanship and professionalism of the crew of the USNS Bowditch were instrumental in saving 79 lives and helping to protect a valuable marine resource from further damage. The crew's efforts were in keeping with the highest traditions of maritime service.
Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the Ocean Atlas was Captain Daniel Von der Haff, who was sailing as chief mate with Captain Scott A. Lund, master, on Nov. 21, 2012, when pirates attempted to board the Ocean Atlas while the ship was anchored near Lome, Togo.
As reported by the United Seamen's Service, the security team onboard the ship was in place to ensure a safe perimeter was maintained while waiting for a fueling vessel to arrive. Just before midnight, a skiff carrying six men threaded its way toward the Ocean Atlas through the many fishing and fueling vessels in the area. Twice the pirates in the skiff attempted to board the Ocean Atlas using a rope-and-wood ladder, but were spotted by the surveillance team, which in coordination with the ship's crew members, prevented the pirates from boarding. Following the attempt, the crew radioed the Togo navy to report the attack and request assistance. All of the ship's entry points were guarded, preventing an attempt to board the ship by pirates in three separate skiffs 30 minutes later. Throughout the night, the security team, officers and crew maintained surveillance on the skiffs. The performance of the crew in this high-stress situation demonstrated a high level of professionalism, as well as the value of Crowley's anti-piracy security and safety training.
Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the Wright - operated for the Maritime Administration by Crowley Liner Services and manned in all licensed positions by AMO - was Captain Fred Walley, master on the Ready Reserve Force ship during the relief operations following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the T.S. Kennedy was Captain Thomas Bushy, master on the training ship and vice president of marine operations at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Accepting the Mariners' Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew of the T.S. Empire State VI was TOTE Services, Inc. President and CEO Philip Greene.
All three ships provided support to relief workers operating in the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy. Shortly after the storm, the Wright and Kennedy relocated to Staten Island, N.Y., providing accommodations and meals for FEMA, Red Cross and other relief workers. The Empire State VI supported FEMA personnel during the relief effort while on station at Fort Schuyler. During the post-Sandy relief operations, both training ships were operated under General Service Agreements with MARAD. TOTE Services, Inc. operated the Empire State VI and General Dynamics American Overseas Marine operated the Kennedy. AMO members worked aboard both ships in licensed positions.
As reported by the United Seamen's Service, the vessels did not rely on commercial electrical power and were able to provide a full range of around-the-clock services to emergency responders, who ranged in age from 18 to 80. Based at SUNY Maritime College and at Homeport Pier in Staten Island, the vessels housed an average of 900 emergency responders each day. The three vessels provided a total of 38,291 berthing nights and 74,540 total meals during the relief effort.
For AOTOS 2013, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) was honorary chairperson. Seafarers International Union President Michael Sacco was dinner chairman and American Maritime Officers Service President and Chairman F. Anthony Naccarato served as national committee co-chairman.
Proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad for the U.S. merchant marine, seafarers of all nations, and the U.S. government and military overseas.