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This year’s Christmas dinner special was fairly well attended. We expected about 20 diners, based on reservations, for our Roast Beef special. After the last portion was served there were still requests from walk-in diners. They had to settle for other menu items.
Our New year’s Eve party was well-attended even though I couldn’t find a disc jockey to provide entertainment. We settled for free juke box selections. Our mid-night buffet, and champagne were appreciated by all. Several visitors used the parking area to set off fireworks. The evening was only mildly chilly with clear skies.
Sunday evenings continue to draw football fans to our giant-screen TV. We broadcast Armed Forces Network pro-football each Sunday at 7-pm. I anticipate a full house for Super Bowl. Wednesday and Sunday Bingo games also continue to bring in a fair crowd
Vernon (Charlie) Wong
Center Director
The end-of-year activity figures fell slightly short of last year’s figures primarily as a result of the terrorist bombings in Casablanca in May 2003 when we were forced to close the Center for about a week. Credit is due, however, to the Moroccan intelligence services who are close on the heals of local terrorist cells and who arrested a further thirty or so terrorists towards the end of January. The customers are coming back and very encouragingly we are getting more and more seafarers from an increasing number of nationalities which augurs well for the future in these difficult days where denial of shore leave is often a problem in the wake of increasing international terrorism. USS Casablanca is doing its utmost to facilitate the issuance of shore passes locally and, hopefully, the effects of the new ILO Identiy Card for seafarers will soon be felt.
The latest case of abandoned seafarers appears to have been amicably resolved when the crew of the Turkish vessel “Karaer III” finally left Casablanca on a fresh charter. Our Center assisted the crew with food and other essentials and put them in touch with organizations that were in a position of providing additional assistance.
The social programme at the Center is proving popular with the customers, and our Moroccan Evening on 25 December – with Turkey Tagine as the special - proved to be an outstanding success as did our X-mas pool competition the day before. It was somewhat embarrassing, however, that an off-duty waiter at the Center with plenty of home-ground familiarity carried off the cup. In further pursuance of our social programme, we ran a Disco on 9 January and a Jazz Evening on 23 January – with an excellent guitarist-cum-vocalist. During the X-mas period, we also had our Staff X-mas Lunch to which all seafarers present were invited.
On 1 December, the first US naval visit to Casablanca for more than three years came to an end when USN TSV2 Swift left port. We laid on a social programme at the Center for the 50 or so strong crew who enjoyed the recreation activities and entertainment, including a Moroccan belly dancer. This was a kind of “test run” for US naval visits and hopefully the evaluation turned out favourably so that we may soon expect more visits of that kind.
During the period under review we also received a visit from the crew of the US merchant ship the ”Overseas Marilyn”- a sister ship of the “Overseas Harriett” which called at Casablanca last June. On the culinary side, we are adding different dishes to our menu and have introduced some more brands of wine. One wine in particular – Bounassia Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, from Meknes in Morocco-has proved a great hit. We are also very conscious of the need to keep up our refurbishing programme and this year we are getting new garden furniture in time for the Spring sunny season.
Our Patronage Committee is going from strength to strength and last year we were graced with several new members, including the French consul. At our next meeting, the name of the Belgian consul will be added to the rolls. All Committee members take a keen interest in our activities and we are particularly grateful to the US and British consuls for having assisted us in overcoming certain niggling administrative problems.
Ake Selander
Center Director (Interim)
This will be my second month in D.G., it is amazing when you are busy how time passes fast. A very wet, heavy rain and a few thunder storms. If the heavy rain over the mansion’s tin roof doesn’t wake you up, Air Force B-1 bombers are so noisy that it seems like a rolling thunder storm.
Only six ships are presently in the lagoon: M/V BENNETT, M/V FISHER, M/V LOPEZ, M/V/ PAGE, S/S CHESAPEAKE and USNS CAPABLE. The USNS GILILAND left a few days before Thanksgiving on her way to Kuwait. We will miss many good friends, among them six members of the US Army security force, who didn’t miss one evening at the center.
The Seven Degrees South band is back on the stage every Tuesday. It has received a hardy welcome from seafarers and friends.
Thanks to food donations from several ships, we provided a free buffet dinner on both Thanksgiving and Christmas day, as well as hors d’oeuvres on New Year’s Eve for mariners, ship riders, afloat staff and some of our good patrons.
Seven Degrees South, featuring the best vocalists on D.G., Steff, Allison and one of the center’s waitresses, Karen, performed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Eve, singing, dancing, balloons, hats and novelties kept mariners and island residents entertained. Tim Leaptrott, commander of the Air Force 40th Air Expeditionary group, and an excellent guitarist, also performed for the center’s patrons. Everyone in attendance agreed that the festivities were among the best ever hosted by the USS Center.
Wishing you all a very prosperous New Year in 2004.
Gus Coumont
Center Director (Interim)
Before I get to the news from Napoli I need to close the books on Genova by giving you a little history lesson. A while back Mr. Jack Verbraken and I were given the task of checking on the possibilities of a new center in Genova as well as re-locating the existing center in Naples. During this period, I made several trips to Genova to work with the port officials and our architect to draw up plans, assist in the design, as well as start to furnish the yet to be born center. I spent many nights at the Columbus Sea Hotel looking over the area where the center would be. Jack and I interviewed staff and had daily meetings with above mentioned parties. In the beginning of 1998 and around the time of center director reassignment, I was sent to Bremerhaven, Germany to take over our center there, however still keeping a watchful eye on the Genova situation. It was decided to turn over control of the Genova project to Mr. Freeman Neish.
Freeman arrived in Genova in May of 1998, and Jack and I were there to greet him. We briefed Signor Neish on the project and spent a few days introducing him to the people he would be working with and then went on our way to our respective centers.
Up to that point I always enjoyed the time I spent in Genova and the surrounding area. Each trip provided a little down time to enjoy places such as Portofino, Varasse, Santa Margarita, Monaco and an endless list of places within driving distance of Genova. Anyway, the Genova and Naples Centers opened within one day of each other in May of 1999 with Naples first and Genova the next day. I must admit that although I was enjoying my time in Bremerhaven, my heart was in GENOVA.
In September of 1999 I received a call from Mr. Roger Korner asking if I could go to Genova and relieve Freeman while he took his 2 month vacation. I couldn’t get there quick enough. I arrived on October 3rd, Freeman left for vacation on the 5th and I would have had a very enjoyable time if it wasn’t for the fact that the director sent to relieve me in Germany was having some problems and I spent almost as much time back in Germany as I did in Genova. Anyway the time I had in Genova
In May of 2000, I was transferred to Genova to take over the center from Mr. Neish, and I thought things had come full circle. I was there before she was born, kept in touch as the opening grew nearer, and was there for a few months during the first year of operation. Now the center was my responsibility, and I couldn’t wait to get started. Within a few months we got it to the point where we were breaking even at the port level most of the time and were looking forward to taking it to the next level. Then the FUN STARTED. First, came a battle between ferry services from Genova to Sicily which moved well over half our customers from the Port of Genova to another section of the port 15 miles away in Voltri. It took a while to recover, but we were starting to get back in the game when September 2001 rolled around and the world changed forever. The port started to close at 11pm, no one in, no one out, and our night business came to an abrupt end. Again, we started to rebound when we received the final blow which I have, in many Genova narratives, referred to as “The Berlin Wall”. A 12 foot high fence was constructed completely around the center for customs and security purposes in May 2002. It went up almost overnight and our activity dropped 75% as seafarers and the port community from the domestic side of the port were obstructed from easily accessing our center. This is turning out to be more like a novel than a monthly narrative so I’ll make a long story short by saying, if in your life you’ve gone through something like this then you can understand, if you haven’t, then I hope you never do. To see something with so much potential , a great location, and everything you need to succeed and support seafarers, go up in smoke due to circumstance, is to say the least very frustrating……
As to Naples; we assisted the crew of the MV Panam Flota with the purchase of all that is necessary for a happy holiday season, a tree, lights, ornaments, even a Santa suit. Judging by the short time I spent with the crew, I’m sure they enjoyed their holidays.
The sailors on the Evandia 5 are still awaiting the sale of their ship. The four man crew is still without means to purchase provisions. We provided some meat, chicken, dry goods, and fresh fruit and veggies along with some health and comfort items. Well that’s all for now. Until next month,
Arriverderci from bella Napoli
Bill Moerler
Center Director
Greetings from Guam! It is nice to be back in Guam to relieve Bill King for a couple months of home leave. It’s nice to see our regular customers and of course our staff which remain about the same as when I was here three years ago. The center looks real good after the completion of the renovation from Typhoon Chata’an early in 2003.
After Thanksgiving and with the start of the Christmas holiday period, center activity in general slowed down. Our home ported ships were out on operations for part of the month. We did host a couple of Christmas parties for regular customers from the local port community.
I attended a change of command ceremony for COMNAVMAR during which RADM Patrick Dunne was relieved by RADM Arthur J. Johnson (Sel.) RADM Dunne will become the next Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
On December 14th, we held our employee Christmas party at the center. Employees drew names for a Christmas gift exchange. This was the first Staff Christmas Party in three years because for some reason typhoons seem to have hit in Guam during the month of December in recent years. On Christmas Day, we celebrated with a special Turkey dinner at the center. And, on New Year’s Eve, the center remained open until 0100 so our regular customers could enjoy bringing in the New Year with cheers and champagne.
Gary Johnson
Center Director (Interim)
I returned to Guam from home leave the beginning of January and thank Gary Johnson for his support to the Guam center during my absence. From January 15 –17, Guam hosted the Headquarters delegation which included Mr. Tal Simpkins, LTG Kenneth Wykle and Mr. Roger Korner.
During the visit, the delegation toured the center facilities and were provided a briefing on the typhoon renovations in early 2003 and projected repair projects for 2004. One evening, a Reception was held for the delegation at the center. Over 60 people from the local maritime and military community attended, including Chief of Staff Captain Robert McNaught (the Admiral was off island), Commanding Officer, Military Sealift Command Guam Commander Paul Hugill, Commanding Officer US Naval Hospital Captain Catherine Reif, and the local Seafarers International Union port agent. In addition, we were lucky to have the Captain and crew of the Guadalupe in port to attend.
Bill King
Center Director
The month of December, traditionally, is a season of festivities at USS Manila, organized by local business institutions, religious organizations, private sector groups, Philippine port authorities and other members of the maritime industry. Among these organizations are the Retired Activity Office, AA group, United Primovers, Sky Design, Asia Terminal, Inc., Apple, Vizmin, Ottawa, Disciple of Christ, Tesda, P.U.P, GPHS and several other individual celebrities, who, in one way or another have substantially contributed their support to the center.
The local community swimming teams, namely the Manila Torpedoes, St. Jude and Chiang Kai Shek swim teams, continue to use the center pool for practice and training. Lately, fewer swimmers have been using the pool due to the north easterly wind blowing from the Siberian peninsula and China. This cold spell is projected to continue until the end of February 2004, after which we can expect a long and hot dry season.
During the month of December, the names of commercial vessels we visited in port, are as follows:
1)South Harbor: Great Majesty (Hong Kong), Woodchuck (Manila), Qingdao Star (Panama), Cape Sable(Gibraltar), Tian Cheng (China), Xiang Zhou (China), Azur (China), Qing Jaing (China), Favorita (Panama), Cape Campbel (Majuro), Hanjin Pohang (Limassol), Mare Hibernaum (Bremen), Millenium Eagle (Manila), Uni Forward (Singapore), Kuo Fu (Singapore), Bermudian Express (Majuro), Polygo (JeJu), Jiang Ning Guan (Gunshou), Uni-Angel (Panama), and Blue Ocean (Panama),
2.) North Harbor (M.I.C.T.) Hanjin Senil (Limassol), Sealand Pacer (Majuro), Eagle Excellence (Monrovia), Bunga Mas Lapan (Keelung), ACX Swan (Jakarta), Franconia (Majuro), Hanjin Busan (Limassol), ACX Dahlia (Panama), E.R. Durban (Monrovia), Athena (Panama), Hyundai Harmony (Panama), Jock Rickmers (Majuro), Xiang Feng (China), Asian Zephyr (Panama), Kapitan Koheb (Vladivostok).
The Philippine government declared December 24, 25, and 31 as special non-working holidays. USS Manila and Staff wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Francisco Pamintuan
Center Director
USS Okinawa is rapidly becoming a “home away from home” for a group of Sasebo, Japan – based U.S. Navy Ships. The oceanographic research ships USNS Mary Sears, USNS Bowditch, USNS Bruce Heezen, and USNS Effective, as well as the RV Cory Chouest, are becoming regulars at Naha Military Port…and the Seamen’s Club.
The newest members of the “Okinawa Gang” was the USNS Mary Sears, which officially presented its life ring to the Seamen’s Club in January, and is now hanging at the Bar. In December, USNS Bruce Heezen joined the Club, presenting their life ring to Center Director Walt Christiansen.
The Seamen’s Club was highly decorated for the Christmas holiday season, and hosted more than a dozen seasonal parties, plus its own Christmas Buffet for more than 200 patrons.
Senior leaders of United Seamen's Service visited Okinawa in January, spending four days meeting military commanders including the Deputy Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force, the Okinawa Manager for U.S. Army Garrison Japan, the U.S. Forces Japan liaison, the Admiral commanding Amphibious Force One, Pacific Fleet, and the American Consul General.
More than 200 community leaders, regular Seamen’s Club patrons, government officials and the senior military officers toasted Mr. Talmage Simpkins, USS President, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Wykle, US Army (Ret), USS Board of Directors, and Mr. Roger Korner, USS Executive Director, at a reception held in their honor.
USS Okinawa hosts its annual Members Party January 31st, giving Seamen’s Club regulars a chance to be recognized for their loyalty. February turns on the charm as the Club presents its annual Sweethearts Valentine Dinner across two days, Feb. 13~14.
Ships in Port in December & January included M/V APL President Wilson, M/V Maersk Edinbargh, M/V President Grant, M/V Green Point, USNS Cory Chouest, M/V Manoa, M/V Mahi Mahi, M/V Lilac, M/V Montauk, USNS Bowditch, USNS Mary Sears, USNS Bruce Heezen, M/V Mokihana, SS Cape Jacob & M/V Westpac Express.
Walt Christiansen
Center Director
Anyong Haseyo! December was a very good month here in Busan. Things were busy at both the Main Center and the Annex. January however was a little slower after the Christmas holidays and with the mad cow scare in the states. Also the Lunar New Year holiday was celebrated in January, so people were preparing for the events surrounding the Year of the Monkey. In January we also had our bi-annual Headquarters visit.
One big event that was hosted at the Main Center was the annual Christmas party for the Me Ae Ba Orphanage. The orphanage is sponsored by MSCO Korea and USS. The party was held on Monday, December 22nd and 64 kids were in attendance. Their ages ranged from infants to 17 years old. They arrived at 1500 and had dinner. The dinner was spaghetti, pizza, fried rice, rolls, fruit and homemade Christmas cookies made by me. After the kids were finished eating the different age groups each sang a Christmas Carol. After that was finished, Santa Claus (MSC’s BMC Perry) arrived. The kids all came up one at a time and sat on Santa’s lap and received their present. Some of the younger kids were afraid of Santa, but the older ones were eager to go up to him and get their presents. Also, this year we were able to give them over $200 in donations. Most coming from our members, but also Ms. Kang and Ms. Ahn, our Annex waitresses, donated some of their tips to the orphanage. Also, in December, we had a Christmas Eve buffet and a Christmas Day dinner special. We served over 250 people during the two days. The buffet consisted of turkey, chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls, soup and salad. The desserts were apple pie and Christmas Cookies.
Things were a little slower in January. The discovery of mad cow disease in the United States, and the fallout from it slowed down business in January. We did have a couple of groups cancel because some of the people did not want to eat the beef. We assured them that the steaks were safe, and that helped, but some people still stayed away. Also, in January, the lunar New Year, the year of the Monkey, was celebrated. This is the biggest holiday celebrated here in Korea. People travel home to spend the five day holiday with their families.
January did see the bi-annual Headquarter’s visit. Mr. Tal Simpkins, USS President, LTG Kenneth Wykle, one of the members of the Board of Directors, and Mr. Roger Korner, Executive Director of USS visited Korea. They arrived in Seoul on the 10h of January, and I met them at Incheon International Airport. On Sunday the 11th, we hosted a dinner at the Dragon Hill Lodge on Yongson. The attendees of the dinner included RADM Byus, CNFK and his wife, CAPT Brougher, CNFK Chief of Staff, LCOL Stephenson, TRANSCOM LNO, LCOL Lacina, Chapter President of the UDTA’s Korea Chapter, LCOL Cunningham, USFK J1, CDR Steigers, MSCO Korea, and his wife. On January 12th, the USS Delegation called on Gen LaPorte, USFK Commander, RADM Byus and US Ambassador Thomas Higgins. The delegation thanked each of them for their support of United Seamen's Service. On Tuesday, the delegation flew down to Busan. First we went to Camp Hialeah and called on the Garrison Commander, LCOL Jeffery Ludwig. Then we went to Pier 8 and had lunch at the Annex with CDR Steigers, MSCO Korea and LCOL James Brundage, 837th Transportation Battalion Commander. After lunch we went on the pier and visited the offices of MSC and the 837th. The evening of the 13th, there was a reception held at the Main Center for the delegation. In addition to the local military leaders already mentioned, CDR Francis Martin, Commanding Officer of Fleet Activities Chinhae attended as well as the Senior Consul of the Russian Consulate in Busan and several of our Korean members. The delegation left on the 14th and continued on to Guam.
The following U.S. flagged ships visited Busan: APL Thailand, S\L Liberator, S\L Explorer, S\L Defender, APL Singapore, APL Korea, APL China, S\L Innovator, S\L Endurance, SS Cape Jacob, MV Westward Venture, APL Philippines, USS Curtis Wilbur and USNS Niagara Falls.
Todd Langdon
Center Director
Yokohama had a busy couple of months in December and January. In December, we hosted numerous end of year parties for the local port community. My favorite group is the Rising Son’s-A Harley owners’ group who take their bikes seriously and play their music very very loudly.
In January, we had our USS Delegation visit. Roger Korner, Tal Simpkins, and LTG (R) Ken Wykle came to renew ties and show their support of USS Yokohama. Meetings were held with All Japan Seamen’s Union and Yokohama Port & Harbor where mutual gratitude of each others support was expressed. Before the delegation’s early morning flights, a reception was held with members of the port and military community attending. Speeches were made by our President, Tal Simpkins, and Mr. Ezeki, Director of the Yokohama Port Promotion Association.
Repairs and improvements of the center continue. The center was finally able to get a DSL internet connection, and we have added another computer with camera and microphone to offer seafarers a cheaper way to communicate with friends and family. We are in the process of adding electronic darts to the center as another recreational activity. Finally, we were able to install basketball hoops near the tennis court. So far we have had a few crews stretch their legs, but we will need to advertise the new service more in the port. Our AMMLA library at the center was replenished by the APL China, who was making room for more AMMLA books. Many of the books taken off the ship were originally from AMMLA, so it was nice to see the books recycle to other ships.
Recently, a Romanian seaman was kept from the local police bastille by USS. It seems he purchased a stolen bicycle but was unable to convey that to the Japanese policeman who believed he had stolen the bike himself. He was eventually able to return to his ship with the help of USS. Also, Jim, a S.I.U., member recently fell on hard times and was assisted by USS to repatriate back home to the USA. Attempts to find the location of a Sealand mariner imprisoned here in Japan a few months ago, have not been successful. The U.S. Embassy was unwilling to provide us information, so we are currently looking at other ways to be able find him to see if we can offer some support.
On a sad note, our former manager, Mr. Nakagawa, passed away recently. Mr. Nakagawa was a valuable employee of USS for many of the early years. On a lighter note, we have another S.I.U. brother, calling weekly looking for his ex-girlfriend who he met at USS Yokohama many years ago. He hopes she will come back looking for him, but so far we have not found her. Maybe one of these weeks I will be able to offer him some good news.
Happy New Year and Best wishes from USS Yokohama.
Jay Brooks
Center Director
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