AUTUMN 1961

Stories contained herein were published by and for Mooremack Employees Ashore and Afloat.

(Courtesy of John-Paul DeRosa)

Captain Barrett Wins Award

Captain Edward G. Barrett, Marine Superintendent, brought fresh honors to himself and to Mooremack through his award-winning paper on shipboard safety, delivered at the Greater New York Safety Council's spring convention in New York.

Capt. Barrett outlined the history of Mooremack's Safety Program, now under his supervision, with each Port Captain responsible for promoting the effort on the ships in his care; then he pointed out that, despite highest building and operating standards, the American maritime industry faces an ever-rising accident and illness rate, aggravated by cases of feigned illness and fraudulent claims.

Capt. Barrett then presented timely problems and their solutions, in three categories:  older cargo vessels, the new 1624s, and the passenger liners.  Points relating to older vessels included use of Douglas fir hatch boards to lessen accidents due to defects more prevalent in lighter wood; supply of cameras to Masters for photographing casualty and injury cases; caution in loading tobacco too soon after its fumigation with hydrocyanic gas; precautionary yellow painting of hazardous areas; use of safety goggles when desirable; precautions in handling injurious items such as cashew nut shell oil.  Problems incident to the cold weather and icing hazards of our Baltic service were treated.

On the newer cargo ships, the special problems and their solutions concerned handling of nylon mooring lines and safeguards against friction, stretch and parting; and the hydraulic gear.  Speaking of the passenger ships, Capt. Barrett told how it was necessary to reshape the swimming pool to eliminate surging of the pool water.  He described the strict pre-sailing fire and boat drills; care of the 150-passenger lifeboats; devising of a plexiglass shield to protect the bow lookout.  Other subjects covered were the electric topping lift winches; the "Siporter" gear; hydraulic capstans; and the stabilizing fins.

Capt. Barrett's paper was concise, clear, filled with helpful information.  It is gratifying to all of us that the judges have deemed it worthy of award.

Argentina to Rescue

Commo. Thomas Simmons, master of the Argentina, radioed New York Aug. 18, his ship had taken "injured seaman Arild Rognstad off Norwegian tanker Rygja with severe burns caused by burst steam pipe in the engine room.  Transfer without mishap.  Wind force 5, sea rough, time 1:00 P.M."

The Argentina had sailed from New York Aug. 11^th and Barbados Aug. 15^th and met the tanker at a point 120 miles northwest of Fortaleza, Brasil.  The Argentina has a fully equipped hospital staffed with two nurses.  Dr. Andrew P. Ferry of Hawthorne, N.Y. is in charge.