Wheelhouse Weekly, February 18, 2025

Volume 31… Number 7, February 18, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Lawmakers From Farm States Try to Save Food for Peace Program, a Major Source of Cargo for the Merchant Marine
• Unions Sue Federal Agencies Over Access to Americans’ Private Data
• SS UNITED STATES, a Liner Once Crewed by MM&P LDOs, Departs on Final Journey
• Sign the Petition: Stand With MM&P!
• Leaking Pipes, Water Damage, Crumbling Facades: “Sorry State of Kings Point Has Become a Risk to National Security”
• US Navy Installations Command and Fleet Forces Command Participate in Annual Force Protection Exercise

Mark Your Calendar:

• Atlantic Maritime Group Virtual Membership Meeting on Feb. 19

Job Opportunities:

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

And:

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

LAWMAKERS FROM FARM STATES TRY TO SAVE FOOD FOR PEACE PROGRAM, A MAJOR SOURCE OF CARGO FOR THE MERCHANT MARINE

A group of GOP legislators said last week that they are introducing a bill to move oversight of the Food for Peace Program from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Agriculture Department.

USAID oversees the PL 480 Food for Peace Program, a major source of cargo for US-flag vessels.

Under cargo preference law, 50 percent of PL 480 cargo must be carried on American ships.

President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 pausing foreign aid for 90 days.

Soon after that, the administration shuttered USAID, dismissed its staff and shifted oversight of the program to the US Department of State, making Secretary of State Marco Rubio the acting administrator.

Now, legislation to move the program to the Department of Agriculture is being sponsored by Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kansas) and several other members of the House Agriculture Committee.

They include the committee’s chair, Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), and Reps. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), and David Rouzer (R-N.C.).

Mann said in a statement that moving Food for Peace to USDA would allow American producers to serve hungry people with more transparency and efficiency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

“For 70 years, Kansas and American farmers have played an active role in sending their commodities to feed malnourished and starving populations around the world,” Mann said in a statement.

“This gift from the American people is more than food.”

“It’s diplomacy and feeds the most vulnerable communities while helping them recognize the freedom, prosperity, and good America can establish across the globe.”

In the Senate, a parallel effort to save the Food for Peace Program is being spearheaded by Kansas Republican Jerry Moran and North Dakota Republican John Hoeven.

“The US Department of Agriculture already administers US farmer-based food aid programs and it only makes sense that USDA would oversee the Food for Peace program, as well,” Hoeven said in a statement.
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UNIONS SUE FEDERAL AGENCIES OVER ACCESS TO AMERICANS’ PRIVATE DATA

The AFL-CIO has sued several Trump administration agencies to stop them from accessing Americans’ private data.

The suit charges that the agencies have violated the Privacy Act of 1974 by illegally disclosing the sensitive records of millions of working people to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff who lack the proper security clearances.

The Office of Personnel Management and the Treasury and Education departments are named in the suit.

The plaintiffs include former members of the armed services who receive benefit payments, current and former federal workers with confidential employment files in OPM’s system, and teachers with student loans overseen by the Department of Education.

“Elon Musk and his minions are stealing Americans’ private personal and financial data in one of the biggest data hacks in U.S. history,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

“I suspect no one who voted for Donald Trump thought he would allow Musk permission to invade their privacy.”

“This is a breach of our fundamental freedoms.”

“Right now, inside the Department of Education, the world’s richest man is rifling through 45 million people’s private student loan accounts and feeding the data into artificial intelligence.”

“Government agencies are not private entities that billionaires can simply buy and rummage through,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant.

“Congressional oversight, advocacy and voting are how we make government work for us, not reckless takeovers that put the personal data of millions of Americans into the hands of unqualified, unvetted political operatives.”

“It is up to us—the working families of America—to stand up here and now to protect our privacy and our democracy.”

MM&P is one of the 61 AFL-CIO affiliates, which together represent more than 15 million working Americans.
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SS UNITED STATES, A LINER ONCE CREWED BY MM&P LDOS, DEPARTS ON FINAL JOURNEY

The storied ocean liner SS UNITED STATES was pushed north by tugs on Feb. 17, the first step in a 14-day voyage to Mobile, Alabama.

The 1,000-foot ship had been moored at Pier 82 in Philadelphia since 1996.

MM&P licensed deck officers worked aboard the SS UNITED STATES when it was operated by US Lines.

Now the ship is under tow by the VINIK 6, a twin-screw tug rated at 5,700 horsepower that is operated by members of the MM&P Atlantic Maritime Group.

MM&P members who belong to the Pilots’ Association for the Bay & River Delaware are among those who have been involved in the complex planning that preceded the initial stages of the tow to Mobile.

SS UNITED STATES was built in the early 1950s as an Atlantic liner under the direction of William Francis Gibbs, one of America’s foremost naval architects.

Christened in 1952, it was considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops.

On its maiden voyage, it broke the Atlantic speed record and today, it is still the fastest passenger liner to have ever crossed the Atlantic.

The Big U, as the ship was known, spent nearly two decades sailing back and forth across the Atlantic between its home port of New York City and European destinations.

It was mothballed in 1969, when jet airplanes ended the dominance of ocean liners.

In Mobile, the ship will spend about a year docked at a recycling facility for remediation, including removal of fuel, loose paint, PCBs and other contaminants.

After that, it will be sunk off the coast of Florida to become the world’s largest artificial reef.

The funnels and radar mast will be dismantled and consigned to the SS United States Conservancy, which is hoping to incorporate memorabilia from the historic ship into a visitor’s center and museum in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.
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STAND WITH MM&P!

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Masters, Mates & Pilots,

The Licensed Deck Officers (LDOs) at Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) and Overseas Shipping Group (OSG) voted in a free and fair election to be represented by Masters, Mates, & Pilots (MM&P), effective January 1, 2024, and October 22, 2024, respectively.

Despite their legal obligation to negotiate in good faith, both companies have refused to come to the bargaining table.

We urge you to click this link and sign the petition addressed to CEO Samuel Norton and President & COO Tim DiPietropolo, demanding that they respect our rights and engage in fair negotiations.

Your support makes a difference. Together, we are stronger.

In Solidarity,

General Executive Board

Masters, Mates, & Pilots
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“SORRY STATE OF KINGS POINT HAS BECOME A RISK TO NATIONAL SECURITY”

The deterioration of critical infrastructure at the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point is jeopardizing the academy’s ability to fulfill its mission.

Audits by the Government Accountability Office have repeatedly detailed the extent of the academy’s problems.

Now, former New York Congressman John Faso is asking US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to step in.

Faso is also calling on Congressional appropriators to approve the $86 million allocated to the school under the 2024 National Defense Authorization bill.

“During periods of war or national emergency, Kings Point graduates play a crucial role, operating US vessels that transport troops, equipment, and supplies to our armed forces across the globe,” Faso writes.

“As the US faces growing geopolitical challenges, the need for a strong and prepared merchant marine force has never been more urgent.”

Kings Point trains licensed merchant marine officers who work in commercial and military transportation and serve as a vital link in America’s defense and supply chain.

Graduates must fulfill a service obligation of five years in the US maritime industry along with an eight-year military reserve officer obligation.

Alternatively, graduates may serve for five years on active military duty in any of the armed services branches.

“Unfortunately, Kings Point’s ability to continue fulfilling this mission is increasingly jeopardized by its crumbling infrastructure,” Faso says.

“Failing to make necessary improvements at Kings Point is a serious national security issue threatening the viability of this critical service academy.”

“The Merchant Marine Academy is more than just a school,” he writes.

“It’s a cornerstone of our maritime strategy.”

“Restoring its facilities is not merely a matter of maintenance but of national security.”
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US NAVY INSTALLATIONS COMMAND AND FLEET FORCES COMMAND PARTICIPATE IN ANNUAL FORCE PROTECTION EXERCISE

US Fleet Forces Command and Navy Installations Command conducted their annual force protection exercise, Citadel Shield–Solid Curtain, during the first two weeks of February at all Navy installations in the continental US.

Citadel Shield is a field training exercise led by Navy Installations Command.

Solid Curtain is a command post exercise led by US Fleet Forces Command.

The MM&P Federal Employees Membership Group represents all civil service Navy Harbor Pilots employed by CNO worldwide, as well as CNICNWR Tug Captains working in the Puget Sound area.

The two-part training is designed to boost the readiness of US Navy security forces and ensure interoperability among commands and agency partners to protect life, equipment, and facilities.

These regularly scheduled exercises include simulations of threat scenarios, including active shooters, unauthorized base access, and improvised explosive devices.

They are not held in response to any specific threat.

“These comprehensive training scenarios simulate real-world threats to enhance our readiness and interoperability with other services and agency partners,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Installations Command.

“They are an essential part of fulfilling our commitment to safeguarding life, equipment, and facilities.”

“[This exercise] reinforces our commitment to …preserving operational readiness by testing our ability to adapt to evolving force protection, security, and mission assurance challenges,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, US Fleet Forces Command.

“[It] builds resilience and fosters coordination between fleet and shore forces, installation commands, and partner agencies, ensuring we stay prepared to counter modern-day threats with precision and unity of effort.”

The Puget Sound is the Navy’s third largest fleet concentration area.

The Department of the Navy contributes more than $13.5 billion annually to the economy of the Northwest Region.

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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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WEEKS MARINE SEEKS WELDER – 1 OS/WIPER (MIN.)

Weeks Marine is seeking a welder to work aboard the DREDGE MAGDALEN.

Required Documents:

1. Valid MMC (Must have BST, VPDSD & OS/Wiper (Min.) endorsements)

2. Valid USCG Medical Certificate

3. TWIC

Crew Change Date: 3/27/2025 (Arrive the evening of 3/25. Onboarding & Orientation on 3/26)

If you are interested in applying or want more information, please contact MM&P GL&R Vice President Ed Lulko, elulko@bridgedeck.org.
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MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES

For registration contact our Admissions Department: 866.656.5568 or admissions@mitags.org

Classes are 5-day unless otherwise noted

Class dates followed by an * are full
AB – Able Seaman (5-Day): 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): Not Currently scheduled

[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): 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): 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): Not Currently Scheduled

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): 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, 11/03/25

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

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

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

TTT – ** NOT covered by the MATES Program: 03/24/25

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
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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