Crowley presents USMMA Midshipman Kristen A. Hetsko with Maritime Security Enhancement Award

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.; July 21, 2009) United States Merchant Marine Academy Midshipman Kristen A. Hetsko was recently presented the Crowley Maritime Security Enhancement Award.

Ed Alford, Crowley's security director, presented the award to Hetsko during the USMMA's awards convocation for the Class of 2009. The Crowley award is given to the student who has demonstrated an exceptional interest in a career in port, maritime or transportation security.

A native of Killingworth, Conn., Hetsko majored in logistics and intermodal transportation and graduated cum laude from the USMMA and served as platoon commander in the academy's midshipmen regiment. She was also a member of the academy's varsity women's basketball team, where she placed second overall in all-time points scored; first in three pointers made; and first in three pointer field goal percentage. She was the 2009 winner of the Julie A. Berke Award presented to the most outstanding senior female athlete at the Academy.

What a terrific and deserving recipient of this year's Crowley Maritime Security Enhancement Award, Alford said. Midshipman Hetsko has displayed high standards in academics, athletics and leadership skills while at Kings Point. These qualities will help her in the future as Kristen indicated that she will take her postgraduate military commission as a U.S. Coast Guard Officer with focus in maritime inspection. She is already aware of Crowley's commitment to world class safety and maritime security programs and our focus in all business unit operations on the protection of personnel, vessels, facilities, ports and the environment.

The recent Crowley award is part of Crowley's lengthy and ongoing commitment to education. Over the years, Crowley Chairman, President and CEO, Tom Crowley Jr., has directed the company to recognize deserving students at the maritime academies and other select institutions in the U.S., Caribbean and Central America with awards and scholarships in the name of his father Thomas B. Crowley Sr., who guided the company to extraordinary heights before passing away in 1994.

Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 117-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides diversified transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are the following services: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com