The International Ship Masters’ Association 126th annual convention was held at Chicago, February 4-8. In addition to business meetings, attendees heard speakers from industry and government organizations, including James H. I. Weakley, President of Lake Carriers’ Association, and Captain Amy B. Cocanour, Commanding Officer, US Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan. Other topics included maritime intelligence, virtual aids to navigation, the Great Lakes Conference of Governors and Premiers, updated products from the National Weather Service, economic trends, nautical history, the 2016 arrival of Tall Ships, and the upcoming America’s Cup races.
Elected as Grand President for the ensuing year was Capt. Robert Lund, master of the Chicago Fire Department boat, Engine 2, Christopher Wheatley, and captain of Calumet River Fleeting tugs. Also elected were First Vice President Capt. Lee Barnhill, Second Vice President Capt. Harold Dusseau and Secretary-Treasurer Capt. Albert Tielke.
The International Ship Masters’ Association offers annual scholarships to persons preparing for careers as officers aboard U.S. and Canadian vessels. This year’s awards were presented to Zachary Peters, a Navigation cadet enrolled at Great Lakes International Marine Training and Research Centre at Georgian College, Owen Sound, Ontario; Mark Andrasek, an Engineering cadet enrolled at Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Traverse City, Michigan; and Andrew Deegan, a currently-employed U.S. mariner who is working toward completing his engineering license.
Several Grand President’s Awards for rescues on the Great Lakes during 2015 were presented by outgoing Grand President Capt. Joseph Walters. Receiving awards were Capt. Dino Dini, MV Algoway, for rescue of four persons in Lake Erie off Lorain, Ohio; Capt. Robert Schallip, MV Hiawatha, and Capt. Clayton Hill, MV Nokomis, for rescue of two kayakers in the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie, Capt. Raymond Sheldon, MV Joseph L. Block, for rescue of a boater in Lake Michigan off Port Washington, Wisc.; and Capt. Kenneth Rowe, MV Michipicoten, for coming to the assistance of two sailboaters in Lake Huron off Alpena, Mich..
International Ship Masters’ Association currently consists of 16 lodges in US and Canadian ports around the Great Lakes, with members including both mariners and shore personnel involved in the maritime industry. The Association dates to 1886, in Buffalo, N.Y., where it began as a benevolent fraternal organization to assist widowed spouses and families of Great Lakes vessel captains.
