Mark “CHENG” Andrew Befort, 75, of Boaz, Alabama, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026. He was born on January 9, 1951, in Albertville, Alabama, to J.J. “Red” Befort and Myra Jo Jordan Befort.
Mark was a merchant mariner and proudly spent much of his career at sea, serving as a Chief Engineer as part of American Maritime Officers, and affectionately known as “CHENG,” aboard U.S. Naval (USNS) ships. Though he was not military, his years at sea took him around the world and brought him into contact with countless people and many faces he never forgot. After retiring from his career at sea, Mark continued sharing his knowledge and experience as an instructor at STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida, where he taught and mentored the next generation of marine engineers.
While his career took him around the world, Mark’s greatest joy in later years was being Pappy. He loved his grandchildren dearly and treasured his time with Kaleigh, Kason, Jackson, and Ryder. He also had a deep love for his animals, especially his faithful dog, Duke.
Mark was a no-nonsense kind of man. He said what he meant and meant what he said, but beneath that straightforward exterior was a man who believed in giving everybody a chance. He made an impression on the many people whose paths crossed his throughout his life.
He enjoyed motorcycles, Alabama football, and, perhaps most importantly, a good meal from Waffle House. His usual order was a double order of hashbrowns: “scattered well, all the way, hold the gravy.”
Mark is survived by his children, Matthew Befort, Bryan Tate, and Taylor Prickett (Jonathon “Scooter” Prickett); his grandchildren, Kaleigh Tate, Kason Tate, Jackson Prickett, and Ryder Prickett; his brother, Jordan (Helen) Befort; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and the many people around the world whose lives he touched.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.J. “Red” Befort and Myra Jo Jordan Befort; his brother, Gary (Dean) Befort; and his sister, Gail (Mike) Leggett.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mark’s honor to 2nd Chance Shelter 130 County Road 398 Boaz, Alabama, an organization supporting animals in need.
Mark lived life on his own terms, traveled farther than most, taught what he knew, loved his family, and left behind more stories than could ever fit in an obituary.
He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
Mark Befort was instrumental in the success of STAR Center’s TECH Program, mentoring the very first classes of the engineering apprenticeship program.
Mark Befort seen here surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
The following press release was issued by U.S. Transportation Command on August 21. American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier, Federated Maritime, Patriot Shipping and Schuyler Line Navigation Company have vessels manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) awarded the Joint Global Sealift Charter contract to seven commercial shipping companies on Aug. 21. This contract provides global, short-term dry cargo time and voyage charters using roll-on/roll-off, multi-purpose, or vehicle carrier vessels to support USTRANSCOM’s strategic sealift missions.
The contract is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, fixed-price contract with a period of performance from Sept. 1, to Aug. 31, 2031. The face value of the program is estimated at $1.2 billion with a cumulative maximum ceiling value of $2.7 billion.
This new charter expedites the way USTRANSCOM awards commercial shipping contracts and provides agility to military logisticians and more predictability with shorter dwell times for industry partners. Now, USTRANSCOM can hire participating companies and their vessels as needed under short-term charter contracts awarded through individual task orders rather than full contract solicitations.
Companies receiving the contract include American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Farrell Lines Inc. in Norfolk, Virginia; Federated Maritime LLC in Boca Raton, Florida; Liberty Global Logistics LLC in Jericho, New York; Patriot Shipping LLC in New Orleans, Louisiana; Schuyler Line Navigation Company LLC in West Palm Beach, Florida; and Waterman Transport Inc. in Mobile, Alabama.
To qualify, companies must have at least one roll-on/roll-off, multi-purpose, or vehicle carrier vessel enrolled in the U.S. government’s Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement that has transported Department of War (DoW) cargo within the past two years.
Sealift represents approximately 90 percent of USTRANSCOM’s total capacity to move military vehicles and equipment, making it an indispensable capability for global power projection.
“The Joint Global Sealift Charter significantly increases our speed of response,” said Gen. Randall Reed, commander, U.S. Transportation Command. “It is one of the many ways we’re working with industry to strengthen relationships and improve processes across the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise.”
As the naval component to USTRANSCOM, the Military Sealift Command (MSC) provides all strategic and maritime logistics for the DoW. The Joint Global Sealift Charter contract provides MSC additional commercial sealift to facilitate USTRANSCOM’s global movement of large-volume combat forces’ rolling stock and associated materiel through short-term worldwide time and voyage charters.
“The Joint Global Sealift Charter strengthens our ability to respond rapidly to the needs of the joint force by giving Military Sealift Command access to ready, reliable commercial sealift capacity when and where it’s needed,” said Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander, Military Sealift Command. “Our partnership with the U.S. maritime industry is essential to maintaining a flexible and resilient sealift capability in peace, crisis, and conflict.”
The following press release was issued by American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier on August 21. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers on ARC’s U.S.-flagged vessels.
American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC Group) announced that it has been awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide national “cross-dock” and incident base support during emergencies and disaster response operations. Under the contract, ARC will provide logistics capabilities that help FEMA position and rapidly deliver critical, life-sustaining resources where they are needed following a disaster.
At the core of the contract is a logistics process known as cross-docking, in which incoming disaster relief supplies, including water, generators, life support supplies, and other essential resources, are transferred directly from inbound trailers onto a dedicated, GPS-tracked fleet, often within hours of arrival. ARC’s cross-dock sites will enable transfers that move critical supplies toward affected communities faster than traditional warehousing.
“Effective disaster response depends on the ability to rapidly coordinate people, trucks, facilities and supplies across difficult operating environments,” said Chris Benoit, general manager of ARC. “ARC has extensive experience coordinating complex logistics operations under demanding conditions across the world. We are prepared to bring that expertise to FEMA’s mission and the communities it serves at the speed the American people depend on.”
ARC brings more than three decades of experience managing end-to-end logistics for both the U.S. government and private sector clients. The FEMA award expands ARC’s role in coordinating mission-critical logistics systems that must operate reliably in demanding environments. ARC’s approach aims to deliver the kind of accountable, efficient performance taxpayers expect from federal disaster response.
ARC will apply its expertise and disciplined approach to managing these interconnected systems in support of FEMA and state, local, tribal and territorial governments responding to disasters.
The award covers a one-year base period beginning September 21, with two additional one-year option periods. Other services covered under the contract include empty trailer yard management, incident support base operations, transportation, facility and yard support, management services and personnel support.
American Maritime Officers members aboard the MV Allied Brooklyn, here in San Francisco in August, included Chief Mate Andrew Schmitt and Second Mate Jordan Sullivan seen here discussing logistics and cargo operations on the bridge.
Chief Mate Schmitt plugs in stability calculations as MV Allied Brooklyn loads cargo for her next mission.
Chief Engineer Nick Swanson prepares to sign off the MV Allied Brooklyn and enjoy a well-deserved break after delivering cargo around the world.
MV Allied Brooklyn is owned by Federated Maritime LLC and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.
The rule of the sea transcends even geopolitical rivalries and was on full display this week as the American crew of the SLNC York was rescued by the Chinese crew of the Pacific Yantai in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after the York suffered a mechanical failure on August 18.
All crew of the York, manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers and in unlicensed positions by Seafarers International Union, are safe and they are getting a ride on the Pacific Yantai to South Korea. Pacific Yantai is a tanker that sails under the Chinese flag and was headed to Korea when it received the York distress call.
It is unclear what faltered on the York, which is owned by Schuyler Line Navigation Company, but salvage tugs are enroute to secure the heavy lift vessel. The 16-year-old ship was stabilized and the weather and sea state were reported as calm and are not expected to present an issue for the immediate future.
AMO Executive Board members were in constant contact with the captain and chief engineer on the York and the AMO National President is expected to travel to South Korea to meet with the York crew.
“Our officers and the York crew did an excellent job fighting the situation until they were able to depart the ship,” the AMO National President said. “My sincere thanks to the Captain and Crew of the Pacific Yantai for arriving on scene and being good Samaritans. No matter our political background, we are all Mariners with common goals of moving the world economy for our nations and getting home safely to our loved ones.”
U.S. Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel talks with an AMO member after he gave a speech at STAR Center about the future of domestic maritime on Tuesday.
Carmel, a former AMO member, toured STAR Center and met with instructors and students during class hours to see how the modern AMO officer trains.
STAR Center Director of Operations Graeme Holman gives Administrator Carmel a demonstration of the versatility and abilities of STAR Center’s state of the art training simulators.
Administrator Carmel meets with the future of the maritime industry – STAR Center TECH Program apprentices in the engine room workshop.
Carmel addressed more than 150 AMO officers who were gathered for a Crowley Officers’ Conference at STAR Center.
Administrator Carmel paid his respects to the fallen AMO and SIU members who sailed aboard the MV El Faro at the crew’s memorial on STAR Center’s campus.
United States Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel made a surprise visit to members of American Maritime Officers during the Crowley Maritime Officers’ Conference being held at STAR Center in Dania Beach on Tuesday and had a candid conversation about the recent Jones Act waiver extension and future plans to improve the domestic fleet.
Invited to speak to the gathering of more than 150 AMO members by the AMO National President, Carmel did not shy away from the topic on everyone’s mind: what is next for the Jones Act?
Carmel said the Maritime Administration had already reviewed nine new waiver requests submitted to the Department of War since the extension was announced last week, but his office had identified U.S. flag vessels that could accommodate 66 percent of those requests. The Department of War does not have to follow MARAD’s recommendations to use the domestic fleet, but Carmel said he intends to make it as difficult as possible for decision makers not to.
“We are doing everything we can to make this as transparent and visible as we possibly can [for cargo to go on U.S. flag ships],” Carmel said. “The short version is to make it harder to ignore us.”
Carmel, a former AMO captain and previous president of U.S. Marine Management, also discussed the recently submitted Maritime Action Plan, which included MARAD’s push for cargo preference enforcement to increase cargo and his intentions to move the future of shoreside and ship propulsion toward nuclear power. Last month, MARAD signed an agreement with Port of Long Beach to develop safety standards to use small nuclear generators called small modular reactors (SMR) to produce shoreside power at the docks.
“One of the biggest things we have going here is returning the merchant marine to nuclear power. This is not some technology fantasy. This is a very real thing happening right now,” Carmel said. “We’re focused very hard on public acceptance, acceptance of cargo owners and interests – all the things that surround regulations and safety…. This will change the way all mariners operate in your lifetime.”
After speaking briefly with AMO members and answering questions, Carmel toured STAR Center and came away impressed with the number of offerings at the training facility, including the bridge and engine simulators, fire fields and gun range. In 2024, STAR Center was recognized as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by MARAD.
This is the first time STAR Center has hosted the Maritime Administrator since 2019 when retired Rear Admiral Mark Buzby toured the campus.
The U.S. State Department recently announced several updates to the expedited Passport renewal process for credentialed merchant mariners, including a nominal change in the fee.
All members of American Maritime Officers and applicants who need to renew their Passport should use the expedited procedure for mariners provided by the U.S. State Department. AMO members and applicants SHOULD NOT use the standard procedure for renewing a Passport.
AMO Member Services can provide the new State Department fees, mailing address and complete instructions for expedited Passport renewal under the procedure developed by the State Department specifically for mariners. Member Services can also provide a letter from the union, which is required for this expedited renewal procedure.
AMO members and applicants are asked to contact AMO Member Services at or by phone at 800-362-0513 Ext. 1050 during East Coast business hours for assistance with filing for expedited Passport renewal.
If the application is completed properly, mariners should receive their new Passport within a week, according to State Department estimates. Normal procedures could take months.
Please do not submit your renewal application using the standard method. Once your application has been submitted, it may not be possible to have it switched to the expedited Passport renewal track.
The American Maritime Officers Membership Assistance Program (MAP) is a voluntary disaster relief fund established to aid current AMO members and applicants for membership who suffer damage to their property as the result of severe storms and natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Fausto and Lala, which hit Hawaii.
Benefits from MAP are paid in varying amounts determined exclusively by need.
The online application for relief benefits under MAP is available on the AMO website.
The Membership Assistance Program is a permanent, independent, tax-exempt and voluntary disaster relief fund established by the AMO National Executive Board. AMO made an initial contribution to the fund at its inception, and the fund is now sustained by individual voluntary tax-deductible contributions.
AMO members can make tax-deductible voluntary contributions to the AMO Membership Assistance Program via authorized vacation deductions. The form is available online.
Contributions can also be made by sending checks or money orders to:
AMO Membership Assistance Program
601 S. Federal Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004-4109
As the voice of the largest maritime labor union for U.S. Coast Guard licensed officers, American Maritime Officers vehemently disagrees with the Trump Administration’s decision to extend the already-unprecedented waiver of the nation’s chief cabotage law, the Jones Act.
The proud and professional men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine have always answered the call to support this nation in peace and in war and for more than 100 years, the Jones Act has supported them, guaranteeing mariners will have cargo, ships and the opportunity to practice their vital craft that is pivotal to America’s economic and national security. Make no mistake, any weakening of the Jones Act is hurting not only the merchant marine, but also the country’s national security infrastructure and economic vitality.
At a time when the war for the world’s economic power will be determined on the seas, taking away critical cargo that would normally go on U.S. bottoms diminishes our great nation’s goals both domestically and abroad. We at AMO implore the Trump Administration to end this ineffective and unnecessary waiver and instead institute policies to increase cargo opportunities, incentivize commercial shippers to use the U.S.-flag fleet and enhance support for our U.S. Merchant Marine.
Captain Willie Barrere
National President
American Maritime Officers