The fact that Bouchard gave over $1,700,000 to a political campaign in 2016 may explain why neither the government or the new media are holding Bouchard accountable. That fact plus his money backers pull more weight than working folks caught in the middle. We all know that. But make enough noise or find one congressman with courage to speak out [good luck with that] and you might get some relief. If your congressman doesn’t do anything don’t vote for them again. It’s about all you can do unless you have millions of dollars to influence the way government works for or against you.
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My experience from dealing with a COTP is that in some cases their perception of how things actually work on the merchant side is not correct. Perhaps they base things on their experience on military ships.
My other observation is that it can be very difficult to persuade the COTP that their views are in error.
My thinking here is if even a low level Senator’s aid call and asks for an explanation it might burst the bubble to some extent and cause them to expand their thinking a little bit.
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Although I have been retired from the USN for quite some time, I can say that when a Congressional Inquiry is received by a command (ship, shore station, air squadron, etc), it instantly becomes the number one priority for investigation and response. The receiving command is responsible for the response, not the chain of command.
A Congressional Inquiry arriving at the COTP for New York, or being sent to the CG District level, or to the Commandant would, IMHO, result in some very fast and deep review of what was being done. Even more so if the CI alluded to “unusual USCG support of BTC” in recent years.
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That would be nice. Especially with pay. Good Riddance
I dunno about that. See the El Faro incident for reference. Some lower level USCG hands may have been slapped but no owner or executive was punished. See Totes political contributions for a possible explanation. Banana republic foolishness. The best Bouchard’s employees can hope for is they get off and paid.
Sure, after the fact the bureaucrats are going to do everything they can to cover their tracks. Can’t change the past.
That’s not the situation here. Look at the El Yunque. The power of Tote cash didn’t stop the CG in Seattle from finding the ship unseaworthy. Presumably the CG considered how it would look to the public if the sister ship got in trouble. Very few people in the general public ever knew or cared if Tote executives got punished or not.
It used to be that Dann Towing would be your last tugboat job. Well I guess Dann moved up a slot
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I’m going to assume these crews are getting low on stores. Are they surviving on freezer burnt pork chops and canned goods at this point? Does bouchard’s tugs have r/o systems, or is no one showering and they are flushing their toilets with 5 gal buckets?
What will the uscg’s stance be once the subjects of hygiene/provisions come up?
How long was that transatlantic ship crew stranded and left hanging in LB a few years ago?
This is sounding way worse than that…will Bouchard rebound from this ever?
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That’s what I was wondering. Every tug and barge I ever worked on we took water and grubbed up every week / chancewe got…and got fuel. How is the equipment running when ever BTC unit you see looks super light on fuel? As far as grub goes…we all know out here that sometimes our meal is the best part of our day. I’m picturing guys on those units counting slices of white bread…as far as fuel goes, generators are just begging to get vapor locked and air bound at this point I’m sure? Or maybe I’m just crazy?
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Father Sinclair Oubre with the Port Arthur International Seafarers Center says crew members contacted him last week, desperate for help. He called the International Transport Workers Federation, an international body of seafarer and transportation unions that have port inspectors throughout the world, for assistance.
Until the company comes up with a solution, father Oubre believes the crew is safe. He’s been speaking with them on the phone, and intends to go out there Monday with some fresh produce if things aren’t resolved by then.
From here:
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Three questions:
- Are any US Maritime Unions member of ITF?
- Since USA is not a signatory to ITF’s MLC 2006, can ITF do anything here?
- Are any of the Bouchard crews/boats unionized?
Yes sir, I’ll follow his lead and sharing any information I find with him, and he shared what he learns as well.
I’ve reached out to a couple people in Congress not heard anything yet…though I’m sure they where off today.
Years ago the northern fleet I believe was/is… not clear on the current situation on that
Are there guys stranded in NY Harbor? Or are all the vessels here in NY tied up at lay berths? The only press I’ve seen relates to Beaumont.
On the Miss River, Bouchard Girls/B295 was put into layberth in Violet over the weekend while Donna Bouchard/B272 sits at 9 mile anchorage, where she has been since December.
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Just saw this:
Bailey et al v. Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. et al, February 11, 2020. 1:20-CV-01207,
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One can only imagine how many of these are sitting on the desk from vendors, shipyards, tug fees, dockage,etc,etc.
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Sure, but if they refuse services how many can the Coast Guard threaten with loss of livelihood like they have with working mariners?
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Another big ball of fur in this mess.
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I’m serious about filing a writ of habeas corpus against the USCG to compel release of the crews. If the USCG dared to oppose the writ in court, let them try to explain that to Congressmen, the press, and the public, especially at budget appropriations time.
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