Wheelhouse Weekly, Dec. 16, 2025

Volume 31… Number 50, December 16, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Restore Union Rights to Federal Workers; Attention Now Shifts to the Senate
• Administration Strips Airport Security Officers of Their Union Rights
• US Seizes Shadow Fleet Tanker
• NTSB Issues Final Report on Fatal Baltimore Bridge Strike
• New Pilot Ladder Safety Training Course at MITAGS
• News From the MM&P Plan Office: MM&P Vacation Plan—Last Day for Processing Vacation and PRO Payments

Mark Your Calendar:

• Holiday Parties in the Union Halls
• MM&P Holiday Closing Schedule

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES LEGISLATION TO RESTORE UNION RIGHTS TO FEDERAL WORKERS; ATTENTION NOW SHIFTS TO THE SENATE

The House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation that would restore the labor rights of 1.5 million federal workers by reversing an executive order issued by President Trump in March.

Twenty Republicans joined Democrats on Thursday to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act, which was introduced by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine).

The AFL-CIO issued a statement commending lawmakers in both parties who stood with workers.

“In these increasingly polarized times, working people delivered a rare bipartisan majority to stop the administration’s unprecedented attacks on our freedoms,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said.

“As we turn our focus to the companion bill in the Senate—which already has bipartisan support—working people are calling on the politicians we elected to stand with us…

“We commend Reps. Golden and Fitzpatrick for leading us to a vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act and we urge every lawmaker to support this bill.”

Last week’s passage of the bill by the House is just one step in the legislative process.

To become law, the bill would also have to be approved by the Senate.
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ADMINISTRATION STRIPS AIRPORT SECURITY OFFICERS OF THEIR UNION RIGHTS

The administration has terminated the collective bargaining agreements covering the transportation security officers that protect the nation’s airports.

The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, of which MM&P is a member, condemned the move, calling it an illegal attack on frontline workers who play a critical role in guaranteeing the safety of US air travelers.

“This illegal union-busting move to strip bargaining rights from 47,000 TSA officers will create additional risk in our aviation security system,” TTD President Greg Regan and Secretary-Treasurer Shari Semelsberger said in a statement.

“As America’s largest transportation labor federation, representing 40 unions and millions of skilled workers who move this nation, we wholeheartedly condemn this effort to stomp on the labor rights of the frontline workers who have spent the last two decades strengthening aviation security at more than 400 airports across the nation.”

Transportation security officers already work with far fewer labor protections and union rights than most other federal employees, “yet they showed up tirelessly during the longest government shutdown in US history,” TTD officials noted.

“It is shameful that this is how they are repaid for their service just one month after the shutdown ended.”
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US SEIZES SHADOW FLEET TANKER

A US Coast Guard boarding team executed an arrest warrant on Dec. 10 on a supertanker, SKIPPER, said to be part of the shadow fleet.

A federal court had authorized the capture of the vessel for alleged violations of sanctions on Iran’s energy industry and links to Venezuela and Cuba.

The ship was flying the flag of Guyana, but the government of Guyana issued a statement saying it was not listed in the country’s registry.

Based on declared draft, the tanker was carrying approximately 1.85 million barrels of crude oil, worth upwards of $90 million, when it was seized.

Video posted by AP showed Coast Guard personnel boarding the vessel from a helicopter.

TankerTrackers.com has reported that there are currently almost 400 shadow fleet tankers, including 142 in the VLCC size class or larger.

Some are already sanctioned, and more are added to the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) list all the time.

The day after SKIPPER was seized, OFAC added six more companies operating Venezuela-linked vessels to its list of sanctioned entities.

All are currently located overseas and far from easy American access, some off Africa, others in Southeast Asia.
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NTSB RELEASES FINAL REPORT ON FATAL BALTIMORE BRIDGE STRIKE

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its final report on the contact of the containership MV DALI with the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the subsequent bridge collapse.

The report has been posted on the MM&P website.

The accident occurred on March 26, 2024, when the containership DALI was transiting out of Baltimore Harbor and experienced the loss of electrical power, propulsion, and steering.

The NTSB investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was a loss of electrical power (blackout), due to a loose signal wire connection to a terminal block stemming from the improper application of wire-label banding.

As a result of the investigation, the NTSB issued 14 new marine safety recommendations and four new highway safety recommendations.

For more information about the investigation and the recommendations, visit the NTSB investigation page.
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NEW PILOT LADDER SAFETY TRAINING COURSE AT MITAGS

MITAGS is offering a new two-day immersive course for industry professionals involved in pilot transfer operations.

Topics covered include identification of unsafe pilot transfer setups, compliance with SOLAS and ISO regulations, and the information needed to perform transfers safely under varying conditions.

Pilots who take the course will train using:

— 1m, 2m, and 7m ladder transfer heights on the school’s full training tower;

— water-entry simulations on the new wet trainer (up to 3m);

— hands-on drills for climbing, transitioning, and emergency response;

— real-case accident reviews and prevention strategies;

— opportunities to test personal safety equipment in controlled conditions.

The course features:

— a review of pilot ladder safety standards and best practices;

— an examination of properly and improperly rigged pilot ladders;

— practice in proper climbing techniques;

— simulation of real-world embarkation and disembarkation scenarios.

The course is far more than classroom theory, offering realistic training that saves lives.

Those who can benefit from the course include pilots, deck officers, port and pilotage authorities, marine safety personnel and anyone involved in pilot transfer operations.

Enroll now: https://www.mitags.org/course/pilot-ladder-course/
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MM&P VACATION PLAN—LAST DAY FOR PROCESSING VACATION AND PRO PAYMENTS

The Plan Office received approval to close the year-end Internal Revenue Service and company reports and to process Vacation and PRO payments for 2025 no later than Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST.

All requests for 2025 Vacation and PRO payments received after this date and time will be held until January 2, 2026, for processing and will therefore be taxable in 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact the Vacation Department at 410-850-8625.
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HOLIDAY PARTIES IN THE UNION HALLS

MM&P is celebrating the holiday season with parties in the union halls!

Here is the schedule for the remaining holiday parties.

To RSVP and for more information, please contact the hall.

Atlantic Ports

Miami/Port Everglades, Dec. 19 from 1130-1530 at Umberto’s, 3051 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.

UIG-Great Lakes & Gulf Region

San Juan, Dec. 19, from 1700 to 2100, Restaurant El Huachinango.
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MM&P HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE  

All MM&P union halls, the Plan Office, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, and MM&P headquarters will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

The San Juan Hall will be closed on Jan. 6 for Three Kings’ Day.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

BUCHANAN MARINE is looking for:

— MMC with a Mate of Towing within Inland Waters;

— Deckhand MMC with an OS.

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 website:

https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-36530___.YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOjFiMDc4MDczZGI5MGI4NWJkN2VmZTExYTEwYWJlODNhOjc6YzQyMTozYjY4YWFiNDQ5NmVhZjY2NTVjYzI3YmJkZjc3NWQ4NThlZTRkNjljNzljZTdlMzFjNTBhMDYwMThmMzI0NmIyOnQ6VDpO

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 website: https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197___.YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOjFiMDc4MDczZGI5MGI4NWJkN2VmZTExYTEwYWJlODNhOjc6ZjM2OTo1ZjY4MjZkMjUwYWIwMDIxY2E2MzgxYzlmYmEzMzdhMzI2ZTYyYTRjOThlMzU5MWFkNWJiNTlmMmQ3YmY3ZTMzOnQ6VDpO

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

Poling & Cutler

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

2) Tankerman – PIC with an OS

3) 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.

Moran

1) Tankerman – MMC with a PIC, preferably with an AB and STCW but will work with an OS

2) Licensed Engineer (Ship Assist) – MMC with STCW

3) Assistant Engineer (ATB/Offshore) – 3rd A/E Unlimited Oceans or C/E (limited) or A/E (limited) Oceans or Near Coastal (min 6000hp) & STCW

4) AB (ATB/Offshore) – MMC with AB & STCW

If interested in any of the above positions, please fill out an application on Moran’s website first.

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.
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OFFSHORE JOBS

Senior LMSR positions available.
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GREAT LAKES & GULF JOBS

Immediate openings in the Great Lakes region for the following permanent jobs:

— Great Lakes Towing CAPTAINS – Must live within two hours of Ports: Detroit, Toledo, Chicago, Duluth, Cleveland, Buffalo – Start Date Immediately.

If you’re interested in applying or want more information, please contact MM&P GL&G Vice President Ed Lulko, elulko@bridgedeck.org.
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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: 02/02/26, 03/16/26, 09/07/26, 11/30/26

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 03/02/26

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: 02/02/26, 03/16/26, 09/07/26, 11/30/26

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 01/26/26*

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 02/02/26, 04/06/26, 05/11/26

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 01/05/26, 04/27/26

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

12/13/25, 01/10/26, 02/07/26, 04/11/26, 04/26/26, 05/16/26

[STCW License & Radar Renewal Courses]

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

BT-REV (2-day): 01/19/26, 03/30/26, 05/15/26, 09/14/26, 09/28/26, 10/26/26

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 01/21/26, 04/01/26, 05/20/26, 09/16/26, 09/30/26, 10/28/26

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

BT-REF (3-day): 01/19/26, 03/30/26, 10/26/26

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 01/22/26, 04/02/26, 10/29/26

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 01/21/26

[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 1 02/16/26, 04/20/26, 06/08/26

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 02/09/26, 04/27/26, 06/01/26

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): 02/23/26

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 04/20/26

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: 12/15/25, 02/16/26, 03/23/26

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: 03/23/26

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: 03/09/26

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 01/12/26*, 02/06/26*, 03/02/26, 04/06/26, 05/11/26, 06/15/26

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: 03/16/26

[AB TO MATE Upgrade Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 02/09/26*

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

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 03/09/25

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 02/23/26*, 03/02/26

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): Contact Admissions

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): 02/02/26, 04/13/26

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 03/23/26, 05/25/26

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): Contact Admissions

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 02/02/26*

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 02/16/26, 05/04/26

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 02/23/26*, 04/27/26*

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 03/16/26, 05/18/26

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 01/05/26*

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 01/12/26, 03/30/26

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 01/05/26, 02/16/26

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

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

MSC-ATO-II – Anti-Terrorism Officer II (MSC-ATO-III included): 01/26/26

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 01/08/26, 03/12/26

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer: 03/23/2026, 06/22/2026

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 01/09/26, 03/13/26

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 01/09/26, 03/13/26

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 01/12/26, 02/09/26, 03/15/26, 04/13/26

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 01/10/26, 03/14/26

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 01/11/26, 02/08/26, 03/15/26, 04/12/26

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 01/16/26, 03/20/26

[MM&P Company Specific Requirements Courses]

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations: 01/12/26

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – CM Operations II Maersk Specific: 01/19/26

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 12/15/26, 02/02/26, 02/05/26

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 01/06/26*, 01/08/26, 03/17/26, 03/19/26, 5/12/26, 05/14/26, 10/27/26, 10/29/26 – Contact Admissions to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 01/26/26

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-Day): 01/24/26, 02/14/26

[Other MITAGS Courses]

AB – Able Seaman: 02/16/26

BRM – Bridge Resource Management: 03/23/26*

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): 02/13/26

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): 02/16/26

HAZ – Hazardous Materials: Not Currently Scheduled

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

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

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 02/23/26

[Continual Improvement Workshops – NOT covered by the MATES Program]

Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 02/04/26

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

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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

2024 Fall/Winter

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

January 2026

5-9 Basic Training (original certification)

12-13 Basic Training Revalidation

14th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

20-23 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)

26-30 Meteorology (Operational Level)

26-6 Medical Person-in-Charge

February 2026

2-3 Basic Training Revalidation

4th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

2-6 Basic Shiphandling

2-20 Celestial Navigation

9-13 Medical Care Provider

16-18 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

23-27 Basic Training (original certification)

23-27 Meteorology (Operational Level)

28-29 Basic Training Revalidation

28-1 Basic Training Refresher

March 2026

2nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

2-6 Basic Shiphandling

9-12 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)

9-13 ECDIS

11-13 Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW)

16-20 Leadership & Managerial Skills

16-20 Basic Training (original certification)

16-27 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

30-31 Basic Training Revalidation

30-3 Able Seafarer

April 2026

6-10 ECDIS

6-10 Basic Training (original certification)

20-23 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)

27-8 Medical Person-in-Charge

27-8 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

May 2026

11-15 Basic Training (original certification)

16th Vessel Personnel w/Designated Security Duties (VPDSD)

18-19 Basic Training Revalidation

20th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

20-22 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

26-29 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)

June 2026

1-5 Medical Care Provider

8-12 Basic Training (original certification)

16-17 Basic Training Revalidation

18th 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.