ISC: The home away from home

LONG BEACH >> Most days, Ajith Pushpakumara is far from home.

The Sri Lankan electrical engineer and father of two daughters, 11 and 13, is a crew member on a container vessel, traveling six months at a time for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.

While he enjoys the work, it is tough and solitary. It takes him to unfamiliar territory with only a few days on solid ground before heading to the next port.

So when he comes to the Port of Long Beach, he looks for something familiar — more specifically, the vans that take him to the International Seafarers Center of Long Beach/Los Angeles.