Wheelhouse Weekly, December 24, 2024

Volume 30… Number 51, December 24, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Holiday Greetings!
• “Ships for America Act” Introduced in Congress to Revitalize US Maritime
• Senate Approves Social Security Fairness Act
• Requirement to Submit MMC User Fees via the Pay.gov Website
• Do You Know a Retired Mariner With Demonstrated Financial Need Who Could Use Some Help?
• News From MM&P Plans: MM&P Plans Member Portal Now Online
• Please Respond to the ITF Survey on Shore Leave

Mark Your Calendar:

• Holiday Closing Schedule
• Last Day for Processing Vacation and PRO Payments

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs

And:

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

HOLIDAY GREETINGS!

MM&P leadership and staff wish all MM&P members and applicants at sea and ashore and their families a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year.

For those at sea, especially those in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean, may you and your shipmates stay out of harm’s way and have uneventful voyages.

May 2025 bring peace, happiness and prosperity to all.
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“SHIPS FOR AMERICA ACT” INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS TO REVITALIZE US MARITIME

Bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening the maritime industry has been endorsed by more than 75 leading maritime organizations, including MM&P and MIRAID.

The full name of the legislation is Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America—The SHIPS for America Act for short.

It was introduced on Dec. 19 by Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.).

Mark Kelly is a US Navy veteran and the first US Merchant Marine Academy graduate to serve in Congress.

“We’ve always been a maritime nation, but the truth is we’ve lost ground to China, which now dominates international shipping and can build merchant and military ships much more quickly than we can,” Kelly said.

“The SHIPS for America Act is the answer to this challenge.”

MM&P and MIRAID were quick to express their support for the measure.

“MM&P strongly supports The SHIPS for America Act,” said MM&P President Don Marcus.

“This comprehensive and pragmatic maritime policy initiative will create and support jobs for American mariners, ensuring that our country has the maritime manpower needed to protect and enhance our nation’s economic and military security.”

“On behalf of our U.S.-flag shipping company members, I want to express our strong support for the bipartisan SHIPS for America Act,” said MIRAID President C. James Patti.

“This legislation, the most comprehensive and far-reaching maritime policy initiative to be considered by Congress in decades, will revitalize America’s maritime industry, thereby enhancing its role as our nation’s fourth arm of defense.”

“We urge all members of Congress concerned about the growing influence and domination of China in the international shipping arena to join with the sponsors of this legislation in order to strengthen and protect America’s economic and military security.”

The 344-page bill is far-reaching in scope. It would:

— establish within the White House a new position, that of national Maritime Security Advisor;

— stand up an interagency Maritime Security Board, headed by the Maritime Security Advisor and tasked with making whole-of-government strategic decisions on implementation of a National Maritime Strategy;

— establish a Maritime Security Trust Fund that would reinvest duties and fees paid by the maritime industry into maritime security programs and infrastructure that support maritime commerce;

— establish the national goal of expanding the US-flag international fleet by 250 ships in 10 years;

— require that government-funded cargo move aboard US-flag vessels, and a portion of commercial goods imported from China move aboard US-flag vessels starting in 2029;

— expand the US shipyard industrial base for both military and commercial oceangoing vessels;

— make historic investments in the maritime workforce.

Here is a section by section description of the bill; here is the text.
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SENATE APPROVES SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT

The Senate has voted 76–20 to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, which has been championed by labor unions and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.

The vote took place on Dec. 20, the last day Congress was in session before the holidays.

The bill now heads to the White House for President Biden’s signature.

MM&P joined the rest of the labor movement in calling on Congress to pass the legislation, which will eliminate penalties on millions of people who have had their Social Security benefits slashed simply because at one point in their careers, they worked in the public sector.

The House version of the legislation was passed earlier this year by an overwhelming majority.

Millions of people have been penalized for decades by the measures that will now be repealed: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), both passed under the Reagan administration.

“No one who works hard and pays into Social Security should see their benefits slashed,” the unions told senators in a Nov. 21 letter.

“These penalties have undermined the economic security of millions of seniors across the country.”

“Older Americans covered by the WEP have seen their earned Social Security benefit reduced by 40-60 percent.”

“Under GPO, a worker who receives a public pension and whose spouse dies first is not entitled to a Social Security spousal benefit.”

“This is a wrong that should be righted as soon as possible,” the unions wrote.

“No one should be expected to sacrifice their earned Social Security benefits in order to take a job in the public sector.”
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REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT MMC USER FEES VIA THE PAY.GOV WEBSITE

The Coast Guard has issued a final rule updating the accepted required payment method for mariner credentialing fees.

Effective Jan. 19, 2025, the National Maritime Center and Regional Examination Centers will only accept user fee payments made using the USCG Merchant Mariner User Fee Payment Page on Pay.gov.

Pay.gov is a secure service provided by the United States Department of the Treasury.

Acceptable payment methods within Pay.gov include credit card, debit card, and bank account routing number.

Please note that after Jan. 19, 2025, the NMC and RECs may no longer accept any other form of payment including cash, check, money order, or credit card, regardless of whether they are provided in person or via mail.

All payments other than Pay.gov will be returned to the applicant and the applicant will be required to submit a new fee payment using Pay.gov.

Once you have paid your fees using Pay.gov, please ensure you print or save your receipt and attach the receipt to your application prior to submitting the application to NMC.

Active-Duty members of the Uniformed Services may be eligible for fee waivers.
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DO YOU KNOW A RETIRED MARINER WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED WHO COULD USE SOME HELP?

Sailors’ Snug Harbor (SSH), one of the oldest secular charities in the United States, has funds available to help career mariners with financial need.

SSH was incorporated in 1806 as the result of a bequest made by Captain Robert Richard Randall, a New York merchant.

More than 16,500 mariners have been assisted by SSH since its inception in the early nineteenth century.

What kind of help can SSH provide?

SSH assists mariners financially in their homes. Mariners who meet the following criteria are eligible for assistance:

— 65 years of age or older OR ON DISABILITY–some exceptions can be made;

— 2,555 days of deep-sea time, at least five years on U.S.-flag ships OR 14 years working on inland rivers;

— proven need for financial assistance;

— less than $50,000 in assets (primary residence excluded).

A three-year look-back period will be used to determine eligibility.

Before SSH approves any subsidy, the mariner must have accessed all public benefits available to him or her. This includes VA benefits, Medicaid, food stamps, etc.

The SSH website, www.thesailorssnugharbor.org, has a link to the application that each interested mariner must complete.

The application requires detailed information about current living arrangements, financial history, etc.

If you are interested in learning more about SSH benefits, please contact:

Sailors’ Snug Harbor

Toll Free: 1-888-257-5456

Fax: 212-513-0243

info@thesailorssnugharbor.org
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MM&P PLANS MEMBER PORTAL NOW ONLINE

The Plan Office is thrilled to announce the launch of the new MM&P Plans Member Portal, designed with your needs in mind.

The portal gives you quick and easy access to essential tools and information—all in one place.

With the new portal, you can:

— View your EOBs “Explanation of Benefits” and Eligibility status;

— Access your Vacation Computation Sheets;

— Find and download important documents, whenever you need them.

And this is just the beginning: More features and enhancements are on the way to make your experience even better.

To explore the portal, visit members.mmpplans.com and click the Sign-Up button.

Click here for information on how to access the portal.

If you encounter any issues, send an email to HELP@mmpplans.com, or call 410-850-8638.
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PLEASE RESPOND TO THE ITF SURVEY ON SHORE LEAVE

The ITF Seafarers’ Trust asks that you take a few minutes to respond to a survey on shore leave.

To complete the confidential survey, go to https://bit.ly/ShoreleaveSurvey

The ITF Seafarers’ Trust provides grants to improve facilities and services for seafarers in ports, such as seafarers’ centers and vehicles.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, access to shore leave appears to have decreased, with reports of seafarers not being allowed shore leave for extended periods, lack of access to shore-based facilities, and shorter periods in port.

The Seafarers’ Trust is asking seafarers to complete its confidential survey so it can get a real picture of what the issues and challenges around shore leave are.

The questionnaire is intended to enhance the understanding of access to shore leave, identify potential barriers and guide grant-making strategy regarding port-based welfare.

The Seafarers’ Trust will keep any identifying information that you provide in this survey private, unless you give permission to share it.

The Seafarers’ Trust privacy policy can be read at: https://www.seafarerstrust.org/our-privacy-and-cookies-policies.

MM&P is an ITF affiliate.
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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 holiday on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

The San Juan Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 6, for Three Kings’ Day. 
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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 2024 no later than Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. EST.

All requests for 2024 Vacation and PRO payments received after this date and time will be held until Jan. 2, 2025, for processing and will therefore be taxable in 2025.

If you have questions, please contact the Vacation Department at 410-850-8625 or Ken Ryan at 410-850-8617.
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NEW OFFSHORE JOBS

CM tanker PIC needed on Haina Patriot after Xmas Day.

2M tanker PIC needed ASAP Allied Pacific.

CM LMSR needed before New Years Day in sunny Saipan.
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GREAT LAKES JOBS

GREAT LAKES JOBS
There are job openings on the Great Lakes!

KEY LAKES, a division of Key Stone, has openings for Mates with Great Lakes pilotage; they may take an Open Water Mate if COI allows. The company operates a fleet of two 1000’ x 105’ ships.

GRAND RIVER NAVIGATION has an opening for a 1st Assistant Engineer.

If you want more information about Great Lakes job listings, go to https://bridgedeck.org/job-opportunities/.

Interested candidates should reach out to Thomas Bell at the MM&P Cleveland office: tbell@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
AB – Able Seaman (5-Day): 02/10/25, 04/28/25

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 02/03/25, 03/24/25

AZIPOD (2-Day): 01/09/25

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

BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): 01/06/25

BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 02/03/25, 02/24/25

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 01/20/25, 03/24/25

BT-Refresher (3-day): 01/20/25

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 02/17/25

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 01/13/25, 03/24/25, 04/28/25

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 12/16/24, 01/06/25, 03/17/25, 06/02/25

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 01/20/25

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 02/10/25, 05/12/25

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 12/16/24, 02/17/25, 05/19/25

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 03/31/25

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (5-Day): 03/10/25

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 03/03/25

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 02/17/25

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 01/13/25, 02/03/25, 03/10/25, 04/07/25, 05/05/25,

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 01/20/25, 02/10/25, 03/07/25, 04/14/25, 05/12/25

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 04/28/25

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): 02/24/25

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-day) – 01/11/25, 03/01/25, 04/26/25, 08/02/25

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

Online: 02/19/25

CNAV-OIC– Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 05/05/25

DDE – Great Lakes (20-Day): 01/27/25

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

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 03/17/25

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-day): 03/03/25

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 02/03/25

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 01/22/25, 03/26/25

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 01/23/25

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

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): 02/07/25

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): Not currently scheduled

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 02/24/25

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 03/10/25

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): 02/10/25

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

Ton License (15-Day): 06/03/25

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

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 12/16/24*, 01/13/25, 03/12/25, 05/05/25, 06/04/25

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): 02/24/25

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments /not included): 03/24/25

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 01/20/25, 04/07/25, 05/12/25

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 01/06/25, 03/03/25, 04/28/25

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 02/03/25, 04/07/25, 05/12/25

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 01/11/25, 01/25/25, 03/08/25, 04/12/25, 05/03/25, 05/17/25

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-ATO-II – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer II (5-Day): 01/20/25

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 01/09/25, 03/13/25, 05/08/25, 06/12/25

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 01/10/25, 03/14/25, 05/09/25, 06/13/25

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 01/12/25, 03/16/25, 05/11/25

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 01/13/25, 02/11/25, 03/17/25, 04/15/25, 05/12/25, 06/16/25

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 01/11/25, 03/15/25, 05/10/25, 06/14/25

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 01/12/25, 02/10/25, 03/16/25, 04/14/24, 05/11/25, 06/15/25

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 01/17/25, 03/31/25, 05/13/25, 06/20/25

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 01/07/25*, 01/09/25*, 03/25/25*, 03/27/25, 04/29/25, 05/01/25

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 02/17/25

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 01/16/2025

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-day): 01/29/25

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): Contact Admissions

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 01/27/25, 03/17/25

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 02/26/25

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 03/07/25, 04/14/25

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 12/16/24, 01/27/25*, 04/21/25, 06/23/25

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 02/10/25

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 01/20/25

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: Not currently scheduled

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

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): , 02/26/25

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 01/20/25, 04/21/25

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 03/10/25

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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 2025

6-7 Basic Training Revalidation

6-8 Basic Training Refresher

8th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

9-10 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

13-16 Advanced Firefighting (Original)

20-24 Basic Training

27-31 Lifeboatman/Proficiency in Survival Craft

27-31 Medical Care Provider

27-31 Advanced Shiphandling I

27-7 Medical Person-In-Charge

February 2025

3-21 Celestial Navigation

10-14 Basic Training

10-14 Advanced Shiphandling II

17-21 Able Seaman

19-20 Basic Training Revalidation

21st Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

24-27 Advanced Firefighting (Original)

24-28 Meteorology (Operational Level)

March 2025

3-4 Basic Training Revalidation

3-7 Leadership & Managerial Skills

3-7 Basic Shiphandling

5th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

10-14 ECDIS

10-14 Basic Training

10-28 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

17-20 Advanced Firefighting (Original)

17-21 Lifeboatman/Proficiency in Survival Craft

24-28 Able Seaman

17-28 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

31-4 Radar Observer Unlimited

31-4 Basic Training

April 2025

7-8 Basic Training Revalidation

7-9 Basic Training Refresher

7-9 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

7-11 ECDIS

9th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

10-11 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

14-17 Advanced Firefighting (Original)

14-25 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

21-24 ARPA

21-25 Medical Care Provider

21-2 Medical Person-In-Charge

2-2 ECDIS

28-9 GMDSS

May 2025

5-9 Basic Training

5-16 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

12-15 Advanced Firefighting

12-30 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

19-20 Basic Training Revalidation

21st Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

June 2025

2-6 Radar Observer Unlimited

2-6 Leadership & Managerial Skills

2-6 Basic Training

9-13 Med PIC Refresher

9-13 Advanced Shiphandling I

16-17 Basic Training Revalidation

16-20 Advanced Shiphandling II

18th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

23-26 Advanced Firefighting

23-27 Advanced Stability

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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.