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(Jacksonville, Fla.; June 11, 2002) – Cole Cosgrove, director of contract operations for Crowley’s Puerto Rico and Caribbean services, was awarded the 2001 Thomas Crowley Trophy, Crowley Maritime Corporation’s highest honor, at ceremonies held last week in Jacksonville. Cosgrove, who is based in Jacksonville and works for the corporation’s liner services segment, is the second trophy recipient this year.

Craig Tornga, general manager of oil industry services for Crowley in Alaska, received the first trophy presented in this year in late May. Tornga is a member of Crowley’s energy and marine services group.

Created more than a decade ago, the Thomas Crowley Trophy award honors employees with outstanding performance, whose dedication, leadership, initiative and productivity most clearly reflect those of the company’s founder. The trophy, a limited edition, bronze sculpture depicting young Thomas Crowley as he ferried goods to and from ships on San Francisco Bay in the early 1890s, is a tribute to the founder of the company as well as the winners of the award.

Tom Crowley Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation, presented the award at the ceremony, which was attended by about 100 Crowley employees. Included in the group were previous Thomas Crowley Trophy recipients; Rinus Schepen, vice president and general manager, Latin America Services, and Rudy Leming, vice president of operations, Puerto Rico/Caribbean services.

“Cole is driven and willing to work 12-hour days, seven days a week to achieve anything he sets out to accomplish,” Crowley said. “His leadership, dedication and perseverance have helped build and maintain an impressive record of service and schedule integrity for our Puerto Rico and Caribbean liner services vessels, as well as for the eight U.S. Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force vessels we manage. Cole helps set the standard for teamwork and commitment at Crowley and we are proud to work with him.”

Cosgrove is responsible for the marine operations of Crowley’s Puerto Rico and Caribbean services fleet, which includes 11 Invader class tugs and nine triple-deck barges in the Puerto Rico service; two container ships in the Virgin Islands/Eastern Caribbean service and one Ro/Ro ship in the Bahama’s service. Management of these vessels involves everything from operations, to vessel crewing and training, to identifying and implementing new technologies for improved overall performance.

In addition, Cosgrove took the initiative to pursue contracts with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) for the management of eight Ready Reserve Force (RRF) vessels, which the company was able to secure. RRF vessels support the rapid, massive deployment of military supplies in support of U.S. armed forces and humanitarian operations. MARAD, which owns the ships, contracts with Crowley to manage and maintain the vessels with U.S. seafarers.

Cosgrove continues to directly manage the MARAD contracts while retaining his other duties, and has built a strong cross-functional team of engineering and accounting professionals to service the contracts without having to make major additions to staff. He has also spearheaded development of quality, operations and safety manuals for the RRF vessels Crowley manages, and has overseen two, $18 million deck expansion projects for the RRF vessels Cape Wrath and Cape Washington.

At MARAD’s 25th anniversary of the Ready Reserve Force Celebration held earlier this year in Baltimore aboard the Cape Wrath, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta formally recognized Crowley and other strategic sealift partners in the RRF program for their support. Also during ceremonies, Cosgrove and his team accepted a certificate of recognition from MARAD on behalf of Crowley for outstanding work in the completion of the Cape Wrath‘s multi-million-dollar deck expansion project.

“Cole’s leadership was obvious as he joined the Cape Wrath in Baltimore to oversee final preparations for the 25th anniversary ceremony,” said John Douglass, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico and Caribbean services. “The team spirit between management and crew to put our best foot forward in this effort was exemplary. It is obvious under Cole’s leadership that Crowley is looked upon as a premier company to work with in the eyes of the MARAD vessel crews.”

During the Thomas Crowley Trophy Award ceremony in Jacksonville, Cosgrove said, “It is a distinct honor to be chosen for this award, and a tribute to the incredible effort put forth every day by my co-workers. Without this group of talented professionals, I would not have the honor of accepting this award today.”

Cosgrove joined Crowley in January of 1987 as a port captain in the ship operations group overseeing the South America vessels and crewmembers. Since that time, he has served the company in positions of increasing responsibility, including senior port captain and manager of chartering operations. In 1999, he transferred to the Puerto Rico and Caribbean group to assume the position of director of vessel operations.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and is a licensed Master, Unlimited Tonnage, any ocean.

Oakland-based Crowley Maritime Corp., founded in 1892, is primarily a family- and employee-owned company engaged in worldwide logistics, liner services, contract towing and transportation, energy support services, ship assist and escort services, vessel management and petroleum and chemical marine transport. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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