Wheelhouse Weekly, Sept. 29, 2026

Volume 32… Number 38, Sept. 29, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• AMMV Tells Congress: “Merchant Mariners Who Serve in Conflict Zones Should Be Designated as Veterans”
• Results of the IFSMA Survey on Bridge Alerts: “The IMO Should Review the ‘Nature and Cumulative Number’ of Bridge Alerts,” Ships’ Officers Say
• Sign Our Petition: Show Your Support for ATC and OSG Mates Fighting for a Contract!
• SUNY Maritime Training Ship Leaving Wednesday on Federal Deployment
• Captain of Another Cargo Ship Dies in Russian Drone Attack in Black Sea

Mark Your Calendar:

• Offshore Membership Meeting in Charleston Hall on Oct. 8
• Offshore Membership Meeting in Honolulu on Oct. 19

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs

And:

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

“MERCHANT MARINERS WHO SERVE IN CONFLICT ZONES SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS VETERANS”

Merchant mariners who have received medals for their support of America’s armed forces in military operations should be designated as veterans and accorded the associated benefits.

So says the American Merchant Marine Veterans association (AMMV), which is calling on members of Congress to make the designation official through an amendment to the SHIPS for America Act, which is now pending in Congress.

AMMV called for the new legal designation for qualifying mariners in a letter to members of Congress, including Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

AMMV is a strong supporter of the SHIPS for America Act and has urged that it be incorporated into the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.

“U.S. Merchant Mariners who served honorably in declared U.S. war zones or in direct support of U.S. Armed Forces during military operations, and who received qualifying service medals from the U.S. Maritime Administration—including the Merchant Marine Korean Service Medal, Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Medal, and Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal—should be recognized and honored as United States veterans,” AMMV wrote in the Sept. 20 letter.

“AMMV further recommends that qualifying Merchant Mariners receive burial and cemetery rights equivalent to those previously established by Congress for Merchant Mariners under Section 402 of the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-368; 112 Stat. 3336).”

That law established eligibility for specified burial benefits and interment in national cemeteries for World War II Merchant Marine veterans.

Mariners covered under the SHIPS Act should likewise be eligible for burial in national cemeteries and receive appropriate recognition for their service to the United States, AMMV says.

“American Merchant Mariners have repeatedly sailed in direct support of the U.S. Armed Forces during wars, armed conflicts, national emergencies, and expeditionary operations,” AMMV writes.

“Designating Merchant Mariners who served in war zones as United States veterans would recognize that service while reinforcing the recruitment, retention, morale, esprit de corps, and national-recognition objectives of the United States Merchant Marine Career Retention Program.”

Section 606 of the SHIPS for America Act establishes the United States Merchant Marine Career Retention Program to help ensure that a maritime workforce of sufficient size is ready and available to crew strategic sealift vessels during periods of national defense or national emergency.

Recognition of Merchant Mariners who have already served the Nation in war zones and military operations is consistent with that objective.

AMMV is asking members of Congress to incorporate mariners’ designation as veterans into Section 606 of the act as it moves through Congress.
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“THE IMO SHOULD REVIEW THE ‘NATURE AND CUMULATIVE NUMBER’ OF BRIDGE ALERTS,” SHIPS’ OFFICERS SAY

More than a third of ships’ officers responding to a recent survey on bridge alerts said the number and nature of bridge alerts can make it more difficult for the bridge team to identify or respond to an important alert.

This is a key finding of a survey conducted this month by the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations.

The results are based on 808 responses from shipmasters and deck officers, 300 of whom provided written comments.

The principal finding is that the cumulative burden of multiple alerts can reduce their value, particularly when numerous notifications are generated in quick succession during busy navigational situations.

“Repeated or low-value alarms can increase the volume of information that must be processed and may devalue an alert that requires immediate action,” IFSMA says.

“During pilotage, the bridge team is already dealing with vessel control, communications, traffic assessment, pilot-master information exchange and other navigational tasks.

“An alert that might be useful in isolation could distract the bridge-team when it arrives alongside many other notifications.

“In busy approaches, channels, ports and other high-density traffic areas, bridge teams may encounter several potential alerts within a short period.

“The comments therefore support examining whether alerts should be more sensitive to location rather than applying the same alert setting uniformly.”

The survey also found that the distinction between a critical alert and an informational or low-priority notification is important.

“Where many alerts occur together, clear prioritization and concise information can help the bridge team identify which events require action.”

Bridge team workload during pilotage was the most prominent theme, appearing in 48.7 percent of comments, while high-density or congested traffic was identified in 26.3 percent of comments.

From IFSMA’s perspective, the findings emphasize that bridge alert management has an impact on bridge-team workload and operational priorities.

The results of the survey are posted on bridgeck.org under News and Announcements.

IFSMA and the International Maritime Pilots’ Association will present a paper on the high frequency of bridge alerts to the International Maritime Organization Safety Committee in 2027.

MM&P is a member of IFSMA, which represents the interests of serving shipmasters and licensed deck officers at the IMO, the International Labor Organization and other international and national organizations.
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR ATC AND OSG MATES FIGHTING FOR A CONTRACT

The NLRB victory for ATC and OSG Mates is being challenged in federal court by the companies, prolonging the delay toward a first contract.

Mates across the fleet are continuing to organize and make clear that their vote must be respected.

Members are circulating a petition calling on ATC, OSG, and Saltchuk to stop the delays and bargain.

They have also launched Mates United on Instagram and Facebook to build support for their first contract.

You can strengthen this effort by signing the petition, joining the social media, and sharing.

Please take a few minutes today to:

Follow both pages.

Like and share the posts with your networks.

Sign and share the petition and ask a few others to sign it too.
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SUNY MARITIME TRAINING SHIP LEAVING WEDNESDAY ON FEDERAL DEPLOYMENT

The Maritime Administration has ordered TS Empire State to sail this week to Norfolk, the first stop in its deployment for federal service.

The ship will leave the Bronx on Wednesday, Maritime College President John Okon wrote in an open letter to the college community.

It is scheduled to arrive in Norfolk on Oct. 1 and remain in Virginia through Oct. 30 in preparation for follow-on operations supporting the US Navy.

No information has been made available on the nature or location of its deployment.

“The ship will stay in Norfolk in an extended MARAD Maintenance and Repair Activation for certification of the flight deck,” Okon said.

He added that he has gone on record with MARAD as saying that, to keep the summer sea term on schedule, the vessel needs to return to campus on or about Feb. 12, 2027.

The TS Empire State is the first of the new generation of training ships designed to support teaching as well as humanitarian assistance and other government missions.

It normally accommodates 600 people but can be equipped to carry up to 1,000.

As part of its humanitarian capabilities, it has a complete hospital on board.

This is the first activation of any of the national security multi-mission vessels serving as training ships for the nation’s maritime academies.

“Maritime College recognizes that Empire State is a federal vessel and understands the importance of supporting our nation’s requirements,” Okon said.

“Our institution has always answered the call when our country and our fellow citizens need us, and we are proud that Empire State is capable of supporting national missions.”

He added that the decision to deploy the training ship was made by the Maritime Administrator in support of a national mission and was not a decision made by SUNY, the College, or the College administration.

He said MARAD has told him that it anticipates a mission duration of approximately 170 days.
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CAPTAIN OF ANOTHER CARGO SHIP DIES IN RUSSIAN DRONE ATTACK IN BLACK SEA

The Ukrainian captain of an Antigua and Barbuda-flag cargo ship was killed on Sept. 23 in a Russian drone attack, according to authorities in Ukraine. The previous week, the master of a Tanzania-flag vessel died in a similar incident.

In the most recent attack, first responders succeeded in rescuing 15 members of the crew but could not retrieve the master’s body because of heavy smoke and flames.

In both cases, the authorities said, the fire ignited by the drone attack had damaged parts of the ships’ superstructure.

“The world must recognize and properly assess Russia’s targeted terror against civilian shipping and the people who keep the sea lanes open,” Ukrainian officials said in a statement.

They said Russia had attacked 232 civilian vessels and destroyed 1,054 Ukrainian port infrastructure facilities since the start of the war.

Ukraine, for its part, is also using drones to attack merchant ships: the commander of a drone force told international news outlets last week that his team has disabled 300 vessels on the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea since July.
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN CHARLESTON HALL ON THURSDAY, OCT. 8
There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Charleston Hall on 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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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE HONOLULU HALL ON MONDAY, OCT. 19
There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the MM&P Honolulu Hall on Monday, Oct. 19.

The meeting will take place after the 1000 job call.

MM&P President Don Josberger and Pacific Ports Vice President Melany Velleca will attend the meeting.

The MM&P Honolulu Hall is located at:

521 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste 254

Phone: 808-523-8183

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, Near Costal or Oceans

If you are interested in this 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.

2) Deckhand – MMC

If you are interested in this 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:

https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-36530&g=NDQxMDIxNTA3NTQ5Mjc5Zg==&h=Nzc0MTM5MmQ0ZjVjOTYzYWI0MzYyYzc2ZDQ3ZGU5OThjZWQyMmMyZjAyMTM5ZTIyYTVjYTJkZGVjNjU3NDEzNA==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOmI0MDNkNTJjZGYxNzEwZjVhM2ZlMTk1NGY0OWJjZmM4Ojc6dDpU

Any questions, please email Anthony: aturzio@bridgedeck.org

2) Deckhand with an AB

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s website. https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197&g=YTg1MTA5NzA1MGE0MjY4Yg==&h=NTc0OTYwYjE1OTY4NjlkZDgyNWM0NzNmMTkxODlkZjc4MDQzZGI4MmI1NzEwMjE2MjY3MmFkM2VlZWU3NWQxOQ==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOmI0MDNkNTJjZGYxNzEwZjVhM2ZlMTk1NGY0OWJjZmM4Ojc6dDpU

Any questions, please email Anthony: aturzio@bridgedeck.org

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=ZDZmNTk3ZWNiOTU1MTliMA==&h=ZjZlODBjOTE4NzJkN2M4MmZmMDkxNGNlOGNlNDQ1MzI0ZTNjMWY0OGMzZTg3YmM4MzNlOGI0ZTk2ZjBjYjM2Nw==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOmI0MDNkNTJjZGYxNzEwZjVhM2ZlMTk1NGY0OWJjZmM4Ojc6dDpU or email the company at careers@marineoilservice.com

Any questions, please email Anthony: 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 this position, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Keith: kpoissant@bridgedeck.org.

If you have any questions, please call Keith at 973-420-0492.
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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: 11/30/26, 03/08/27, 04/12/27

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 01/25/27, 05/17/27

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

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 11/02/26, 03/15/27

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 10/12/26*, 11/30/26, 01/18/27, 02/22/27, 04/19/27

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 11/09/26, 11/16/26, 01/04/27, 02/11/27, 05/06/27

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

10/17/26, 11/15/26, 12/05/26, 01/06/27, 01/23/27, 02/13/27, 02/27/27, 04/24/27, 05/09/27

[STCW LICENSE & RADAR RENEWAL Courses]

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

BT-REV (2-day): 10/26/26*, 12/07/26, 02/08/27, 03/22/27, 05/03/27

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 10/28/26*, 12/09/26, 02/10/27, 03/24/27, 05/05/27

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, 02/08/27

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 10/29/26, 12/10/26, 02/11/27

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 10/28/26, 12/09/26, 02/10/27

[CMM – CHIEF MATE & MASTER UPGRADE Courses]

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

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 11/30/26

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

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 04/12/27

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: 12/14/26, 02/01/27

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: Not Currently Scheduled

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: Not Currently Scheduled

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 10/12/26*, 11/02/26, 11/30/26, 01/18/27, 03/08/27, 03/29/27, 05/03/27, 06/07/27

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: Not Currently Scheduled

[AB TO MATE UPGRADE Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/09/26, 02/08/27, 05/03/27

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 11/09/26, 02/08/27, 03/08/27, 05/10/27

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 11/30/26, 02/22/27, 05/24/27

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 11/16/26, 02/15/27, 05/10/27

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

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): 10/12/26, 03/01/27,04/19/27

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

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

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 10/26/26, 02/01/27, 04/26/27

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 10/05/26, 01/11/27, 02/22/27, 04/26/27

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

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 10/26/26, 02/01/27, 03/01/27, 05/03/27

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 10/05/26, 01/04/27, 04/05/27

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 02/15/27, 03/29/27

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 11/16/26, 01/18/27, 04/12/27, 06/28/27

[MSC – MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND Courses]

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

MSC-ATO-II – Anti-Terrorism Officer: Level 2: 03/22/27

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense

Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 11/05/26, 01/07/27, 03/11/27,05/06/27,06/10/27

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 11/06/26, 01/08/27, 03/12/27, 05/07/27, 06/11/27

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day): 11/06/26, 01/08/27, 03/12/27, 05/07/27, 06/11/27

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 10/12/26, 11/09/26, 12/07/26, 01/11/27, 02/08/27, 03/15/27, 04/12/27, 05/10/27, 06/14/27

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 11/07/26, 01/09/27, 03/13/27, 05/08/27, 06/12/27

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 11/08/26, 12/06/26, 01/10/27, 02/07/27, 03/14/27, 04/11/27, 05/09/27, 05/12/27, 06/13/27

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 11/13/26, 01/15/27, 03/19/27, 05/14/27, 06/18/27

[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): 10/26/26*, 10/29/26*

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 02/02/27*, 02/04/27 Contact Admissions@MITAGS.org to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 10/26/26*

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

[OTHER MITAGS COURSES]

AB – Able Seaman: 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: 11/30/26

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 11/09/26

[CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOPS – NOT COVERED BY THE MATES PROGRAM]

Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 10/07/26



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

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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

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

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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