AMO jobs secure in sale of T-5 tanker fleet to MSC

AMO jobs secure in sale of T-5 tanker fleet to MSC

Ocean Ships will continue to operate all five vessels under long-term Navy charter

      The sale of four "Champion class" T-5 tankers to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command Jan. 15 will not affect the jobs held aboard the vessels by American Maritime Officers.
      The ships are the USNS Paul Buck, USNS Samuel L. Cobb, USNS Richard Matthiesen and USNS Lawrence Giannella. Ocean Ships Inc., which has operated the T-5s under MSC charter and AMO contract since the first vessel was delivered in1985, will continue to operate the ships for MSC. AMO represents the engine, deck and radio-electronics officers on the T-5s.
      A fifth T-5 tanker operated for MSC by Ocean Ships, the USNS Gus W. Darnell, was not acquired by the government shipping agency. Ocean Ships Inc. will continue to operate the Darnell under MSC charter and AMO contract.
      "AMO will suffer no job loss as a result of this transaction," said AMO National Executive Vice President Thomas J. Bethel. "Our collective bargaining agreement with Ocean Ships remains in effect, and we anticipate no changes in the contract during its current term."
      Bethel added: "AMO members aboard the T-5s have done a great job over the long life of the charter. MSC recognizes that, and I'm sure that helped influence its decision to leave the T-5 operation with Ocean Ships."
      Also commenting was Capt. Robert V. Sheen, vice president for operations at Ocean Ships Inc. in Houston, Tx. "We would like to commend the AMO and their officer members who have served onboard the T-5 tankers since their delivery in 1985," he said. "The officers who have served onboard and continue to serve onboard have exemplified excellence in their professional knowledge, dedication to the ships, and in service to their country. We very much appreciate their past service and anticipate that they will provide the same level of service under the new ownership."
      Sheen noted that the Paul Buck, Samuel L. Cobb, Richard Matthiesen, Lawrence Giannella and Gus W. Darnell are now used in support of the worldwide war on terrorism and for other military support services.
      "The AMO members serving on these ships will be a major contributing factor to this effort and the Navy will rely on their experience and expertise to carry on their missions," Sheen said. "We look forward to continued excellent relations with the AMO and their members under the new ownership of the vessels and appreciate the assistance and support offered by the AMO in the past, the present and in the future."

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