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Posts Categorized: Safety

Saltchuk Fall Newsletter

November 1, 2024

 

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Fall | 2024 News & Events

Welcome to the Saltchuk family of companies e-newsletter, keeping you up to date on the significant events and achievements that have shaped our company in recent months.

 

Young Brothers invests over $45 million to enhance reliability of interisland shipping

On October 3, Young Brothers christened the Kalohi and Nāulu, two brand-new barges set to enter service in late December. These state-of-the-art vessels are part of a $49M investment to improve the efficiency and resilience of YB’s interisland shipping services. Kalohi will serve smaller ports like Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i, and Nāulu, YB’s largest barge yet, will boost cargo capacity across all islands.

Saltchuk welcomed OSG to the family

In late August, Saltchuk’s leadership team traveled to Tampa, FL to welcome Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) to our family of companies. The acquisition closed July 10, adding Energy Shipping to Saltchuk’s diversified portfolio, and OSG as a seventh stand-alone business unit.

OSG is a leading provider of energy transportation services with a fleet of 21 U.S. flagged company-owned and operated vessels.

Saltchuk Safety Awards honor innovation and commitment to our first core value

2024 Michael D. Garvey Award for Distinguished Service in Safety

Aldin Estencion, Hostler, Carlile Transportation

A daily stretching program started five years ago at Carlile has helped to nearly eliminate soft tissue injuries, but these programs don’t happen without consistent champions. “Aldin has been a model employee for safety and reliability,” his nominator says. “He continues to be a great asset to Carlile and all of the employees around him.”

2024 President’s Award for Safety Innovation

George Salazar, Senior Cargo Handling (and Hazmat) Specialist, Tropical Shipping

George’s proactive response to a near-miss situation, where cargo was improperly secured, led to a significant safety innovation at Tropical Shipping. His creation of a flatrack inspection depot and his dedication to training a new crew have greatly enhanced safety for all.

2024 Honorable Mentions:

  • Michael Correa, Mechanic Crew Chief, Aloha Tech Ops
  • Sal Griffith, Operations Manager, St. Thomas, Tropical Shipping
  • Tomas Merel, Electrician, TOTE Services
  • Drew Nanouk, Cargo Agent, Ryan Air
  • Hector Rodriguez, Operations Manager & Vessel Planner, Tropical Shipping
  • Ronald Rodriguez, Cargo Operations Manager, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico
  • Scott Jason, Manager, Marine Operations Vineyard Wind, Foss Offshore Wind
  • Blair Teddy, Port Captain, Pacific Northwest, Foss Maritime
  • Nathan White, Assistant Foreman, TOTE Services
  • Donell Wilson, 289 Mechanic, TOTE Maritime Alaska

Saltchuk photo contest winners capture “A day in the life”

Leadership Transitions

Saltchuk’s commitment to long-term sustainability includes thoughtful succession planning and leadership development initiatives. This year, Saltchuk companies celebrated several notable leadership transitions, a testament to its commitment to growing and developing its next generation of leaders.

  • Saltchuk Aviation President & CEO Betsy Seaton announced her retirement at the end of the year and promoted Saltchuk Aviation COO Mike Thompson to President & CEO.
  • Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) CEO Sam Norton announced that Tim DiPietropolo, Tropical Shipping Vice President of Operations and Marine, was to join OSG as President & Chief Operating Officer in September.
  • Tropical Shipping Jeff Fiser announced his retirement in July, promoting Tropical President Tim Martin to President & CEO.

Tropical celebrates 10 years with Saltchuk

Tropical Shipping celebrated 10 years as a member of the Saltchuk family of companies with an all-company lunch on September 6 at the Port of Palm Beach.

Saltchuk primary shareholder, Nicole Engle, and Chairman Mark Tabbutt expressed their gratitude to employees, celebrating the company’s growth and commitment.

“The common theme throughout Saltchuk, now more than 8,000 people, is that every day people get up, and they are serving others; we are a vital link to the quality of life from Guyana to Barbados, all the way out to Western Alaska to Point Hope,” said Mark, “It’s an awesome purpose we have as an organization… thank you for everything you do.”

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Saltchuk names Salazar, Estencion 2024 safety award honorees

August 20, 2024

Saltchuk is pleased to announce the honorees for the 2024 Saltchuk Safety Awards. Nominations received from across the Saltchuk family of companies highlighted incredible stories of safety mentorship, examples of going above and beyond, leading safety culture, and innovating to make operations safer for employees and the community.

 

The Michael D. Garvey Award for Distinguished Service in Safety is awarded to an individual who displays distinguished service at a Saltchuk company with regard to safety.

Aldin Estencion, 2024 Michael D. Garvey Award for Distinguished Service in Safety

Aldin Estencion, 2024 Michael D. Garvey Award for Distinguished Service in Safety

Carlile Hostler Aldin Estencion is the 2024 Michael D. Garvey Award for Distinguished Service in Safety. A daily stretching program started five years ago at Carlile has helped to nearly eliminate soft tissue injuries, but these programs don’t happen without consistent champions. Each morning, Al, a well-respected 18-year Carlile veteran, leads employees at Carlile Transportation in Tacoma, Washington in a series of exercises designed to keep everyone moving safely throughout the day. “Aldin has been a model employee for safety and reliability,” his nominator says. “He continues to be a great asset to Carlile and all of the employees around him.”

 

The President’s Award for Innovation in Safety is awarded to an individual responsible for an innovative idea that improves safety behaviors or activities at a Saltchuk company.

George Salazar, 2024 President’s Award for Innovation in Safety

George Salazar, 2024 President’s Award for Innovation in Safety

Tropical Shipping Senior Cargo Handling (and Hazmat) Specialist George Salazar is the 2024 President’s Award for Safety Innovation honoree. After witnessing a near-miss situation in which cargo wasn’t properly secured on a flatrack container, George took action. “Loading flatracks entails many risks — for the person loading, for the drivers and for everyone on the highway daily,” he said. To ensure safety for all parties, he used a 40-foot shipping container to create a flatrack inspection depot at the Miami warehouse. Inside, he stored tools — chains, cutters, straps, measuring poles and more — that he needed to ensure each flatrack load was secure and would pass inspection. George went beyond just creating the depot, he volunteered to work nights, training a new crew and ensuring processes and safety were consistent across the team.

2024 Honorable Mentions:

  • Michael Correa, Mechanic Crew Chief, Aloha Tech Ops
  • Sal Griffith, Operations Manager, St. Thomas, Tropical Shipping
  • Tomas Merel, Electrician, TOTE Services
  • Drew Nanouk, Cargo Agent, Ryan Air
  • Hector Rodriguez, Operations Manager & Vessel Planner, Tropical Shipping
  • Ronald Rodriguez, Cargo Operations Manager, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico
  • Scott Jason, Manager, Marine Operations, Vineyard Wind, Foss Offshore Wind
  • Blair Teddy, Port Captain, Pacific Northwest, Foss Maritime
  • Nathan White, Assistant Foreman, TOTE Services
  • Donell Wilson, 289 Mechanic, TOTE Maritime Alaska

Congratulations to Aldin and George and thank you to all the 2024 nominees for making Saltchuk companies safe workplaces. This fall, People of Saltchuk will feature the stand-out achievement of the 2024 honorees.

For information regarding Saltchuk’s safety awards program, contact Saltchuk Head of Safety Michiel Versteeg,  , or Communications Director, Emily Reiter, 

Carlile Steps Up For Safety at Annual Community Event

July 29, 2022

ANCHORAGE – Alaska has some of the most hazardous driving conditions in the country. In 2020, there were 53 fatal motor vehicle crashes and 64 deaths in the state, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Traffic fatalities at a national level reached a 16-year high in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is one of many reasons Carlile Transportation, an Alaska shipping company, is active in roadway safety and prevention education.

The company kept safety awareness moving at the annual Wheel-O-Rama fair on June 15. The event, hosted by Alaska Regional Hospital, raised awareness about trauma, safety, and injury prevention related to wheeled vehicles. Carlile was joined by several community partners, including police officers, firefighters, People Mover , and the American Red Cross.

Safety is at the core of our business operations. We appreciate the opportunity to spotlight safety practices in the communities that we serve,” said Jeremy Miller, who is Vice President of Operations at Carlile.

Carlile is Alaska’s leading trucking and logistics company, with terminals in Alaska, Tacoma, Houston, and Alberta. The company provides trucking, ocean, air, and rail solutions to connect shippers and supply chains to Alaska.

Carlile Truck Drivers Steer for the Win At Annual Competition

July 26, 2022

ANCHORAGE – Rogue moose, heavy snow, and summer traffic are just a few examples of the many challenges motorists face in the Last Frontier. It’s all in a day’s work for Alaska’s truckers, who are trained to navigate some of the most hazardous terrains in the country. On June 4, Carlile’s professional drivers put their skills and training to the test and won top spots at Alaska’s annual Truck Driving Championship.

Bill Krenz, a Carlile driver of 12 years, took first place in the tank truck division. Brad Hinkes, also with Carlile, an Alaska shipping company, for more than a decade, took first place in the four-axle tractor-semitrailer division and was the overall grand champion. The competition featured a total of nine vehicle categories ranging from step vans to five-axle big rigs. Competitors completed a multiple-choice test on trucking safety facts and were also judged by time and proximity to targets, often winning or losing by mere inches.

“The competition is a great opportunity to come together as a trucking community. Congratulations to all drivers who placed in the competition,” said grand champion Hinkes.

The annual truck driving championship is hosted by the Alaska Trucking Association, formed in 1958 to foster and promote the trucking industry in Alaska. The organization has hosted more than 20 truck-driving championships in Alaska.

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Think you have what it takes to be a Carlile truck driver? Learn more about careers in truck driving.

Carlile is Alaska’s leading trucking and logistics company, with terminals in Alaska, Tacoma, Houston, and Alberta. The company provides trucking, ocean, air, and rail solutions to connect shippers and supply chains to Alaska.

TOTE Maritime Alaska Receives Governor’s Safety Award of Excellence

May 24, 2022

ANCHORAGE– TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC, (“TOTE”) received the Governor’s Safety Award of Excellence last week during the Alaska Safety and Health Conference for outstanding achievement in safety, health, and environment for 2021.

Ad for TOTE featuring a vessel in the iceThe Governor’s Safety Award of Excellence is presented to organizations demonstrating distinction in the safety and health of their personnel, stewardship for the environment, and a demonstrated commitment to corporate citizenship. Awards are based on safety and environmental systems and performance metrics, reviewed from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety data.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Alaska Safety Advisory Council for our safety performance and our commitment to environmental stewardship, ethical business practices, and the communities we serve,” said TOTE Maritime Alaska President Alex Hofeling. “I’m incredibly proud of our Alaska team and congratulate all the organizations that were recognized this year.”

Since 2019, TOTE has strategically focused on programs to support a safe and healthy workplace. These include adding QR codes and signage for fast and efficient “near miss” reporting, new sanitization stations throughout their terminals, regularly scheduled zone audits and third-party inspections, as well as a robust “Speak Up/Take Action” program to promote a culture of transparency, trust, and compliance throughout the organization.

TOTE Maritime Alaska is committed to excellence in safety and service, maintaining internationally recognized certifications for Corporate Social Responsibility (MVO 8000), Occupational Health and Safety (ISO 45001), Quality Management (ISO 9001), and Environmental Management (ISO 1400).

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About TOTE Maritime Alaska

TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC belongs to the TOTE Group family of companies, a leading transportation and logistics company, overseeing some of the most trusted companies in the US. TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, LLC bring unmatched reliability and service to their respective markets. TOTE Services, LLC offers crewing and technical services to meet the needs of commercial, privately owned and U.S. Government vessels. TOTE Group is part of the Saltchuk family of companies. www.totemaritime.com

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