American Maritime Officers members working aboard the M/V National Glory in February included Captain Darl Langford, Chief Mate Alexander Jenkins, Second Mate Jack Harper, Third Mate Joseph Mannion, Chief Engineer William Maus, First Assistant Engineer Joel Sauer, Second A.E. Nathaniel Perry and Third A.E. Matthew Steinberg. Also onboard were United States Merchant Marine Academy cadets Joseph Franco and Cole Simmons
he M/V National Glory has been involved in delivering life-saving supplies and aid in recent years because of natural disasters.
More recently, the crew has become proficient at saving lives on the water.
For the third time in less than six months, the National Glory has conducted a rescue at sea, saving 43 lives in total over that span.
On March 4, the National Glory saved 15 Cuban migrants crammed onto a powerless raft near the Straits of Florida and rendered medical aid to one passenger who was having a difficult time breathing.
Just a month prior, the containership rescued 21 people from a sinking makeshift sailboat that most certainly would have gone under if not for the actions of the National Glory crew, Captain Kevin Wood said.
In October, the National Glory, which primarily runs from Texas to Puerto Rico in the Jones Act trade, again spotted a makeshift raft being battered by the waves, this time with seven Cuban migrants onboard.
“The crew of the National Glory has consistently performed at the highest level throughout the last six months of increased migrant crossings. Coming to the aid of men and women in the most desperate circumstances,” Wood said. “I am proud to be a part of such a professional and well-prepared crew.”
In the most recent life-saving effort, National Glory watchstanders noticed a flickering light amongst the waves in the early hours of March 4. Recognizing the flashes as a signal for help, Second Mate Jack Harper alerted the crew and rushed to action as the National Glory created a lee to shield the raft and allow the wayward migrants to come aboard.
Third Mate Joseph Mannion, who speaks Spanish, acted as translator and was told by the migrants that their craft’s engine had died and they had been drifting powerless for five days, the last couple with no food or water.
Captain Darl Langford contacted the United States Coast Guard about the emergency rescue situation and organized food, water and dry clothing for the weary migrants. At least one of the migrants needed medical care after experiencing trouble breathing. By 0900, the Coast Guard had arrived to take custody of the migrants and the crew assisted in transferring the group of men and women on the USCG cutter.
“It was very gratifying to help these people,” Mannion said. “One is seldom given the chance to make a big impact like this; I am glad that we were in the right place, at the right time, and most importantly: that we were ready.”
American Maritime Officers members working aboard the National Glory during the rescues also included Chief Mates Alexander Jenkins and Matt Bozich, Second Mate Peter Carnazza, Chief Engineer William Maus, First Assistant Engineer Joel Sauer, Second A.E. Nathaniel Perry and Third A.E. Matthew Steinberg. Also onboard were United States Merchant Marine Academy cadets Joseph Franco and Cole Simmons.
AMO represents all licensed positions on the National Glory, which is owned by National Shipping of America, and operated by Crowley Global Ship Management.