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MARINERS DEPEND ON SCI &
SCI DEPENDS ON YOU...
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IN THIS ISSUE – June 2024 | |
- 2024 Silver Bell Awards Dinner
- A Visit to the DALI
- Advocating for Mariners on "Laid Up" OSVs
Photo: Matt Hyner
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Thank You To Our Corporate Sponsors | |
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On June 13, 2024, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) welcomed maritime leaders and supporters for its 46th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner in New York. This year, the event honored John C. Hadjipateras, Chairman, CEO, and President of Dorian LPG Ltd., with the Silver Bell Award, and Bethann Rooney, Director, Port Department at The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, with the Distinguished Service Award.
The Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, SCI President and Executive Director, stated, “The Silver Bell Awards Dinner celebrates the maritime industry, and it is a time to remember those who have difficult and demanding roles in moving the world’s goods over water and between nations. Tonight, we are delighted to honor John and Bethann, who truly embody the spirit of our mission, and champion the needs and concerns of seafarers.”
The evening began with a parade of vessels on the Hudson River, blessed by the Rt. Rev. Andrew Dietsche, recently retired Episcopal Bishop of New York, assisted by Suffragan Bishop Alan Shin, joined by the Rev. Kristin Miles from Trinity Church Wall Street, and the Rev. James Kollin and the Rev. Dr. Bill Allport, SCI Maritime Chaplains. The Port Authority Police Department Pipes & Drums led the guests inside, where the United States Coast Guard Sector New York Color Guard opened the dinner, and the National Anthem was sung by members of the Trinity Church Choir, who also closed the evening with the hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save.
The 2024 Silver Bell Awards Dinner welcomed 530 guests and raised $764,000 to fund SCI’s crucial support of international seafarers and domestic mariners. The Rev. Mr. Nestlehutt expressed his gratitude, stating, “The Silver Bell is always a special event for us, and we are thankful this evening for the guests, supporters, and sponsors who share our commitment, believe in our work, and gave generously to support our mission.”
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John C. Hadjipateras, Chairman, CEO, and President of Dorian LPG Ltd, received the 2024 Silver Bell Award. He is joined on stage by Silver Bell event co-chair Jack Noonan (left—Binnacle Maritime, LLC), the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt (center—SCI President and Executive Director), and Silver Bell co-chair Buckley McAllister (right—Chairman and CEO, McAllister Towing). | |
Bethann Rooney, Director, Port Department at The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, received the 2024 Distinguished Service Award. She is joined by the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt (left—SCI President and Executive Director). | |
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A Visit to the DALI
by the Rev. Dr. Bill Allport, SCI Chaplain — from SCI's Quarterly Activity Report, June 2024
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Photo: SCI Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Bill Allport (left), joined by Chaplain Associates, the Revs. Mary Matthews (center) and Mathew Thomas, visited the crew of the container ship DALI providing much-needed spiritual and emotional support in the crew’s native languages, helping them connect with their families, and easing their emotional struggles following the tragic bridge allision. | |
SUMMARY
Chaplain Bill Allport, along with SCI Chaplain Associates out of Port Newark, visited the crew of the container ship DALI providing much-needed spiritual and emotional support in the crew’s native languages, helping them connect with their families and easing their emotional struggles following the tragic bridge allision.
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It was still dark as rain fell on the International Seafarer Center (ISC) parking lot at 4 AM. I was waiting for the Revs. Mathew Thomas and Mary Matthews, two of our dedicated chaplain associates. This visit necessitated much coordination, involving countless phonecalls, emails, and conversations with shipping company representatives in order to align calendars to ensure maximum availability for all involved.
We were heading to meet the crew of the containership Dali, three weeks after the Key Bridge accident in Baltimore on March 26. The crew had been detained onboard since the incident. For the Indian and Sri Lankan crew members, we hoped to provide a sense of care and reassurance by bringing chaplain associates fluent in Hindi, Tamil, and other dialects. Our visit aimed to offer comfort and a listening ear in a familiar language.
Upon arriving at Vane Brothers, we boarded the WillKate, a boat typically used for supply deliveries. After a 30-minute ride, we arrived at the port side of the Dali, which offered a manageable seven-foot climb up a pilot ladder (significantly shorter than the 40-foot climb on the starboard side). When we got inside, the crew and on-board salvage team were incredibly accommodating, facilitating our movement and access.
From the first interaction, the Dali crew’s faces brightened at the sight of Revs. Mathew and Mary. They walked the hallways, galley, and messroom, all the while engaging with the crew, who visibly appreciated having someone compassionate and familiar with their language on board. The captain gathered the crew in the messroom, inviting them to speak with us as they wished. For the next four hours, the Revs. Matthew and Mary stayed on the accommodation deck, mingling with crew members in the mess rooms, kitchen, and galley. It was plain that their presence provided much-needed spiritual and emotional comfort. An oiler remarked, “It’s like having my auntie or uncle here. Thank you.”
While Revs. Mathew and Mary engaged with crew members on the B-Deck, I moved around the ship, talking with crew members as they worked. On the open deck, I spoke with those shifting containers, and in the captain’s quarters, I listened to the captain’s concerns about the prolonged detention and its impact on his health and family life. Conversations with the chief engineer and the salvage team revealed their emotional struggles, particularly after witnessing the tragedy of the bridge collapse.
A significant concern for the crew was the recent FBI seizure of personal electronic devices, which hindered their ability to contact families. In one situation, the Bosun was unable to reach his wife for their 25th wedding anniversary, so we tried calling a remembered number on my phone. To his immense joy, he connected with his wife, reassuring her of his safety. We left them in privacy to share their love and greetings.
As we departed the Dali and navigated the afternoon traffic on Interstate 95, I reflected on the day. I am profoundly thankful to the Revs. Mathew Thomas and Mary Matthews in joining me and for their dedication, and grateful to all those who helped organize this visit, which paved the way for the necessary ongoing support of the Dali's crew from local maritime ministries and the Baltimore community.
View photos from SCI's visits to the container ship DALI.
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Advocating for Mariners on “Laid Up” OSVs
Phil Schifflin, Esq. – Director, Center for Mariner Advocacy
From SCI's Quarterly Activity Report, June 2024
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SUMMARY
The Center for Mariner Advocacy not only focuses on international policy but also takes on individual cases involving mariners. Recently, CMA successfully intervened in a difficult situation concerning a “laid-up” Offshore Support Vessel. They worked with relevant authorities to improve the living conditions of a foreign crew and make sure they received their back pay.
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Through our participation in recent International Maritime Organization meetings, The Center for Marine Advocacy (CMA) has highlighted our policy work for international seafarers as we advocate within the industry to establish universally accepted standards for seafarers and to ratify the tenets of the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention. Along with this work, CMA continues to handle individual cases for mariners and mariner groups. Here’s a recent example where CMA has addressed a challenge and was able to ensure the care of the seafarers involved.
In 2014, a downturn in the oil sector severely impacted American Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs), which are U.S.-flagged and crewed ships supporting the offshore oil and gas industry. This downturn left many OSVs without work, resulting in numerous vessels being taken out of service and placed in a “laid up” status. By August 2019, approximately 230 OSVs had been laid up along the U.S. Gulf Coast, and due to a lack of routine maintenance, they had significantly deteriorated.
Recently, foreign owners have shown interest in these laid-up OSVs, acquiring them with plans to re-flag the vessels under open registries, crew them with foreign mariners, and deploy them globally in offshore oil and gas operations.
CMA became aware of one such vessel with a foreign crew, recently acquired by foreign owners after an extended laid-up period. It was reported to us that the crew was living in sub-standard conditions and had not been paid for several months. Addressing mariner issues in such situations can be challenging due to difficulties in contacting relevant authorities as the vessel transitions from laid-up status. For instance, there might not yet be a flag state with which to coordinate, and confirming the presence and coverage of P&I insurance can be complicated.
In this case, CMA could not determine the vessel’s flag state or the status of P&I insurance. Also, the vessel was in a remote area of the U.S. Gulf Coast, seldom visited by International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) inspectors or port chaplains. However, through our intervention and efforts, we managed to assist these mariners. CMA coordinated with an ITF inspector in New Orleans to visit the vessel and assess the situation. CMA also worked with local U.S. Coast Guard personnel to ensure the vessel was inspected and that appropriate repairs and remedial actions were taken. As a result of the heightened attention from the U.S. Coast Guard and the ITF, the living conditions on the vessel improved to acceptable standards, and the crew received all their back pay. It’s a small success story that is a testament to the impact of our work for all mariners.
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Leaps in Ship-Propulsion Technology
On this day in 1819, the NYC-built SS Savannah arrived in Liverpool 29 days after leaving its namesake city. It operated by a combination of sail and steam in what some consider the first steam-powered trans-Atlantic crossing. Its departure day has been celebrated as National Maritime Day, and the first nuclear-powered merchant vessel was named NS Savannah, hoping to claim its mantle.
New York Harbor recently hosted the Energy Observer, a ship powered by a combination of wind turbines, solar-generated hydrogen, hydro-generated electricity, and a traction kite.
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