First Assistant Engineer Caleb Navin receives a Mariners’ Plaque on behalf of the USNS Button from former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao at the AOTOS Awards on October 25.
The American Maritime Officers members working aboard the USNS SGT. William R. Button, along with three AMO industry partners were among the honorees celebrated during the 2024 Admiral of the Ocean Sea ceremony in New York on October 25.
The AMO-led crew on the USNS Button was awarded a prestigious Mariners’ Plaque for their heroic efforts containing a fire on the vessel that had the potential to be catastrophic but was extinguished with no injuries to the crew.
Also, honored at the event held by the United Seaman’s Service were Tim Nolan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the TOTE Group, Augustin “Augie” Tellez, Executive Vice President of the Seafarers International Union (SIU) and Daniel J. Thorogood, Chief Executive Officer of Fairwater. Tote and Fairwater are AMO-contracted companies.
On March 28, during a successful high-speed test run of the USNS Button in Mobile, Alabama, AMO members First Assistant Engineer Caleb Navin and Third A.E. Matthew Kulka observed some loose and poorly fastened fuel lines that they promptly secured. The USNS Button, one of Military Sealift Command’s six Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) ships and manned in all licensed positions by AMO, had just completed a shipyard period. Shortly thereafter, Chief Engineer Spencer Burns signaled the Third Mate on the bridge to stop the engines. Burns then transferred control from the bridge to the EOS after Navin and Kulka reported seeing a low-pressure fuel leak after a thorough inspection.
The fuel ignited about 30 seconds later.
Burns, Navin, Kulka and additional First A.E. Timothy Daugherty immediately attempted to control the fire utilizing portable CO2 and dry chemical fire extinguishers but their efforts a were defeated as the fire grew in size and intensity. When the flames reached the ceiling, causing materials there to collapse and smoke filled the area, the group decided to deploy the ship’s installed CO2 system and evacuated the space.
After everyone was evacuated from below decks and a head count was conducted, the crew sealed the hatches and deployed the CO2 system. It required half of the ship’s 5,000 gallon system to control the blaze. Because of the quick actions and thinking of the crew, the flames were extinguished in 15 minutes.
On Friday, Navin accepted the award on behalf of the crew from former United States Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.
“The performance and professionalism of the engineers and crew who fought this fire exemplify the highest standards of the civilian mariners who sail for the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command,” the award commendation read.
The 2024 AOTOS Award recipients included Daniel Thorogood, Augie Tellez and Tim Nolan.
AMO member Caleb Navin is congratulated at the AOTOS Awards dinner by AMO National President Willie Barrere.