Cape Ray to be Honored at USS AOTOS Event

The MV Cape Ray, a Keystone-managed Ready Reserve Force containership that worked in the Mediterranean Sea for the U.S. Government neutralizing chemical material from Syria, will receive a special recognition on November 7 at the United Seamen's Service Admiral of the Ocean Sea (USS AOTOS) event.

Military and civilian specialists spent some 10 months completing the mission of neutralizing more than 600 tons or 80 percent of Syria's stockpile. The effluents were then dropped off at Finland and Germany for final disposal.

"The extraordinary work was fraught with danger and was carried on with 269 shipping containers holding everything these specialists needed for this extraordinary mission," said Roger Korner, USS Executive Director. "They deserve to be so honored."

In a short time, the Military, Seafarers, in concert with Keystone Shipping Co., were able to turn a land-based hydrolysis system into a field-deployable system that was transportable and could operate out of a remote location with the appropriate products and equipment for the neutralizing process. This process was compressed into the shipping containers. Nothing was dumped into the sea.

Captain Rick Jordan said the crew was now elated to be home but a little sad that this historic and heroic mission was over. Being honored by United Seamen's Service at the most prestigious award event in the US will recognize the significance of this assignment.

The AOTOS award recipients are Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF); Joseph J. Cox, President/CEO, Chamber of Shipping of America; and Frederick J. Harris, President of General Dynamics NASSCO, an American shipbuilder. The maritime industry's most prestigious awards will be presented at a gala industry dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on November 7, 2014. Recognition will also be given to American Seafarers for specific acts of bravery.