AMO Currents - Capt. Peter Forbes Johnson, 1934-2008

AMO Currents - Posted: December 3, 2008

Capt. Peter Forbes Johnson, 1934-2008

Peter Johnson, founder and longtime chairman of Pacific Gulf Marine Inc., with AMO National President Tom Bethel

Captain Peter Forbes Johnson, founder and longtime chairman of Pacific Gulf Marine Inc., died Dec. 1 at his home in New Orleans after a long illness. He was 74.

Johnson, a 1957 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, launched Pacific Gulf Marine in New Orleans in 1976. The company grew quickly in ocean-going commercial and government charter trades.

Pacific Gulf Marine — led today by Johnson’s son, Todd Johnson — employs members of American Maritime Officers and the Seafarers International Union.

"Pete Johnson was an innovative businessman who made practical bottom-line decisions, and he was a formidable presence at the bargaining table," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "But, more than anything else, Pete wanted to keep the American flag flying on the high seas. He invested confidently and enthusiastically in U.S.-flagged merchant vessels and in jobs for American merchant mariners.

"Our industry lost a leader, and our union lost a friend whose word could be counted upon without question," Bethel continued. "We will miss Pete Johnson."

Johnson, whose maritime heritage is traced to shipmasters sailing out of Massachusetts in the early 1800s, went to Northeast State Louisiana University on a football scholarship before his appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Houston.

After service as a commissioned officer in the Navy, Johnson sailed as a deck officer on U.S. merchant ships. He earned his unlimited master’s license at age 30 and sailed for Texaco, Reynolds Metals Co. and others in foreign and domestic trades. Johnson also served shoreside as manager of marine operations at Reynolds in Corpus Christi.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy honored Johnson with its Outstanding Professional Achievement Award in 1987 and its Meritorious Alumni Service Award in 1992.

In 1986, the Propeller Club of the United States recognized Johnson with its Louisiana Maritime Man of the Year award.

Johnson was active in the Propeller Club, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the Council of American Master Mariners, the Navy League of the United States, the World Trade Club and the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association.

Captain Peter Forbes Johnson is survived by his wife, Mikell, his son, PGM Chairman Todd Johnson, daughters Krista Dumas, Karen Hoffman and Jennifer Taylor and 10 grandchildren.