Above the East River in New York City with a backdrop of spectacular bolts of lightning and heavy rainstorms, an audience of 240 persons in the United Nations Delegates' Dining Room watched the Year 2000 honorees inducted into the Seventh Annual International Maritime Hall of Fame on the evening of May 10.

The Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey is the sponsor of the International Maritime Hall of Fame. Funds raised for that evening continue the educational events and publications to support the Maritime Association's mission -- to promote the maritime industry.

Private guided tours of the United Nations preceded the reception and dinner. Nick Cretan, Executive Director, Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey, welcomed the audience, and the Rev. Jean Smith, offered the invocation

Ole Skaarup, Chairman of the Skaarup Group, was exceptionally humorous in his role as Emcee for the evening. The induction of the five honorees brought praises and roasts from the presenters. The inductees and their presenters are listed below.

John Bowers
President, International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO
Presenter: Carmine F. Ragucci
President, CEO, Howland Hook Container Terminal, Inc.

Dr. Charles R. Cushing
President,C.R. Cushing & Co., Inc.
Presenter: James T. Shirley, Jr.,
Partner, Haight Gardner Holland & Knight

Christos N. Kritikos
President, Ceres Terminals Inc.
Presenter: Tetsufumi Otsuki
President, NYK Line (NA)

George H. Hearn
Former Executive Vice President
Waterman Steamship Corporation
Presenter: Guy E.C. Maitland Executive
Vice President, International Registries, Inc.

David A. Howard
Founder, American Shipper
Presenter: R.K. Johns
Chairman, R.K. Johns & Associates, Inc.

Pianist: Rolf Barnes
Photographer: Frank Duffy Event
Producer: Motivators-JK Rovins LLC