Port-O-Call Jan 2012

P.O. Box 76985, Tampa, FL 33675 - Phone: (813) 225-7227 - Fax: 813-225-5667
www.propellerclubtampa.com – Email : propellerclub@ij.net
Winter 2012 Edition
Port #5
Chartered May 25, 1929
Past (2011) – Present (January) – Future (March thru June)
Well it has certainly been a very busy and productive year since our President Dwayne Keith took office in July 2011.
Let’s take a quick look back.
In July, our annual “Orientation Board Meeting” was held at the “former” offices of Marine Towing, where we
celebrated the “changing of the guard.” Our annual orientation meeting is held each July to introduce our new board to
our current board, establish policies, budgets, agendas and basically plan the year’s activities. Additionally, we were
delighted to welcome Southeast Region Vice President Dennis Thompson and National Executive Committee member
Jack Crockett. Mr. Thompson updated us on his mission to visit with each of the 14 chapters in the southeast, listening
to their ideas and promoting unity along the way and stating his appreciation for our Tampa chapter’s hard work and
for “setting an example” for other chapters to follow. Mr. Thompson also took this opportunity to present the
Southeast Conference “Member of the Year” to Mr. Tad Humphreys for his untiring efforts. Mr. Crockett then shared
the goals of the Executive Committee with us which resulted in the hiring of the new Executive Vice President, Andrew
Riester. With Andrew on board, we now have continuity and will focus on updating the HQ website, revitalizing the
Quarterly newsletters and rejuvenating communications between HQ and nearly 100 chapters around the world.
We also were delighted to have on hand our illustrious International President Wade Wetherington in attendance
reporting on his accomplishments thus far and what more he hopes to accomplish during his term which ends in
October 2012. Our annual orientation meeting is held each July to introduce our new board to our current board,
establish policies, budgets, agendas and basically plan the year out for a most-productive outcome. We feel that this
meeting, since its inception in 2000, has become mandatory to set our upcoming goals!
In July & August - the Tampa Propeller Club’s Administrator, Nancy Simms took on the challenge of moving the
offices from the 1st floor to the 4th floor at 1101 Channelside Drive. Should you want or need to visit our offices for any
reason, we ask that you please contact us first at 813-225-7227 to schedule an appointment.
In August, we held our first ever Compass Awards Dinner hosted by the Tampa Propeller Club and the Port of Tampa
Maritime Industries Association (PTMIA) honoring the efforts of State Senator Jack Latvala and Representative
Dana Young. The event, held at the beautiful University Club in downtown Tampa with Premier Sponsors Gulf
Marine/Hendry
Corporation
and
International Ship Repair. Our Corporate
Sponsors were Kinder Morgan and Hill &
Knowlton. Our table sponsors were: CF
Industries, Prida, Guida & Company;
S&ME, Inc.; Tampa Bay Pilots
Association and United Ocean Services.
Thanks to our emcee, Jack Harris, who
was
thoroughly
enjoyable
and
entertaining!
Photo left: Wade Wetherington, Dwayne Keith,
Rep. Dana Young, Sen. Jack Latvala, Tim
Shusta, Dennis Manelli and Captain Sheryl
Dickinson
TO BE CONTINUED
Visit our website www.propellerclubtampa.com, under “photos” to see a pictorial from this wonderful event. Senator
Latvala and Representative Young were two key individuals honored for helping push the Port Security Legislation Bill
through and for their untiring efforts pertaining to amendment to F.S. 311.12.
We were delighted to welcome Ms. Laneesha Droher to the Port of Tampa. She was visiting Tampa from one of our
student Propeller Club Groups of the Texas A&M Maritime School. Laneesha spent the summer interning at the Gulf
Marine, Hendry Corporation & Tampa Marine Terminals offices. She also learned about our Maritime Community
with our Administrator Nancy Simms who took time to introduce her to the Propeller Club membership. She attended
several of our events as well as events sponsored by the PTMIA, Tampa Port Authority, Tampa Bay Spill
Committee, and Tampa Bay Harbor Safety & Security Committee learning as much as she possibly could during
her time here. Thank you all who spent time with her and to the folks at CF Industries for the personal tour of their
phosphate & anhydrous ammonia facilities at Guy Verger and Maritime Boulevard. Much appreciation!
August also brought us a new Port Commissioner. Pat Allman was selected by the Governor to sit on the Tampa Port
Authority Board of Commissioners and took the oath of office on August 19th. We thank former Port Commissioner
Brian Dolan for his work during the time he served and wish him success in the future.
In September, members and guests joined in for an evening of great fun with not one but three very talented stand-up
comedians at the Improv Theater in Ybor City. This is an annual event which began as a “thank you” to our
sponsors…..the Propeller Club sponsors the “private show venue” and you pay for the dinner and libations. Not a bad
deal, and just for the record, if you are shy and you DO NOT want to be pointed out, we highly recommend that you
DO NOT sit in the front row OR you will be a “sitting duck”.
On October 13th, we experienced yet another great day on the golf course during the 27th Annual Golf Tournament.
Golf Committee Chairman Terry Fluke led the committee and golfers to another fabulous outing. Thank you to all our
sponsors and attendees for yet another “outstanding” day The Eagles in Odessa. Thanks to all our sponsors who
stepped up to help us “tee this up”. And of course thank you to all committee members and volunteers: Terry Fluke,
Dennis Manelli, Dwayne Keith and Nancy Simms, Tony Austin, Ron Kobosky, Bill Lofgren, Bruce Schuck and, of
course, Captain Dickinson.
WINE, CHEESE, AND OMAHA BEACH—THE LE HAVRE CONVENTION (by Wade Wetherington) “Well, you
missed your chance. The 85th Annual International Convention and Conference in Le Havre, France, happened in October, and you
weren’t there.”
Le Havre, by the way, just happens to be the sister city of Tampa. Four days of wine, cheese, fellowship, and the
occasional song, overlooking the English
Channel, all while strengthening the bonds
of the International Propeller Club with our
European brothers and sisters. We found
new understanding of how the European
Association of Propeller Clubs (EAPC)
functions, renewed relationships with EAPC
leaders, recruited new international leaders,
and charted the course of the International
Propeller Club for the next year.
Photo left: the city of Le Havre “Cliffside” taken
during the harbor boat tour on Wednesday
Many of you want us to compare Le Havre’s Convention to Tampa’s. That’s difficult to do each Convention is unique,
just as each port is unique—Tampa’s Convention was spectacular—as was Le Havre’s. The Le Havre club did a great
job, the Convention was
well organized and ran
smoothly, with good
Conference
panels,
timely topics, and great
parties.
Photo right: Rockney
Nigretto, Bernard Marguet,
Andrew Riester and Wade
Wetherington
Everyone who attended, I’m sure, has many highlights from the Convention. I’ll pick two of mine. First, the trip to the
D-Day Museum at Arramonches to learn about the
Mulberry Harbor and on to Colleyville Cemetery at
Omaha Beach, where we laid a wreath and said a
prayer for the freedom fighters. Second, was the
hospitality of everyone from
the Le Havre Club, and
from the City of Le Havre.
Oh, one more—the New
Orleans club hospitality
suite, where much business
was done.
Le Havre did such a great job and has been such a vibrant club that it was honored as The International Propeller
Club Port of the Year. Richard D. Steinke, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles was recognized as
International Maritime Person of the Year, and Alex Giles of Baltimore as International Member of the Year.
Alex was the chair of the Baltimore Convention in 2008, chaired the
Committee that selected Andrew Riester as Executive Vice President of
the International Club, and serves as Treasurer of the International Club.
The inaugural President’s Award went to Sonny Smith of Paducah who is
International Vice President and chaired
the committee that resolved the
litigation with a former Executive Vice
President. Bob Fry, Neils Aalund, Jack
Crockett, and Steve Tyndal were
recognized with Presidential Citations for their service on either the Executive Vice
President Search Committee or the Litigation Committee. Mark your calendar—
we’ll see you (and Marie Laveau) at the 86th International Convention in New
Orleans in October 2012.
The “Lady” gets a Face Lift – Now Sea Worthy
“a new look for the American Victory Ship”
In November, the Tampa Propeller Club was one of the many sponsors who helped with the
American Victory Mariners Museum Ship’s drydock expenses. Led by Aaron Hendry, the Drydock
Committee raised money to bring the “lady” in to the Gulf Marine shipyard where many of our
Propeller Club members rallied together to complete the much needed repair project within just 12
days. Great job! While she was in drydock, she had a group of Maritime Leaders visit to see just
how much work was involved in this effort! Congratulations to Team Drydock for this spectacular
job and to all who worked on her. She is now “sea worthy” with her new Certificate of Inspection
and plans their first “Relive History” cruise this year in March 2012. Propeller Club members are
offered a special $99 discounted ticket price. Please contact Cindy Bosselman directly at the AmVic
at marketing@americanvictory.org or by phone at (813) 228-8766.
Port Commissioner Chairman Larry Shipp, Port Commissioner Pat Allman, Port Commissioner Sandra Murman,
Captain John Timmel, Bill Kuzmick, Dwayne Keith, Dennis Manelli, Arthur Savage & J.P. LaCasse
STONECRABFEST –Another SOLD OUT event this year!
Wow! What a night! The weather perfect – the food plentiful – the entertainment was great and the tugboat ballet –
always a hit! This is such a HUGE event, 1150 persons attended, enjoyed, ate crab, sang to Karaoke and the sounds of
Matt Valcourt and watched as the Tugboats twirled and danced in the harbor. Thank you to our Premier Sponsors:
Gulf Marine/Hendry Corp., Marine Towing and Port Consolidated. We also extend a big debt of gratitude to
Chairman Captain John Timmel along with committee members: Mark LaFon, Dwayne Keith, Dennis Manelli, Bill
Kuzmick, Cindy Bosselman, Bill Lofgren and Nancy Simms. Also, putting in lots of hours were many of the Propeller
Club Board members and volunteers, American Victory Ship staff and volunteers, Tampa Port Authority staff, and the
numerous other volunteers who help make this event the success that it has become – year after year! Both the
Propeller Club and American Victory
board members, staff and volunteers put
countless hours into creating, organizing,
constructing and engineering this event,
who without them – well, let’s not go
there. Kudos to you all! Thank you to
Tampa Tribune Columnist Steve Otto
who joined us to announce the
participating Tugs in our annual Tug
Boat Ballet.
Photo left: Dennis & Leslie Manelli, KC
Misemer, Dwayne Keith and Beth Clark (our
bartenders)
This event is a fundraiser for both the Propeller Club – Port of
Tampa and the American Victory Mariners Museum Ship and
again thank you to all who sponsored, volunteered and those
whose came to simply enjoy! Remember, next year – order
those tickets – don’t be left out!
Photo right: Bill Kuzmick,
Aaron Hendry, Captain John
Timmel, Steve Otto and
Nancy Simms
Photo left: Rusty Ferrell and his
“Oyster Gang”
______________________________________________________________________________
State of the Port Address
By: Andy Fobes
The State of the Port address, held at Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown, was well attended, with
many of the port’s stakeholders, customers and elected officials. Richard Wainio’s presentation
highlighted many large and significant capital projects that will help to modernize port facilities and
enhance competitiveness, as well as provided information about the strong financial performance and
prospects for new business looking ahead. Wainio underscored the need for all port partners to work
together and the importance for building strong partnerships and cultivating a global mindset as an
integral element of success.
_________________________________________________________________
Tampa Bay Pilots Association Receives Recognition
On December 14th at the Tampa Yacht Club, the Tampa Propeller Club’s
President Dwayne Keith proudly recognized the achievements of the
Tampa Bay Pilots Association and presented our Certificate of Appreciation
for their efforts and hard work in the Port of Tampa. Congratulations on
your 125th!
Photo left: Dwayne Keith, with Tampa Bay Pilots - Captain Gary Maddox
and Captain Mike Buffington
Holiday Luncheon with Mayor Bob Buckhorn
By: Dwayne Keith
Mayor Bob Buckhorn was the guest speaker at our annual Holiday Luncheon held December 20,
2011 at the Columbia Restaurant. The mayor recounted his campaign for office and his tenure thus
far leading the city of Tampa. Since the mayor serves on the Tampa Port Authority board and there
were other commissioners in attendance he was unable to discuss port issues because of the sunshine
law but he did tell us of his plans to put Tampa back on track to becoming America’s next great
city. He related Sanford University's role in the birth of Silicone Valley and identified our own USF
as the potential research and development dynamo likely to supercharge area growth. Mayor
Buckhorn also talked about the spectacular opportunity to showcase the city when the Republican
Party holds its national convention here in August but warned of anticipated problems likely to
occur when troublemakers and anarchists come calling. He outlined plans now being put into place to bring thousands
of additional law enforcement officers from all over Florida to Tampa to help keep the peace and assure us a favorable
place in the national spotlight. The Propeller Club thanks Mayor Buckhorn for joining us on the occasion of our
Holiday Luncheon and for delivering a great speech. I know I speak for all Propeller Club members in wishing him
Godspeed for a successful event and extend in advance an invitation to join us afterward at one of our meetings for what
is certain to be a very interesting story.
As you know, the luncheon is also a benefit for the Tampa Port Ministries who receive donated gifts from the attending
members & guests and in turn distribute them to our “visiting” seafarers visiting our ports during the holidays. It has
become an annual event for which we are
very proud to have this opportunity.
Thank you to all who brought or
sponsored gifts – as we all know that it is
better to give than to receive.
Captain Timmel was presented with a
token of our appreciation with a special
photo of the American Victory while in
drydock.
Photo left: Dennis Manelli, Captain John
Timmel, Chaplain Judy Dunn, Mayor Bob
Buckhorn, Reverend Wes Dunn & Dwayne Keith
__________________________________________________________________________________
Tampa welcomes VADM Robert C. Parker to speak at annual
Salute to the U.S. Coast Guard Awards Dinner – January 26, 2012
Vice Admiral Robert C. Parker, Commander Coast Guard Atlantic Area, will be our
guest speaker at the Propeller Club’s annual Salute to the Coast Guard Dinner,
which will be held Thursday evening, January 26, 2012 at the Wyndham Westshore
Tampa Hotel. We are pleased that the Tampa Council, Navy League of the United
States, and the Coast Guard Foundation will again join us as co-hosts in recognizing
the men and women of the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, and Coast Guard
Auxiliary in the Bay area for their faithful and untiring service to our nation during a
period of heavy demands being placed on their duties both overseas and at home.
Team Coast Guard members from the Tampa Bay area will be invited to join us for
the evening. Given the continuing operational demands for security of our ports and
waterways on top of the high expectation of performance in traditional roles of
search and rescue, aids to navigation, marine safety, environmental protection, drug
interdiction, and immigration law enforcement, it is fitting that we take time to
express our appreciation to Coast Guard personnel for their personal sacrifices and
dedication to duty.
Admiral Parker reported for duty as the Commander of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area in April 2010, where he serves as
the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions within a large geographic region that stretches from the Rocky
Mountains to the Arabian Gulf and across the Caribbean Sea to the north coast of South America that spans across five
Coast Guard districts and 40 states. In addition to being involved in search and rescue, marine safety, and aids to
navigation duties, the Atlantic Area is a major area for drug interdiction and alien migration interdiction operations.
Admiral Parker also serves concurrently as Commander Defense Forces East and provides mission support to
Department of Defense Combatant Commanders throughout his territory.
Prior to assuming command of the Atlantic Area, Admiral Parker served in U. S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida,
as Director of Security and Intelligence after serving as Assistant Commandant for Capabilities at USCG headquarters.
His earlier service includes over twelve years of sea duty, and Admiral Parker proudly wears the insignia of a designated
Cutterman of the Coast Guard.
Vice Admiral Parker is a 1979 graduate of the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, and holds a Master of Arts degree from the
U. S. Naval War College. He also is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Please see the event flyer enclosed and remember to please consider sponsoring one or more of our out-of-town guests. Your
contributions will be noted the evening of the event and as always, we appreciate your continued support. The event will take place
on Thursday – January 26th at the Wyndham Westshore Hotel (see flyer for details.)
******************************************
MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS NOMINATIONS!
The role of recognition and recognizing employees has been significantly
under-appreciated as an important driver of business success, profitability,
and performance in most organizations.
In keeping with the purpose of the Maritime Industry Night Celebration
and Awards Banquet, we are once again looking to give recognition to
people working in the maritime industry and seek your participation in
accomplishing this. Please take the time to nominate individuals that have
made a difference in or outside your company and submit the nomination
forms no later than 5:00pm – January 31, 2012.
Award recipients need not be members of the Propeller Club, but shall be employed in or have been employed in the
maritime industry and shall be recognized for length of service, meritorious service or other notable contribution to the
maritime industry. Awards are given in two categories, “Unsung Hero” & “Leadership”:
“Unsung Hero” award nominees should be someone who has toiled away for years in their jobs doing what may
appear to be laborious regular tasks, but without them your company or the maritime industry would not be the
success they are today. The ideal candidate will have worked for your company for many years and is not a
member of management, but rather a loyal, dependable and industrious employee.
“Leadership” award nominees need not be from management but should have some type of supervisory
authority. They will have done something to exemplify leadership among their peers. It could be safety-related,
or continuously exceeding production goals…you decide what you believe makes this person a standout leader.
The award forms are available on the Propeller Club website at www.propellerclubtampa.com or by contacting Nancy
Simms at 813-225-7227.
Each year we present a “video slideshow” with photos that we receive from you – our members. So, please send your
digital photographs (in jpg) to propellerclub@ij.net. Please send photos of your employees at work, volunteering for a
special “campaign”, company event – anything you feel is appropriate for this maritime awards banquet. Please send
them no later than February 8th. Thank you!
The event will take place in February and will be held at the TPepin Hospitality Center. More details on this
event will be out shortly, so stay tuned and PLEASE … get those nominations in. Our port is great due
mainly to the people who work here, so let’s show them exactly HOW proud we are of them and what they do!
Your effort is greatly appreciated!
Propeller Club New Members
Thomas Garrett
OSG Ship Management
Melissa Revels
Port Consolidated
Daniel Simmons
Port Consolidated
Tom Flynn
The Mosaic Company
Lindsay Conte
OSG Ship Management
Darryl Kehoe
Ring Power Corp
Beau Suthard
Coastal Planning (A Shaw
Group Co.)
Paul Pilgrim
Cliff Berry, Inc.
Robert Mecker
MEBA – District 1-PCD
Richard Sanchez
Hillsborough County
Sheriff’s Office
Richard Barnes
United Maritime Group
David Cawley
Crowley Petroleum
Services
Helgi Ruenne
Hydrex Underwater
Technology
Roger Blethen
United Ocean Services
Mat Bonar
United Ocean Services
Hamid Sahebkar
Stantec
Philip Erbland
S&ME, Inc.
Chris Floyd
Pathfinder Group
David Bovenzi
United Maritime Group
Kevin Houlton
CSX Railroad
David Marshall
HMT Tank Services
Daniel Grossman
Atwell, LLC
Andrew Spangler
Batson-Cook
Steve Toner
Coastal Strategies, Inc.
Michael Hadley
Sable One Investigations
Michael Stewart
Applied Industrial
Technologies
Josh LaTour
RSC Equipment Rental
Valerie DiGennaro
Wells Fargo Bank
Michael Ruff
Ceres Marine Terminal
Christopher Forestt
AARCO Environmental
Services
William Harris
Principal Financial
New Members
July thru December 2011
Important Information Regarding Membership Dues Renewal
Please note that you will now be receiving electronic email notices when it is time to renew your membership. The
website database system will automatically email a notice to you 30 days prior to the date your dues become payable.
You have three options: you can login to our website at www.propellerclubtampa.com Your username is the email
address that we have on file (use the “Forget your password? link if necessary). When you arrive at the “Your Profile”
page, click on the Renew Now>> link. Or, you may go on the website (you do not need to login with this process), click
on Resources and scroll down to Membership Application & Renewal – print and submit with your check payment. Or,
you may contact our Administrator Nancy Simms with any questions.
Farewell To Port Manatee Port Director- David McDonald
David McDonald is set to retire later this month. David began his long career as a dock worker in 1975 went on to
become executive director in 1992 and is now the second-longest-serving port director in the United States. During his
tenure, David was the lead negotiator bringing to the port and Florida, the Sunshine State’s largest natural gas
provider, Gulfstream Natural Gas. David has many accomplishments having served on or with the following:
American Association of Port Authorities, Florida Ports Council, Florida Ocean Alliance, and served a three-year term
serving former US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and subsequently Secretary Mary Peters on the Marine
Transportation System National Advisory Council. The Port of Tampa Propeller Club proudly recognizes Dave
McDonald for all of his accomplishments and we wish him great success in his future endeavors!
Congratulations and thank you for all you hard work!
PROPELLER CLUB CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 26, 2012
Salute to the U.S. Coast Guard
Wyndham Westshore Hotel (see flyer for details)
February, 2012
6th Annual Maritime Awards Celebration and Awards Banquet
TPepin Hospitality Center (details to follow)
March 20, 2012
*Steak and Corn
Davis Island Garden Club – (details to follow)
April 17, 2012
*Shrimperoo
Cruise Terminal 6 (details to follow)
May 15, 2012
National Maritime Day Ceremony & Dinner Cruise
Yacht StarShip
June 19, 2012
Leadership Night (a night to honor our Past Presidents, to install our
new board members and to welcome our new members)
Please note that we will now be publishing the newsletter on a quarterly basis.
Please look for our electronic announcements throughout the year.
Now you can view our monthly event photos by visiting www.propellerclubtampa.com – click on “Photos”!