Foss Maritime Tugs Escorts USNS Mercy

By Karen Robes Meeks

Foss Maritime’s tugboats Alta June, Bo Brusco, and Arthur Foss as well Foss company AMNAV’s Patricia Ann, met and guided the USNS Mercy into Berth 93 at the Port of Los Angeles.

“Foss is proud and honored to assist this important vessel into port,” said Paul Hendriks, general manager of the Foss Southern California Office. “Leading the way were Captains John Strunk, Ryan San Jose, Stan Sato and Drew Kerlee (AMNAV), who have a combined 85 years of experience providing safe operations in the harbor.”

The 1,000-bed USNS Mercy arrived Friday morning to take on non COVID-19 patients and relieve hospitals dealing with the fast-spreading coronavirus.

“While we are happy to see the USNS Mercy docked at the port ready to serve, we hope her stay is a short one, which would indicate that the medical crisis is subsiding and the shoreside medical community can care for those impacted by the COVID-19 virus” said Hendriks. “The medical assistance the USNS Mercy has provided to impoverished communities around the world for the past 45 years has been nothing but life changing for the tens of thousands of patients they’ve treated. She is truly a beacon of hope.”

By Sarah Spangler