USS
Centers
For sixty-five years, USS Centers have provided a platform that allows USS to
offer programs and direct services that specifically relate to the special conditions
of the transient seafarer in a foreign port.
The USS Center is a safe haven and a “Home away from Home” for U.S. merchant
mariners, seafarers of all nations, and personnel of U.S. and allied forces.
It’s a place where the seafarer can relax in his or her time away from the workplace
-- the ship. At a USS center, seafarers can attend to their personal needs all
under one roof. They can exchange currency, make calls home, check e-mail and
access the internet, and purchase money orders and gifts for friends and family
at home. A seafarer can also find a quiet area for reading and writing as well
as restaurant and lounge facilities to have some fine food and beverages. USS
Centers also conduct outreach programs for seafarers in the form of ship visiting,
hospital visiting, and detention visiting.
In 2006, 337,000 seafarers visited our centers overseas. USS provided a total
of 885,000 social services, with 4,100 seafarers receiving counseling and referrals
for personal or professional concerns. Some of our high volume of services included
60,000 currency transactions, 65,500 international telecommunications, 15,300
shuttle and port side transportation services, and 4,250 seafarers participated
in special planned activities and sports events.
As we go forward, the agency’s primary challenge is how to maintain these needed
services for seafarers with the ever increasing cost of operation. USS is attempting
to evolve successful funding strategies that will allow us to continue our service
programs, not only for the American Merchant Marine in its role as our nations
Fourth Arm of Defense, but also for seafarers of all nationalities and the local
port communities.
USS has been able to survive for 65 years because of the agency’s flexibility
to continue a partnership with the seafarers we serve while building relationships
throughout the maritime industry. In this context, USS continues to expand its
program network with government institutions and other international agencies
such as the International Transportation Workers’ Federation (ITF), International
Labor Office (ILO), International Sports for Seafarers Committee (ISS) and the
International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare (ICSW). Our Executive Director,
Roger Korner, continues as a long-term Presidium member of the ICSW.
Also, with the country still at war, American merchant mariners continue to
work to support U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The delivery of services
to U.S. pre-positioning crews and U.S. Fleet Sailors continues to be a priority
for USS. Our centers in Diego Garcia, Guam, Okinawa, Pusan, and Bremerhaven
work closely with military commands in these locations to meet the needs of
U.S. flag pre-positioning crews. And, over the course of the year, the American
Merchant Marine Library Association, placed over 350 seagoing libraries on America
flag and allied vessels in coordination with the Maritime Administration and
Military Sealift Command.
USS has come a long way, and we look forward with enthusiasm to continuing our
mission of service for seafarers. As in the beginning, USS continues to receive
its strength and guidance from the people who volunteer to serve on our Council
and Board and by the dedication and professionalism of our staff.
In March 2007, USS lost a good friend and strong supporter when Tal Simpkins,
USS President for many years, died from injuries sustained in a traffic accident.
Tal’s tireless efforts on behalf of seafarers will be sorely missed by the American
and international maritime community.
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