Meetings and News

BLUE & GOLD CAPTAIN AL LEWIS JR. PROFILED IN “BAY CROSSINGS” MAGAZINE

Capt. Al Lewis Jr., a long-time member of MM&P’s United Inland Group, has been interviewed for an article in “Bay Crossings” magazine, a publication for passengers on San Francisco Bay Area ferries. Journalist Matt Larson conducted the interview, which was published in the monthly column, “Who’s at the Helm?”

Capt. Al Lewis Jr., a long-time member of MM&P’s United Inland Group, has been interviewed for an article in “Bay Crossings” magazine, a publication for passengers on San Francisco Bay Area ferries. Journalist Matt Larson conducted the interview, which was published in the monthly column, “Who’s at the Helm?”

BLUE & GOLD CAPT. ANDY MILLER PROFILED IN “BAY CROSSINGS” MAGAZINE

Capt. Andy Miller, a 23-year veteran of San Francisco’s Blue & Gold Fleet, has been profiled in the most recent edition of “Bay Crossings,” the magazine for San Francisco Bay Area commuters. Miller was interviewed in the wheelhouse of the ferry PERALTA by journalist Matt Larson, who writes the magazine’s regular feature, “Who’s at the Helm.”

As a professional mariner, Miller says he’s very excited that San Francisco was chosen as the venue for the next edition of the America’s Cup. “I saw the America’s Cup in New Zealand in 2000, and it was amazing,” he says. “Like a Super Bowl, just thousands and thousands of people watching the races.”
“The America’s Cup people got it right when they chose this place,” he adds. “They’re going to have sailboat racing right up here in front of Alcatraz. It’s a great venue.”

Miller grew up in the Bay Area, attended Cal Maritime and lives in Sausalito. When not at the helm, he surfs in Southern California and hikes in the Himalayas. “In Tibet I got up to 18,600 feet trekking,” he says. Even if it comes down to taking an exercise break at opportune moments on the ferryboat, Miller sustains a challenging physical regimen, aiming for 100 pushups a day.

His number one priority at work is, of course, safety. His second is timeliness. “Sometimes it’s challenging with the slow bells and the evening rush hour for the ships, sometimes we’ve got to go slow for them. It’s frustrating for me because I know people want to get home, I’m up here chomping at the bit,” he says.

In October 2011, MM&P-contracted Blue & Gold was awarded a minimum five-year contract to operate and maintain the San Francisco Bay Area ferries.

LOCAL MANAGERS TAKE HELM AT MM&P-CONTRACTED BLACK BALL FERRY LINE

Black Ball Ferry Line, which operates the MV COHO passenger and vehicle ferry between Port Angeles, Wash., and Victoria, B.C., announced last week that the current executive management team has agreed to purchase the company from the Oregon State University (OSU) Foundation.

Former owner Lois Acheson bequeathed the company as part of her estate to the OSU Foundation in 2004. Pursuant to her bequest, the company was placed in a long-term trust to preserve its commitment to employees and the region. The directors of the OSU Foundation and Black Ball Ferry Line voted unanimously in support of the sale to the current executive management team, agreeing that it best respected Acheson’s wishes.

“It was my aunt’s intention that the Coho Ferry would continue to provide long-term employment and continuing service for the Port Angeles and Victoria communities,” said Donna Lee Schoen, Black Ball Ferry Line Trustee and Board member. “This is a wonderful resolution for all the parties involved. She would be very happy with the outcome.”

“Congratulations to everyone at Black Ball Transportation,” said MM&P United Inland Group Vice President Mike Murray. “This is great news.” Murray said the new owners’ extensive knowledge of the business would benefit everyone involved in the ferry service. “We look forward to a long and productive relationship,” he said.

“Our management team will continue a strong commitment to the local community, the employees and the culture of Black Ball Ferry Line,” said company President and Chief Operating Officer Ryan Burles. “We will ‘stay the course’ while continuing to improve our service and invest in the future.”

The company’s executive management team also includes: MM&P member and Chief Executive Officer Capt. John Cox; Senior Vice President of Finance David Booth; Port Angeles District Manager Rian Anderson; and Marketing Director Ryan Malane.

Black Ball Ferry Line recently embarked on a multi-year program to improve the terminal in Port Angeles, as well as the continued renovation of its Victoria facilities. It employs more than 120 people and operates terminals in both cities. The ferry line transports 400,000 passengers and 120,000 vehicles annually, and has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $160 million within the local communities.

BLUE & GOLD CAPT. JASON COVELL PROFILED IN SAN FRANCISCO’S “BAY CROSSING” MAGAZINE

Capt. Jason Covell, a long-time member of MM&P’s United Inland Group who works for Blue & Gold Fleet, was interviewed for an article published in the most recent edition of “Bay Crossing” magazine, the publication for passengers on Bay Area ferries.

A 20-year veteran of Blue & Gold who also volunteers as MM&P’s Vallejo shop steward, Covell grew up wanting to be a lawyer and decided to go to work at an investment banking firm. The decision to become a professional mariner came after a stint working part-time as a bartender on a ferry. “It was a pretty easy decision to go from investment banking to working on a boat,” he says.

As captain, he says, not a minute goes by that he doesn’t think of his passengers and crew. “I’m always concerned with safety,” he said. “It’s stressful at times but I do enjoy it, that’s why I keep coming back every day.” In his free time, he takes photographs, many of which have been published in maritime magazines, and pursues hobby wine-making with a group of friends. Now a captain on the Vallejo Baylink run, he says he enjoys working the early morning shift because it allows him to be home when his daughter returns from school and in time to prepare dinner for his family.

In October of this year, WETA, the regional public agency that operates Bay Area ferry services, awarded Blue & Gold Fleet a five-year contract for operations and maintenance of the ferry system.

UNITED INLAND GROUP BY-LAWS RATIFIED

Members of the MM&P United Inland Group (UIG) have ratified new by-laws. Nigel Raithby of the Pacific Maritime Region and Karen Gibis of the Atlantic & Gulf acted as observers to the count. A total of 256 ballots were received. One hundred and seventy-one members voted for the new by-laws and 84 voted against. “I want to thank all the brothers and sisters who took the time to read this information and vote,” said MM&P United Inland Group Vice President Mike Murray. “Our members’ contributions to this process have laid the foundations for a healthy debate on the issues going forward.”

BLUE & GOLD CAPT. SLY HUNTER PROFILED IN SAN FRANCISCO’S “BAY CROSSING” MAGAZINE

Capt. Sly Hunter, a long-time member of the MM&P United Inland Group who works for Blue & Gold Fleet, is the focus of an article published in the most recent edition of “Bay Crossing” magazine, the publication for passengers on Bay Area ferries. He was interviewed for the magazine’s regular feature, “Who’s at the Helm?”

Hunter started out as a deckhand at Blue & Gold while attending St. Mary’s College on a basketball scholarship, playing football and earning a degree in business administration. After graduation, he continued at Blue & Gold but also took a job at a bank. The financial world was not for him, he soon discovered, and he quickly left the office job to get his captain’s license. Over two decades later, Hunter is the senior captain for Blue & Gold Fleet. “I just fell in love with it,” he says.

WETA, the regional public agency that operates Bay Area ferry services, last month awarded Blue & Gold Fleet a five-year contract for operations and maintenance of the ferry system.

INJURED ALASKA HIKER HAS FERRY CREW TO THANK FOR RESCUE

A lone hiker who fell off a ridge and onto a rocky beach near Skagway, Alaska, was saved by the crew of Alaska State Ferry MALASPINA. MM&P member Capt. Nick Kollars told a reporter for the Juneau Empire that lookout Roger Sperber heard the injured hiker calling faintly for help as the MALASPINA was approaching Skagway harbor. “Sperber is one of the most skilled and impressive men in the fleet,” Kollars said. “He has been here a long time. Aside from keeping us safe going into port that night, he saved a life.”

After Sperber had alerted the bridge, Kollars, Chief Mate Mike Barrett and a deck cadet began scanning the shore with binoculars. Eventually, the injured hiker, 33-year-old Joey Nowiki, was spotted along a steep, rocky section of the shore. MALASPINA crewmembers immediately launched the fast rescue boat. On shore, they found Nowiki conscious but bleeding from multiple head wounds and suffering from cuts and scrapes all over his body. A member of the crew gave the injured man his survival suit, sweat shirt and cap for warmth.

Emergency personnel said Nowiki had apparently tumbled down a cliff. He reported later that at least one fishing boat had passed near his location but had not heard his cries for help. After the rescue by the MALASPINA crew, the hiker was taken to the local hospital for treatment and later released.

MM&P PLANS OFFERS LICENSE INSURANCE FOR PMR MEMBERS

The MM&P Plan Office offers a program that provides members of the Offshore Division and the Pacific Maritime Region with the option to purchase license insurance for protection against loss of wages in the event of the suspension or revocation of an officer’s license, as well as property damage, loss of personal effects and legal representation. An application may be obtained from the Plan Office or in the Members’ Only section of www.bridgedeck.org. Coverage takes effect on the first day of the month following receipt and acceptance of the application and payment by the Plan Office. Coverage is provided on an annual basis. Officers should apply for coverage in the highest rating at which it is expected that he or she will serve during the policy period. For a complete copy of rates, benefits and coverage, please refer to the Plan Rules and Regulations.