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USNS Algol honored for sealift mission
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Members of American Maritime Officers and the Seafarers International Union
working aboard the USNS Algol during the ship's recent mission to the Middle
East to deliver mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles and Marine Corps
equipment received the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal this month when
the ship arrived at its new berth in Alameda. AMO officers sailing aboard the
Algol were (left to right) Vessel Manager Tim Tralongo, Second Assistant
Engineer Steve Converse, Third A.E. David Simmons, Chief Engineer Bob
Cheramie, Third A.E. Marvin Redondo, First A.E. Alex Zarganas, Third Mate Joe
Revell, Capt. Mike Ryan, Chief Mate Gene Brown, Second Mate Philip Hitchens
and Third Mate Philip McFarland. AMO members Third A.E. Mike Watson,
Second A.E. George Ahten, Second A.E. Greg Jones and Second A.E. Steve
McCormick also received the medal but were not at the presentation ceremony.
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The officers and crew members of the USNS Algol April 3 received the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal from the Maritime Administration for the ship's rapid delivery of Marine Corps cargo destined for Afghanistan and more than 50 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) destined for U.S. troops in Iraq.
The USNS Algol returned to the U.S. this month and offloaded its backhaul cargo from the theater of operations to San Diego, Calif., before making port at its new berth in Alameda. "It was a little challenging due to the pace at the beginning," said Capt. Michael Ryan, master of the USNS Algol. "It was a high-profile mission. We were under the microscope the whole way." The ship departed North Carolina Feb. 2 and completed deliveries within three weeks. The Algol is a fast sealift ship capable of a maximum speed of 34 knots. Crossing the Atlantic en route to the Persian Gulf, the ship maintained a speed of about 28 knots, said Third Assistant Engineer Marvin Redondo. During the voyage, the alert engineering watchstanders contained and extinguished one lagging fire on a feed pump before it got out of control, Capt. Ryan said. As the MARAD representatives prepared to present the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medals onboard the Algol, Capt. Ryan presented Second Assistant Engineer Steve Converse and two other crew members with Maersk safety awards for their rapid response in extinguishing the fire and protecting the safety of the ship. The Maersk safety awards are presented by the company for ideas and actions to improve and protect shipboard safety. Dee Varshney, MARAD Division of Gulf Operations ship operations & maintenance officer, remarked that the Algol's delivery of MRAPs and other cargo will help save the lives of U.S. troops. "The customer, TRANSCOM (U.S. Transportation Command), was watching this ship, this mission very closely," Varshney said. "From day one, the ship didn't miss a beat on the mission." The USNS Algol is one of eight fast sealift ships operated by Maersk Line Limited for the Maritime Administration and manned in all licensed positions by AMO. The other seven ships are the USNS Altair, USNS Antares, USNS Bellatrix, USNS Capella, USNS Denebola, USNS Pollux and USNS Regulus. |
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