The union’s newest group of recertified bosuns shared valuable insights during their respective graduation speeches Oct. 2 in Piney Point, Maryland.
Completing the two-week curriculum – considered the top curriculum available to deck department Seafarers at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (PHC) – were Ali Alhamyari, Jabr Ali, Junior Augustin, Paul Brown, John Coleman Jr., Charles Ford, Luis Garcia, Stephen Gately, Robert Hoppenworth, Godofredo Milabo and Ricky Rivera.
The coursework included wide-ranging topics such as leadership and teamwork, recruiting, how to prevent workplace harassment, the myriad ways in which politics affects the maritime industry, vessel operations, contracts, shipboard safety and more. The bosuns met with headquarters officials and with representatives from the Seafarers Plans and the SIU communications department in addition to PHC personnel.
The following are excerpts from the graduation speeches, presented during the October membership meeting.
Luis Garcia
I was born in Colombia, and in 1991 I moved to the USA. At first, I worked in different jobs like school custodian, mechanic helper, etc., until a friend of mine who was an SIU member told me about the maritime industry.
I decided to join the SIU in 2004; my first assignment was on NCL’s Pride of Aloha as an ordinary seaman. From the beginning, I was eager to learn as much as I could, so I asked questions to the bosun and ABs and watched how they worked.
As soon as I had enough sea time to upgrade, I went back to the school to get my endorsement as AB so I’d have more opportunities to get a job.
If you want to succeed in this career, you must have a positive attitude toward the job. Work hard, especially with your team, and take advantage of the school to upgrade.
Our job relies on maritime laws, especially the Jones Act, so we have to support SPAD (the union’s voluntary political action fund. MDL (Maritime Defense League) donations are important, too.
Since I joined the SIU, my life changed in a positive way. I have a better financial status, and I can spend more quality family time when I’m home.
I thank this great SIU brotherhood, and I thank SIU President David Heindel as well as the school’s instructors and staff.
Stephen Gately
I am a third-generation mariner. My grandfather, father, and brothers sailed. This career has given me financial stability.
To the trainees: Take pride in your work and develop a good work ethic. Always take advantage of opportunities to learn, and upgrade at the school when you can. Knowledge is good. Contribute to SPAD to help our union and keep shipping.
I want to thank all the instructors and staff for a good experience and their support as a union member of SIU. Thank you!
Jabr Ali
Twenty years ago, I never could have imagined that one day I would be standing here. I started sailing in Hawaii on the cruise ships, in the steward department. Then I went to the Great Lakes and worked as a deckhand and a gateman.
After that, I came here for upgrading; I took the welding class and the conveyorman class. Then I got my AB ticket.
The best thing that ever happened to me was joining the SIU. It helped my family and myself financially.
For the apprentices, when you go on a ship, every day is a learning day. Keep your heads up and learn, ask questions, and keep coming back here for upgrading, Make sure you pay your dues on time.
Also, donating to SPAD will help keep our union strong like always.
John Coleman
I would like to thank the SIU – from the leadership to the instructors to the port agents and patrolmen – for allowing me to succeed in my career. It seems like I wanted to be here as long as I can remember!
My maritime journey started down in the oilfields of Louisiana on nonunion tugboats. It was low pay, long hours and no benefits. In hindsight, I should have gone through the apprentice program, but things work out for reasons, as my mom used to say. I was bored with the oilfield and asked one of our tugboat mates how could I see the world working on the water. He told me to go get my AB ticket and go talk to the SIU. The rest is history. Twenty-eight years later, I am here!
With a lot of hard work and the SIU, I have created a good life in Thailand with a great wife and three kids and have been able to put my first kid through college. He will be graduating with a degree in aviation engineering this year.
There are three major factors of why this is a great career: the money, you can live anywhere you want, and you have a flexible work schedule. It is hard to find those three in any other career.
Lastly, I would tell the trainees to stay focused on your goals. Upgrading and hard work will help you achieve them.
Ali Alhamyari
Once I completed the apprentice program (in 2008) and got my AB rating, I had a better understanding of my career and where I wanted to go with it. I became addicted to the industry. I shipped out on tankers, bulk carriers, heavy-lift ships, MSC vessels, and containerships. Moving around from different classes of ships let me to gain the experience I needed to sail bosun and to be here today.
Being a bosun is a big responsibility. Being the union chairman on the ship means you’ve got to know how to deal with any challenges for all SIU members on board, plus how to conduct union meetings and keep the union informed of any beefs.
My brothers and sisters, I highly encourage all members to do their part in contributing to SPAD and MDL. It is a vital tool for our union to have the negotiating power. In the words of our retired president Michael Sacco: If we’re not sitting at the table, we’re on the table.
To the apprentices, you are the future of this industry. Take advantage of this state-of-the-art school, and always upgrade. And remember to represent the SIU proudly in solidarity.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the president, vice presidents, and the officials in the union halls for the hard work that keeps this beautiful union going strong. There’s a lot of work that the average member has no idea about when it comes to running this powerhouse, and I commend our officials.
Ricky Rivera
When I first went to the hall in San Juan, I was looking for a better way of life – and I found it here at the Paul Hall Center. Thanks to the SIU, I’m another success story of progress and a life full of travel and experiences. Thanks to the SIU, my son can have a better education and a decent way of living.
The SIU since its beginning has built a reputation of representing the most reliable, best-trained mariners. We support our armed forces in addition to helping with everyday transportation of consumer goods.
We can support our union and the maritime industry by supporting SPAD and MDL and by making sure that our daily actions aboard the vessels show that the SIU’s training provides the most professional mariners in the world.
For the trainees, the union is providing all the tools for you. Take advantage of this opportunity and take advantage of this facility so you’ll become successful in your careers. Also, do not forget that this is your home.
Robert Hoppenworth
I started my career here in Piney Point in 1995. I was in apprentice class 535.
This is one of the few industries where you can consistently upgrade and enhance your skills. My advice to all you apprentices is to work hard and always work as a team. Don’t forget to support SPAD, because without SPAD, we don’t have a voice in Washington. Without that voice, politicians will get rid of the Jones Act. Without the Jones Act, we won’t have jobs.
I want to thank the leadership, instructors and staff at headquarters and here at Piney Point for everything.
Paul Brown
I am a third-generation seaman. My father sailed, and his father sailed.
I am honored to be here and also honored to be with these guys (his classmates) for the last two weeks. It has been a long journey. Along the way, I have been to so many places and met some great people. Some I call my friends and some were great mentors to me. I wouldn’t be here without them – they are people who really cared about the next generation of seamen. I do the same. I teach all that want to learn and master their craft.
I am a UA graduate of class 652. If you are trying to figure out what year that was, it was January 2004. I was 18 years old. To all the trainees in here, take advantage of the opportunity that you have right now. Study hard while you are here and learn as much as you can. Your time is coming. Just be patient.
To the members, keep up the good work. Contribute to SPAD. We all know how important the Jones Act is.
Last but not least, I would like to thank all the staff, instructors and union officials.
Charles Ford
I started my career 23 years ago, right here as a trainee in class 609. In 2000, I graduated high school and had no idea of what I wanted to do. I heard about the trainee program and SIU from a family friend; it sounded very interesting to me and I made the best decision of my life by joining.
The SIU has given me a secure, great-paying job and a career I can be proud of. The pay, as well as benefits, and everything else the SIU has to offer has provided a great life for my family and me.
To all the trainees: Work hard in class, and when you get on the ship do the same. Remember we are a team. Please take this opportunity seriously, work hard, and please keep upgrading your skills, as it will help you and your family for the future.
To all SIU members: Donate to MDL and SPAD as much as you can donate. Donations help all of us. This gives us a voice and a leg to stand on.
Lastly, I want to thank all SIU leadership top to bottom, along with all the instructors and staff for their help in getting me to where I am at today.
Junior Augustin
I was born in Haiti and was fortunate to move to the United States at age 15. We did not have much in Haiti. Both of my grandfathers were fishermen and they would both take me deep sea fishing with them from time to time. I used to see those big ships in the horizon, and say to myself, “It would be nice if I could work on one.”
In 1999, my cousin entered the apprentice program and introduced me to the industry. In 2003, I decided to join the SIU. At the time I joined, I was young – mid-twenties – and all I was really thinking is hey, this career would help me afford my expensive tastes. I have always liked nice things but could not afford them.
My merchant seaman career and the union have been instrumental in making my dreams reality; I would not trade it for any other career.
My advice to all the apprentices is to be very respectful of the industry and to support SPAD. Without SPAD, we cannot go any further.
I am truly blessed to be part of this union. I am very thankful for all the leaders and instructors that I have come across during my career. Their passion for the industry and their professionalism has motivated and helped me throughout my career as well as inspired my growth in the industry. There are truly some monumental leaders in the union.
Godofredo Milabo
I graduated from the trainee program in 1996 as a member of class 555. I joined because my father was an SIU member and had sailed for many years. After his passing when I was 18 years old, I wanted to see and know what it is like to be a merchant mariner.
I have been with the SIU for 20-plus years. Obviously, it’s a great career in many ways. The number one reason is you can save a lot of money for your future.
To all members, please do contribute to SPAD. It will preserve and further the American Merchant Marine with improved employment opportunities for all seamen and boatmen.
To all trainees, welcome aboard to this great opportunity as you embark on this career as a U.S. Merchant Mariner. Listen to your instructors and study hard. When you get on your first ship, always be on time, every time. Be motivated every day. Listen to your department head to better your skill and to keep a good, safe working environment. After you sign off, save your money, period. And do not lag on the opportunity to upgrade.
Lastly, I want to say thank you to the SIU for all you do. Thank you to all the office staff members who are always there to assist us in our needs to keep us working on the ships. Thank you to all instructors for all your hard work to educate new members and upgraders.
Also, I want to take this moment to thank my mentor whom I sailed with for many years aboard the USNS Sisler, who gave me skills and knowledge. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here speaking in front of you all. His name is Recertified Bosun Kenneth Steiner.
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