The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2008 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards will be presented to James A. Capo, Chairman & CEO of US Maritime Alliance, Ltd., and Michael D. Garvey, a Founding Partner and Past Chairman of Saltchuk Resources, Inc. A Special AOTOS Award will be presented to General Norton A. Schwartz, Commander of the United States Transportation Command.

The maritime industry's most prestigious honors will be awarded at a gala industry dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City, on November 7, 2008. John Bowers, Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee and President Emeritus of the International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO, made the announcement on Maritime Day, May 22, 2008.

"We have an impressive group of honorees this year," said Mr. Bowers. "Jim Capo has been a friend and colleague across the negotiating table for many years and his leadership skills command respect by all who know him."

Mr. Bowers continued: "As one of the founders of Saltchuk, Mr. Garvey has helped to build one of America's leading maritime shipping organizations, including Totem Ocean Trailer Express and Sea Star Line, that continues to employ many US seafarers. General Schwartz has led USTRANSCOM through a difficult time with amazing operational results and he deserves a very special recognition."

Mr. Bowers added: "Our recipients have been selected by more than 150 international transportation industry and government leaders who understand the challenges and issues that confront United States shipping and the American seafarer and who recognize the honorees leadership in this area."

All proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad for the US merchant marine and those of other free world countries. The recipients will share the evening with a group of American seafarers who will be honored for specific acts of bravery at sea.

Since the formation of the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) in 1996, Mr. Capo has served as a lead negotiator on behalf of management interests during coast-wide Master Contract negotiations with US maritime labor unions and as chief negotiator of the current 6-year Master Contract. Prior to his role as Chairman/CEO, Mr. Capo served as President.

As a formal alliance of carriers, stevedores and port associations in the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions, USMX's mission is to preserve and protect the interests of the management groups in labor relations issues concerning containerization and automation in the longshore and related maritime fields. Mr. Capo has led this mission in a determined yet balanced manner that has earned him respect from the entire industry.

Since founding Saltchuk in 1982, Mr. Garvey has helped grow the organization's family of businesses to over 20 independent operating companies. These include Sea Star Line, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, American Shipping Group, Interocean American Shipping, Foss Maritime Company and American Cargo Transport. Through his leadership, Mr. Garvey has helped to foster the Saltchuk mission to create a work environment where people would want their families to work.

In addition to being a founding partner and chairman of Saltchuk, Mr. Garvey is a founding partner of Garvey, Schubert & Barer, a multi-service law firm with offices in Seattle, Washington, DC, Portland, Oregon and New York. He has served on numerous boards, including Ste. Michelle Vintners, K-2 Ski Company, the Commerce Bank of Washington and the UK P&I Club. In addition, his public service includes the Foundation Board of the University of Washington, Zion Preparatory Academy Foundation and PeaceHealth. Mr. Garvey holds degrees in mathematics and law from the University of Washington.

As Commander of USTRANSCOM, General Schwartz oversees the single management organization for global air, land and sea transportation for the entire US Department of Defense. He leads an organization with $10 billion in annual revenue, 100+ ships, several hundred aircraft, ocean terminal operators, and man