View from the Bridge

WELCOME ABOARD!

Hello and welcome to the first newsletter of the Tell America Internet TV campaign (www.TellAmericaTV.com), attracting national attention as we respond to a groundswell of support from people like you to get the word out to Americans on the critical importance of revitalizing the U.S. maritime industry for U.S. economic and security interests. If you’re receiving this newsletter, it’s probably because you’re a stakeholder in the success of the U.S. maritime industry or support the effort to save our American flag ships and enhance opportunities for the U.S. Merchant Marine. (Yes, those are capital letters you see in Merchant Marine, and it’s about time, regardless of what the dictionary says.)  If for some reason, you do not wish to receive the Tell America Newsletter, please click the unsubscribe link. (Although we really hope you won’t do that because there are a lot of exciting things happening in our industry, with a chance like never before to set a course for the future that could generate prosperous growth after years of decline. Besides…we need your help….and we’re not asking for a handout…we need your energy.)

Sure, you’ve probably heard about previous attempts to get the word out about the role our Merchant Marine plays and the challenges we’ve faced since World War II. But this time, it really is different. Just a quick review of some of the news we’ve assembled here in the newsletter will give you an overview of what the excitement’s all about. In addition, Tell America has working in concert with Maritime TV to produce and promote many of these events live, interactively on the web at www.TellAmericaTV.com and the archive is now available for your review, affording you a front row seat to the historical transformation that is underway. Whether it’s the new industry-wide agreement brokered by MARAD for LNG training (that means more jobs for U.S. mariners), or the Marine Highway Initiative legislation, (HR 2701), to promote short sea shipping to move cargo on the Great Lakes and along our sea coasts (including loan guarantees of up to $2 billion for a new class of cargo vessels) as Bob Dylan sang, “Times, They Are a-Changin’”.

But there is so much work that still needs to be done to get the word out and maintain momentum so we capitalize on this opportunity to revitalize our industry. And that’s why we need your help! Tell America is quickly instituting a grass roots PR campaign aimed at enlisting a regiment of industry supporters like you to help get exposure for the important role our industry plays in the security and economic vitality of the country. Yes, we know you may not be a PR professional. But with the event webcast content we’re producing on Tell America TV that is driving mainstream press interest and the Tell America grassroots PR tips that our PR advisor Tanya Hilleary is including in a column in this newsletter, we believe we can generate significant “buzz” to help America understand how crucially important it is to support a strong Merchant Marine, especially at the critical juncture we find ourselves at now.

We’re going to try to distribute this newsletter on a monthly basis, (initially) and include a selection of features, including the latest industry news, distilled from a host of sources to give you pertinent information from the revitalization effort perspective. We’ll provide information on upcoming industry events, news on U.S. maritime industry issues which affect us all, and attempt to manage our growing database of supporters, advocates and PR grassroots partners. You can always view the latest Tell America Newsletter at www.TellAmericaTV.com in addition to other live and archived streaming media presentations, along with association and industry information of interest to all sectors of our community…and please, give us feedback at the link provided!

If you’re looking to see some highlights worth viewing from the Tell America campaign, I suggest you view the very motivational speech given by U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland), Chairman of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, during Maritime Day at the MITAGS facility. (See 34 minutes into the video HERE)

In addition, Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton’s important announcement on the agreement to provide more U.S. crews for LNG ships.

Click here for a demonstration of a new industry unity that hasn’t been seen in years.

I would also point out that on July 4th, as part of the National Capitol Fireworks Celebration official webcast from Washington D.C. in cooperation with the National Park Service, we’ll be saluting U.S. Merchant Marine veterans. Tune in for a great show here .

We look forward to your participation in helping Tell America get the word out on the importance of out U.S. Merchant Marine. On behalf of the Tell America support team, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Foundation which is helping to back this effort, and other sponsors, thanks for your interest in Tell America and please stay tuned for new information in Tell America e-mail Bulletins, the upcoming July edition of the Tell America Newlsetter and at www.TellAmericaTV.com  .

REVITALIZING AMERICA’S MARITIME INDUSTRY IS GOOD FOR AMERICA!
 LET CONGRESS KNOW!

America needs a strong Merchant Marine to protect our national interests and ensure a robust economy. You can help by urging your Senator and Representative in Washington to support legislation favorable to the US maritime industry.

Online Directory for the 110th Congress 

There are numerous Internet links from various organizations to help you contact members of congress. Here’s on we found that’s pretty user-friendly. Contacting the Congress is a very up-to-date database of congressional contact information for the 110th Congress. As of June 13, 2007 there are 537 email addresses (of which 509 are Web-based email homepages), and 538 WWW homepages known for the 540 members of the 110th Congress. Traditional ground mail addresses are available for all current members of Congress. (Reminder: With all the e-mail and faxes congressional staffers receive, a good old fashioned letter in the mail goes a long way towards making an impression.) 

LINK TO DIRECTORY

Tell America Campaign Press and Media Coverage

	Maritime Day Activities Attract Nation's Attention to Urgent Needs of U.S. Shipping as "Tell America" Campaign Launches on Maritime TV
	Satellite and Webcast to American Troops and U.S. Citizens Worldwide With Special 'Tell America' Webcast Salute to Role of Merchant Marine in Vietnam War
	More U.S. Mariners on LNG Tankers With Historic Agreement, Featured on Maritime TV 'Tell America' Webcast
	Sen. John McCain's Address at U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to Be Webcast Live on TV Worldwide's Maritime TV for 'Tell America' Campaign
	TV Worldwide Launches Famous 'Victory at Sea' TV Series Free Online at Maritime TV as Part of Tell America Internet TV Campaign to Draw Attention to the Importance of the U.S. Flag Merchant Shipping Fleet

Tell America Tips from Tanya

Who Do I ‘Tell’?

So you’re on board with the Tell America campaign, you’ve downloaded the details, and now it is time to contact the media in your area. How do we get started?

This first column is going to focus on contacting local print media, meaning newspapers and magazines, in your hometown.

In most suburbs and major metropolitan areas, there are at least 3-5 local newspapers that cover a particular area. Sure, everyone’s heard of The Washington Post, but how many of you  know The Examiner that lands free in my driveway each morning, or the Fairfax County Times, or the Herndon Connection, or the Herndon Observer? These four newspapers cover a very targeted area of my hometown, and often tackle big issues with a local angle. The Tell America campaign is perfect for their editors to consider for a feature story, after all, it is important to their reader – YOU.

So how does the average reader get the attention of the editor?

First of all, stop taking those papers straight to the recycling bin. J Usually around page 2 or so you’ll see what in journalism is called the “masthead”. No, not in the nautical sense, but it is going to tell you who is in charge of what in this publication. There’s always editorial contact information there. Jot down the Editor in Chief’s name and the phone number and/or email address given. This is important stuff.

Now actually flip through the paper and scan the article headlines. Are there any covering non-profit work in your area? How about a piece on community affairs? Keep an eye out for “bylines”, the area either directly below the headline or at the end of the piece that has the author’s name. In small publications there isn’t a big staff, so don’t be surprised to see the same reporter’s name listed on several articles.

If, by chance, you see there’s a reporter who seems to favor covering local causes, jot his or her name down as well. If not, no worries. The Editor in Chief, like any good captain, will point you in the right direction.

When you do this with all the publications that cover your area, you know you’re well on your way to developing a very thorough local media list for your Tell America outreach.

Tanya Hilleary
Riverbyte Communications

Need help? Email me at tanya@riverbyte.com

MarAd: Agreement will create LNG jobs for U.S. seafarers

June 4, 2007, American Shipper
The Maritime Administration said U.S. seafarers will be able to get more jobs aboard liquefied natural gas tankers, one of the fastest-growing segments of the international shipping trade, as a result of an agreement signed this week by Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton.

The agreement implements a universal set of training standards developed by an industry working group facilitated by MarAd.

"The worldwide demand for qualified mariners, plus the growth in the LNG industry, provides a unique growth opportunity for U.S. Merchant Mariners and the U.S. maritime industry," Connaughton said.

READ MORE

Senate moves forward on $37.6 billion DHS funding bill

June 14, 2007, American Shipper
The Senate Appropriations homeland security subcommittee Wednesday (June 12) approved a $37.6 billion 2008 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The full Appropriations Committee will vote on the bill today. The bill increases funding for DHS by 8 percent, or $2.2 billion, over the 2007 level. Lawmakers shifted $45.5 million from container security programs to secure what they said are more vulnerable pathways, such as air freight, to smuggle nuclear material into the country. The subcommittee said container traffic only accounts for 25 percent of overall cargo imports.

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RTM STAR Center certified to SIGTTO LNG standards

June 14, 2007 Marine Log
ABS Consulting has certified RTM STAR Center's Tankship Liquefied Gases course as meeting all the requirements of the Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators, Ltd. (SIGTTO), LNG Shipping Suggested Competency Standards. This makes RTM STAR Center the first and only training organization in the U.S.A., and one of only eight organizations in the world, thus far accredited or certified as meeting the SIGTTO standards. 

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New bill aimed at LNG, hazardous cargo

June 13, 2007, American Shipper
Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, introduced a bill Tuesday (June 12)  aimed at improving safety and security at shipping facilities and vessels handling hazardous materials, including liquefied natural gas.

S. 1594, Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act of 2007, is co-sponsored by Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

It is aimed at regulating what the bill terms "especially hazardous cargo" or EHC, including chemicals and petrochemicals such as anhydrous ammonia, ammonium nitrate, chlorine, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.

READ MORE

Senate Passes Water Resources Development Act of 2007

June 6, 2007, Maritime Trades Dept. AFL-CIO
The Senate overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan measure that authorizes $15 billion worth of domestic dredging projects.  Introduced by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and James Inhofe (R-OK), the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 includes seven lock and dam modernization projects on the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway and a re-route project on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.  The measure was received warmly by most segments of the maritime industry, especially those operating in the Great Lakes region, which has been beset by a dredging crisis in recent years.  As one industry spokesperson noted shortly after the 91-4 vote, the bill “reflects the critically important benefits of the inland waterways system and its role in keeping the nation economically competitive.  WRDA also will help to improve our ports, flood and hurricane protection systems, and restore critically important ecosystems.”  The House passed a version of the bill earlier this year.  While there are many similarities, some differences need to be reconciled by a joint conference committee.  Unlike the Senate, the House voted to include provisions concerning prioritizing port dredging on the basis of need as opposed to an arbitrary tonnage basis.  It also approved full federal funding for an additional Soo lock between Lakes Superior and Huron.

VISIT WEB SITE

NYPD Divers Now Search for Bombs

May 31, 2007, By Tom Hays, Associated Press, Newsday.com
NEW YORK -- Their main job used to be retrieving rusty murder weapons, the corpses of homicide victims and the occasional stolen car from the murky depths of the city's waterways. But in recent years, the New York Police Department's scuba team has quietly adopted a new role: scouring seawalls, bridge footings and ship hulls every day for explosives.

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Merchant Marine still seeking respect
'They couldn't have won the war without us'

May 27, 2007, by Mark Brown, Chicago Sun Times
… "They couldn't have won the war without us" is a refrain so common among the WWII merchant seamen that it became the title of a book on their experiences written by Pete Peterson, a former WWII mariner who worked many years with a Chicago ad agency. But the mariners had no uniforms -- unless you count blue jeans and a T-shirt -- and were similarly lacking in military discipline. Employed by shipping companies, they found their ships through labor unions -- all of which made them the object of mistrust by the real military. Some called them draft dodgers, but if they were trying to stay out of harm's way, the merchant seamen made a very poor choice.  By the reckoning of their own historians, the Merchant Marine casualty rate during WWII was exceeded only by the Marine Corps, with 9,500 deaths out of the 243,000 who served.

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May 22, 2007, Marine Link
In honor of National Maritime Day, U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, released the following statement:  "As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I am honored to take the opportunity afforded by National Maritime Day to pay tribute to our nation's Merchant Mariners and to the entire maritime industry.

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