Wheelhouse Weekly, Sept. 9, 2025

Volume 31… Number 36, September 9, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Marine Insurers Update Guidance on EV Shipping
• Error on Medical Certificates Issued Between 7-25 and 9-3, 2025
• Dutch Freighter Runs Aground in Northwest Passage
• Finland Seeks Jail for Officers
• Soak Up Exclusive End-of-Summer Savings With Union Plus!
• The MM&P Disaster Relief Fund Is There When Disaster Strikes

Mark Your Calendar:

• Membership Meeting in San Francisco/Oakland Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 21
• Membership Meeting in Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 22
• Offshore Familiarization Course in Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall, Oct. 22-23

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

• MITAGS-East Academic Notes
• MITAGS–West Academic Notes

MARINE INSURERS UPDATE GUIDANCE ON EV SHIPPING

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has updated its recommendations for transporting electric vehicles as part of its loss-prevention guidance for the marine insurance and shipping sectors.

“The characteristics of an EV fire are different from those emanating from a standard internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) and it is important that carriers, operators and insurers understand the risks involved and the measures that might reduce that risk,” says IUMI Secretary General Lars Lange.

IUMI issued its first set of EV shipping guidelines in 2023. The new guidelines include updates in five key areas:

— Potential gas accumulation: Since flammable gases released during thermal runaway may accumulate in unventilated spaces, firefighting efforts must address—at the same time—extinguishing fires and managing potentially explosive gases through ventilation.

— Total energy release and peak temperatures: Recent fire tests indicate that total energy released by EVs and ICEVs is similar, but that EVs may exhibit higher peak heat release depending on battery type.

— Design challenges of Pure Car Truck Carriers: Unlike older, subdivided designs, today’s PCTCs have large, undivided horizontal decks, which allow fires to spread rapidly and make containment difficult.

— Fixed firefighting systems should be used first: Fixed firefighting systems should be activated before manual intervention because accessing burning vehicles is so dangerous. To save lives, manual firefighting should be used as a supplement to fixed systems.

— Limitations of foam: High-expansion foam may suppress ignition and prevent heat transmission, but it has drawbacks—the fact that electricity is needed to employ it and the fact that the new eco-friendly foams are characterized by reduced penetration and heat resistance.

Some key takeaways of the new guidelines are:

— The state of charge (SoC) of batteries in EVs transported by car carriers should be kept as low as practically and technically possible. (No international requirements for SoC in maritime transport have as-yet been agreed.)

— No extinguishing agent or system can interrupt the chemical chain reaction occurring in a battery in thermal runaway.

— A comprehensive firefighting strategy must consider not only the firefighting itself but also the ventilation of potentially explosive gases.

— The risk of re-ignition in an EV is higher for a longer period of time than is the case for ICEVs—this means that measures to avoid re-ignition of the battery must be taken for an extended period after a fire has been extinguished.

— A challenge specific to RoRo and RoPAX vessels is the type of cargo they carry: it may consist of used vehicles that are damaged in ways that are not readily apparent.

IUMI also recommends that the CO2 firefighting capacity aboard PCTCs should at least be doubled and that whenever possible, professional marine firefighters or salvors should be employed.
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ERROR ON MEDICAL CERTIFICATES ISSUED BETWEEN 7-25 AND 9-3, 2025

A system error has affected the limitations and restrictions section shown on medical certificates issued between July 25, 2025, and Sept. 3, 2025.

In some cases, a limitation of “YES” may be listed in error.

In other cases, a valid limitation or restriction may be listed as a “NO” on the certificate.

All issued medical certificates remain valid.

Corrected medical certificates for those mariners affected will be issued during the next month to ensure clarity of limitations and restrictions.

Mariners are advised to review their medical certificates for accuracy.

The National Maritime Center is addressing this matter to ensure all issued medical certificates reflect clear and accurate information.

If you have questions or require assistance, contact the NMC Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, by using Live Chat, by e-mailing iasknmc@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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DUTCH FREIGHTER RUNS AGROUND IN THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE

A Dutch freighter, the THAMESBORG, has grounded in the remote waters of Canada’s Northwest Passage.

The ship was en route from China to Quebec when it grounded in Franklin Strait, just southeast of Prince of Wales Island, at a location in the southern half of the Central Canadian Archipelago.

The central section of the Northwest Passage presents two options for transit: a northern route, which is often blocked by ice, and a southern route, which passes between Victoria Island and the mainland.

Franklin Passage, one of the options for accessing the southern route, is located 800 miles northeast of Yellowknife.

Canadian search and rescue planners have long been concerned about the risks of a vessel grounding in the Northwest Passage.

According to a local radio station, Cabin Radio, the operator of the THAMESBORG has reported that the members of the crew are all safe and the grounding has not caused any pollution.

AIS data provided by Pole Star Global shows that the ship has grounded on a pinnacle on the southwest side of the strait.

There are two Canadian Coast Guard vessels standing by, including the icebreaking buoy tender SIR WILFRED LAURIER.

The Northwest Passage is known for the twin risks of shallow water and ice and is prone to clogging with drifting floes, even during the short shipping season.

Satellite data appears to show no ice in the area of the grounding.
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FINLAND SEEKS JAIL FOR OFFICERS OF TANKER THAT DRAGGED ANCHOR FOR 90 KM

Three members of the crew of the EAGLE S, the tanker that damaged five undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland in December 2024, have gone on trial in Helsinki.

The EAGLE S, which is registered in the Cook Islands, is considered part of Russia’s shadow fleet.

The undersea cables were damaged when it dragged anchor for approximately 90 km.

The captain, the chief mate and the second mate have been charged with disruption of communications infrastructure and gross negligence.

Prosecutors say they failed to respond to obvious indications—including reduced engine RPM and reduced vessel speed—that the anchor was dragging.

During questioning by the police, Captain Davit Vadatchkoria said he had been surprised when the Finnish Coast Guard contacted the vessel to ask whether it was dragging anchor.

He said the crew had not noticed anything wrong, although an inspection later found that the anchor locking pin was broken.

He also rejected the idea that a member of the crew would have deliberately tampered with the equipment.

“No one could have known that breaking this pin would cause the anchor to fall,” he said. “If someone had wanted to drop the anchor on purpose, they would have done something else.”

Since the voyage data recorder was offline during the incident, investigators don’t have access to footage showing what actually happened.

The prosecution is seeking prison terms of at least two years and six months for each of the tanker’s officers.
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SOAK UP EXCLUSIVE END-OF-SUMMER SAVINGS WITH UNION PLUS!

As the summer winds down, get union-exclusive savings on essentials like your wireless phone bill, groceries and much, much more.

Head to the movies for less, save at your favorite neighborhood restaurants, get discount tickets to amusement parks and zoos or get discounts on a take-out meal and have a cozy night in!

Visit Union Plus online to find out more!

Save on the little things—like online shopping or movie tickets. And save on the big things—like your monthly wireless bill or electronics.

Union Plus is working hard to make sure union families are paying less, not more.

Check out the Exclusive Union Plus End-of-Summer Savings on ATT Wireless, movie tickets, flowers and gifts, restaurants and events.
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THE MM&P DISASTER RELIEF FUND IS THERE WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

The MM&P Disaster Relief Fund stands ready to help MM&P families affected by the recent storms, wildfires and other disasters.

Please consider making a contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund today.

Contributions to the fund are generally tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.

To contribute to the MM&P Disaster Relief Fund, go to bridgedeck.org and look for Disaster Relief Fund in the menu bar.

If you are an MM&P member who has been negatively affected by a recent disaster, contact your MM&P Area Vice President.
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MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND HALL ON THURSDAY, OCT. 21

There will be a membership meeting in the San Francisco/Oakland Hall on Thursday, Oct. 21, immediately after job call.

All members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.

The contact information for the hall is:

315 Broadway, 2nd Floor

Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: 510-808-7068

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MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN LOS ANGELES/LONG BEACH HALL ON WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22

There will be a membership meeting in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 22, immediately after job call.

All members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.

The contact information for the hall is:

533 N. Marine Ave., Ste A

Wilmington, CA 90744-5527

Phone: 310-834-7201
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OFFSHORE FAMILIARIZATION COURSE IN LOS ANGELES/LONG BEACH HALL, OCT. 22-23

The Offshore Familiarization Course will be held in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 22 and Thursday, Oct. 23.

The schedule for the course is 0930-1530 and you must attend both days.

There is no sea-time requirement to take the course.

All Offshore applicants, potential transferees from other membership groups and other interested Offshore members are encouraged to take the course as soon as possible.

If you are interested in participating in the course, please contact Wendy Karnes, wkarnes@bridgedeck.org.

The contact information for the hall is:

533 N. Marine Ave., Ste A

Wilmington, CA 90744-5527

Phone: 310-834-7201
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

— BUCHANAN MARINE is looking for a Mate: MMC with a Mate of Towing with Inland Waters

— BUCHANAN is looking for a Deckhand – MMC with an OS.

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the company’s website https://www.buchananmarinelp.com.

Click on “Careers” on the top right and scroll down to “Apply Online.”

If you have questions, please contact Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org or 973-495-9377.

— MORAN is looking for a tankerman with a PIC, preferably with an AB and STCW but will work with an OS.

If interested, please email your resume to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call at 973-495-9377.

— POLING & CUTLER is looking Mates & Captains with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR.If interested, please email your resume to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call at 973-495-9377.

— STATEN ISLAND FERRY is looking for Provisional Marine Oilers with their QMED.

If you are interested, please go to this link to fill out an application:

https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-27357

If you have questions, please contact Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org.

— STATEN ISLAND FERRY is looking for a Deckhand with an AB

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-34931

Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org

— STATUE CITY CRUISES is looking for Mates and Captains with a 100-ton license.

If you are interested, google Statue City Cruises LLC, then click “careers” on the bottom right.

Once you fill out an application, please inform Paulina at 973-495-9377.

— REINAUER is looking for a Mate – MMC with 500-ton license and TOAR. If interested, please email Keith at kpoissant@bridgedeck.org.

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OFFSHORE JOBS

Senior LMSR positions available.
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GREAT LAKES & GULF JOBS

Immediate openings in the Great Lakes region for the following permanent jobs:

— Key Lakes – In need of Mate for 30 day or permanent rotation (Mates with Pilotage given preference) Start Date 9/1

— Weeks Marine QMED – Must have all STCW Documents (21/21 Rotation) Start Date Immediately

— Weeks Marine Cook/Steward – Must have all STCW Documents 21/21 Rotation Start Date Immediately

— Great Lakes Towing CAPTAINS – Must live within one hour of Ports; Detroit, Toledo, Chicago, Duluth, Cleveland, Buffalo – Start Date Immediately

If you’re interested in applying or want more information, please contact MM&P GL&G Vice President Ed Lulko, elulko@bridgedeck.org.
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MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES

For registration contact our Admissions Department: 866.656.5568 or admissions@mitags.org

Classes are 5-day unless otherwise noted

Class dates followed by an * are full
[STCW, MEDICAL & SAFETY Courses]

BT – Basic Safety Training: Not Currently Scheduled

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting: 01/26/26

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: Not Currently Scheduled

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 01/05/26, 03/09/26

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 10/06/25*, 12/08/25, 02/02/26

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 11/17/25, 01/12/26

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 10/11/25, 11/16/25, 12/13/25, 01/10/26, 02/07/26

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman): Not Currently Scheduled

[STCW License & Radar Renewal Courses]

Revalidations (REV): You have 360+ days of sea time in the last 5 years

BT-REV (2-day): 09/22/25, 10/20/25, 11/12/25

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 09/24/25, 10/22/25, 11/14/25

Refreshers (REF): You have less than 360 days of sea time in the last 5 years

BT-REF (3-day): 09/22/25, 11/12/25

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 09/18/25, 11/10/25

PSC-REF (2-day): Not Currently Scheduled

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 09/24/25, 11/11/25

[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 10/13/25, 12/08/25, 02/16/26

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 09/29/25, 12/01/25, 02/09/26

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): 10/20/25, 02/23/26

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 10/20/25, 04/13/25

LAP Testing Notice: Due to changes at the Baltimore REC, LAP courses no longer include priority testing. Seating is limited to 6 students. All testing now requires a scheduled appointment and an approval letter.

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills: 10/06/25, 12/15/25, 02/16/25

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: 09/15/25

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: 09/22/25

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 09/15/25, 10/06/25*, 11/03/25*, 12/01/25, 01/12/26, 02/06/26, 03/02/26

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: Not Currently Scheduled

[AB TO MATE Upgrade Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/10/25, 02/09/26

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 01/19/26, 03/23/26

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 12/01/25

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 11/17/25, 02/23/26

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day) 02/13/26

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 03/23/26

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): 02/12/26

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 10/13/25, 02/02/26

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 02/09/26, 03/02/26

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 02/02/26

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 01/12/26, 03/16/26

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 10/20/25, 01/05/26

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 02/23/26, 03/30/26

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 02/16/26

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-ATO-I – Anti-Terrorism Officer (Online): Contact Admissions

MSC-ATO-II – Anti-Terrorism Officer II (MSC-ATO-III included): 01/26/26

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 09/11/25, 11/16/25

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer: 03/23/2026, 06/22/2026

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 11/07/25

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 11/09/25

MSC-SMA – Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 09/15/25, 10/14/25, 11/10/25, 12/09/25

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 11/08/25

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 09/14/25, 10/13/25, 11/09/25, 12/08/25

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 09/19/25, 11/14/25

[MM&P Company Specific Requirements Courses]

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations: 01/12/26

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – CM Operations II Maersk Specific: 01/19/26, 05/11/26

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 10/01/25, 10/15/25*, 02/02/26, 02/05/26

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 09/30/25*, 10/02/25*, 12/02/25*, 12/04/25* – Contact Admissions to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 11/17/25, 12/15/25, 01/26/26, 04/20/26

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-Day): 10/04/25, 11/15/26, 12/06/25

[Other MITAGS Courses]

AB – Able Seaman: 09/22/25, 02/16/26

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management: 03/23/26

BRMP-EMR – Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling

(Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): 10/20/25, 10/27/25

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): 02/13/26

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): 02/16/26

HAZ – Hazardous Materials: 10/27/25

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): 09/19/25

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

[Continual Improvement Workshops – NOT covered by the MATES Program]

Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (2-Day): Online: 09/18/25

TTT – 09/15/25 @ Offsite at Seattle Maritime Academy: Contact Admissions

Learn America Online Courses: Contact Admissions for Access

Breakbulk Shipping: 90 Day Online Access

Contract Management for Shipbuilding and Repairs: 90 Day Online

Corrosion and Coating Protection of Ships: 90 Day Online Access

Maritime Logistics: 90 Day Online Access

Ship Superintendent – Marine: 365 Day Online Access

Ship Superintendent – Technical: 365 Day Online Access

Ship Superintendent – General: 365 Day Online Access

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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

2024 Fall/Winter

SCHEDULE OF COURSES – (Please also see our schedule and enroll online at www.mitags.org)

FOR REGISTRATION CONTACT OUR ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT 866.656.5568 OR admissions@mitags.org

July 2025
30th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

August 2025
25-29 ARPA

September 2025

15-19 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

15-26 GMDSS

22-23 Basic Training Revalidation

24th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

22-26 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

29-1 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

29-3 Leadership & Managerial Skills

29-3 Meteorology – Operational Level

29th MSC – Security Watchstander Advanced

30-3 MSC – Small Arms

October 2025
6-9 Search & Rescue

7-10 Advanced Firefighting

9th Flashing Light

10th Leadership & Teamworking Skills

13-17 Basic Training

13-17 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

13-24 Watchkeeping – Operational Level

20-21 Basic Training Revalidation

20-22 Basic Training Refresher

20-24 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

22nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

22-23 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

27-30 ARPA

27-31 Medical Care Provider

27-31 Basic Shiphandling

27-7 Medical Person-In-Charge

November 2025
3-5 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

3-7 Leadership & Managerial Skills

10-12 Search & Rescue

10-13 Advanced Firefighting

17-18 Basic Training Revalidation

19th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

December 2025</strong?

1-2 Basic Training Revalidation

1-3 Basic Training Refresher

1-12 GMDSS

3rd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

4-5 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

8-12 Basic Training

15-18 Advanced Firefighting

15-19 Tankerman Person-In-Charge

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The MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly is the official electronic newsletter of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, 700 Maritime Blvd., Suite B, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090-1953. Phone: 410-850-8700; Fax: 410-850-0973. All rights reserved. The MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly©2023. Articles can be reprinted without prior permission if credit is given to The MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly.

For subscriptions, address changes or messages to the editor, send an email to communications@bridgedeck.org.