Wheelhouse Weekly, Feb. 10, 2026

Volume 32… Number 6, February 10, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Six-Year Sentence for Master of Ship That Struck US-Flag Tanker in 2025
• Crew of Pasha Hawaii’s MV George II Interviewed in Professional Mariner Magazine
• Maersk-Hapag Alliance to Send Ships Through the Red Sea With Naval Escorts
• US Shoots Down Drone in Strait of Hormuz; Iranian Gunboats Harass American Tanker
• Navy Christens Final Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship
• Nuclear Ship Savannah Open for Visitors on Feb. 21

Mark Your Calendar:

• First Quarter West Coast Union Meeting Schedule
• MM&P Holiday Closing Schedule
• Offshore Familiarization Course in the Newark Hall on Feb. 18 and 19
• Offshore Membership Meeting in the Newark Hall on Feb. 19

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Offshore Jobs
• MITAGS Seeks Department Head for License Advancement Program

And:

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

SIX-YEAR SENTENCE FOR MASTER OF SHIP THAT STRUCK US-FLAG TANKER IN 2025

The captain of the Portugal-flagged MV Solong, which struck the US-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate in March 2025 off the northeast coast of England, has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Captain Vladimir Motin, 59, of Russia, was found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter.

The accident caused the death of AB Mark Pernia, who was working near the bow of the Solong and is presumed to have died in the accident and subsequent fire. His body was never found.

The other crewmembers aboard both ships abandoned to lifeboats and were rescued by first responders.

Britain’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch said in its interim report that neither the Solong nor the Stena Immaculate had a dedicated lookout.

Captain Motin was alone on the bridge, possibly due in part to a shortfall in manning.

Contrary to the MAIB’s finding that conditions were foggy, the captain testified that there was good visibility, meaning that a dedicated lookout was not required.

According to the investigators’ report, the Solong was traveling at approximately 16 knots when it struck the Stena Immaculate, which was at anchor.

Prosecutors said at trial that Motin had not attempted to slow the containership or summon help as the Solong approached the tanker.

They also said he did not sound an alarm or attempt to stop when it became clear that the allision was going to take place.

Motin told the court he thought the steering gear was malfunctioning because he had recently been warned of a similar problem on a sister ship, and that he had tried to turn off and reset the steering gear.

In court, he said he realized that he had made a mistake and pressed the wrong button, and had meant to turn off the autopilot, explaining that new stickers had been applied to the controls while he was on vacation, and he found them confusing.

The MAIB’s investigation into the accident is ongoing.

It will encompass the navigation and watchkeeping practices aboard both vessels; manning and fatigue management; the condition and maintenance of the vessels; the use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary; and the environmental conditions at the time.
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CREW OF PASHA HAWAII’S MV GEORGE II INTERVIEWED IN PROFESSIONAL MARINER MAGAZINE

MM&P members working aboard Pasha Hawaii’s George II were interviewed by a journalist from Professional Mariner last fall while they sailed from Long Beach to Honolulu.

Tim Henry was dispatched to the ship in November to profile the officers and describe their work for one of the magazine’s regular columns, “Vessels at Work.”

George II is owned and operated by Pasha Hawaii, which purchased it in 2015 from Horizon Lines.

The vessel started life 45 years ago as the LASH ship Edward Rutledge.

It was sailing as the Horizon Reliance when Pasha bought it and launched an ambitious overhaul, refitting it with a MAN B&W 8G60ME-C10.5-GI-EGRBP engine, an eight-cylinder, two-stroke ‘ME-GI’ dual-fuel power plant equipped with exhaust-gas recirculation and a blower-pump boost system.

The 27-person crew makes the voyage between Long Beach and Hawaii twice a month.

While the journalist was aboard the ship, he interviewed Captain Mark Tuck, Chief Mate Sorin Rosca, Third Mate Antonette ‘Tony’ Gomowad, Third Mate Christian Ranosa and Jack Crawford, a cadet at the US Merchant Marine Academy.

The resulting article, “Pasha’s Pure Pineapple Run Keeps the Hawaiian Islands Stocked,” was published in the January 2026 edition of Professional Mariner.

“MM&P is proud that Professional Mariner interviewed our members aboard Pasha’s George II,” said MM&P President Don Josberger. “It’s a great run with a great company.”
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MAERSK-HAPAG ALLIANCE TO SEND SHIPS THROUGH RED SEA WITH NAVAL ESCORTS

The Gemini Cooperation will begin sending ships through the Red Sea, Maersk and Hapag Lloyd said last week, adding that all transits will be secured by naval escorts.

Although Maersk has returned some of its independently operated vessels to the Suez Canal–Red Sea corridor, the alliance had not yet begun trips through the region.

Starting in mid-February, the India–Middle East and Mediterranean route will switch to the Red Sea corridor.

The first Gemini Cooperation westbound service to make the transit will be on the Albert Maersk, and the first eastbound will be on the Astrid Maersk.

For Hapag-Lloyd, the sailings will mark its first return to the route since the start of 2024.

The Gemini Cooperation said that at a later stage, it is also planning to send routes between Asia, the Adriatic ports and Turkey through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

“The highest possible security precautions will be undertaken, as the safety of the crew, the vessels, and the customers’ cargo remains the highest priority of both carriers,” the companies said in a statement.

“Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will continue to monitor the security situation in the Middle East region very closely, and any alteration to the Gemini service will remain dependent on the ongoing stability in the Red Sea area and the absence of any escalation in conflicts in the region.”

The naval assistance will come from the European Union’s Aspides program, which has supported the transits of more than 1,450 merchant vessels.
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SUS SHOOTS DOWN DRONE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ; IRANIAN GUNBOATS HARASS AMERICAN TANKER

A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 3.

According to a Pentagon spokesperson, the incident occurred in the Arabian Sea, about 500 miles off Iranian shores, when the drone “aggressively approached” the US carrier, which dispatched an F-35C fighter to shoot it down.

Several hours later, three Iranian gunboats intercepted an American tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and demanded that it stop and make preparations to be boarded.

The master of the ship, which maritime security firm Vanguard identified as the US-flagged Stena Imperative, ignored the request and proceeded on course.

A US Navy warship joined the tanker afterwards to serve as an escort.

The incident appears to have occurred when the ship was just inside Omani waters on the southern side of the internationally recognized Traffic Separation Scheme, off the northern tip of the Musandam peninsula.
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NAVY CHRISTENS FINAL EXPEDITIONARY FAST TRANSPORT SHIP

The final Navy Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship—USNS Lansing—was christened last month in a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile.

The new vessel is the first in the Navy’s fleet to be named for the capital city of Michigan.

Its two sponsors, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep. Lisa McClain, were present at the christening, where they simultaneously broke bottles of champagne on the ship’s bow in keeping with naval tradition.

The future USNS Lansing will be capable of deploying as an expeditionary fast transport, a Role 2 medical-capable platform, or a combination.

The ship is currently designated to be crewed by 31 civilian mariners and can embark up to 155 forces or an Expeditionary Medical Unit, as required.

Flight II Expeditionary Fast Transport ships are designed to support a wide range of missions, including medical operations, logistics, and troop transportation.

The licensed deck officers, medical services officers and pursers in the Military Sealift Command feet are represented by the MM&P Federal Employee Membership Group.
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NUCLEAR SHIP SAVANNAH OPEN FOR VISITORS ON FEB. 21

The historic nuclear ship Savannah will host a public site visit on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Experience a time capsule of the atomic age—the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship.

It was built as part of President Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace program and served as a floating ambassador, promoting the safe and peaceful use of nuclear power

from 1962–1970.

You can experience its mid-century modern interiors with atomic motifs, engine and control rooms, and other spaces, just as passengers and visitors did during its operation.

In addition, you can take a self-guided tour of the containment vessel, which housed the nuclear reactor–truly a unique experience!

Members of Masters, Mates & Pilots were among the mariners who crewed the ship during its storied career.

The Savannah is berthed at 4601 Newgate Avenue, Pier 13 Canton Marine Terminal, Baltimore.

Please note no open-toed shoes, and the ship has limited accessibility for those with disabilities.

For more information and to RSVP use the link below.

https://www.ns-savannah.com/upcomingevents
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FIRST QUARTER WEST COAST UNION MEETING SCHEDULE

THere is the schedule of West Coast union meetings for the first quarter of 2026:

Feb 11, 2026, Hawaii

March 5, 2026, LA

March 16, 2026, Oakland

March 17, 2026, Seattle

All meetings will begin immediately after job call. 
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MM&P HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE

The MM&P Federal Credit Union, MM&P headquarters, and all MM&P union halls will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 12 for Lincoln’s Birthday. 

 

The MM&P Federal Credit Union, the MM&P Plan Office, MM&P headquarters, and all MM&P union halls will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16 for Presidents Day.
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OFFSHORE FAMILIARIZATION COURSE IN THE NEWARK HALL ON FEB. 18 AND 19

The Offshore Familiarization Course will be held in person at the MM&P Newark Hall on Feb. 18 and 19.

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 Ana Victorio at avictorio@bridgedeck.org or click here to register:

MM&P Offshore Familiarization Course Registration – Bridgedeck

Here is the schedule:

— Day 1, Feb. 18, from 0930 to 1500;

— Day 2, Feb. 19, from 0930 to 1100.

— Day 2, Feb. 19, from 1100 to 1330, Membership Meeting—(OFC attendees are required to stay for the meeting)

The Newark Hall is located at:

570 Broad Street Newark, NJ Suite 701

Phone number is: (201) 963-1900Back to Stories Covered

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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE NEWARK HALL ON FEB. 19

There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Newark Union Hall on Feb. 19, from 1100 to 1330.

All Offshore members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Participants in the Offshore Familiarization Course are required to stay for the meeting.

The Newark Hall is located at:

570 Broad Street, Suite 701

Newark, NJ 07102

201-963-1900
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

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OFFSHORE JOBS

Senior LMSR positions available.
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MITAGS SEEKS DEPARTMENT HEAD FOR LICENSE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

MITAGS is seeking a department head for the License Advancement Program at the East Coast campus who can develop and deliver IMO-STCW and USCG-approved courses, ensuring quality classroom instruction based on up-to-date training methodologies and references.

The department head will coordinate with the director of MITAGS and be the primary liaison between the academic director and instructional staff.

Department heads are responsible for the content and quality of the courses in their department.

When required, they will work directly with specific companies for curriculum development or special projects, assist in audits and train instructors.

They will also recruit staff and review the performance of staff on a regular basis.

Required qualifications include:

— USCG officer level license; experience sailing under his/her highest-level license and similar experience are a plus–may be substituted with equivalent uniformed service experience (NOAA, USCG, USN);

— minimum five years’ experience teaching adults in professional subjects;

— experience, training, and qualifications required to obtain USCG approval to teach courses in the field;

— excellent computer skills;

— strong interpersonal, writing and communication skills;

— STCW Train the Trainer;

— USCG simulation TTT.

Desired qualifications include: a degree in adult education, maritime sciences or related field: two years of experience supervising and managing a team in a maritime or education environment; and experience delivering online training through a learning management system.

The work schedule is Monday-Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., pending operational needs. The base wage is $57.50/hourly. This is a full time Offshore Membership Group position.

If you are interested, please submit your application/resume at https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://talent.paylocity.com/Talent/Jobs/List?publicLinkKey=56317877-c592-4c1f-a9f4-93932cc23f38___.YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOmJiN2QzNjIwMTE0YzVjN2U5ZTBjYTcwODhmODg2NzU2Ojc6MGY1NjpiNTU5NzZkZWVkZDQyOWFmZDc4ZjE2ODZmZGQyN2JmNGM2YTQ2N2JmNjUyYzhkYzI0MDBiMzk5NWY1ZmFiZTU5OnQ6VDpO.
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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: 04/13/26, 09/07/26, 11/30/26

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 03/02/26, 05/11/26

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

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 06/29/26

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 04/06/26, 05/11/26, 07/13/26, 09/28/26

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

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 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): 02/16/26, 03/30/26, 05/15/26, 09/14/26, 09/28/26, 10/26/26

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 02/18/26, 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): 02/16/26, 03/30/26, 10/26/26

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

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 04/01/26, 10/28/26

[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]

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

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 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*, 07/13/26

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: 03/23/26, 05/04/26

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

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: 03/09/26

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 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): 05/04/26

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 03/16/26, 05/18/26

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 03/09/25, 05/25/26

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 02/23/26*, 03/02/26, 05/18/26

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): 05/07/26 or Contact Admissions

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

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

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): 02/13/26, 05/08/26

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 04/27/26

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: 03/19/26, 05/11/26

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 04/06/26

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 03/30/26, 07/20/26

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 02/16/26, 07/06/26

[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): 08/17/26

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 03/12/26, 05/07/26, 06/11/26, 08/06/26, 09/10/26, 11/05/26

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer: 03/23/2026, 06/22/2026, 08/24/26

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 03/13/26, 05/08/26, 06/12/26, 08/07/26, 09/11/26, 11/06/26

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 03/13/26, 05/09/26, 06/11/26, 08/07/26, 09/11/26, 11/06/26

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 03/15/26, 04/13/26, 05/11/26, 06/15/26, 07/13/26, 08/10/26, 09/14/26, 10/12/26, 11/09/26

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 03/14/26, 05/09/26, 06/13/26, 08/08/26, 09/12/26, 11/07/26

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 03/15/26, 04/12/26, 05/10/26, 06/14/26, 08/09/26, 09/13/26, 11/08/26

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 03/20/26, 05/15/26, 06/19/26, 08/14/26, 09/18/26, 11/13/26

[MM&P Company Specific Requirements Courses]

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations: Not Currently Scheduled

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – CM Operations II Maersk Specific: Not Currently Scheduled

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 07/27/26, 07/30/26

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 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: 04/20/26, 07/20/26

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

[Other MITAGS Courses]

AB – Able Seaman: 02/16/26, 04/20/26

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: 06/15/26

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): 04/08/26

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 04/13/26

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: 05/13/26

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

February 2026

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.