Ship operator 3PSC LLC recently won the operating charter for the Military Sealift Command special mission vessels USNS Hayes and USNS Waters, which were formerly manned by government personnel. American Maritime Officers will now provide all licensed officers aboard both vessels.
The AMO officers and Seafarers International Union crew aboard the maritime prepositioning roll-on/roll-off ship 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez were among those honored Nov. 8 at the 2002 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards dinner in New York City.
The Ready Reserve Force vessel SS Cornhusker State, manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, earned the Maritime Administration's Professional Ship Award for her service in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Ideally, all U.S. military cargo would be transported aboard U.S.-flagged ships, but there are not currently enough to meet the demand, said Rear Adm. David Brewer III, commander of the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.
American Maritime Officers members (left to right) Jim Robak, Bob Groom, Paul Foran, Joe Gelhaus and Paul Hunter recently served on a committee to review the union's financial records. Membership committee's are convened twice annually to conduct financial reviews.
There is no reason to waive the Jones Act in response to stalled West Coast cargo movements, the Department of Defense said in November.
