Wheelhouse Weekly, July 14, 2026

Volume 32… Number 28, July 14, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Navy Seeks Information From Korean Shipyards on Building New Destroyers and Tankers
• US Employers Spend More Than $1.5 Billion Annually on “Union Avoidance”
• Hormuz Situation Deteriorates After Iran Attacks Merchant Ships
• ITF Launches Fund to Help Families Affected by the Earthquakes in Venezuela
• Sad News: MM&P Plans Administrator Patrick McCullough, 1955-2026

Mark Your Calendar:

• Offshore Membership Meeting in Fort Lauderdale Hall on Thursday, July 23
• Offshore Membership Meeting in MM&P Norfolk Hall on Thursday, Aug. 13
• Charleston Hall Meeting Rescheduled Until Oct. 8

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes & Gulf Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

NAVY SEEKS INFORMATION FROM KOREAN SHIPYARDS ON BUILDING NEW DESTROYERS AND TANKERS

The US Navy has reached out to Korean shipbuilders regarding the costs and timeline for building new destroyers and fleet tankers. The news was initially reported in South Korea’s Yonhap News.

Current US law prevents the Navy from building ships overseas.

The 1965 Byrnes-Tollefson Act requires that the Navy build its vessels in US shipyards.

In his April 9, 2025, Executive Order, Restoring Maritime Dominance, President Trump vowed to “resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding.”

“We used to make so many ships,” he told Congress in a joint address.

“We don’t make them anymore very much, but we’re going to make them very fast, very soon. It will have a huge impact.”

The Navy RFIs are reportedly seeking details from Korea’s leading shipbuilders on their design capabilities, delivery terms and pricing.

RFI, short for request for information, is a business process used to collect written information from potential suppliers to understand market capabilities before making a purchasing decision.

“The [newly issued RFIs] indicate that the U.S. government is putting forward a more serious effort into the establishment of foreign building for U.S. Navy ships,” reported Ethan Gossrow of Navy News.

In a recent debate on the National Defense Authorization Act, the House Armed Services Committee reiterated the requirement that the Navy use American shipyards.

Legislators on the House Armed Services Committee added language to the defense policy bill that would bar the Navy from using funds allocated for FY 2027 to purchase ships from foreign builders.

In a mark-up session, the committee adopted an amendment from Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) that would make it very hard for the Navy to move forward with its foreign shipbuilding proposal.

“None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this act for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Navy may be obligated or expended to enter into a contract for the procurement of a battle force ship to be built [in] a foreign shipyard that is to be commissioned a United States Ship (USS) warship,” the amendment states.

Lawmakers passed the draft bill by a 44-12 vote, sending it to the House floor.

“We must address any move to outsource shipbuilding to foreign countries, whether modules or entire hulls,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at a May hearing at which Navy officials testified.

“I do not believe the American people favor such an approach.”

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has said that offshoring shipbuilding would be “treating the symptom instead of fixing the underlying problem.

“The United States maritime industrial base did not decline overnight,” he said. “It happened over decades.”

He warned that the administration’s proposal could work against bolstering the US shipbuilding industry because foreign shipyards could see it as cheaper to get paid by the Navy to build ships abroad rather than making investments in US shipyard capability.
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US EMPLOYERS SPEND MORE THAN $1.5 BILLION ANNUALLY ON “UNION AVOIDANCE”

A recent study estimates that US employers spend roughly $1.7 billion a year on “union avoidance” consultants and law firms to keep workers from organizing and bargaining for better pay and working conditions.

The study was conducted by EPI, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank established in 1986 to include the needs of middle- and low-income workers in economic policy discussions.

In 2025, unionization in the United States grew to its highest levels since 2009.

Americans increasingly view unions favorably and recognize them as critical to building a more just economy.

More than 50 million nonunion American workers say they would join a union if they could, but many are unable to do so because our nation’s labor laws make it easy for employers to block workers’ unionization efforts.

While employers are required to disclose money spent on lawyers engaged in discouraging attempts to form a union, there is an exemption for reporting money spent on “advice” services, a term that is not clearly defined in the law.

Union avoidance law firms have taken full advantage of this reporting loophole and have constructed an industry that provides counsel on union busting.

In its report, EPI calculates, for example, that Amazon spent almost $27 million in 2025 to fight attempts by its employees to unionize, noting that the figure is undeniably an underestimate because of legal loopholes in reporting.

Union avoidance consultants and law firms have long exploited the significant loopholes in the National Labor Relations Act, the researchers write, “making it harder and harder for workers to win unions.”
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HORMUZ SITUATION DETERIORATES AFTER IRAN ATTACKS MERCHANT SHIPS

The security situation in the Strait of Hormuz deteriorated over the weekend after a containership, the Cyprus-flagged GFS Galaxy, suffered damage to its engine room, sparking another round of strikes by the US and Iran.

One seafarer has been reported missing in the attack on the GFS Galaxy. The rest of the crew was rescued after abandoning ship.

Iran said the GFS Galaxy and three other vessels it had attacked previously had ignored warnings and failed to follow what it described as an approved route through the strait.

Iran has released a statement saying that the strait is completely closed, but US CENTCOM has posted that the Omani coastal route remains open for transits.

President Trump said on Monday that the US will reinstate its blockade on Iran’s ports “to stop Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving.”

“All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait,” he said, adding that the US would be reimbursed for passage with all ships paying a fee equal to 20 percent of the value of all transiting cargo.
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ITF LAUNCHES FUND TO HELP FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKES IN VENEZUELA

The International Transport Workers’ Federation has launched an emergency relief fund to help transport workers and their families in Venezuela following the June 24 earthquakes.

Almost 4,500 people have died, almost 20,000 have been injured and more than 20,000 have been displaced, sleeping in crowded shelters or outdoors, and facing a severe shortage of drinking water.

The ITF’s Earthquake Relief Fund supports affected workers through the federation’s Venezuelan affiliate, the Bolivarian Federation of Transport and Amalgamated Workers.

Every contribution—no matter the size—helps families in Venezuela rebuild their lives.

Please contribute to the ITF disaster relief fund today.

MM&P is an ITF affiliate.
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MM&P PLANS ADMINISTRATOR PATRICK MCCULLOUGH, 1955-2026

MM&P has suffered a tremendous loss with the recent passing of our long time Plans Administrator Patrick McCullough.

A steadfast advocate for MM&P families, a dedicated and professional leader and a friend to so many of us in the union family, he became Plans Administrator in 2006, after 32 years of working in the Plan Office.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Ken Ryan, who was appointed Acting Plans Administrator in January 2026, will assume the leadership role in the Plan Office, assuring stability in this period of transition.
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN FORT LAUDERDALE HALL ON THURSDAY, JULY 23
There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Fort Lauderdale Hall on Thursday, July 23, at 1100.

Please contact dispatchers Andrea or Maike at pompano@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

The Fort Lauderdale Hall is located at:

3081 East Commercial Blvd.

Suite 100

Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308

Phone: 954-946-7883

All Offshore members in the area are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN MM&P NORFOLK HALL ON THURSDAY, AUG. 13
There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Norfolk Hall on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 1100.

Please contact dispatcher Pete at norfolk@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

The Norfolk Hall is located at:

Interstate Corporate Center, Building 8

6353 Center Dr., Ste 200

Norfolk, VA 23502

Phone: 757-489-7406

All Offshore members in the area are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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Mark Your Calendar:

CHARLESTON HALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING RESCHEDULED TO OCT. 8
The Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Charleston Hall has been rescheduled to Oct. 8 at 11:00 a.m.

Please contact dispatcher John at charleston@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

The Charleston hall is located at:

1481 Tobias Gadson Blvd., Suite 2C

Charleston, SC 29407-4794

Phone: 843-766-3565

All Offshore members in the area are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

Buchanan Marine

1) Mate – MMC with a Mate of Towing within Inland Waters

2) Captain – MMC with a Master of Towing within Inland Waters

If you are interested in any of the above positions, 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 web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-36530 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 web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197

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

Poling & Cutler

1) Mate with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR

2) 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.

Marine Oil Service
1) Tankerman PIC – MMC tankerman (PIC) with DL (required)

If you are interested, please fill out an application online https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//marineoilservice.com/careers/&g=ZTI2ZjJkOTljODYzYjliYg==&h=OTNiOGYzYTQwMmQzOTNlMjg2N2ZiZTY2YTU4ZGFjYzc2YTI0MzNiYzhjNTczOWM2ZTllNDFkYjFkOWJiNTQwMg==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOjc2OTE2OWVlODk1YTQ0YzA0NGRhNWY5NmZhMjJjMzVkOjc6dDpU or email the company careers@marineoilservice.com

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

Reinauer
1) Mate with a 500-ton masters or mate near coastal but will accept 200-ton masters or mate near coastal

If you are interested in either of the above positions, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Keith at kpoissant@bridgedeck.org.

If you have any questions, please call Keith at 973-420-0492
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GREAT LAKES & GULF MARITIME REGION JOBS

— Unlimited Masters with Great Lakes Pilotage needed for 28/28 rotation – Self Unloading Vessels

— Unlimited Mates with Pilotage needed for 28/28 rotation – Research Vessel and Self Unloading Vessels

— QMED with STCW (RFPW and Able Seafarer-Engine) 21/21 rotation needed for Hopper Dredges

— 2nd Cook needed May through October aboard R/V Lake Guardian operating in the Great Lakes

Email resumes and MMC to elulko@bridgedeck.org
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OFFSHORE JOBS

Senior LMSR positions available.
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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: 09/07/26, 11/30/26

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 09/28/26, 01/25/27

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: 09/07/26, 11/30/26

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 11/02/26, 11/09/26

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 10/12/26, 11/30/26

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 08/10/26*, 11/16/26

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day):

08/15/26, 10/17/26, 11/15/26, 12/05/26

[STCW LICENSE & RADAR RENEWAL Courses]

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

BT-REV (2-day): 09/14/26, 10/26/26, 12/07/26

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 09/16/26, 10/28/26, 12/09/26

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

BT-REF (3-day): 10/26/26, 12/07/26

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 10/29/26, 12/10/26

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 10/28/26, 12/09/26

[CMM – CHIEF MATE & MASTER UPGRADE Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 08/24/26, 10/05/26, 12/07/26

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 08/17/26*, 09/28/26, 11/30/26

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 09/21/26

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: 07/20/26, 09/21/26, 12/14/26

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: Not Currently Scheduled

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: Not Currently Scheduled

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 09/14/26, 10/12/26, 11/02/26, 11/30/26

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: Not Currently Scheduled

[AB TO MATE UPGRADE Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 08/10/26*, 11/09/26

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 08/17/26*, 11/02/26, 02/08/27

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 08/24/26, 11/30/26

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 08/17/26*, 11/16/26

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): 08/06/26, 10/08/26

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): 10/12/26, 03/01/27

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 08/24/26, 01/04/27, 03/15/27

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): 10/02/26, 11/13/26

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 08/03/26, 10/26/2026

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 08/03/26*, 10/05/26, 01/11/27

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 11/30/26, 01/04/27

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 08/10/26*, 10/26/26, 02/01/27

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

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 07/20/26, 09/14/26, 02/15/27

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 11/16/26, 01/08/27

[MSC – MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND Courses]

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

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 08/06/26, 09/17/26, 11/05/26

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 08/07/26, 09/18/26, 11/06/26

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 08/07/26, 09/18/26, 11/06/26

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 08/10/26*, 09/21/26, 10/12/26, 11/09/26, 12/07/26

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 08/08/26, 09/19/26, 11/07/26

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 08/09/26*, 09/20/26, 11/08/26, 12/06/26

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 08/14/26, 09/25/26, 11/13/26

[MM&P COMPANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Courses]

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations: Not Currently Scheduled

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – CM Operations II Maersk Specific: Not Currently Scheduled

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 07/27/26*, 07/30/26*, 10/26/26*, 10/29/26

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 09/01/26*, 09/03/26 Scheduled – Contact Admissions to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 07/20/26, 07/27/26, 10/26/26*

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-Day): 08/22/26, 10/03/26, 12/05/26

[OTHER MITAGS COURSES]

AB – Able Seaman: 09/14/26, 12/07/26

BRM – Bridge Resource Management: Not Currently Scheduled

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

HAZ – Hazardous Materials: 12/14/26

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 8/31/26

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 08/17/26*

[CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOPS – NOT covered by the MATES Program]

Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 08/12/26

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (2-Day): Online: Not Currently Scheduled

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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

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 2026

13-31 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

20-21 Basic Training Revalidation

22nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

28-31 Advanced Firefighting

August 2026

3-4 Basic Training Revalidation

3-7 Meteorology (Operational Level)*

3-7 Radar Observer Unlimited

5th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

10-14 Radar Observer Unlimited

10-14 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

17-20 ARPA

17-21 Basic Training

24-27 Advanced Firefighting

24-28 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

31-4 ECDIS

31-1 Basic Training Revalidation

September 2026

2nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

8-11 Advanced Firefighting

14-18 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

14-25 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

21-25 Cargo Handling & Stowage

21-25 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

21-2 Medical Person-In-Charge

28-30 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

28-9 GMDSS

October 2026

5-8 Advanced Firefighting

5-9 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

12-16 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

12-16 Basic Training

12-16 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

16th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

17-18 Basic Training Revalidation

19-23 Basic Training

19-23 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

19-23 Cargo Handling & Stowage

26-30 Medical Care Provider

26-30 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

27-30 ARPA

November 2026

2-4 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

2-5 Advanced Firefighting

2-6 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

2-6 Leadership & Managerial Skills

9-11 Search & Rescue

12-13 Basic Training Revalidation

14th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

16-20 Basic Training

16-20 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

16-20 Basic Shiphandling

December 2026

30-4 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

30-11 Medical Person-In-Charge

30-18 Celestial Navigation

1-4 Advanced Firefighting

7-8 Basic Training Revalidation

7-9 Basic Training Refresher

7-18 GMDSS

9th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

10-11 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

14-18 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

14-18 Basic Training
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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.

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