Wheelhouse Weekly, Aug. 8, 2023

Volume 29… Number 32, August 8, 2023

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• U.S. May Deploy Marines to Commercial Vessels to Deter Iran From Seizing Ships
• Navy Accepts Delivery of Newest Fleet Oiler
• Great Lakes Towing Christens Two New Tugs
• “We Need to Reinvent the Lifeboat,” Safety Experts Say
• International Study Identifies 15 Key “Pain Points” for Women in Maritime
• Plus: MSC Announces Education Loan Repayment Program for Some CIVMARS
• Plus: Applications Now Open for 2024 Union Plus Scholarships!
• Coast Guard News: NMC Standardizes Policy on Use of Calculators During Credentialing Exams
• Also: Philippine Coast Guard Crewmembers Lost in Rescue Mission

Apply Now!

• MM&P and Washington State Ferries’ New Pilotage Program for Mates Is Accepting Applications

Attention All Mariners:

• Well-Paying Jobs Offering Permanent Employment Are Available With MM&P on the Great Lakes and in Coastal Waters!

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Engineering Jobs Available Offshore and on the Great Lakes

And:

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

U.S. MAY DEPLOY MARINES TO COMMERCIAL VESSELS TO DETER IRAN FROM SEIZING SHIPS

More than 3,000 marines and navy sailors arrived in the Middle East on Aug. 6 as part of an operation intended to deter Iran from seizing or harassing merchant ships near the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said.

The news was first reported by abcnews.go.com.

While their mission would be defensive, the marines would have the right to defend themselves as necessary, a Department of Defense spokesperson said.

It is unclear how many would be aboard each vessel or what type of weapons they would be equipped with.

Because the marines would be deployed aboard commercial vessels, they would have to be requested by individual shipping companies or ship operators.

The U.S. is expected to offer protection to U.S.-flagged ships, to ships carrying crews that include U.S. citizens, and to ships bringing cargo to or from the U.S.

DOD is said to have informed the commercial shipping industry that this option is or will become available.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment in July in response to recent attempts by Iran to seize commercial ships.

Iran attempted to seize two commercial oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman in July, opening fire on one of them.

In May, Iran seized two merchant ships in a single week.

“Since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels, presenting a clear threat to regional maritime security and the global economy,” the Navy said in a statement that was released in July.
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NAVY ACCEPTS DELIVERY OF NEWEST FLEET OILER

The Navy has taken delivery of USNS HARVEY MILK, the second vessel in the 20-ship John Lewis-class fleet oiler program.

The new ships, which will be operated by Military Sealift Command, will transfer diesel fuel, lubricating oil, jet fuel, potable water and small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions and dry stores to U.S. Navy carrier strike groups at sea.

They have aviation capability and the capacity to carry 157,000 barrels of oil and can reach speeds of up to 20 knots.

The delivery of USNS HARVEY MILK followed the completion of acceptance trials by the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey to test the readiness and capability of the ship.

The Navy says the new oilers, which will add underway replenishment capacity to its Combat Logistics Force, will become the cornerstone of its fuel delivery system.

The first vessel in the class, USNS JOHN LEWIS, was delivered last year.

The Navy christened USNS EARL WARREN in January and the keel-laying for USNS ROBERT F. KENNEDY took place last December.

The new oilers are being built by General Dynamics NASSCO, which is also contracted to build the USNS LUCY STONE, the USNS SOJOURNER TRUTH, the USNS THURGOOD MARSHALL, the USNS RUTH BADER GINSBURG, and two additional vessels.

The MM&P Federal Employees Membership Group represents the licensed deck officers, the medical services officers, and the pursers aboard all the new fleet oilers.
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GREAT LAKES TOWING CHRISTENS TWO NEW TUGS

The Great Lakes Towing Company christened two new tugs in Chicago on Aug. 4.

The tugs, ILLINOIS and INDIANA, were built in Cleveland by Great Lakes Shipyard, a sister company to Great Lakes Towing.

Both companies are part of The Great Lakes Group.

The tugs’ compact size and their high level of maneuverability make them ideal for work in the harbor towing business on the Great Lakes, the company says.
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“WE NEED TO REINVENT THE LIFEBOAT,” SAFETY EXPERTS SAY

Despite the emphasis that the industry places on training and compliance, mariners are still being injured when launching lifeboats.

The Container Ship Safety Forum, which includes representatives of Maersk, CMA CGM, and 30 other shipping companies, believes the problem is in the design.

“Over the years, many seafarers have been injured—some of them fatally—while launching lifeboats during evacuations or evacuation drills,” says CSSF Chair Aslak Ross.

“Not because the lifeboats have not been compliant with safety standards, but simply because launching a lifeboat is a dangerous task.”

“A change is needed to provide a safe environment and for seafarers to regain trust in lifesaving equipment.”

CSSF has called on the industry to augment the focus on training and compliance with a push to “reinvent” lifeboats aboard cargo vessels.

In a statement issued earlier this year, CSSF urged classification societies, flag states and suppliers to replace current lifeboats with a safer technology.

“Alternative designs are already available for offshore installations and for passenger evacuation on PAX vessels through Marine Evacuation Systems and the like,” CSSF says.

“Such systems should be made available to cargo vessels without delay.”

CSSF was founded in 2014 to improve safety and management practices in the container shipping industry through measurement, reporting, benchmarking, engaging with stakeholders, and sharing best practices.

It represents more than 50 percent of the worldwide available TEU capacity on container vessels.
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INTERNATIONAL STUDY IDENTIFIES 15 KEY “PAIN POINTS” FOR WOMEN IN MARITIME

Researchers who conducted anonymous interviews with 115 female seafarers have compiled a list of the problems most often cited as impediments to pursuing a career in maritime.

The study was conducted by two non-governmental organizations, The Global Maritime Forum and a group that it funds, the All Aboard Alliance, which represents 36 member companies.

The interviewees came from 23 different countries and were employed at all ranks.

The study was conducted as part of a multi-year effort by the All Aboard Alliance to improve living conditions and working conditions for women at sea.

The interviews took place starting at the end of 2022 and continued into the beginning of 2023.

The researchers identified 15 key “pain points,” which fall into four broad categories:

— difficulty for women to succeed professionally at sea;

— challenging social relations onboard;

— employment challenges at sea;

— physical conditions onboard.

“Some of the pain points are already known, but the detailed accounts are very valuable,” said Su Yin Anand, head of Shipping at South32 and co-chair of the All Aboard Alliance.

“We need to make life at sea more inclusive to women seafarers.”

“Now that we have a better understanding of what the pain points are, we can work together to address them.”

“We do not want them to leave their careers at sea because we need them… and we need many more.”

On average, women constitute less than 2 percent of the total seafarer population.

It is important to note that many of the key pain points identified in the study—such as bullying and harassment, feelings of isolation, and long contracts keeping seafarers from their families for many months—are also considered as pain points by many male seafarers.

In the next phase of the project, to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2023, women working aboard selected vessels from within the All Aboard Alliance with higher-than-average numbers of women officers and crewmembers onboard will evaluate the possible impact of proposed solutions.
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MSC ANNOUNCES EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR SOME CIVMARS

MSC has informed the union that under certain conditions, it will pay off, or the U.S. will forgive, $10,000 annually or a lifetime total of $60,000 in certain education loans for certain CIVMARS it employs full-time.

MSC says permanent employees and selectees for new permanent employment are eligible for student loan repayment.

The program is expected to be implemented no earlier than Aug. 16, 2023.

Details are posted on bridgedeck.org under “News and Announcements.”
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APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2024 UNION PLUS SCHOLARSHIPS!

Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $5.4 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education.

More than 3,800 families have benefited from the Union Plus commitment to higher education.

Learn more and apply for this year’s scholarship!

The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2024.

The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, supported in part by contributions from the provider of the Union Plus Credit Card. 

You do not need to be a Union Plus Credit Card holder to apply for this scholarship.
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NMC STANDARDIZES POLICY ON USE OF CALCULATORS DURING CREDENTIALING EXAMS

To standardize calculator usage during U.S. Coast Guard mariner credentialing examinations, the National Maritime Center is implementing a new policy.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, all mariners testing at a regional examination center, a monitoring unit, or a federal/state maritime academy will be issued a Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS calculator to use.

All mariners should become familiar with the use of this calculator prior to their scheduled examination.

You can review the TI-30XIIS operating manual at TI-30XIIS Quick Reference Guide.

After Dec. 31, 2023, no other calculators will be allowed in the examination room.

Any questions, concerns, or feedback should be directed to the NMC Customer Service Center by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD CREWMEMBERS LOST IN RESCUE MISSION

Four members of the Philippine Coast Guard who were deployed in a typhoon to save the crew of a tugboat are missing, the authorities said.

The tug was located off Aparri, on Luzon’s north shore, when it was driven by wind and waves onto a shoal at the mouth of the Cagayan River.

The captain called the coast guard for help getting the crew to shore, and the PCG launched an aluminum boat with a four-person crew to assist.

While in transit to the tug, the PCG rescue boat capsized, and the crew has been missing ever since.

The authorities said the crew of the grounded tug was later rescued.
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MM&P AND WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES’ NEW PILOTAGE PROGRAM FOR MATES IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The MM&P and Washington State Ferries’ new Pilotage Program for Mates is now
accepting applications.
Click here to apply. Click here for more information. Or read on.
Washington State Ferries is seeking deckhands and mates. The minimum license
requirements are an Inland Mate (unlimited) with Federal Pilotage for all ferry routes in
Puget Sound.
MM&P and WSF have begun a program that will allow deck officers from both inside
and outside the agency who do not currently hold the pilotage to be employed by WSF as
“Mates in Training.”
This program is now accepting applications!
Candidates are paid at approximately $41/hour, with the possibility of some local travel
reimbursements (mileage) within the Puget Sound region.
With the implementation of the 2023–25 MM&P contracts on July 1, 2023, it is
anticipated that the rate of pay should be increased by 6 percent, to $43.46.
Mates in Training can ride the ships for up to a year to obtain the pilotage endorsements
necessary to get on the MM&P seniority list.
The first cadre of pilotage riders (internal) has completed the program and are being
deployed to the fleet as fully qualified Chief Mates. The second internal cadre has begun
the program.
To apply, click here. For more information, click here.
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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, Cetacean Marine, and Key Lakes.
At Grand River Navigation on the Great Lakes, there are:

— licensed deck jobs for those with Great Lakes pilotage;

— jobs for open water mates with a Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR);

— licensed engineering jobs.

GRN now offers a signing/retention bonus of $3,000 to all mates and assistant engineers who complete the 2023 sailing season and return for the 2024 sailing season.

At Cetacean Marine, there are licensed and unlicensed engineering jobs.

At Weeks Marine, there are licensed and unlicensed engineering jobs 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.

Key Lakes is looking for a mate with Great Lakes pilotage and an open-water mate.

The regular relief is for 30 days but could be modified if mutually agreed on.

These are long-term, permanent jobs.

For more information, go to the Jobs page on bridgedeck.org.

If you are interested, please contact UIG Vice President Tom Bell at tbell@bridgedeck.org or 216-776-1667 with any questions.
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

Car Carrier CM needed immediately!

Tanker CM, 2M and 3M’s needed.

LDO’s urgently needed for Watson Class fleet.

ROS CM and 3M jobs available.
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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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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): Not currently scheduled
AIS-1 – Automatic Identifications Systems Orientation (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/13/23

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): 10/09/23

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): 09/10/23 (Sunday-Thursday)

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 09/26/23, 10/16/23, 11/13/23

BT-Refresher (3-day): 09/26/23

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 10/09/23, 12/18/23

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 12/11/23

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

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

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 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): 12/11/23

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 08/14/23, 11/13/23

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

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

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

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 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): 08/21/23, 09/18/23, 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): 12/18/23

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) –12/02/23

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): Not currently scheduled

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): 11/27/23

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

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 09/10/2023 (Sunday-Thursday)

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 09/27/23, 10/18/23, 11/15/23

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 09/29/23

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): 09/11/23, 11/16/23

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 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): Not currently scheduled

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

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): *09/06/23, *09/25/23, *10/16/23, 11/13/23

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

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

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

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 11/27/23

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

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 08/26/23, 09/24/23, 10/07/23, 10/15/23, 11/16/23, 12/09/23

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

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

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

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day): 09/09/23, 10/28/23

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

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

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 09/09/23, 10/28/23

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 08/13/23, 09/10/23, 10/29/23

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 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): 11/06/23*, 11/08/23*

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 09/18/23

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 09/21/23

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: 11/16/23

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

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: Not Currently Schedule

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 08/28/23, 10/16/23, 11/13/23, 12/18/23

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

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): Not currently scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 09/11/23, 11/13/23

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): 10/11/23

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 12/04/23

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): Not Currently Scheduled
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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

August 2023
14-18 Advanced Stability

14-18 Basic Shiphandling

21-25 Basic Meteorology

28-31 Advanced Firefighting

28-1 Leadership & Managerial Skills

September 2023

5-6 Basic Training Revalidation

5-7 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

7th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

11-15 Medical Care Provider

11-22 Medical Person-In-Charge

18-29 GMDSS

October 2023

2-3 Basic Training Revalidation

2-6 ECDIS

4th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

9-12 Advanced Firefighting

9-13 Tankerman Person-In-Charge

16-20 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

23-27 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

30-1 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

30-3 Basic Training

30-10 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

31-3 ARPA

November 2023

6-7 Basic Training Revalidation

6-10 Medical Care Provider

6-10 Leadership & Managerial Skills

13-15 Search & Rescue

16th Leadership & Teamworking Skills

17th Flashing Light Assessment

27-30 Advanced Firefighting

27-15 Celestial Navigation

December 2023

7-8 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

9-10 Basic Training Revalidation

9-11 Basic Training Refresher

11th Radar Renewal

11th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

11-15 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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