Wheelhouse Weekly, February 11, 2025

Volume 31… Number 6, February 11, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Study Shows Most Seafarers “Adjust” Records of Their Work/Rest Hours
• Maritime Infrastructure Hearing Touches on Wide Range of Issues
• MM&P Pledges Support for MSC’s Ambitious 95 Percent Manning Goal: “But Attracting and Retaining CIVMARS Will Require Improvements in Compensation and Working Conditions,” FEMG Rep Says
• Hockey Unions Join AFL-CIO
• Cato Institute Continues Anti-Jones Act Campaign

Mark Your Calendar:

• MM&P Closed for Lincoln’s Birthday, Feb. 12
• MM&P Closed for President’s Day, Feb. 17
• Atlantic Maritime Group Virtual Membership Meeting on Feb. 19

Job Opportunities:

• NMC Seeks Marine Transportation Specialist—Deadline March 5
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

STUDY SHOWS MOST SEAFARERS “ADJUST” RECORDS OF THEIR WORK/REST HOURS

The majority of the world’s seafarers adjust their work/rest hour records, according to a study conducted by a PhD candidate at World Maritime University.

Bikram Bhatia surveyed 6,304 seafarers, interviewed 55 port state control officers, and analyzed data from 16,551 port state control inspections.

His dissertation is described in a Dec. 6 news article, “Exhaustive Three-Year Study Exposes the Lie About Work/Rest Hours at Sea.”

The article was written by Sam Chambers—a journalist with decades of experience in the maritime industry—and published on the news site Splash.

After outlining the results of the study—including that 64.3 percent of seafarers adjust their work/rest hours—Chambers adds that “coercion from shore is [even] more worrying.”

“Sixty-seven percent of respondents had [their] reports questioned by the company, 60.1 percent were expected to adjust their reports, and 49.1 percent were instructed to [do so].”

Chambers writes that the study “has shown the structures supporting the implementation of work/rest regulations at sea are being broken, with close to two-thirds of seafarers adjusting their work/rest records.”

Under the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006, a seafarer has the right to regulated hours of work and hours of rest.

Hours of work are stated as either maximum hours of work or minimum hours of rest.

The maximum hours of work must not exceed 14 hours in any 24-hour period and 72 hours in any seven-day period.

The minimum hours of rest must not be fewer than 10 hours in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any seven-day period.

A record of a seafarer’s daily hours of rest or hours of work must be kept aboard the ship in the crew’s working language as well as in English.

It must be signed by the seafarer and the captain of the ship or other authorized person, and the seafarer must be given a copy.

Port state control officers struggle to detect non-compliance with hours of work/rest requirements, Bhatia says, writing that the high compliance rates reported by port state control officers “mask” the level of non-compliance reported by the seafarers themselves.

Bhatia said the situation creates “a false narrative at policy levels.”

“Crews face overwhelming demands while grappling with chronic underreporting of work hours, and the threat of punishment for infractions,” said Steven Jones, the founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, in another article in Splash.

“[They] face a difficult choice: being honest about overwork can lead to punishment, while dishonesty may allow them to escape consequences.”

“This creates a troubling lack of incentive for proper, effective, open, and transparent recording of work hours.”

Bhatia’s study was funded by the International Transport Workers’ Federation Seafarers’ Trust.

MM&P is an affiliate of the International Transport Workers’ Federation.
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MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE HEARING TOUCHES ON WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES

The House Coast Guard and Maritime Infrastructure Subcommittee held its first hearing under the chairmanship of Rep. Mike Ezell (R.-Miss.) on Feb. 5.

The hearing covered a range of topics, including the importance of the Jones Act and the need to shore up the nation’s maritime infrastructure.

“The Jones Act is quite literally the bedrock and foundation of our nation’s shipbuilding industrial base because it helps to maintain a pool of qualified American mariners that we rely on to transport goods and our military, in times of peace and war,” Ezell said.

“I look forward to discussing ways to reinvigorate this critical industry.”

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.)—ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee—thanked Ezell for focusing on infrastructure in his first hearing as chair, adding that the Mississippi Republican’s “history of bipartisanship and support for the maritime industry and the Coast Guard will greatly benefit this subcommittee.”

Larsen warned, however, that US maritime infrastructure is being undermined by an executive order issued by President Trump that pauses infrastructure spending authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Thanks to historic levels of federal investment, the nation’s transportation system and infrastructure are better today than they were four years ago,” Larsen said.

“Continuing that progress requires ongoing investment, especially in the maritime industry.”

“Let’s keep it going.”

“I believe we are at a crossroads in the maritime domain, facing a critical deficit in the number of US shipyards, US mariners, and US vessels,” said Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.

“While we have made great strides in recent years in bolstering our ports, waterways, and maritime industry, we cannot take our foot off the pedal,” he added.
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“ATTRACTING AND RETAINING CIVMARS WILL REQUIRE IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS,” FEMG REP SAYS

Military Sealift Command seeks to achieve a 95 percent manning fill rate by September, Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, the MSC Commander, said on Feb. 6 in his Message to the Force.

Besides hitting the 95 percent target by September, he said, MSC aims to lower overdue relief from seven days to zero.

He also said that for ships in maintenance, the Command seeks to achieve a 70 percent manning fill rate by December.

The announcement came shortly after MSC’s decision to sideline 17 ships, with the stated goal of reducing stress on the CIVMAR workforce.

Sobeck said that 14 of the selected ships are already in a reduced operational status, so that “our most critical ships are fully staffed and ready for mission demands.”

He said overdue reliefs have been significantly reduced, and that a series of quality-of-life changes had been made in the past year to shore up retention and attract more CIVMARS to MSC.

But additional improvements are needed, said MM&P Federal Employees Membership Group Representative Randi Ciszewski.

“MM&P remains committed to collaboratively partnering with our Navy and MSC management partners to achieve this ambitious goal while improving the quality of life for our FEMG CIVMARS,” Ciszewski said.

“Through our genuine partnership efforts, MSC and MM&P officials bargained in good faith to implement MSC’s virtual pool and shorter tours of duty, as well as to improve the number of on-time reliefs and increase shore leave.”

She said that “elimination of archaic pay caps for CIVMARS and their replacement with fair and competitive compensation that ‘mirrors’ that of the private sector” would make a major contribution to the achievement of the Command’s goals.

“While we will continue to work with our management partners to effect positive change, it must be emphasized that some newly hired officers are leaving MSC and voluntarily giving up thousands of dollars in incentive pay in their first year of employment,” she said.

“Hence, even with all the positive changes we continue to make, it is obvious that we need to do more to incentivize, attract and retain our CIVMAR workforce.”

“I continue to receive complaints from members regarding convoluted ship management systems, overregulated administrative and inspection systems, and excessive administrative burdens which serve as unsafe distractions.”

“We need to work better to eliminate some of these burdensome, unsafe policies.”

“I am concerned that if some of the administrative burdens placed on CIVMARS are not eased, the stress-related fatigue could lead to safety and mission degradation, as well as operational mishaps.”

“MM&P officials fully agree with Navy officials in recognizing that CIVMARS are the Command’s most important resource.”

“We also agree that CIVMARS’ wellbeing directly impacts productivity, morale, retention, and overall Command success.”

In addition to all the tangible benefits we negotiate for our CIVMAR workforce, she added, “it is crucial that we prioritize their mental wellbeing through supportive policies and practices.”
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HOCKEY UNIONS JOIN AFL-CIO

Two of professional hockey’s North American players’ associations—the National Hockey League Players’ Association and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association—are affiliating with the AFL-CIO.

The NHLPA represents roughly 750 players across 32 teams.

The PHPA, which has teams in the US and Canada, has 1,800 members.

Their membership brings the number of AFL-CIO affiliates to 63, which together represent more than 15 million workers.

“The NHLPA’s membership is proud to join the AFL-CIO and its sports council during this important moment in the labor movement,” said NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh.

“We look forward to working together with other players’ associations and unions from across North America to ensure that workers in all industries have a collective voice in fighting for fair wages and safe and equitable workplaces.”

“As we begin collective bargaining negotiations, our members will now enjoy the full support of the AFL-CIO at the bargaining table,” said PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay.

The AFL-CIO Sports Council already includes unions that represent players in the NFL, WNBA, Major League Soccer and National Women’s Soccer League.
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CATO INSTITUTE CONTINUES ANTI-JONES ACT CAMPAIGN

A corporate lobbying group that has been fighting for years to get Congress to repeal the Jones Act is at it again.

Now the group—the Cato Institute—has hired a publicist to make thousands of anti-Jones Act posts on social media.

Shipping expert John D. McCown made the revelation after analyzing public disclosures filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the law that requires people who represent foreign business interests to make the relationship known.

“Despite the nonsense that Cato has written about the Jones Act, they have managed to co-opt and get articles in mainstream publications like The Atlantic and Forbes to parrot what they are putting out,” McCown writes in an article published by Medium on Dec. 27, 2024.

“I imagine the publications, like me when I first encountered Cato’s writings on the topic, assumed it was acting as a real think tank.”

“However, instead of the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions, Cato’s work here is devoid of the primary research typically associated with think tanks.”

Cato also submitted a report in December to the Trump Administration’s new Department of Government Efficiency, in which it advocated for “major reforms or complete repeal” of the Jones Act, the Foreign Dredge Act and the Passenger Vessel Services Act.

The American Maritime Partnership, a coalition that supports the US-flag fleet and the American Merchant Marine, has responded strongly to such attacks.

“The Jones Act continues to enjoy broad bipartisan backing today because it supports American jobs and the US economy, preserves our ability to defend our nation, and makes our nation more secure,” AMP said in a statement.
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MM&P WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 IN OBSERVANCE OF LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY

All MM&P union halls, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, MM&P headquarters, and the Plan Office will be closed on Wednesday, February 12, for Lincoln’s birthday.
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MM&P WILL BE CLOSED ON FEBRUARY 17 IN OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENT’S DAY

All MM&P union halls, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, MM&P headquarters, and the Plan Office will be closed on Monday, February 17, for President’s Day.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME GROUP (AMG) VIRTUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON FEB. 19

The Atlantic Maritime Group quarterly membership meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

It will take place from 1100 hours to 1300 hours.

You must be a member in good standing to participate in the meeting.

To receive a link to participate in the meeting virtually, you must register with AMG Representative Paulina Trzepacz before noon on Tuesday, May 28.

Her email address is: Ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org
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OFFSHORE JOBS

CM Red Cloud needed, join February 12th in the US.

CM SLNC Goodwill

CM SLNC Pax

LMSR positions available.
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NMC SEEKS MARINE TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST: DEADLINE MARCH 5

The National Maritime Center seeks a Marine Transportation Specialist, GS-2101-13.

Applicant must hold or have held a US Merchant Mariner credential in the grade of 1st Assistant Engineer, Unlimited or higher or the equivalent military experience as Assistant Engineer Officer/Chief Engineer or higher and as a qualified Engineer of the Watch (EOW) on vessels of greater than 4000HP.

The incumbent will serve as a Marine Transportation Specialist in the Mariner Examination Branch (NMC-22). Typical work assignments include:

— serving as a subject matter expert in all manner of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to shipboard operations and maintenance in the US Merchant Marine;

— responsible for the development of specific subject matter questions pertaining to practical skills of the marine engineering profession, used to create comprehensive knowledge-based assessments suitable for a wide range of mariner credentialing endorsements;

— providing direction to 17 Regional Examination Centers on all aspects of mariner credentialing program examinations;

— creation, maintenance, use and disposition of examinations;

— serving as an expert on the exam processes for all applications for professional credentials.

The search closes on March 5. If you previously applied, you will need to resubmit your application.

More information appears at the links below:

Merit: 20241218-46067-48360-AJ-ST-R1: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/830327000

DEU: 20241218-46067-48360-AJ-DE-R1: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/830328500
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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): 04/28/25, 09/22/25

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

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

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): 04/07/25

BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 04/14/25, 09/08/25

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 03/24/25, 05/05/25, 06/09/25, 09/22/25, 10/20/25, 11/12/25

BT-Refresher (3-day): 05/05/25, 06/09/25, 09/22/25

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

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 03/24/25, 04/28/25, 08/04/25

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 03/17/25, 04/21/25, 06/02/25, 07/28/25

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): Not Currently Scheduled

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 05/12/25, 08/18/25

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 02/17/25, 05/19/25, 8/25/25

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, 09/15/25

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 02/17/25, 09/22/25

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 03/10/25, 04/07/25*, 05/05/25, 06/09/25, 07/14/25, 08/11/25, 09/15/25

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): *, 03/17/25*, 04/14/25, 05/12/25, 06/16/25, 07/21/25, 08/18/25, 09/22/25

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): 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: 02/26/25

CNAV-OIC– Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 05/05/25, 12/01/25

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

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

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

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

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 09/08/25

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 03/26/25, 05/07/25, 06/11/25, 09/24/25, 11/22/25, 11/14/25

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 05/08/25, 06/12/25, 09/18/25, 11/10/25

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

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

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, 07/21/25

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): 06/03/25

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

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 03/12/25*, 04/21/25, 06/04/25, 08/11/25

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

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments /not included): Not Currently Scheduled

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

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 03/03/25, 04/28/25, 08/04/25

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 03/08/25, 04/12/25, 05/03/25, 05/17/25, 07/12/25, 08/09/25

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-ATO-II – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer II(MSC-ATO-III included) (5-Day): 03/24/25

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): 03/13/25, 05/08/25, 06/12/25, 08/07/25, 09/11/25

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 03/14/25, 05/09/25, 06/13/25, 08/08/25, 09/12/25

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 03/16/25, 05/11/25, 08/10/25, 09/14/25

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 03/17/25, 04/15/25, 05/12/25, 06/16/25, 08/11/25, 09/15/25

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 03/15/25, 05/10/25, 06/14/25, 08/09/25, 09/13/25

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 03/16/25, 04/14/24, 05/11/25, 06/15/25, 08/10/25, 09/14/25

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 03/31/25, 05/13/25, 06/20/25, 08/15/25, 09/19/25

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 03/25/25*, 03/27/25*, 04/29/25*, 05/01/25*, 07/08/25, 07/10/25, 08/26/25, 08/28/25, 09/30/25, 10/05/25

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 02/17/25, 04/21/25, 09/15/25

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 05/01/25, 06/16/25, 09/25/25

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

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

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 05/07/25, 06/11/25, 09/24/25, 11/11/25

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

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

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

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 04/21/25, 06/23/25, 07/28/25, 09/08/25

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: Not currently scheduled

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 07/28/25

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 03/03/25, 05/05/25, 07/07/25

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

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 02/26/25, 05/14/25, 08/18/25

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 09/15/25

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
February 2025
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.

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