Wheelhouse Weekly, Dec. 9, 2025

Volume 31… Number 49, December 9, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• NMC Announces Website Changes to Streamline MMC Application Process
• Security Team on Turkish Ship Exchanges Fire With Skiffs in Red Sea
• ITF Adds Three Countries to Its Flag-of-Convenience List
• Federal Workers Alliance Calls on Congress to Pass Legislation Restoring Union Rights to DOD Workers
• Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal Update
• 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

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

MAERSK SAYS IT HAS NO SPECIFIC TIMELINE FOR RETURNING TO SUEZ CANAL TRANSITS

NMC ANNOUNCES WEBSITE CHANGES TO STREAMLINE MMC APPLICATION PROCESS

The National Maritime Center has announced changes designed to make it faster and easier to apply for a merchant mariner credential.

Next year, the agency will unveil a website redesign that highlights the NMC’s major products and services: merchant mariner credentials, medical certificates, courses, and examinations.

The redesign will feature streamlined navigation, a new menu and enhanced search functionality that makes it possible to get essential information with just 1 or 2 clicks of the mouse.

Central to the redesign will be a new How to Apply pathway that guides users through the application process.

Starting in January, there will also be significant improvements to the application submission process.

A new application submission and awaiting information portal, known as ASAP, will provide a fast, secure, and convenient way to submit applications online.

You will be able to use the portal to submit a merchant mariner credential application or a medical certificate application, or to upload additional documents for an existing application.

“The process is simple,” NMC says. “This is a one-stop portal to submit your documents directly to NMC—no more emailing attachments.”

Just complete a short form accessible via the new website, upload your documents, and click “Submit.”

Another enhancement will be the delivery of medical certificates via email.

The switch to emailing medical certificates will eliminate mailing delays and the need to request duplicate certificates.

This enhancement will allow mariners to save their medical certificate directly to a mobile device and print it at their convenience.

“These improvements are designed to simplify the process, reduce waiting times, and give you more control over your documents,” the agency said in a statement.

“We are committed to providing you with exceptional service and anticipate these offerings will bring added convenience, faster processing, and improved access to the services mariners rely on most.”

Additional details will be shared on the NMC website in the future.

In the meantime, if you have questions, contact the NMC Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST by using the NMC online chat system, emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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SECURITY TEAM ON TURKISH SHIP EXCHANGES FIRE WITH SKIFFS IN RED SEA

The captain of a bulker in the Red Sea reported that the onboard security team had exchanged shots on Dec. 5 with unknown attackers aboard as many as 15 skiffs.

The ship, MV BOBIK, is Turkish owned and Barbados flagged.

Before the attack, it had made port calls in Ukraine and Georgia.

UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that the vessel had been approached by as many as 15 skiffs while it was approximately 15 nautical miles west of Yemen near the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

The captain said some of the small boats had come within approximately 500 to 1,000 feet of the bulker.

They changed course after the onboard security team fired at them, but some reportedly circled back and approached the vessel again.

The crew had posted a warning on AIS that it was carrying armed security guards.

It later changed the AIS message to read “Chinese crew.”

After the attack, the ship and crew were reported safe and the vessel was able to continue on its course.

Joshua Hutchinson, global maritime risk manager at Ambrey, shared video of the incident that was posted online by Maritime Executive.

Hutchinson wrote that it was unlikely that the attackers were Houthis because they had announced a suspension of their “blockade” following the declaration of the Gaza ceasefire.
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ITF ADDS THREE COUNTRIES TO ITS FLAG-OF-CONVENIENCE LIST

The International Transport Workers’ Federation has added three countries to its flag-of-convenience shipping list: The Gambia, Dominica and Niue.

Most ships registered in the three newly added countries are owned by entities that have no link whatsoever to the nation that operates the registry.

Flag-of-convenience registries generally evade oversight responsibilities—seafarer welfare and vessel maintenance, for example—on the ships that fly their flags.

“If you are a flag state and you take registration fees, then you have an obligation to ensure that the rights of seafarers on vessels under your flag are respected,” says Steve Trowsdale, ITF inspectorate coordinator.

“Let there be no doubt that the ITF is watching and that our global network of inspectors will do everything in their power to protect the seafarers on these vessels.”

The ITF’s anti-FOC campaign has two elements:

— a political campaign aimed at eliminating the FOC system by achieving global acceptance of a genuine link between the flag a ship flies and the nationality or residence of its owners, managers and seafarers;

— an operational campaign designed to ensure that seafarers who serve on FOC ships, whatever their nationality, are protected from exploitation by shipowners.

Over the years, the ITF’s maritime and longshore union affiliates have developed a set of policies that seek to establish minimum acceptable standards for seafarers working on FOC vessels.

These standards form the basis of the ITF’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, which sets the wages and working conditions for crews on FOC vessels.

Compliance with ITF agreements is monitored by a network of over 140 ITF inspectors in more than 125 ports throughout the world.

Every year the ITF and its affiliated unions recover millions of dollars in back pay and compensation for death or injury on behalf of seafarers who have nowhere else to turn.

MM&P is an ITF affiliate.
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FEDERAL WORKERS ALLIANCE CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION RESTORING UNION RIGHTS TO DOD WORKERS

The Federal Workers Alliance has called on Congressional leaders to bar the administration from using federal funds to pursue its goal of taking away the union rights of government workers.

A coalition of unions, including MM&P, recently won a federal appeals court case seeking to restore the union rights of their members.

Now a separate group, the Federal Workers Alliance, has called on House and Senate leaders to include a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 that would block the administration from continuing on the path that began with an anti-union executive order issued earlier this year by President Trump, who asserted that union membership for federal employees was a threat to national security.

“Across all DOD service branches, federal unions engage with management to foster high-performance workplaces, building on operational successes, proactively identifying problems and reducing inefficiencies, and ensuring mission-critical functions and duties have the resources and support they need,” the Federal Workers Alliance wrote to Congressional leaders.

“[D]enying long-established collective bargaining rights for federal workers at DOD harms the functionality of DOD and negatively impacts readiness.”

The President’s Executive Order “would deprive agencies of opportunities to engage constructively with their workforce to support mission readiness, improve efficiency, and strengthen national defense and economic security.”

“Denying these workers a voice in the workplace does not enhance national security—it potentially jeopardizes it by eroding morale, diminishing retention, and weakening accountability.

“For more than six decades, federal employees, including those working in national security contexts, have exercised collective bargaining rights without compromising readiness or mission success.”

The letter was addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The Federal Workers Alliance represents unions that together have more than 550,000 members.
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MERCHANT MARINE EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL UPDATE

Significant progress has been made on the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal Project.

The processing of submissions for mariners who served in Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is moving forward with the support of MARAD Director of Sealift Support Dave Hatcher and Dr Anna Gibson Holloway, the supervisory historian for MARAD’s History and Heritage Program.

Any US crewmembers who served on US ships supporting Operation Neptune Solace from March 2 through Aug. 31, 2024, during the Gaza pier humanitarian mission, are eligible for the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal, as are the crews of LIBERTY POWER, LIBERTY GRACE, LIBERTY GLORY, and OVERSEAS MYKONOS.

The following vessels submitted by the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal Project have been approved by MARAD.

ALLIANCE NORFOLK (FARRELL LINES)

MAERSK ATLANTA

MAERSK CHESAPEAKE

MAERSK DETROIT

MAERSK SARATOGA

MAERSK SENTOSA

TORM THOR (FAIRWATER)

SHENANDOAH TRADER (USMMI)

List of all campaigns/missions authorized by MARAD for eligibility for the US Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal:

— Desert Shield (1990–1991)

— Desert Storm (1991)

— Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014)

— Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2011)

— Operation Restore Hope (1992–1993)

— Operation United Shield (1995) and related operations in Somalia between Dec. 5, 1992, and March 31, 1995

— Operation Neptune Solace (March 2–Aug. 3, 2024)

— Operation Prosperity Guardian (Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden in direct support of military operations since Nov. 19, 2023)

MARAD is working on getting Operation Inherent Resolve authorized (the US and coalition effort to dismantle ISIS and stabilize affected regions in Iraq and Syria).

If you are an MM&P member who served in the missions listed above and would like to obtain a medal, please send an email to communications@bridgedeck.org.
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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 welcoming the holiday season with parties in the union halls!

Here is the schedule. To RSVP and for more information, please contact the hall.
ATLANTIC PORTS

— Charleston: 12/2/25 @ 1130-1530; Kickin’ Chicken, 1179 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407

— Newark: 12/5/25 @ 1130-1530; Newark Union Hall, 570 Broad Street, Suite 701, Newark, NJ 07102

— Boston: 12/9/25 @ 1130-1530; Boston Union Hall, 2 Channel Street, Unit 505, Boston, MA 02210-2333

— Norfolk: 12/16/25 @ 1130-1530; Dockside Seafood, 3311 Shore Dr.,

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

— Miami/PEV: 12/19/25 @ 1130-1530; Umberto’s, 3051 E. Commercial Blvd.,

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

GULF PORTS

— Houston: 12/10/25 @ 1100, Esteban’s Cantina, 402 W Main St. League City, TX 77573

PACIFIC PORTS

— Honolulu: 12/11/25 after 1100 job call; Honolulu Hall, 521 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 254, Honolulu 96813

— LA/LB: 12/12/25 after 1100 job call; LA/LB Hall, 533 N. Marine Ave., Suite A, Wilmington, CA 90744

— Seattle: 12/16/25 after 1100 job call; Seattle Hall, 15208 52nd Ave., South, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98188

— SF/Oakland: 12/9/25, from 1200 to 1500; Fat Lady, 201 Washington St., Oakland, CA 94607.
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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, please fill out an application on the company’s website.

Google Buchanan Marine LP, then click “careers” and scroll down to “apply online.”

If you have questions, please contact Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org or 973-495-9377.

MORAN is looking for:

— Tankerman: MMC with a PIC, preferably with an AB and STCW but will work with an OS;

— Licensed Engineer (Ship Assist) – MMC with STCW;

— Assistant Engineer (ATB/Offshore) – 3rd AE Unlimited Oceans or C/E;

— AB (ATB/Offshore) – MMC with AB & STCW.

If interested, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call at 973-495-9377.

POLING & CUTLER is looking for:

— Mate with a 200-ton coastwise licensed & TOAR;

— Tankerman – PIC with an OS

— Deckhand with OS & minimum 1 year experience who is interested in becoming a PIC

— Captain with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR

If interested, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call at 973-495-9377.

STATEN ISLAND FERRY is looking for Provisional Marine Oilers with their QMED.

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s website.

https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-27357

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

STATEN ISLAND FERRY is looking for a Deckhand with an AB.

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s website.

https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-34931

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

December 2025</strong?

15-18 Advanced Firefighting

15-19 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©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.