October 20, 2025

“Behind the Scenes” 2025 Annual Saltchuk Employee Photo Contest

By: People of Saltchuk
in News Post, People of Saltchuk

Our annual photo contest returned this year with the theme “Behind the Scenes”

Employees from across the Saltchuk family of companies submitted to this year’s photo contest, capturing the moments and people that make our day-to-day work special.

We’re thrilled to share the three winners whose photos truly stood out, along with several honorable mentions that deserve recognition for their creativity and perspective. From the candid to the curated compositions, these images give a unique glimpse behind the curtain into the daily life of our teams and the spirit that drives our success.

1st Place

“Our team is quite spread out, but we have a strong company culture and connection with each other, so photos help us see what’s happening with our coworkers across the state.”

– Stefanie Miller, Director of Marketing, Ryan Air, Noatak, Alaska

2nd Place

“The extreme environment and challenging conditions we manage to work safely in year after year make things a little more adventurous, and we can walk away with a lot of pride in what we accomplish as a team.”

– Thomas Showalter, Truck Driver, Carlile Transportation, North Slope, AK

3rd Place

“Seeing the company name on the container in such a beautiful scene made me feel proud to be part of a team, where the name ‘Tropical’ truly stands for something meaningful.” 

– Ramon Richards, Buyer, Tropical Shipping, Jacksonville, FL

Honorable Mentions

[Click to expand images below]

"I particularly like this photo because it shows our endless effort to keep the CITB float free from ice and snow to minimize trip, slip, and fall hazards. Something we all watch for. Safety is number one!” - Captain Trent Foldager, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge

Taken at the El Segundo Marine Terminal in Southern California by Captain Ryan San Jose, Foss Maritime

Three miles offshore sits the Steelhead Platform in upper Cook Inlet. Ryan was assisting the support vessel because “the ice was so thick that the supply boat needed an escort to and from the platform for normal operations.” - Captain Justin Ryan, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge

Taken on the ice roads in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska - Joseph Pazsint, Truck driver, Carlile Transportation

Taken on the docking barges in Honolulu by Charles Mckee, Chief engineer, Young Brothers 

Captured on the bridge-wing delivering supplies to the Northstar Island in the arctic: "I was inspired by the particularly calm seas and slightly menacing sky in the background, but mostly I’m in awe every day at how cool my job is, and I find the island fascinating, it’s almost gothic in a modern industrial way.” - Captain Blake Hales, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge

Taken departing from the Port of Anchorage by Jack Broughton, Fleet general, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge

Taken downtown Seattle, near the Saltchuk offices by Monica Evans, Receptionist, Saltchuk Corp Home

On Rebecca's 10-minute ferry ride commute to work in the morning, she takes this photo and recollects the “slice of fog dividing the picture, letting us see the tops of the buildings in the distance.”  - Rebecca Benson, Sr Financial Analyst, Saltchuk Aviation

Taken aboard the Northstar vessel by Miller Condrack, Third Mate, TOTE Services

Taken aboard the Pacific Tracker just off the Columbia Bar by Miller Condrack, Third Mate, TOTE Services

The aurora borealis on the way to Anchorage by Miller Condrack, Third Mate, TOTE Services

Shot by Chief Mate, Dan Warren, of Miller Condrack welding

"I was making my daily rounds when I spotted this moment—3rd Mate Condrack, new to welding, securing a safety locker to the deck. It felt worth capturing." - Captain Matthew Huyter, TOTE Services

Shot flying out of Dutch Harbor to Anchorage by Dana Berow, Director of FP&A, NorthStar Energy

"While flares are designed to be easy to use there are still mistakes that could be made in operation and we can avoid making these mistakes in an emergency by training and correction in non-emergency use.” - Suzanne Maroney, Able Seaman, Foss Maritime

Russell shared that he was inspired to capture this photo while ACMing (jump seating) for the first time, reflecting, “I always wondered what goes on in the cockpit!” - Russel Mitsuda, Cargo Operations Manager, Aloha Air Cargo

Taken at the Port of Palm Beach by Eric Perry, Director of Development & Support, Tropical Shipping

Taken on the helipad of the Sea-based X-band Radar by Jumar Rapuet, Bosun, TOTE Services

Taken by Siberia Murray, Pilot Car Driver, Carlile Transportation

Shot of Pharaoh Moxey in the engine room of the Tropic Carib, Tropical Shipping

Taken by Brandon Johnson, Miami Warehouse Director, Tropical Shipping

Rainbows Across Saltchuk

From ship decks and terminals to tarmacs and tugs, rainbows made their way into photos submitted across all our companies. Whether captured in passing or framed with intention, these images reflect the shared moments of beauty our teams notice, even in the middle of a busy day.

Taken by Lucas Wito, Pilot, Ryan Air

Taken by Sam Heard, Director of Operations, Tote Maritime Puerto Rico

Taken by Shannon Patt, Chief Mate, Foss Maritime

Taken by Akin Franciscone, Master, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge

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