Wheelhouse Weekly, Feb. 27, 2024

Volume 30… Number 9, Feb. 27, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• MM&P Conventions: 90th Convention Call
• MM&P Conventions: Constitutional Convention Call
• New Merchant Mariner Credential Format
• No Damage to U.S. Tanker in Houthi Missile Attack
• Accused Arms Smugglers Face Trial in Case That Led to Death of Navy SEALs
• White House Plan Would Bring Crane Manufacturing Back to U.S. To Strengthen Cybersecurity
• Plus: Michigan Repeals Anti-Worker Law
• Longshore Workers Triumph in Long-Running Labor Rights Battle at Port of Charleston

Holiday Closing Schedule:

• Houston Hall Closed for Texas Independence Day

Job Opportunities:

• MITAGS Seeks Business Development Manager
• Offshore Jobs Available
• Engineering Jobs Available Offshore and on the Great Lakes

And:

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

90th CONVENTION CALL

Subject to the emergency provisions of Article IV, Section 2, of the International Constitution, you are hereby notified that the 90th CONVENTION of the MM&P will be convened at 9:00 am on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The Convention will be held at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090.

You are also hereby notified that in accordance with Article IV, Section 6, Subsection c), all proposed resolutions for the 90th Convention must be forwarded to the International Secretary-Treasurer at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening day of the Convention for inclusion on the agenda and determination by the Convention.
Back to Stories Covered

---

2024 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION CALL

In accordance with Article IV, Sections 8. and 2., respectively, of the International Constitution, you are hereby notified that a CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION of the MM&P will be convened at 9:00 am on Monday, June 24, 2024. The Constitutional Convention will be held at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090.

In accordance with Article IV, Section 8., Subsection c), the Constitutional Convention will be limited to Constitutional matters. You are also hereby notified that in accordance with Article IV, Section 6., Subsection c), all proposed resolutions for the Constitutional Convention must be forwarded to the International Secretary-Treasurer at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening day of the Convention for inclusion on the agenda and determination by the Convention.

Procedures for Submitting Constitutional Resolutions

All Constitutional Resolutions submitted for consideration by the Convention must include the following to be accepted for submission:

1. The page number of the proposed change/addition;

2. The heading of the section of the Constitution being changed;

3. The paragraph (ex: 2. (a) (iii) etc.) to be changed;

4. The wording of the change/addition;

5. The purpose of the change/addition;

6. The name(s) of the submitter(s).
Back to Stories Covered

---

NEW MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL FORMAT

The Coast Guard will begin issuing merchant mariner credentials in a new format on March 1, 2024.

The new credential will replace the legacy passport-style red book and associated endorsement labels.

The Coast Guard says that the complexity and degraded reliability of the custom printers used to print the MMC books necessitated a change to the credential printing process.

The new mariner credential is formatted on 8.5” x 11” waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper.

It contains security features that include micro-printing, foiling, and intricate patterns.

The agency says the new credential is printed on readily available commercial desktop laser jet printers and will vastly improve print services and availability.

To view an image of the new MMC, please visit the National Maritime Center website or go to bridgedeck.org and click on News and Announcements.

The new MMC will be issued for all approved applications, including credential endorsements, beginning on March 1, 2024.

Mariners will no longer receive separate endorsement labels (i.e., stickers), but rather a new MMC with the endorsements incorporated.

All legacy credentials will remain valid until the indicated expiration date. The new credential will be issued on a day-forward basis.

To validate a new MMC, mariners should use the Coast Guard’s credential verification tool at MMLD Credential Verification (uscg.mil).

For a document search, select “MMC” as the document type and enter the document number.

On the new MMC, the document number can be found on the red cover section beneath the corresponding barcode and will have the prefix “Z.”

If you have any questions, please contact the NMC Customer Service Center by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Back to Stories Covered

---

NO DAMAGE TO U.S. TANKER IN HOUTHI MISSILE ATTACK

U.S. Central Command said in a statement Saturday that the USS MASON, a guided missile destroyer, shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile that was likely targeting a U.S.-flagged tanker, MV TORM THOR.

There were no injuries aboard the USS MASON or the MV TORM THOR, and neither ship suffered any damage.

An earlier Houthi attack, this time on the Belize-flagged MV RUBYMAR, has led to “an environmental disaster” in the Red Sea, according to a CENTCOM statement released on Friday.

The MV RUBYMAR is said to be at anchor but taking on water. CENTCOM said Friday that an 18-mile oil slick had appeared behind it.

Two anti-ship ballistic missiles struck the RUBYMAR on Feb. 19, one of which damaged the engine room.

The 24-person crew was rescued by a good Samaritan vessel and taken to the nearby port of Djibouti.

Hours later, Central Command reported that American forces had destroyed seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were about to be launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Central Command said that the missiles the U.S. had destroyed “presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the U.S. Navy ships in the region.”
Back to Stories Covered

---

ACCUSED ARMS SMUGGLERS FACE TRIAL IN CASE THAT LED TO DEATH OF NAVY SEALS

Four men detained in January on weapons smuggling charges will be tried in a federal court in Virginia.

Two Navy SEALs died in the boarding operation that led to the arrests.

One defendant is facing charges that include transporting a warhead for use by Houthi rebels against commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

“Acting as a proxy for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in an effort to bring harm to U.S. persons overseas will not be tolerated by the U.S. Government,” said David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office.

“The FBI and our U.S. Government partners will continue to disrupt efforts by hostile foreign governments seeking to intimidate and cause harm through violence.”

During a Jan. 11 search of the unflagged dhow, the U.S. boarding team seized what is believed to be Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry including critical components for medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles, including a warhead and propulsion and guidance components.

“Two Navy SEALs tragically lost their lives in the operation that thwarted the defendants from allegedly smuggling Iranian-made weapons that the Houthis could have used to target American forces and threaten freedom of navigation and a vital artery for commerce,” said Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
Back to Stories Covered

---

WHITE HOUSE PLAN WOULD BRING CRANE MANUFACTURING BACK TO U.S. TO STRENGTHEN CYBERSECURITY

The White House has issued an Executive Order aimed at strengthening maritime cybersecurity and the resilience of America’s supply chains by reducing U.S. ports’ reliance on cranes that are made in China.

Biden administration officials are concerned that the more than 200 Chinese ship-to-shore cranes now operating in America’s ports create a security vulnerability.

“They’re collecting data, they’re looking at information,” Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said in an interview last week on Bloomberg Television’s Surveillance.

“What they’re using that data for is the question.”

The White House plan is supported by an infrastructure investment of more than $20 billion over five years to return crane manufacturing capacity to this country, where the equipment can be produced with partners such as PACECO Corp., a U.S. affiliate of Japan’s Mitsui.

In the meantime, owners and operators of cranes manufactured in China will be required to take a series of actions on the cranes and their associated information and operational technology.

The order also gives the Department of Homeland Security expanded authority to deal with maritime cyber threats, including by setting cybersecurity standards for American port networks and systems.

In addition, the Coast Guard will have the power to control the movement of vessels presenting a known or suspected cyber threat to U.S. maritime infrastructure.

“This Executive Order ensures Coast Guard authorities are aligned with emerging cybersecurity threats, and reflects the commitment of the Biden Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Coast Guard to safeguard maritime critical infrastructure,” said Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, Coast Guard assistant commandant for prevention policy.
Back to Stories Covered

---

MICHIGAN REPEALS ANTI-WORKER LAW

Michigan has gotten rid of “right to work,” a law that requires unions to represent free riders in the workplace who take advantage of union-negotiated contracts and benefits without paying dues.

Repealing the law had long been a top priority for Democrats, who took control of the full state government this year for the first time in 40 years.

“If we want to make Michigan a place where people want to come and raise a family and build their careers for the long haul, it is critical that we have got strong workplace protections,“ said Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan State AFL-CIO.

“By standing up and taking their power back, at the ballot box and in the workplace, workers have made it clear that Michigan is and always will be the beating heart of the modern American labor movement.”

Supporters of the repeal poured into the state Capitol in Lansing earlier this month as the House and Senate took up the legislation before approving it along party lines after limited deliberations.

Proponents of right to work laws say they boost job creation.

But as shown in study after study, the reality is that they depress wages wherever they are implemented, leading to contractions in consumer spending that are felt throughout a community, as well as lower living standards for everyone in the area.

“In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as ‘right to work,’” said Rev. Martin Luther King.

“It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and job rights.”

“Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining by which unions have improved wages and working conditions of everyone…”

“Wherever these laws have been passed, wages are lower, job opportunities are fewer and there are no civil rights.”

“We do not intend to let them do this to us. We demand this fraud be stopped.”
Back to Stories Covered

---

LONGSHORE WORKERS TRIUMPH IN LONG-RUNNING LABOR RIGHTS BATTLE AT PORT OF CHARLESTON

The right of union members to work every terminal in the Port of Charleston has been reaffirmed as the result of a Feb. 20 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The ILA had sued two ocean carriers in 2021 because not all the jobs at the new Leatherman Terminal were being performed by union workers.

The ports authority joined the battle on the side of the ocean carriers, filing an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

The ILA argued at the NLRB and in federal court that because Leatherman was a new cargo-handling terminal, it fell under the rules of a 2012 labor contract amendment between the union and an employer group, the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which required all work be performed by union labor.

The NLRB and a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the union.

The South Carolina Ports Authority had appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s ruling requiring it to hire union workers.

A spokesperson for the International Longshoremen’s Association said the court’s decision to decline to hear the port authority’s appeal shows that employers “cannot walk away from their contractual promises.”
Back to Stories Covered

---

HOUSTON HALL CLOSED FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

The MM&P Houston Hall will be closed on Friday, March 1, for Texas Independence Day.
a href=”#storiesCovered”>Back to Stories Covered

---

MITAGS SEEKS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

MITAGS is seeking a business development manager to be a part of the organization’s team of sales, marketing, and training professionals.

The position entails:

— managing relationships with customers, with emphasis on East Coast vessel operators, engineering firms, and pilot associations;

— calling on customers, entering into agreements with them, and pursuing new business opportunities;

— recruiting new customers through outreach, facility tours, sales calls, and electronic communications;

— working with the Academic and Simulation departments to craft solutions and meet customer needs, including offering new and customized courses;

— speaking and making presentations at industry events;

— updating the Customer Relationship Management (MIDS) tool with business booked and sales activities, and using it to generate sales calls and productivity reports; and

— contributing to the development of Business Development Department policies, objectives, and budgets.

Requirements include:

— maritime industry experience, either as a licensed officer or as a shoreside manager;

— strong interpersonal communications and presentation skills;

— experience developing budgets and negotiating contracts;

— the ability to sell concepts and ideas to management and peers;

— a demonstrated track record of performance based on personal initiative;

— the ability to cross-sell programs and provide marketing support;

— experience with maritime simulators;

— qualified to teach and ability to complete Train the Trainer (TTT).

The ideal candidate enjoys interacting with existing and potential customers and can speak passionately about MITAGS’ mission and capabilities.

If you would like to apply for this position, please send a letter of intent and your resume to Jane Sibiski, Human Resources Manager: jsibiski@mitags.org.
Back to Stories Covered

---

OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

Master and CM on the SLNC STAR.
Back to Stories Covered

---

ENGINEERING JOBS AVAILABLE OFFSHORE AND ON THE GREAT LAKES

There are openings for engineers in the MM&P Offshore fleet and the Great Lakes & Gulf Region.

For engineering jobs in the Offshore Group, contact Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin, tlarkin@bridgedeck.org, or 201-963-1900.

For engineering jobs on the Lakes, contact MM&P Great Lakes & Gulf Region Vice President Tom Bell, tbell@bridgedeck.org, or (216) 776-1667.
Back to Stories Covered

---

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): 06/10/24, 09/16/24

AIS-1 – Automatic Identifications Systems Orientation (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 03/04/24, 04/08/24, 08/12/24, 11/04/2024

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

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

BRMP –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP-Refresher (Now including Emergency Shiphandling for Pilots) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 05/06/24

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 03/18/24, 04/22/24, 06/10/24

BT-Refresher (3-day): 04/22/24, 06/10/24

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 04/15/24

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 04/29/24, 06/24/24, 10/07/24, 12/09/24

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 04/22/24, 06/17/24, 09/23/24, 12/16/24

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/14/24

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 07/08/24, 12/09/24

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 03/04/24, 07/15/24, 12/16/24

CM-OPS 2 APL – Chief Mate Operations II APL Specific (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 03/11/24, 08/12/24, 11/11/24

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 03/18/24, 08/12/24, 11/04/24

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 03/11/24, 09/30/24

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 10/28/24

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 03/18/24, 04/08/24*, 05/06/24, 06/03/24, 07/08/24, 08/05/24, 09/09/24, 09/30/24, 11/04/24, 12/02/24

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 03/25/24*, 04/15/24, 05/13/24, 06/10/24, 07/15/24, 08/12/24*, 09/16/24, 10/07/24, 11/11/24, 12/09/24

**SHS-ADV-I & II are now approved to include SAR-CMM assessments at MITAGS**

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 11/18/24

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): 03/18/24, 09/16/24

WX-HW-ATL – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Atlantic Ocean (2-day) – Not Currently Scheduled

WX-HW-IND – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Indian Ocean (2-day) – Not Currently Scheduled

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-day) – 05/11/24, 07/27/24, 11/16/24

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

Online: 05/17/24

CIW-SMS – Continual Improvement Workshop: Successful Safety Management (2-Day) – Online: Not Currently Scheduled

CNAV-OIC– Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 05/06/24

CRISIS-COMMS – Crisis Communications (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

CRSMGT – Crisis Management and Human Behavior (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

CDMGT – Crowd Management (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

CSE – Confined Space Entry (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

CSE-AWR – Confined Space Entry Awareness (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

DDE – Great Lakes (20-Day): Not currently scheduled

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

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 04/08/24, 12/09/24

ADV-FF – Advanced Fire-Fighting (4-day): 03/25/24*

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 05/06/24

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 03/20/24, 04/24/24, 06/12/24

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 04/25/24, 06/13/24

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

Online: Not currently scheduled

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

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 05/06/24, 08/26/24, 12/02/24

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 03/04/24, 07/22/24

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

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

Ton License (15-Day): 06/03/24

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

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 03/11/24*, 04/17/24, 05/20/24, 06/17/24, 06/20/24

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): 04/04/24

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments /not included): 04/01/24, 12/02/24

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 04/01/24, 05/13/24, 08/19/24, 09/30/24

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 03/18/24, 05/26/24, 07/29/24, 11/18/24

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 05/13/24, 07/08/24, 08/19/24

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 03/14/24, 03/23/24, 04/06/24, 05/05/24, 05/18/24

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 05/09/24, 06/07/24, 08/08/24, 09/12/24, 10/31/24

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 05/10/24, 06/07/24, 08/09/24, 09/13/24, 11/01/24

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 05/10/24, 06/07/24, 08/09/24, 09/13/24, 11/01/24

MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 05/13/24, 06/10/24, 07/15/24, 08/12/24, 09/16/24, 11/04/24

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 05/11/24, 06/08/24, 08/10/24, 09/14/24, 11/02/24

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 05/12/24, 06/09/24, 07/14/24, 08/11/24, 09/15/24, 11/03/24

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 05/17/24, 06/14/24, 07/19/24, 08/16/24, 09/20/24, 11/08/24

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 03/12/24*, 03/14/24*, 05/15/24*, 05/17/24*, 08/19/24*, 08/21/24*, 12/09/24, 12/11/24

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 06/24/24, 09/23/24

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 04/18/24

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-day): Not Currently Scheduled

ROR-1 – Radar Observer Renewal (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 04/24/24, 06/12/24

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 08/05/24, 10/28/24

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 04/01/24

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 04/29/24

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 03/04/24, 07/22/24, 12/16/24

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 04/05/24, 07/22/24

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 03/04/24

TRAC-TUG-2 (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

TTT – ** NOT covered by the MATES Program **: Not Currently Scheduled

VPDSD – Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties: Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 04/08/24

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 04/22/24, 07/29/24

Back to Stories Covered

---

MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

You can enroll online at www.mitags.org or contact our Admissions Department 866.656.5568 or admissions@mitags.org
February 2024
28th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
March 2024
4-8 Meteorology – Operational Level

4-8 Advanced Stability

6-8 RFPNW

14th Flashing Light Assessment

18-22 Basic Training

25-26 Basic Training Revalidation

25-29 Able Seaman

27th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

April 2024

1-4 Advanced Firefighting

8-12 ECDIS

22-23 Basic Training Revalidation

24th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

May 2024

6-10 Basic Training

13-17 Medical Care Provider

13-24 Medical Person-In-Charge

20-22 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

30-31 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

June 2024

1-2 Basic Training Revalidation

1-3 Basic Training Refresher

3rd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

3-7 Basic Training

3-21 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

24-25 Basic Training Revalidation

26th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
Back to Stories Covered

---

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.