Wheelhouse Weekly, April 5, 2023

Volume 29… Number 14, April 4, 2023

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• U.S.-Flag Fleet Goes to Congress to Advocate for American Ships and Crews
• Mariner Shortfall “Incredibly Alarming,” House Readiness Subcommittee Chair Says
• Pirates Kidnap Six Members of the Crew of Hijacked Danish Tanker
• Attention All Mariners: Well-Paying Jobs Offering Permanent Employment Are Available With MM&P on the Great Lakes and in Coastal Waters!

Mark Your Calendar:

• MM&P Closed on April 7 for Good Friday
• Offshore Familiarization Course in the Charleston Hall
• Membership Meeting in the Charleston Hall on Tuesday, April 25
• Membership Meeting in the Boston Hall on Thursday, May 11

Job Opportunities:

• SUNY Maritime Seeks MM&P Members With Second Mate or Higher License for Summer Cruise
• Experienced Licensed Deck and Engine Officers Needed for Summer Sea Term Aboard TS GOLDEN BEAR
• Offshore Jobs Available
• Engineering Jobs Available Offshore and on the Great Lakes

Also:

• If You’re Thinking About a Vacation, Check Out the Tours Offered Through Union Plus

And:

• MITAGS East Academic Notes
• MITAGS West Academic Notes

U.S.-FLAG FLEET GOES TO CONGRESS TO ADVOCATE FOR AMERICAN SHIPS AND CREWS

Representatives of the maritime labor unions, U.S.-flag shipping companies, the maritime academies and industry trade groups spent March 30 on Capitol Hill, advocating for the U.S.-flag fleet and the men and women who crew American vessels.

The occasion was the “Congressional Sail-In,” now in its 11th year.

The Sail-In is an occasion to consolidate relationships with members of Congress who are already aware of the importance of the U.S.-flag fleet, and to establish ties with newly elected legislators who may have only moderate awareness of the role that American ships and crews play in the nation’s economy and national defense.

This year, 138 people took part, making it the largest Sail-In ever.

Collectively, they had 139 meetings with members of Congress and their staffs.

The participants included: representatives of major U.S. seafaring unions; every USA Maritime member company and association; major Jones Act companies and organizations; the state maritime academies; the Navy League of the United States; the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department; and the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department.

Representing MM&P were: President Don Marcus; Secretary-Treasurer Don Josberger; Gulf Ports Vice President Jeremy Hope; Pacific Ports Vice President Lars Turner; United Inland Group―Pacific Maritime Region Vice President Dan Twohig; Atlantic Maritime Group Representative Keith Poissant; MIRAID President Jim Patti; MIRAID Counsel Steve Wines; and MIRAID Legislative Representative James Patti.

Members of the groups met face-to-face with key senators, representatives, and their staffs to provide information about the programs and policies that enable the U.S.-flag merchant marine to meet the commercial sealift requirements of the Department of Defense.

The discussions focused on the need to assure that:

— the Maritime Security Program is fully funded at the Congressionally authorized level of $318 million; and

— the Tanker Security Program is fully funded at the Congressionally authorized level of $120 million.

In addition, Sail-In participants urged Congress to:

— increase funding for international food aid programs, such as PL-480 Food for Peace;

— support state maritime academy funding for training ship infrastructure, fuel, and student scholarships; and

— support capital improvement funding for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
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MARINER SHORTFALL “INCREDIBLY ALARMING,” HOUSE READINESS SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR SAYS

The U.S. is approximately 1,800 licensed and unlicensed mariners short of the number needed to operate the commercial fleet and the Ready Reserve Fleet in the event of a full mobilization exceeding four to six months, Maritime Administrator Ann C. Phillips testified at a March 28 Congressional hearing.

“The last numbers we have predate COVID. They are an estimated 1,800 in an uncontested environment, over a six-month cycle of activating the Ready Reserve,” she told Rep. Michael Waltz, chair of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, in response to a question.

“[W]e’re competing [for mariners] with active ships, we’re competing with our U.S.-flag vessels, our 85 internationally trading, privately owned foreign-trading vessels,” Phillips said.

“And the Ready Reserve are aging vessels, which means that there are skillsets required to operate some of them, those remaining that are steam, for example, that not a lot of mariners have.”

“I think everybody here should find that incredibly alarming,” Waltz said.

“That is a red star cluster.”

“We’ve gone from 400 ships in the First Gulf War down to 40, and we can’t even staff the 40.”

Also testifying at the hearing was TRANSCOM Commander Jacqueline D. Van Ovost.

“The supply of contract mariners is sufficient to meet the initial sealift surge when government reserve ships are activated, but [it] will be challenged with the ability to sustain crewing requirements over an extended period,” she testified.

“The post-COVID recovery has highlighted significant workforce concerns to maritime stakeholders to include recruiting and retention.”

A link to the entire hearing is posted on the subcommittee’s website.
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PIRATES KIDNAP SIX MEMBERS OF THE CREW OF HIJACKED DANISH TANKER

Six members of the crew of the MONJASA REFORMER, the Danish product tanker hijacked off the coast of the Republic of Congo on the night of March 25-26, have been kidnapped by pirates.

After receiving a distress message from the MONJASA REFORMER indicating that the pirates had left with six members of the crew, the French Navy patrol boat PREMIER MAÎTRE L’HER located the tanker using an aerial drone.

A pirate boat was spotted alongside the tanker when it was first located by the drone, but a subsequent reconnaissance flight showed the skiff had departed.

Once on scene, the crew of the French patrol boat dispatched an inspection team, including a nurse and a doctor, to the tanker.

Three of the remaining members of the crew were found to have sustained minor injuries, which were treated onboard.

In coordination with the shipowner, on the following day, the crew of PREMIER MAÎTRE L’HER escorted MONJASA REFORMER to the port of Lomé.

French and British monitoring agency Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade Gulf of Guinea issued a warning to mariners, which has been followed up by additional warnings, to avoid the area offshore near the southern border of Congo and Angola.
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WELL-PAYING JOBS OFFERING PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT ARE AVAILABLE WITH MM&P ON THE GREAT LAKES AND IN COASTAL WATERS!

The MM&P United Inland Group has jobs available with Grand River Navigation, Weeks Marine and Cetacean Marine.

There are licensed deck jobs for those with Great Lakes pilotage and unlicensed deck positions at Grand River Navigation on the Great Lakes.

There are unlicensed and licensed deck jobs with Weeks Marine aboard their growing fleet of dredges.

Cross-shipping rights for Offshore applicants/members are available for licensed personnel, with sea time and points counting towards upgrading Offshore membership.

There are unlicensed and licensed engineering jobs with Cetacean Marine, Grand River, and Weeks Marine.

If you are interested, please contact UIG Vice President Tom Bell (tbell@bridgedeck.org or 216-776-1667) with any questions.
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MM&P CLOSED ON APRIL 7 FOR GOOD FRIDAY

All MM&P union halls, the MM&P Plan Office, the MM&P Federal Credit Union and MM&P headquarters will be closed on April 7 for Good Friday.
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OFFSHORE FAMILIARIZATION COURSE IN THE CHARLESTON HALL

The Offshore Familiarization Course will be held in person at the MM&P Charleston Hall on Monday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 25.

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 John Livingston at charleston@bridgedeck.org

Here is the schedule:

— Day 1, April 24, from 0930 to 1500;

— Day 2, April 25, from 0930 to 1100;

— Day 2, April 25, from 1100 to 1330 Membership Meeting.

The Charleston Hall is located at:

1481 Tobias Gadson Blvd., Suite 2C

Charleston, SC 29407

The phone number is: 843-766-3565.
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MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE CHARLESTON HALL ON TUESDAY, APRIL 25

MM&P Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin has scheduled an in-person membership meeting at the Charleston Union Hall on Tuesday, April 25, at 1100 EDT following job call.

All members and applicants are welcome to attend.

The Charleston Union Hall is located at:

1481 Tobias Gadson Blvd Suite 2C

Charleston, SC 29407

The phone number is: 843-766-3565.
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MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE BOSTON HALL ON THURSDAY, MAY 11

MM&P Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin has scheduled an in-person membership meeting at the Boston Union Hall on Thursday, May 11, at 1100 EDT following job call.

All members and applicants are welcome to attend.

MM&P President Don Marcus and Secretary-Treasurer Don Josberger will participate in the meeting.

The Boston Union Hall is located at:

Marine Industrial Park

12 Channel St., Suite 606-A

Boston, MA 02210-2333

The phone number is: 617-671-0769.
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SUNY MARITIME SEEKS MM&P MEMBERS WITH SECOND MATE OR HIGHER LICENSE FOR SUMMER CRUISE

SUNY Maritime seeks MM&P members with second mate or higher license for either half or full summer sea cruise.

Open to all MM&P Offshore applicants, members, and retirees. Job order available on PRO card, BTWE.

Could do either A–half, B–half or full cruise.

A – Half: June 5–July 12

B – Half: July 13–Aug. 18

Full cruise: June 5–Aug. 18

Number of positions available: 2

Transportation: Round trip transportation home

If you can fill this job, for additional information, including wages, please contact the MM&P NY/NJ Hall: 201-963-1900 or nynj@bridgedeck.org.

Members who are interested will still have to submit an application to SUNY through the following link.

In your cover letter, please be sure to note that you are an MM&P member.
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EXPERIENCED LICENSED DECK AND ENGINE OFFICERS NEEDED FOR SUMMER SEA TERM ABOARD TS GOLDEN BEAR

A referral agreement between MM&P and the California Maritime Academy gives MM&P members and applicants the opportunity to work as officers aboard the TS GOLDEN BEAR during the summer sea term.

The basic provisions of the agreement provide for members and applicants to participate in the MM&P Health & Benefit Plan, IRAP, and MATES training program.

Officers who sail under the terms of the program are also eligible to earn points needed for MM&P advancement.

There are positions for watch standers, instructors, and day workers for both Deck and Engine departments.

This is a unique opportunity to assist with the at-sea, practical training of future mariners and the chance to participate in a great itinerary.

Currently seeking the following:

— 4 Third Mates (1 day worker and 3 watch standers)

— 1 First Assistant Engineer (day worker)

— 1 Second Assistant Engineer (day worker)

— 1 Third Engineer (day worker)

The cruise begins May 1 and ends July 8. Here is the tentative itinerary:

May 1: Report aboard for duty

May 5: Cadets begin cruise

May 9: Depart Vallejo

May 11-12: Long Beach/Bunker (No liberty)

May 16-19: La Paz, Mexico (Liberty)

June 5-8: Apia Samoa (Liberty)

June 11: Golden Shellback

June 17-20: Hilo, Hawaii (Liberty)

July 1-5: Astoria, Wash.

July 7: Arrive Vallejo

July 8: Cruise ends
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

Chief Mate for the LMSR fleet needed now. Security clearance required.

Tanker CM also needed.
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ENGINEERING JOBS AVAILABLE OFFSHORE AND ON THE GREAT LAKES

There are openings for engineers in the MM&P Offshore fleet and the Great Lakes & Gulf Region.

For engineering jobs in the Offshore Group, contact Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin, tlarkin@bridgedeck.org, or 201-963-1900.

For engineering jobs on the Lakes, contact MM&P Great Lakes & Gulf Region Vice President Tom Bell, tbell@bridgedeck.org, or (216) 776-1667.
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IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT A VACATION, CHECK OUT THE TOURS OFFERED TO UNION MEMBERS THROUGH UNION PLUS

Union Plus invites you to enjoy unique vacation options on seven continents through a U.S.-based tour operator with which it partners.

The group offers more than 160 tours, from the rolling Irish countryside to the Australian Outback to America’s National Parks.

The tour operators do all the planning, so you can focus on seeing new places and having fun.

To learn more, visit UnionPlus.org/VacationTours.
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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): 06/05/23

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

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 06/19/23, 09/04/23, 11/13/23

AZIPOD (2-Day) : Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): 05/01/23, 07/24/23, 10/09/23, 12/11/23

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): 05/08/23, 09/11/23

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) –*04/24/23, 06/05/23, 09/26/23, 10/16/23, 11/15/23, 12/19/23

BT-Refresher (3-day) – *04/24/23, 06/05/23, 09/26/23, 11/15/23, 12/18/23

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 09/18/23

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 06/26/23, 07/24/23, 12/18/23

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 04/17/23, 06/19/23, 07/31/23, 10/30/23, 12/11/23

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/16/23

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 7/10/23, 11/27/23

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 07/17/23, 12/04/23

CM-OPS 2 APL – Chief Mate Operations II APL Specific (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 04/10/23, 08/07/23, 10/02/23

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 04/24/23, 08/14/23, 10/16/23

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 10/02/23

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 05/01/23, 11/06/23

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 04/10/23, 06/05/23*, 07/10/23, 08/14/23, 09/11/23, 10/02/23, 10/30/23 12/04/23

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 04/03/23, 06/12/23, 07/17/23, 10/09/23, 11/06/23, 12/11/23

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

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 04/10/23, 10/09/23

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): 09/25/23

WX-HW-ATL – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Atlantic Ocean (2-day) – Not Currently Scheduled

WX-HW-IND – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Indian Ocean (2-day) – Not Currently Scheduled

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-day) – Not Currently Scheduled

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

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

CNAV-OIC– Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 05/08/23, 10/30/23

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): 05/01/23, 08/22/23

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

CY-MAR – Cyber-Skilled Mariner (5-Day) **NOT covered by the MATES Program ** – Not currently scheduled

Cyber-MAR-ONL – Cyber Skilled Mariner, Management of Information & Systems Security (Online Seminar) **NOT covered by the MATES Program ** – 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): 11/27/23

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

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 05/08/23, 07/24/23

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 04/26/23, 06/07/23, 09/27/23, 10/18/23, 11/17/23, 12/21/23

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 04/27/23, 06/08/23, 09/29/23, 11/13/23, 12/16/23

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

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): 07/17/23

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 05/01/23, 06/19/23, 09/11/23, 11/16/23

IEN – Integrated Electronic Navigation (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 07/10/23, 10/16/23

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): 06/05/23, 11/27/23

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

LNG-TPIC (10-Day): Not currently scheduled

LNG-BADV (3 Day): Coming Soon!

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): 05/04/23

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments not included): 04/17/23, 12/04/23

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 04/10/23*, 07/10/23, 08/21/23, 10/02/23, 12/04/23

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 05/22/23, 08/07/23, 11/27/23

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 04/10/23*, 07/10/23, 08/21/23, 09/18/23, 10/02/23

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 04/15/23, 04/23/23, 05/20/23, 06/04/23, 07/15/23, 09/24/23, 10/07/23, 10/15/23, 11/18/23, 12/09/23, 12/22/23

–

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 05/22/23, 06/08/23, 08/10/23, 09/07/23, 10/26/23

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 05/23/23, 06/09/23, 08/11/23, 09/08/23, 10/27/23

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day): 06/19/23, 08/21/23, 11/16/23

MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day): 06/06/23, 09/13/23

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 04/17/23, 05/15/23, 06/12/23, 08/14/23, 09/11/23, 10/30/23

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour) – 05/13/23, 06/10/23, 08/12/23, 09/09/23, 10/28/23

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day) – 04/16/23, 05/14/23, 06/11/23, 08/13/23, 09/10/23, 10/29/23

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day) –04/21/23, 05/19/23, 06/16/23, 08/18/23, 09/15/23, 11/03/23

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): *05/22/23, 05/24/23, *07/31/23, *08/02/23, 11/13/23, 11/15/23

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 04/24/23, 06/12/23, 09/18/23

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 05/01/23, 06/12/23, 10/02/23

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): Upon Request

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 06/19/23, 08/28/23, 11/27/23

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 05/01/23, 10/23/23

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 06/26/23, 09/25/23, 12/11/23

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 04/24/23, 06/19/23, 08/28/23, 10/16/23, 12/18/23

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 09/11/23

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 07/31/23

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 07/10/23

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

TTT – ** This course is NOT covered by the MATES Program **: Not currently scheduled

VPDSD – Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 05/31/23, 06/26/23

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 04/17/23, 10/09/23,

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 07/10
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MITAGS WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

2023 Winter/Spring

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

April 2023
10-11 Basic Training Revalidation

10-21 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

12th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

24-5 GMDSS

24-12 Celestial Navigation

May 2023

1-4 Advanced Firefighting

15-26 GMDSS

18-19 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

20-21 Basic Training Revalidation

20-2 Basic Training Refresher

22 Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

22-6 Basic Training (original)

23 Radar Renewal

30-1 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

June 2023

12-3 Basic Training Revalidation

14 Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

19-23 Basic Training (original)

26-30 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©2021. 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 or to MM&P headquarters, e-mail communications@bridgedeck.org. Back issues of The Weekly are posted on www.bridgedeck.org