Elizabeth Gajewski Receives Propeller Club Sponsorship

Elizabeth Gajewski, a senior at the University of North Florida (UNF), received the Propeller Club of Jacksonville Scholarship in Transportation and Logistics at the UNF Coggin College Scholarship Luncheon on March 29, 2019. This year's scholarship recipient has an inspiring story of perseverance.  Elizabeth Gajewski grew up in China, and when she was nine years old, after some unfortunate circumstances, went to live in an orphanage.  In May 2010, an American family traveled to China to adopt her and brought her to the United States.  She was 13 years old at the time.  Of the experience, she says:

"When I first came to the US, I had many extremely challenging obstacles to face. I still remember how hard it was learning to communicate in an unfamiliar language, in an entirely different culture and school; I will never forget about it. Sometimes I just felt hopeless, like I was never going to be able to speak and communicate with people fluently."

Although those challenges were difficult, Elizabeth always believed that with hard work and putting in the effort, she could overcome the struggles she faced.  Elizabeth says that receiving this scholarship helped validate that all of the hard work was worth it.Elizabeth will soon be graduating UNF with a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Transportation & Logistics.   As to why she decided to major in logistics, Elizabeth says:  "I have always been fascinated with how logistics works. As the heart of business, it is very interesting to see how commodities from China get shipped to Florida, and then distributed all over the states and how it keeps other business running."Looking to the future, Elizabeth says:

"When I look at all the opportunities that are ahead of me, I feel very blessed and can’t thank enough for all those who helped me, your financial support has allowed me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. It wouldn’t be possible without you. Your generosity is changing many lives and it has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me."

Featured image, Propeller Club of Jacksonville Board Member Linda Carrion and scholarship recipient Elizabeth Gajewski 

Offer your comments on harbor deepening

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District has released a draft of the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Study, and you're encouraged to comment on the report.The project is expected to increase the depth of the current federal channel from 40 feet to 47 feet from the mouth of the St. Johns River to just past the TraPac Container Terminal at JAXPORT's Dames Point facility.The deepening is essential to growing the economic impact of Jacksonville's port facilities, which help support more than 65,000 jobs throughout the region.

• Download the report from the U.S. Army Corps website.
• Learn more about harbor projects along the St. Johns River.
• Download a draft letter in Word that you can edit and submit to the Corps.
• View Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Study on US Army Corps of Engineers Project Page.

To submit your comments, send an email to Paul Stodola at Paul.E.Stodola@usace.army.mil or call (904) 232-3271. Comments must be submitted by July 31, 2013.Photo credit: JAXPORT

Capt. Mike Getchell named 2012 Robert J. “Bobby” Coppedge Maritime Person of the Year

In a ceremony held on June 20, 2013, Capt. Mike Getchell received the “2012 Robert J. “Bobby” Coppedge Maritime Person of the Year” award from the Propeller Club of the United States Port of Jacksonville. Capt. Getchell serves as the Chair of the Jacksonville Marine Transportation Exchange’s Harbor Safety Committee. In this role, he has made significant and long-lasting contributions to improve the maritime industry of Jacksonville.In 2012, Capt. Getchell secured a $2.8 million Port Security Grant for installation of a Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) in the port of Jacksonville. Working with the Bar Pilots and other key stakeholders, Capt. Getchell designed a system consisting of 23 sensors that will be strategically placed along the river to capture and disseminate real-time environmental observations, forecasts and other geospatial information. This system is a decision support tool that will improve the safety and efficiency of maritime commerce and coastal resource management. Installation of this system is critical in our port due to the navigational challenges at Mile Point and the number of ships whose arrival or departure times are restricted by the tide. In addition, sensors will be installed that will be capable of monitoring the amount of salt water upriver as our harbor is deepened.As the Harbor Safety Committee Chair, Capt. Getchell routinely coordinated and facilitated ad-hoc meetings of maritime stakeholders to address navigational challenges in the port. At the request of the U.S. Coast Guard, he conducted an informal risk assessment on a new wood pellet facility proposed in the West Channel. Bringing the owner of the facility together with key stakeholders including; tug operators, docking masters, and the Bar Pilots, Capt. Getchell identified navigational issues that would be created by the facility if built to initial design specifications and developed a thorough list of mitigation measures. His efforts will allow the facility’s engineering firm to incorporate the mitigating measures into their design. This effort will minimize the navigational impacts on vessels navigating further up the West Channel.Capt. Getchell is actively involved in several key committees with the goal of insuring the Jacksonville maritime community is represented. He attends every meeting of the Jacksonville Waterway’s Commission and was instrumental in the development and implementation of a Manatee Protection Program which has significantly reduced the number of animals injured or killed by large vessel strikes. Capt. Getchell is also the maritime representative on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Southeast Implementation Team. This is a team of marine biologists, government officials and other key stakeholders established to assist NOAA Fisheries in the implementation of the Recovery Plan for the North Atlantic Right Whale. In this capacity, Capt. Getchell is an advocate for the maritime community ensuring NOAA understands the economic impacts of the right whale speed rule and other measures proposed to assist in right whale recovery.Capt. Getchell is a true advocate for the maritime industry of Jacksonville ensuring our needs are heard and addressed. With his unmatched “Can Do, Get it Done Attitude” he has established strong relationships with local, state and federal governmental agencies and the maritime stakeholders. On numerous occasions Capt Getchell has brought these individuals together to advocate on the port’s behalf ensuring our voice is heard. His contributions and dedication have reflected most favorably on the professionalism of the entire maritime industry and have significantly raised the safety and value of our port.

Sign up for Family Night with the Jacksonville Suns on Aug. 2

Bring the whole family for a great baseball game when the Jacksonville Suns take on the Tennessee Smokies on Friday, Aug. 2!All the details are on our Family Night with the Jacksonville Suns event page.