Wheelhouse Weekly, April 2, 2024

Volume 30… Number 14, April 2, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Statement of MM&P President Don Marcus on the Francis Scott Key Bridge Tragedy
• Contractors Remove First Piece of Bridge Wreckage; Temporary Channel Now Open to Smaller Vessels
• SEACOR/Waterman Continues Fleet Renewal
• The Spring 2024 Issue of the MM&P Magazine Is Now Online
• Also: Navy Names Next Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship After Chippewa Veteran
• Maritime Administrator Ann. C. Phillips: “Anti-Harassment Programs Will Encourage More People to Stay in the Industry”

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available

And:

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

STATEMENT OF MM&P PRESIDENT DON MARCUS ON THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE TRAGEDY

Above all, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the friends and families of those who lost their lives as a result of the March 26 tragedy at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. We stand together in support of all those impacted by this unprecedented event. 

As announced by the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilots of the MV DALI did everything possible to avoid this tragedy. Made evident by the NTSB’s outline of events, the quick, decisive actions taken by the Maryland pilots on the ship and their team on shore following the total power blackout are a testament to their rigorous training and expertise.

The pilots’ ability to swiftly respond to unforeseen circumstances certainly saved lives. On behalf of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, AFL-CIO, I commend these professionals for performing at the highest level of industry standards under such devastating circumstances.

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CONTRACTORS REMOVE FIRST PIECE OF BRIDGE WRECKAGE; TEMPORARY CHANNEL OPENS TO SMALLER VESSELS

A 200-ton piece of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was removed on Sunday from the debris field that has blocked entry to the Port of Baltimore since the Singapore-flagged cargo ship DALI struck a pylon early on March 26, causing the bridge to collapse.

Six members of a road crew repairing potholes on the bridge died in the accident.

Wreckage removal is proceeding around the clock. On Monday, workers opened a temporary, shallow-draft channel allowing smaller vessels to enter and exit the port.

The unified command is working on opening three separate auxiliary shipping channels to move tug and barge traffic in and out.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has activated an operations center in Baltimore to coordinate the work of more than 1,000 engineering, construction, and operations specialists.

The Corps has also provided sonar devices and remotely operated vehicles to help structural engineers and bridge safety inspectors examine pieces of the span below the waterline.

According to Department of Transportation data, three bulk carriers, two general cargo ships, a vehicle carrier, a tanker, and four Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force vessels are blocked in port behind the fallen bridge and the MV DALI.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have been working onsite since the early hours of March 26.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said during a press conference that the Coast Guard had recovered the DALI’s voyage data recorder on the morning of the accident.

She predicted that it will take the NTSB 12 to 24 months to release the results of the investigation, adding that “any urgent safety recommendations will be issued as necessary” throughout the process.

As far as what caused the accident, Homendy said it was too soon to answer the question, but that the NTSB was examining fuel samples and had requested the ship’s maintenance and inspection history.

“We have data that is consistent with a power outage, however we don’t have factual information that can confirm that power outage,” she said.

Homendy said the agency has “read and heard reports of previous inspections” and that those reports don’t include any information on prior outages.

As far as the vessel’s cargo, Homendy said the manifest showed the DALI was carrying 56 containers holding 764 tons of various types of hazardous materials.

Some of the containers were breached in the accident, while some are in the water.

Homendy said it was too early to specify what was in the breached containers, but that the manifest shows that the hazardous materials on board the DALI included “flammable materials, corrosive materials and lithium-ion batteries.”

The federal government on Thursday awarded the state of Maryland an initial $60 million for mobilization, operations, and debris recovery efforts.

The Navy has supplied four heavy-lift cranes, including the Chesapeake 1000, the largest salvage crane available on the eastern seabord.

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SEACOR/WATERMAN CONTINUES FLEET RENEWAL

MM&P-contracted SEACOR/Waterman will bring the newbuild Pure Car/Truck Carrier GREEN WAVE into its fleet around April 18.

The new vessel will replace the PC/TC GREEN LAKE.

The GREEN WAVE is the second new addition to Waterman’s fleet as part of its fleet renewal program.

MM&P licensed deck officers have been at the conn of the MV GREEN OCEAN—sister ship to the GREEN WAVE—since December.

The GREEN OCEAN replaced the 1998-built MV GREEN RIDGE.

The new ships are purpose-built to carry both cars and military cargo. They have significantly more high/heavy cargo space than the vessels they replace.

Waterman operates a fleet of four U.S.-flag roll on/roll off vessels with the flexibility to carry some of the largest and heaviest cargoes, including support cargoes for the U.S. military and construction equipment for major infrastructure projects.

The company’s PCTCs participate in the Maritime Security Program and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement.
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The Spring 2024 Issue of the MM&P Magazine Is Now Online

The new issue of The Master, Mate & Pilot has been posted on bridgedeck.org.

In this issue of the MM&P magazine:

— MM&P members are dealing with risks that their predecessors have faced in peace and war since the union was founded in 1887;

— 90th MM&P Convention Call;

— Constitutional Convention Call;

— National Labor Relations Board adopts and expands on critical federal appeals court decision in case brought by MM&P;

— MITAGS designated center of maritime training excellence;

— pilot associations join MM&P in dedicating building on MITAGS campus to Captain George Quick;

— MM&P Health & Benefit Plans announce new prescription drug provider, Silver Script, for retired participants/pensioners;

— photos from the holiday parties at MM&P union halls;

— membership communication information for the upcoming MM&P election; plus

— cover photo of the trailing arm suction hopper dredge RB Weeks, which recently joined the Weeks Marine fleet—members of the MM&P Great Lakes & Gulf Region vertically crew the company’s trailing arm suction dredges.

The Spring 2024 issue of The Master, Mate & Pilot will be in your mailbox soon!

In the meantime, look for it online on bridgedeck.org under Latest News.
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NAVY NAMES NEXT TOWING, SALVAGE AND RESCUE SHIP AFTER CHIPPEWA VETERAN

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has named the next ship in Military Sealift Command’s towing, salvage, and rescue class in honor of James D. Fairbanks, a member of the Chippewa Tribe and the 13th Force Master Chief Petty Officer of the Seabees.

Vessels in the Navajo class will provide ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to support Military Sealift Command, capabilities that are currently provided by Powhatan-class fleet tugs and Safeguard-class rescue and salvage vessels.

Vessels in the Powhatan and Safeguard classes began reaching the end of their expected service lives in 2020.

The new Navajo-class ships—which will be operated by licensed deck officers represented by the MM&P Federal Employees Membership Group—will be capable of towing U.S. Navy ships and will have 6,000 square feet of deck space for embarked systems.

The choice of the name of the future USNS JAMES. D. FAIRBANKS follows the Navy’s tradition of naming towing, salvage and rescue ships after prominent Native Americans or Native American tribes.

Fairbanks, who was born and raised on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota, served in both the Navy and the Marine Corps.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970, serving as an ordnanceman with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, until he was honorably discharged in 1972.

He worked as a civilian welder until 1977 before enlisting in the Navy, serving with an amphibious construction battalion until his honorable discharge in 1979.

In 1986, he resumed Naval service as a Seabee.

While deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Fairbanks received the Bronze Star for meritorious leadership under proximate enemy fire and threat of enemy attack.

From 2005 to 2008, he served as the 13th Force Master Chief for the Seabees, the highest-ranking enlisted Seabee and the first Native American to hold this position.

“The names of thousands of indigenous heroes who have served with distinction in our military—and especially our Navy and Marine Corps—echo and inspire us still,” said Secretary of the Navy Del Toro.

“This Navajo-class ship bearing the name James D. Fairbanks will carry his legacy of service forward and symbolize his dedication to the Seabees and our Nation.” 

A total of 10 ships are planned for the Navajo class.
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“ANTI-HARASSMENT PROGRAMS WILL ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO STAY IN THE INDUSTRY”

Maritime Administrator Ann C. Phillips says that the work being done in the maritime industry to address the problem of harassment will strengthen the Merchant Marine and—as a consequence—national security.

New protections against harassment will improve the working environment for everyone, she says, making it more likely that mariners will want to remain in the workforce.

Phillips made the remarks in a new podcast produced by the American Maritime Partnership.

MM&P and MIRAID are both members of the American Maritime Partnership, a coalition working to defend the Jones Act and support and strengthen the domestic maritime industry.

The Maritime Administration has been working with U.S.-flag shipping companies since 2022 on a program to combat shipboard bullying, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.

Nineteen companies are already participating in the program, known as EMBARC.

Under a law passed last year by Congress, the Maritime Administration and other government agencies are promulgating rules and regulations to implement the program.

Eliminating bullying and harassment will help meet a national security objective, Phillips says: the need to keep enough Americans in maritime to meet the country’s sealift and defense needs.

“Without that, we’re going to struggle with retention across the board, whether it’s women, men, race, or any other [factor],” she says.

“We really need to think through how today’s young people want to view themselves and can view themselves in this industry, and how we can make changes to help continue their service.”

Phillips has direct experience in maritime, having been a U.S. Navy surface warfare officer for 31 years, including three in command of the destroyer USS MUSTIN. She retired as a rear admiral in 2014.

“I know what it’s like to be at sea, and to face the challenges that mariners face broadly,” she says.

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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

2AE on the SLNC Goodwill.

3AE on the SLNC Star
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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
AB – Able Seaman (5-Day): 06/10/24, 09/16/24

AIS-1 – Automatic Identifications Systems Orientation (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 04/11/24, 08/12/24, 11/04/24

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP-Refresher (Now including Emergency Shiphandling for Pilots) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 05/06/24

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 04/22/24*, 06/10/24

BT-Refresher (3-day): 04/22/24*, 06/10/24

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 04/15/24

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 04/29/24, 06/24/24, 10/07/24, 12/09/24

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 04/22/24, 06/17/24, 09/23/24, 12/16/24

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/14/24

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 07/08/24, 12/09/24

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 07/15/24, 12/16/24

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 08/12/24, 11/11/24

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 08/12/24, 11/18/24

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 09/30/24

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 10/28/24

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 04/08/24*, 05/06/24*, 06/03/24*, 07/08/24, 08/05/24*, 09/09/24, 09/30/24, 11/04/24, 12/02/24

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 04/15/24*, 05/13/24*, 06/10/24, 07/15/24, 08/12/24*, 09/16/24, 10/07/24, 11/11/24, 12/09/24

**SHS-ADV-I & II are now approved to include SAR-CMM assessments at MITAGS**

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 11/04/24

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): 09/16/24

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-day) – 05/11/24, 07/27/24, 11/16/24

CIW-DPA/IA – Continual Improvement Workshop: Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day) ** This course is NOT covered by the MATES Program **

Online: 05/15/24

CIW-SMS – Continual Improvement Workshop: Successful Safety Management (2-Day) – Online: Not Currently Scheduled

CNAV-OIC– Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 05/06/24

CRISIS-COMMS – Crisis Communications (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

CRSMGT – Crisis Management and Human Behavior (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

CDMGT – Crowd Management (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

CSE – Confined Space Entry (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

CSE-AWR – Confined Space Entry Awareness (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

DDE – Great Lakes (20-Day) : Not currently scheduled

ECDIS for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 12/09/24

ADV-FF – Advanced Fire-Fighting (4-day): Not currently scheduled

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 05/06/24

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 04/24/24, 06/12/24

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 04/25/24, 06/13/24

FSM – Fatigue, Sleep, & Medications (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

Online: Not currently scheduled

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

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 05/06/24, 08/26/24, 12/02/24

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 07/22/24, 10/07/24

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

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Program for Original 3rd Mate, Oceans, Any Gross

Ton License (15-Day): 06/03/24

LEG – Legal Aspects of Pilotage (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 04/17/24*, 05/20/24, 06/17/24, 06/20/24

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): 04/04/24

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments /not included): 12/02/24

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 05/13/24, 08/19/24, 09/30/24

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 05/26/24, 07/29/24, 11/18/24

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 05/13/24, 07/08/24, 08/19/24

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 04/06/24, 05/05/24, 05/18/24

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-ATO-II – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer II (5-Day): 08/19/24

MSC-ATO-III – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer III (1-Day): 08/23/24

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer (5-Day): 07/08/24

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 05/09/24, 06/07/24, 08/08/24, 09/12/24, 10/31/24

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 05/10/24, 06/07/24, 08/09/24, 09/13/24, 11/01/24

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 05/10/24, 06/07/24, 08/09/24, 09/13/24, 11/01/24

MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 05/13/24, 06/10/24, 07/15/24, 08/12/24, 09/16/24, 11/04/24

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 05/11/24, 06/08/24, 08/10/24, 09/14/24, 11/02/24

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 05/12/24, 06/09/24, 07/14/24, 08/11/24, 09/15/24, 11/03/24

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 05/17/24, 06/14/24, 07/19/24, 08/16/24, 09/20/24, 11/08/24

NDMS-ENAV – Navigational Decision Making Series – Best Practice in eNav (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 05/15/24*, 05/17/24*, 08/19/24*, 08/21/24*, 12/09/24, 12/11/24

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 06/24/24, 09/23/24

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 04/18/24, 06/06/24, 09/19/24

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

ROR-1 – Radar Observer Renewal (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 04/24/24, 06/12/24

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 08/05/24, 10/28/24

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 04/01/24

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 04/29/24, 07/22/24

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 07/22/24, 10/14/24, 12/16/24

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 04/08/24

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: Not Currently Scheduled

TRAC-TUG-2 (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

TTT – ** NOT covered by the MATES Program **: Not Currently Scheduled

VPDSD – Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties: Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 04/08/24, 05/31/24

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 04/22/24, 07/29/24
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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

You can enroll online at www.mitags.org or contact our Admissions Department 866.656.5568 or admissions@mitags.org

April 2024
8-12 ECDIS

22-23 Basic Training Revalidation

24th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

May 2024

6-10 Basic Training

13-17 Medical Care Provider

13-24 Medical Person-In-Charge

20-22 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

30-31 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

June 2024

1-2 Basic Training Revalidation

1-3 Basic Training Refresher

3rd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

3-7 Basic Training

3-21 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

24-25 Basic Training Revalidation

26th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
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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.