Maritime Labor Leader Simpkin Dies
Talmage (Tal) E. Simpkins, who devoted 50 years to American maritime labor and the seafaring community, died, March 11, at Fairfax (Va.) Hospital of injuries sustained in a traffic accident. He was 79 and lived in Haymarket, Va. At the time of his death, Simpkins was in his 18th year as President of United Seamen's Service, the agency that provides health, welfare and recreational services to American and international seafarers at eight overseas ports. He retired last year as Executive Vice President of the Labor Management Maritime Committee, Washington, DC. In April 1956, Tal Simpkins commenced his maritime career as Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Maritime Committee. In November 1959 he joined the Labor Management Maritime Committee (LMMC) as Research Consultant. In March 1960 he rejoined the AFL-CIO Maritime Committee. In June 1970 Mr. Simpkins was appointed Washington Representative for the National Maritime Union (NMU) of America, AFL-CIO, and continued until July of 1972 when he was appointed Co-Director of LMMC, later being named Executive Vice President of LMMC until his retirement. He was also elected Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Maritime Committee in 1970. A native of Goreville, Illinois, he attended school in Illinois and in 1945 enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After completing Basic Training at Paris Island, SC, Mr. Simpkins received a fleet appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1946, and was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps on November 26, 1947.He enrolled at the University of Maryland in 1948, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1952. Upon graduation he worked in advertising and insurance, until joining the AFL-CIO Maritime Committee in 1956 Tal Simpkins is survived by his wife, Heidi. Simpkins was predeceased in 1996 by his first wife, Irene Ann, whom he married in 1947. They had one son, Talmage E. Simpkins, Jr. (Buddy). Simpkins' son and his wife, Betty, who live in Atlanta, and four step-grandsons survive him. He also leaves a brother, William, and his wife, Janet, of La Habra, Ca. Other survivors include three stepdaughters, Angela Thomas, Michelle DiRienzo and Sheila Burchfield, all of Tampa, FL, and other extended family members. In 2002, Simpkins was awarded a special United Seamen's Service Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award (AOTOS) in recognition of his dedicated career benefiting American seafaring labor. In addition to his long commitment to USS, Simpkins served on the Military Sealift Command's (MSC) National Defense Executive Reserve Unit; was a member of the Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy; was appointed by President Reagan to serve on the National Advisory Council on Continuing Education; and was a member of the U.S. Delegation to the International Load Line Convention in 1966. Locally, he served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Prince George's County Parks and Recreation Foundation, the Prince George's County Hospital Board, the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, and was President of the Prince George's Country Club for seven years from 1975 through 1982. Simpkins had been a member of the Propeller Club of America Port of Washington, D. C., and of the National Defense Transportation Association, and a lifetime member of the Navy League of the United States.
Vehicle-Passenger Ferry For Turkey
Following the launch in December of Osman Gazi-1, the first of two Auto Express 88 fast car ferries for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, an Inaugural Voyage for Representatives of the Operating Cities of Turkey was held on March 12, 2007, to commemorate the completion of sea trials. Designated to operate on a 39 nm reciprocal service across the Marmara Sea between Yenikapi (Istanbul) and a new port development in Mudanya servicing the city of Bursa, Osman Gazi-1 is Equipment List Length, o.a. 87.9 m scheduled to enter service in April 2007, Length, w.l. 77.4 m the same month the second ferry will be Beam molded 24 m Hull depth, molded 8.3 m launched. Hull draft Draft (max): 3.6 m At sea trials the ferry exceeded the DWT 470 1,200 contract speed of 37.4 knots achieved at Passengers 30 operating deadweight, 90% MCR Crew accommodation Crew 16 (power) and with operational Ride Con- Vehicles225 or 126 lane meters with 158 cars 160,000 liters trol System, powered by its four MTU Fuel (maximum) Main engines4 x MTU 20V 8000 M71R; 7,200 20V8000 M71R engines installed at the kW @ 1,150 rpm 4 x Reintjes VLJ 6831 reduced maximum rating of 7,200kW @ Gearboxes Waterjets 4 x Lips LJ 120E 1,150rpm. Service Speed 37.4 knots, 90% MCR, operaDesigned to carry 225 cars, or 158 tional deadweight with RCS cars and 128 lane meters for trucks and Classification Germanischer Lloyd + 100 A5 HSC- Passenger B OC3 + MC Passenger B buses, the car deck features mezzanine levels across all lanes with the center mezzanine capable of being lifted for truck and bus access. With an open bow above the forward turning area the aft loading point features combined vehicle and passenger ramps for quick deployment and retrieval enabling fast port turnarounds. Two spacious upper seating levels with 360 degree panoramic window views have the capacity to carry 938 passengers on the lower level and 246 passengers above where also two additional VIP cabins provide lounge seating for 16 for a total of 1,200 passengers. All passengers on the lower level enjoy Beurteaux Tourist seating in a mixture of standard rows and table settings with two large kiosks providing catering forward and aft. Upper level passengers share a kiosk and are seated in the larger Beurteaux 300 Series Club seats featuring leather trim. Beurteaux VIP Ocean Lounges are provided for the VIP cabins. Passenger comfort at high speed is aided by Austal's fully active SeaState Ride Control System featuring forward T-foils and transom mounted interceptors providing dynamic pitch and roll stabilisation in higher sea states. Classification of the ferries is to Germanisher Lloyd +100 A5 HSC-Passenger B OC3 notation and the requirements of Turkish Flag.
18 · MarineNews · April, 2007
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