Wheelhouse Weekly, Feb. 17, 2026

Volume 32… Number 7, February 17, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Administration Announces First Food for Peace Shipment by USDA: US-Flag Fleet Welcomes Restoration of a Key Source of Cargo
• Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown 
• Administration Releases America’s Maritime Action Plan
• US-Flag Cargo on Great Lakes Declined in 2025, With Lower Water Levels a Factor
• MM&P’s Women’s Caucus Committee Presents Mental Health First Aid Training
• MARAD Updates Advisory for Ships Transiting the Strait of Hormuz
• Coast Guard Urges Better Planning and Coordination of Cargo Operations
• MITAGS To Offer LNG BADV Course in Los Angeles Union Hal

Mark Your Calendar:

• 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

And:

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

US-FLAG FLEET WELCOMES RESTORATION OF A KEY SOURCE OF CARGO

The US Department of Agriculture has announced its first major commodities purchase for Title II PL 480 Food for Peace, a major source of cargo for the American Merchant Marine.

The agency made the announcement a year after USAID, which had previously overseen the program, was shuttered by a White House executive order.

Under federal law, at least 50 percent of all foreign aid cargoes shipped by the government must be carried on US-flag ships.

PL 480 food aid cargoes have traditionally been the largest source of non-defense preference cargo carried by the US-flag fleet.

Last week, USDA announced an agreement with the UN World Food Program to purchase up to $432 million in mixed commodities to support American diplomatic efforts abroad, specifically by combating food insecurity and in support of emergency food relief in the Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya and Rwanda.

Besides support for the maritime industry, the program benefits the nation’s farmers and millers because the food it supplies is all produced in the US.

Legislation that is pending in Congress, HR 1207 and S 525, would ensure the long-term stability of the program by permanently transferring it to USDA.

MM&P and MIRAID are part of a coalition of maritime unions and agricultural groups that have worked together over the course of the past year to encourage the administration to move the PL 480 food aid program to USDA.

“USDA is purpose-built to serve the farmers that grow the food that feeds our country and the world, including through the Food for Peace program,” the coalition wrote in a letter last year to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.

“Food for Peace offers critical support for the US-flag fleet and American union workers who move cargo, load, and crew the ships that transport our commodities across the globe.”
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LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS AND GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 

Due to the government shutdown, the National Maritime Center and all Regional Examination Centers are closed until further notice. 

 

Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled.

 

The following applies during the government shutdown:

 

The Customer Service Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

 

You can reach the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

 

The Application Submission Portal (ASAP) for submission of applications and supporting documentation will remain active for the duration of the government shutdown.

 

Processing will resume once appropriations are restored.

 

The NMC website will provide updates on NMC and REC operating status.

 

For questions regarding credentialing issues related to national defense, employers are advised to contact the Customer Service Center.

 

The NMC understands the shutdown will affect stakeholders and apologizes in advance for any inconvenience.
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ADMINISTRATION RELEASES AMERICA’S MARITIME ACTION PLAN

TThe White House has released America’s Maritime Action Plan, a 32-page roadmap aimed at revitalizing the American merchant marine and US shipbuilding.

The detailed plan follows up on President Trump’s April 2025 Executive Order, Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance.

Central to the action plan is a large-scale effort to strengthen and expand the country’s capacity to build and maintain ships.

“A self-sustaining domestic shipbuilding sector is critical for national and economic security,” the plan notes, adding that “the status quo poses significant security and supply chain dependency issues.”

But “[d]elivering on this vision requires more than investment,” the administration observes, and must include “policies that modernize government procurement processes and streamlining regulation to accelerate shipbuilding and reduce costs.”

The plan sets out the following points as central to the effort to strengthen and expand America’s maritime industry:

— the exemption from federal income tax of the income earned by mariners working aboard US-flag vessels operating in the foreign trades;

— a US maritime preference requirement and expanded cargo preference requirements;

— investments in maritime workforce training;

— incentives to support shipyards, tax breaks and loan programs;

— the establishment of Maritime Prosperity Zones to catalyze investment and growth;

— the creation of a US Strategic Commercial Fleet;

— support for the state maritime academies, as well as continued investment in rebuilding the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point;

— as a stopgap measure as shipbuilding capacity is increased, bringing foreign-built vessels under the US flag to increase the country’s ability to move US trade internationally.

To fund the expanded incentives and government support programs, the plan calls for “establishing a universal fee on foreign-built vessels” entering US ports.

Based on arriving tonnage, the plan predicts that at just one cent, a universal fee could raise $66 billion over 10 years, while at 25 cents it could yield close to $1.5 trillion, all of which would go to a new Maritime Security Trust Fund.

That fund would “ensure consistent, long-term investment in America’s shipbuilding capacity, fleet expansion, and maritime workforce.”

The plan directs the Office of Management and Budget, working with the Department of Transportation, to deliver a legislative proposal for a reliable funding mechanism to sustain the initiatives outlined.

To read the Maritime Action Plan in its entirety, go to WhiteHouse.gov.
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US-FLAG CARGO ON GREAT LAKES DECLINED IN 2025, WITH LOWER WATER LEVELS A FACTOR

US-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 71.3 million tons of cargo in 2025, an 8.9 percent decrease from the previous year, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association annual report.

Cargo movement on the lakes last year was 8.1 percent below the US-flag fleet’s five-year average.

All commodity shipments decreased except for salt, which grew by 4.1 percent.

Iron ore shipments were down 10.8 percent from 2024 to 39.1 million tons.

Coal cargoes declined to 6.5 million tons, a decrease of 12 percent.

Limestone shipments totaling 20.1 million tons were below the previous year’s total by 4.7 percent.

Cement cargoes saw a decrease of 1 percent, while sand and grain shipments were down 26.5 percent and 13.1 percent, respectively, in 2025, the LCA reported.

Water levels in the Great Lakes are a critical determinant of cargo capacity because reduced depths make it necessary for ships to lighten loads to avoid grounding.

Lower water levels reduce freight efficiency and increase costs, while higher levels maximize capacity: every one-inch reduction in draft results in a loss of 100 to 270 tons of cargo per vessel.

After hitting record highs in the summers of 2019 and 2020, water levels in the Great Lakes have been dropping.

In the first six months of 2025, water levels on lakes Superior, Ontario, Erie, St. Clair, Michigan, and Huron fell well below 2024 averages, with only Lake Erie staying close to long-term averages.
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MM&P’S WOMEN’S CAUCUS COMMITTEE PRESENTS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING

The MM&P’s Women’s Caucus Committee will present a 60-minute information session hosted by Miriam Anthony, seafarer and maritime psychotherapist, on Shipmate Psychological Wellness for Critical Incidents.

The session will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 1300 EST.

Shipmate Psychological Wellness for Critical Incidents is a framework based on Psychological First Aid and adapted for the modern mariner.

Psychological First Aid is an evidence-based approach aimed at teaching individuals how to provide immediate, humane, and practical support to people experiencing acute distress, disaster, or trauma.

It focuses on safety, stabilization, calming, and connecting individuals to resources.

The training covers topics that include recognizing and responding to people experiencing crisis-related stress, deciding when to refer someone to a higher level of care, and self-care for first responders.

The information is presented for educational purposes and is not professional advice tailored to an individual circumstance.

Mariners should always act in accordance with the governing laws, ship management system and relevant company policies.

To participate in the training session on Feb. 26 at 1300 EST, click here or paste the link into your browser:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24278948724496?p=d35zZDgVDNnDgYykj2
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MARAD UPDATES ADVISORY FOR SHIPS TRANSITING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The Maritime Administration has renewed an advisory warning that commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf remain at risk of interference from Iran.

The advisory cites a pattern of Iranian forces hailing and seeking to board, detain and seize merchant ships.

On Feb. 3, three Iranian gunboats intercepted an American tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and demanded that it stop and prepare to be boarded.

The master of the ship ignored the request and proceeded on course. A US Navy warship joined the tanker afterwards to serve as an escort.

MARAD advises that US-flag vessels avoid Iranian territorial waters whenever safely possible.

When transiting eastbound in the Strait of Hormuz, it is recommended that vessels transit close to Oman’s territorial sea.

If contacted by Iranian forces, they should identify themselves by name and flag and state that they are operating lawfully.

If Iranian forces seek to board a US-flag commercial vessel, the master should decline permission to board—if the safety of the ship and crew would not be compromised by doing so—noting that the vessel is proceeding in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.

If Iranian forces board a US-flag commercial vessel, the crew should not forcibly resist the boarding party.

Refraining from forcible resistance does not imply consent or agreement to boarding.

The advisory stresses the importance of coordination with US Naval Forces Central Command and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations office, maintaining AIS transmissions, monitoring VHF Channel 16, and responding to coalition naval calls.

It is recommended that US commercial vessels transit these waters with their automatic identification system transponders on unless specifically advised otherwise by NAVCENT NCAGS.

In some cases, Iran has sought to justify vessel seizures by claiming that a ship was not transmitting on AIS.

This updated guidance will remain in effect through Aug. 8, 2026.
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COAST GUARD URGES BETTER PLANNING AND COORDINATION OF CARGO OPERATIONS

The Coast Guard is calling for better coordination and planning among port managers, ship operators and vessel crews in advance of cargo operations.

In a new safety alert, the agency cites two recent incidents, the most serious of which was the collapse of 95 containers aboard the Portugal-flag MV Mississippi on Sept. 9, 2025, in the Port of Long Beach.

Approximately 60 containers went overboard, with at least a dozen falling from a midship stack onto a nearby emission control barge.

One member of the barge crew suffered minor injuries.

The others told the Coast Guard that they had had to “run for their lives” to avoid being struck by falling containers.

It took two-and-a-half weeks to secure the containership, clear all the debris, and restore operations at the port. The barge sustained significant damage.

In the second incident, the agency said, “four containers nearly landed on another emission control barge after ineffective container securing methods were used.”

The investigators’ preliminary findings in both cases are that there were no established policies or planning tools in place to account for barges or tugs alongside during cargo operations and that, “ad-hoc communications protocols” contributed to the accidents.

The agency recommends more coordination among the various parties involved, including in a meeting between representatives of the ship, representatives of the vessel or vessels to be positioned alongside and shoreside personnel responsible for cargo operations.

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MITAGS TO OFFER LNG BADV COURSE IN LOS ANGELES UNION HALL

To support MM&P’s West Coast membership, MITAGS will offer the LNG BADV (Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations) course at the LA union hall.

The three-day course meets IGF Code training requirements for mariners working with LNG and other low-flashpoint fuels and will be scheduled for two sessions: May 24–26 (Sunday–Tuesday, over the holiday) and May 27–29.

Each class will be capped at 12 students.

If you have questions before registering, please contact admissions: 866.656.5568 or admissions@mitags.org.
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MM&P HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE

The Houston Hall will be closed on Monday, March 2, for Harry Bridges Memorial 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

Buchanan Marine

1) Mate – MMC with a Mate of Towing within Inland Waters

2) Captain – MMC with a Master of Towing within Inland Waters

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 web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-36530 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 web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197

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

Poling & Cutler

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

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

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

3) 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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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): 03/30/26, 05/15/26, 09/14/26, 09/28/26, 10/26/26

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 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): 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: 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): 05/08/26

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

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 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: 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

****Offsite LNG-BADV at MMP LA/LB Union Hall: 05/24/26, 05/27/26

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: 04/20/26

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

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

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

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.