Teamwork and Solidarity at 81st Convention In the News: Maunalei ...

The Maritime Institute of TechnologyIn Memory of Captain Charles R. PillsburyJune 22, 2006, was a sad day for the U.S. Merchant Marine, the InternationalOrganization of Masters, Mates & Pilots and the Maritime Institute of Technology& Graduate Studies (MITAGS). Captain Charles “Chuck” Pillsbury, mariner,educator and maritime expert, crossed the bar to reach his final port of call.A native of Massachusetts, Chuck began his maritime career attendingthe Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He attained a certificate in marineengineering and immediately afterwards enrolled in the U.S. Merchant MarineAcademy at Kings Point. After graduating in June 1968, he began his career atsea as a third mate. It was a career that would span the next 26 years, interruptedonly by related assignments at MITAGS and as an expert maritime consultant.Chuck sailed on a variety of ships, attaining certification as master, oceansunlimited, in 1976. He also attained a first class pilot’s endorsement, unlimitedtonnage, for Southwest Alaska. He served as master on Sealand D9, D7 and C4 class vessels in the Atlantic, Pacificand Gulf of Alaska. He commanded USNS Capella in the Fast Sealift Squadron for Military Sealift Command.Following a short tour as an instructor at MITAGS, he returned to sea, where his final command was as master ofthe MV Sealand Tacoma. He was appointed executive director of MITAGS in March 1993.Besides sailing and teaching at MITAGS, Chuck earned a master of science degree in adult and continuingeducation, with honors, from Johns Hopkins University. During his initial tour at MITAGS in 1974, he served as aninstructor for various programs, including radar, license advancement, computers and meteorology. He was alsodepartment head of the Marine Cargo Operations Program. He was ultimately certified to teach virtually everycourse offered by MITAGS. He served as a consultant to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) andtestified about maritime issues before the U.S. Coast Guard and numerous other government bodies. During histenure as executive director, MITAGS became the first maritime trainingcenter in the United States to be certified by Det Norske Veritas for itsQuality Standards System. MITAGS was also second in the world to meetthe IMO requirements for the Standards of Training, Certification andWatchkeeping (STCW) Code.Chuck received numerous awards, including the prestigious U.S.Coast Guard Award for Meritorious Public Service in May 2000 andthe Outstanding Professional Achievement Award from the Board ofDirectors of the U.S. Merchant Marine Alumni Foundation in 2003.Chuck is survived by his daughter, Gwendolyn. He was laid to rest atNorth Beverly Cemetery in Beverly, Massachusetts.Chuck dedicated his life to MITAGS and to the maritime industry. Inmourning him, we recall a verse written long ago:“Here he lies where he longed to be;Home is the sailor, home from the sea,And the hunter home from the hill.”—“Requiem,”Robert Louis StevensonChuck Pillsbury and daughter Gwen.The Master, Mate & Pilot September – October 2006 - 37 -