Volume 31… Number 51, December 23, 2025
STORIES COVERED
In This Issue:
- Holiday Greetings
- Senate Confirms Stephen Carmel as 21st US Maritime Administrator
- US Stops Second Oil Tanker Off Coast of Venezuela
- ITF Condemns Newest Black Sea Ship Attacks: “Targeting Seafarers Is Completely Unacceptable”
- Are You Looking to Take the Chief Mate Ops Course or the NSAP in January?
- News From the MM&P Plan Office: MM&P Vacation Plan—Last Day for Processing Vacation and PRO Payments
Mark Your Calendar:
Job Opportunities:
And:
HOLIDAY GREETINGS
Best wishes from everyone at MM&P to all readers of The Wheelhouse Weekly, at sea and ashore, and to their families and friends. Wishing each of you calm seas and fast passages on your voyages through the holidays and into the new year.
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SENATE CONFIRMS STEPHEN CARMEL AS 21ST US MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Stephen Carmel, an experienced mariner who most recently served as a senior vice president at Maersk Lines Ltd., to lead the Maritime Administration.
His confirmation comes at a critical time for the industry as the administration and Congress discuss the urgent need to strengthen and expand the American merchant marine.
MM&P joined the rest of maritime labor and the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department in congratulating him on his Senate confirmation.
“Stephen Carmel brings deep industry knowledge and a lifelong commitment to the US flag fleet,” the unions said in a statement.
“Strong leadership at MARAD is essential, particularly as the administration is working to develop a Maritime Action Plan to restore American maritime dominance, and as Congress seeks to revitalize the maritime sector through legislative efforts such as the SHIPS for America Act, which has received overwhelming bipartisan support.
“Carmel’s experience in shipping and logistics position him well to lead MARAD during a time when our nation aims to boost its global maritime and shipbuilding capacity, grow its fleet of American-flagged ships, and address unfair competition from countries like China.
“Maritime labor looks forward to collaborating with Administrator Carmel to enhance American maritime capabilities, create more job opportunities in the maritime workforce, and ensure that the US remains competitive and a leader in global shipping.”
Carmel is a Kings Point graduate and one of the few MARAD administrators who comes to the leadership role as a licensed deep sea ship’s master.
After sailing as a captain of deep-sea tankers, he served in a variety of operations and finance positions at MLL, as well as on a number of advisory boards.
“The maritime sector—including our hardworking mariners, port and terminal workers, inland waterway workers, and Great Lakes sailors—is essential to moving goods for the American people and safeguarding our national security,” Carmel said in a statement after he was confirmed.
“I look forward to advancing this vital industry that underpins our economy and sustains American life.”
The Senate on Thursday also approved the nomination of Laura DiBella to the Federal Maritime Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2028.
DiBella has served in a number of economic and business roles in the maritime and other industries.
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US STOPS SECOND OIL TANKER OFF COAST OF VENEZUELA
The US Coast Guard on Dec. 20 stopped an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela for the second time in less than 14 days.
The operation was carried out several days after President Trump said the US would block all sanctioned tankers transiting to and from Venezuelan ports.
On Dec.10, a Coast Guard boarding team executed an arrest warrant on a supertanker, SKIPPER, that is believed to be part of the shadow fleet.
A federal court had authorized the capture of the vessel for alleged violations of sanctions on Iran’s energy industry and links to Venezuela and Cuba.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement that the Coast Guard had carried out Saturday’s operation—which resulted in the seizure of a vessel called CENTURIES—with support from the Defense Department.
The tanker’s crew stopped voluntarily and allowed US forces to board, a US official said.
While SKIPPER had been found by a federal court to be a shadow fleet vessel moving sanctioned cargo, the administration has not released similar information regarding CENTURIES.
Venezuela’s government released a statement Saturday pledging to respond to the seizure of the vessel and its cargo, including by filing complaints with the United Nations Security Council.
The targeting of tankers comes as the US has carried out a series of attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that the administration alleges are smuggling drugs.
The US was pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela after attempting to intercept it, a US official said Monday.
The ship, which was sailing toward Venezuela to pick up oil, is under US sanctions for links to Iranian oil.
When Coast Guard personnel attempted to board the tanker, however, the vessel kept sailing, the official said, leading to the pursuit.
In related news, the administration on Friday launched military strikes in Syria in retaliation for an ambush by ISIS fighters that killed two US troops and an American civilian interpreter on Dec. 13.
A US official described it as a large-scale strike that hit 70 targets in areas across central Syria that had IS infrastructure and weapons.
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“TARGETING SEAFARERS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE”
Since the start of the Russia–Ukraine war, the Black Sea has become an extremely dangerous place for civilian mariners, with merchant ships facing threats from mines, drones, and missiles.
Now, reports indicate that a tanker transiting Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone enroute to Novorossiysk has been struck and disabled by Ukrainian sea drones, in what is believed to be the third such incident in recent weeks involving vessels described as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
The International Transport Workers’ Federation is reiterating its call for all parties involved in the conflict to uphold international humanitarian and maritime law and take all steps necessary to safeguard civilian seafarers.
Although the ships involved may be linked to sanctions evasion or wider geopolitical tensions, the civilian crews who operate them are not participants in the conflict, noted Mark Dickinson, vice chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section and general secretary of Nautilus International.
Many are international seafarers working under difficult conditions, with poor pay and weak protections.
Under international law, civilian seafarers must be protected at all times.
“Seafarers are not a weapon of war,” Dickinson said. “They are civilians simply doing their jobs, often in extremely difficult and precarious conditions.
“Under the Flag of Convenience system, where shipowners register vessels in countries without a genuine link and therefore weak oversight, many seafarers are recruited from nations where decent job opportunities are scarce.
“That leaves them with little real power to refuse dangerous voyages, and often without clear information about where a ship is bound or the risks involved.
“Regardless of the flag a vessel flies, the cargo it carries, or the politics surrounding a conflict, targeting seafarers or placing them in harm’s way is completely unacceptable.”
The ITF has reiterated its call for all parties to uphold international humanitarian and maritime law and take all steps necessary to safeguard civilian seafarers.
MM&P is an ITF affiliate.
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ARE YOU LOOKING TO TAKE THE CHIEF MATE OPS COURSE OR THE NSAP IN JANUARY?
MITAGS currently has low enrollment in the CM OPS course in January.
There are also three open seats at MITAGS-East for the NSAP on Jan. 8/9.
If you are looking to take these courses, please contact the Admissions Department: 866.656.5568 or admissions@mitags.org.
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MM&P VACATION PLAN—LAST DAY FOR PROCESSING VACATION AND PRO PAYMENTS
The Plan Office received approval to close the year-end Internal Revenue Service and company reports and to process Vacation and PRO payments for 2025 no later than Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST.
All requests for 2025 Vacation and PRO payments received after this date and time will be held until January 2, 2026, for processing and will therefore be taxable in 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact the Vacation Department at 410-850-8625.
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MM&P HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE
All MM&P union halls, the Plan Office, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, and MM&P headquarters will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
The San Juan Hall will be closed on Jan. 6 for Three Kings’ Day.
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NMC HOLIDAY CLOSURE
The National Maritime Center will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26 in observance of the designated national holidays.
The NMC, including its Customer Service Center and Regional Examination Centers, will resume normal operations on Monday, Dec. 29.
During the closure period, all in-person services will be unavailable but online resources and the website will remain accessible for general information.
If you have any questions, contact the NMC Customer Service Center by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS
BUCHANAN MARINE is looking for:
1) Mate – MMC with a Mate of Towing within Inland Waters
If you are interested in the above position, please fill out an application on the company’s website first. Google Buchanan Marine LP, then click “careers” and scroll down to “apply online.” Then email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call Paulina at 973-495-9377.
Staten Island Ferry
1) Provisional Marine Oilers with their QMED
If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s website:
Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org.
2) Deckhand with an AB
If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s website: https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197___.YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOjFiMDc4MDczZGI5MGI4NWJkN2VmZTExYTEwYWJlODNhOjc6ZjM2OTo1ZjY4MjZkMjUwYWIwMDIxY2E2MzgxYzlmYmEzMzdhMzI2ZTYyYTRjOThlMzU5MWFkNWJiNTlmMmQ3YmY3ZTMzOnQ6VDpO
Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org
Poling & Cutler
1) Mate with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR
2) Tankerman – PIC with an OS
3) Captain with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR
If interested in any of the above positions, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call Paulina at 973-495-9377.
Moran
1) Tankerman – MMC with a PIC, preferably with an AB and STCW but will work with an OS
2) Licensed Engineer (Ship Assist) – MMC with STCW
3) Assistant Engineer (ATB/Offshore) – 3rd A/E Unlimited Oceans or C/E (limited) or A/E (limited) Oceans or Near Coastal (min 6000hp) & STCW
4) AB (ATB/Offshore) – MMC with AB & STCW
If interested in any of the above positions, please fill out an application on Moran’s website first.
Then email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call Paulina at 973-495-9377.
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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:
— Great Lakes Towing CAPTAINS – Must live within two hours 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: 02/02/26, 09/07/26, 11/30/26
FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 03/02/26
FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: 02/02/26, 09/07/26, 11/30/26
MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 01/26/26
MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 02/02/26*, 04/06/26, 05/11/26
MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 01/05/26, 04/27/26
MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day):
12/13/25, 01/10/26, 02/07/26, 04/11/26, 04/26/26, 05/16/26
[STCW License & Radar Renewal Courses]
Revalidations (REV): You have 360+ days of sea time in the last 5 years
BT-REV (2-day): 01/19/26*, 03/30/26, 05/15/26, 09/14/26, 09/28/26, 10/26/26
FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 01/21/26, 04/01/26, 05/20/26, 09/16/26, 09/30/26, 10/28/26
Refreshers (REF): You have less than 360 days of sea time in the last 5 years
BT-REF (3-day): 01/19/26*, 03/30/26, 10/26/26
FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 01/22/26, 04/02/26, 10/29/26
ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 01/21/26, 04/01/26, 10/28/26
[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]
ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 1 02/16/26, 04/20/26, 06/08/26
ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 02/09/26, 04/27/26, 06/01/26
CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): 02/23/26
LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 04/20/26
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: 02/16/26, 03/23/26
MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: 03/23/26
SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: 03/09/26
SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 01/12/26*, 02/06/26*, 03/02/26, 04/06/26, 05/11/26, 06/15/26
WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: 03/16/26
[AB TO MATE Upgrade Courses]
ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 02/09/26*, 05/04/26
CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 03/16/26, 05/18/26
CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 03/09/25
ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 02/23/26*, 03/02/26, 05/18/26
FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): Contact Admissions
GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): 02/02/26, 04/13/26*
LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 03/23/26, 05/25/26
LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): Contact Admissions
ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 02/02/26, 04/27/26
SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 02/16/26, 05/04/26
SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 02/23/26*, 04/27/26*
STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 03/19/26, 05/11/26
TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 01/05/26, 04/06/26
WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 01/12/26, 03/30/26
WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 01/05/26, 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): 01/19/26
MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 01/08/26, 03/12/26
MSC-CBRD-OFF – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer: 03/23/2026, 06/22/2026
MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 01/09/26, 03/13/26
MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 01/09/26, 03/13/26
MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 01/12/26, 03/15/26, 04/13/26
MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 01/10/26, 03/14/26
MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 01/11/26, 03/15/26, 04/12/26
MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 01/16/26, 03/20/26
[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
LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 02/02/26, 02/05/26
NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 01/06/26*,01/08/26, 03/17/26, 03/19/26, 5/12/26, 05/14/26, 10/27/26, 10/29/26 – Contact Admissions to Register
SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 01/26/26*
WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-Day): 01/24/26, 02/14/26
[Other MITAGS Courses]
AB – Able Seaman: 02/16/26
BRM – Bridge Resource Management: 03/23/26*
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: 02/02/26
Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions
RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): Not currently scheduled
TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: Not Currently Scheduled
VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 02/23/26
[Continual Improvement Workshops – NOT covered by the MATES Program]
Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 02/04/26
Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (2-Day): Online: Not Currently Scheduled
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
January 2026
5-9 Basic Training (original certification)
12-13 Basic Training Revalidation
14th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
20-23 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)
26-30 Meteorology (Operational Level)
26-6 Medical Person-in-Charge
February 2026
2-3 Basic Training Revalidation
4th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
2-6 Basic Shiphandling
2-20 Celestial Navigation
9-13 Medical Care Provider
16-18 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility
23-27 Basic Training (original certification)
23-27 Meteorology (Operational Level)
28-29 Basic Training Revalidation
28-1 Basic Training Refresher
March 2026
2nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
2-6 Basic Shiphandling
9-12 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)
9-13 ECDIS
11-13 Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW)
16-20 Leadership & Managerial Skills
16-20 Basic Training (original certification)
16-27 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)
30-31 Basic Training Revalidation
30-3 Able Seafarer
April 2026
6-10 ECDIS
6-10 Basic Training (original certification)
20-23 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)
27-8 Medical Person-in-Charge
27-8 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)
May 2026
11-15 Basic Training (original certification)
16th Vessel Personnel w/Designated Security Duties (VPDSD)
18-19 Basic Training Revalidation
20th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
20-22 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility
26-29 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)
June 2026
1-5 Medical Care Provider
8-12 Basic Training (original certification)
16-17 Basic Training Revalidation
18th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
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.
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