(FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.) — Paul Doell, national president of the American Maritime Officers (AMO), has been selected as the recipient of Seafarers’ House International Golden Compass Award for 2019.
The award is given each year to those who have achieved distinction in the maritime world, those whose vocation or avocation has been the sea, or those who have ministered to or otherwise assisted seafarers.
Doell, who heads the nation’s largest union of licensed seagoing professionals, has served the organization for 47 years. AMO is affiliated with the Seafarers’ International Union of North America.
Prior to taking the helm at AMO, he served for nearly nine years in Washington, D.C., as its legislative director, where he worked with key figures in both political parties to promote the privately owned and operated U.S.-flag merchant fleet to sustain jobs for civilian American merchant mariners in domestic and international trades. He was elected president in 2014 and re-elected to a second term in December 2018.
“Paul has made a lifelong commitment to maritime labor and has been a long-time supporter of Seafarers’ House,” said Lesley Warrick, executive director of the Port Everglades-based nonprofit organization. “His dedication to mariners transcends AMO and is seen in the support he has provided to Seafarers’ House over the years.”
AMO became Seafarers’ House first philanthropic partner and has continued to support the organization for the past two years. The partnership program was established to give donors an opportunity to support Seafarers’ House mission in a way that not only has a more significant impact, but also best fits their own philanthropic giving goals.
“Seafarers’ House provides our maritime community with critical services year-round. Many people don’t know how important mariners are to our global economy or about the hard work they do and the many days they spend away from their homes,” said Doell. “Seafarers’ House serves as a home away from home for these dedicated men and women, and I am proud to be honored by such a wonderful organization.”
Doell came to his love of the maritime community through his father Ray Doell, who was a founding member of the Brotherhood of Marine Engineers, the union that evolved into AMO.
In 2018, he received AMO’s United Seamen’s Service (USS) Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award, its most prestigious award. He also is the recipient of the 2016 Paul Hall Award of Merit from the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Departments Maritime Port Council of Greater New York/New Jersey and Vicinity. That same year, he was presented with the Outstanding Friend of Seafarers Award by Seafarers International House in New York City.
Past Golden Compass Award recipients include Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International; Jan Swartz, group president of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia; artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur Guy Harvey; Resolve Marine Group President and CEO Joseph Farrell; international seafaring hero Capt. Richard Phillips; Roberto Giorgi, V.Ships; Dan Sten Olsson, Stena Sphere; Adam Goldstein, Royal Caribbean International; Stein Kruse, Holland America Line; Capt. Nicola Arena, MSC Cruises; and Thomas B. Crowley Jr., Crowley Maritime Corp.
This year’s annual Golden Compass Gala is being held May 18 at the Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina in Fort Lauderdale. It will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, to be followed by a dinner, award presentation and entertainment.
For additional information about the gala, tickets, sponsorships and underwriting options, email events@seafarershouse.org or call (954) 734-1580.
About Seafarers' House
Seafarers' House at Port Everglades is an award-winning nonprofit organization supported by the faith-based community as well as by labor, business and civic leaders with a mission "to offer refuge, resources, renewal and respect to the maritime community through multi-faith service." Open throughout the year, Seafarers' House is a safe, friendly place where mariners can connect with their families, relax, or get emergency assistance if needed. With the help of its supporters and volunteers, Seafarers' House offers many services including free transportation, Internet access, counseling services, and liaison with authorities as well as recreational facilities. Seafarers' House was honored as the 2015 Seafarer Advocate of the Year by Lloyd’s List North America and received the 2014 Salute to Business award from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, Seafarers’ House was honored with the Seafarers' Center of the Year award from the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare – the first American agency to receive this international honor. Seafarers' House annually hosts more than 150,000 visits by cruise and cargo ship crewmembers. For additional information, visit www.seafarershouse.org.