The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.
Tampa Bay Chapter
Chapter Meets 2nd Tuesday Each Month October through June
Place: Columbia Restaurant Time: 1130
Next Meeting: 9 April
Time: 1130
Speaker: TBD
Place: Columbia Restaurant, 7th Ave & 22nd Street
Meetings are held monthly (except July, August & September)
Chapter Mailing Address: 50 Baywood Ct. , Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
TBD
Captain Manuel H. (Manny) Arosemena (1958-2023)
The Tampa Bay Chapter was saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of it Secretary/Treasurer Captain Manny Arosemema. He passed at his home in Palm Harbor, Florida, on January 25, 2023, at age 64.
A 1981 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Captain Arosemena sailed on tankers, general cargo ships, container ships and sulphur tankers. He raised his license to Unlimited Master and sailed as Master with Waterman Steamship Company. His last command was M/V Maersk California which was operated by Waterman Steamship Company.
In 2010, Captain Arosemena retired from the sea and became active in the CAMM’s Tampa Bay Chapter. He served as the Secretary/ Treasurer of the Tampa Bay Chapter. In 2019 he became the Event Vice-President for CAMM and led the planning for their annual meetings.
At the time of his death Captain Arosemena was raising his two grandchildren and was active in his grandson’s Little League as well as school activities for both grandchildren. He was a good friend to those who knew him and will be missed by his family, friends and shipmates. His passing has left a significant void in the Maritime industry.
About the CAMM Tampa Chapter
The Tampa Bay Chapter serves the Tampa Bay and Central Florida areas. We are a fraternal and benevolent society,
contributing to the best interests and well being of its members both professionally and socially. The Tampa Bay Chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary as CAMM Charter on November 14th, 2014.
We are intend to stay committed to CAMM's Mission Statement in the years to come.
Our mission is to recognize, foster and otherwise assist all wise and provident measures dedicated to the furtherance
of the Maritime industry of the United States of America; to assist in the enhancement of the stature of
the American Master Mariner; and to promote accomplishment of those purposes set forth in the Declaration of Policy in the constitution of the national Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.
The Tampa Bay Chapter received its charter into CAMM on November 14, 1989, and currently boasts 43 members.
Meetings
Chapter meetings are held at the historic Columbia Restaurant in Tampa’s Ybor City district on the second Tuesday of each month. There will be no meetings during the summer break in July, August and September.
We line up interesting guest speakers two or three times a year. The December meeting is a social meeting including members’ wives, girl friends and guests. We plan on at least one other social (non-business) event during the year in order to promote more interest among our members.
The Columbia is located on the corner of 7th Ave. and 22nd Street. We begin gathering in the bar at 11:30 and sit down to lunch at 12 noon. Lunch is $20.00. Please have exact change or use a check made out to CAMM Tampa Bay. Contact any of the chapter officers if you need further information.
Become a Tampa Bay Chapter Member
Any member of the National CAMM in good standing, residing, working, or otherwise situated within the Tampa Bay/Central Florida area are eligible to join the Tampa Bay Chapter of CAMM. Members of the national Council not residing or working in the area described and not affiliated with another established chapter of the CAMM may be a member of and associate with the Tampa Bay/Central Florida Chapter. We offer 4 classes of membership, with same requirements as the national CAMM: Regular, Special, Associate, and Honorary membership.
We also offer a “Companion” membership class for members who are not members of National CAMM. Companion members shall have all the rights and privileges of active membership, with the exception of voting and holding elective office.
Tampa Bay Chapter Officers
President - Captain Michael L. Michelson
Contact information
captmichelson@mastermariner.org
813-907-1337
Captain Michelson spent thirty-five years at sea with positions ranging from Able Bodied Seaman to Master. He obtained his Master’s License in 1979. From 1969 to 1979 he served on assorted cargo vessels and special mission vessels with MSC from AB to Chief Mate. During his time at sea he participated in underway replenishment, astern refueling, helicopter operations, all aspects of cargo stowage and handling, lightering, buoy tending, and underwater operations.
Captain Michelson was employed by Maersk Line Limited from 1984 until retirement from AMO on 21 August 2003. He was Master on one of two flagships which was forward deployed at Diego Garcia, Arabian Gulf, and Africa. He participated in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Restore Hope, and numerous other operations in those theaters.
He helped formulate and employ shipboard security and bomb threat plans, conducted anti-terrorist training with U.S. Marines, Royal Marines, and Gurkha security personnel. Captain Michelson conducted numerous cargo operations including, RO-RO, container, break bulk, and cargo oil transfer during military operations. His commercial experience includes tankers, bulkers, freight, and research vessels. Since retirement he has worked part time conducting ISM audits/security, vetting inspections and teaching at a local maritime training center.
Captain Michelson was on active duty in the US Navy 1966-1968. In addition to CAMM he is a member of the Nautical Institute, the Marine Society of the Port of New York, and the Boston Marine Society.
Awards: National Defense Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with Bronze Star, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation
Vice-President Captain Robert Holden
Born 11/13/36 in Fall River, Ma., Captain Holden graduated from USMMA in 1959. He served on active duty as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1960 and retired from Navy Reserve as a Commander. He sailed with Isbrantsen Lines as Third Mate through Chief Mate (1960-1968) and obtained original Master's License in Feb. 1967.
Before becoming a Panama Canal Pilot in 1969, Captain Holden worked for the U.S. Maritime Administration as a Ship Operations Assistant and Surveyor. He continued as a Panama Cannel Pilot until 1978 when he became Master for El Paso Marine, sailing on their 125,000 LNG (m3) ship's from 1978-1981.
Captain Holden returned to the Panama Canal in 1982 after having been the Mooring Master of VLCC's for Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) .He retired as a Panama Canal Pilot in 2003. After his retirement, Captain Holden served on Congressman Michael Bilirakas’ (FL) Academy Screening Committee for U.S. Naval Academy and U. S. Merchant Marine Academy.
During his time as Panama Canal Pilot (1969-1978 and 1982-2003) he was given many special assignments including assignments as slide pilot during the 1988 landslide in Gaillard cut. Captain Holden was one of three senior pilots assigned to assist the scientists of "Waterway Simulation Technology, Inc." in studying the effects of ship sinkage and squat in Gaillard Cut. He served as Assistant Port Captain for the ports of Christobal and Balboa in addition to spending time as Deputy Canal Operations Officer.
In the late 1990’s Captain Holden was feature in the media’s coverage of the turnover of the Canal to Panama. He did a telephone interview for NPR’s show All Things Considered and appeared in articles of the Sunday edition' s of the Houston Chronicle, St. Petersburg Times, and other papers along with a feature in People Magazine.
Sea-Going Vice President - Captain Scott Moser
Captain Moser is currently sail with Sealift Inc. aboard the MV TSGT John A. Chapman. He has been aboard the Chapman for five years and sailed with Sealift for 15 years. Captain Moser lives in Lutz, FL with his wife Janet and their two children, Summer and Morgan.
Born 1963 in Hood River, OR
Attended both Texas Maritime and California Maritime. Graduated in 1987.
Spent five years working coastwise Japan on a MSC charted tanker.
Four years carrying AID cargo to East and West Africa. (On a real live stick ship).
Currently chartered to MSC carrying Air Force prepositioned cargo.
Secretary/Treasurer - Captain Manny Arosemena
Captain Arosemena passed away unexpectedly on January 25, 2023
Captain Arosemena had served as the Secretary Treasure for the Tampa Bay Chapter.
He was the Events Vice-President at the National level for CAMM.