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MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

Volume 31… Number 3, January 21, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

And:

Mark Your Calendar:

Job Opportunities:

And:

HOUTHIS SAY THEY WILL LIFT RED SEA BLOCKADE FOLLOWING CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT

The Houthi rebels in Yemen say they will stop attacking most merchant ships traversing the Red Sea now that a ceasefire agreement has been signed between Israel and Hamas.

The Houthis released a statement Sunday saying that Israeli-owned and Israeli-flagged vessels will continue to be targeted but that other ships will be allowed to pass.

At least four seafarers have been killed in the attacks on merchant ships, which began in October 2023.

The Houthis said that as long as the ceasefire remains in effect, they will refrain from attacking most ships, including American and British ships and vessels bound for Israel, those that are partly owned by Israeli interests or those that are operated by Israeli interests and owned by individuals of other nationalities.

They said that at least until all phases of the ceasefire agreement have been implemented, they will continue to attack ships that are Israeli-flagged or wholly Israeli-owned.

Such vessels, they said, will continue “to be prohibited from transiting the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.”

Military leaders have said that the Houthis’ capabilities have been significantly degraded by Israeli and American airstrikes, which may have made them eager to end their attacks.

Meanwhile, the Bahamas-flag car carrier GALAXY LEADER and its crew are still being held well over a year from when the vessel was hijacked by armed men who rappelled onto the deck from a helicopter.
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APL FLAGS IN THE LAST OF THE NEWBUILDS, PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON

APL has flagged in the PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON, the last vessel in its year-long fleet renewal program.

The ship was flagged in in Los Angeles.

It is an added vessel to the APL fleet and will be running without an MSP slot.

The first MM&P officers to take the conn were Captain Nick Marcantonio, Chief Mate Adam Labrato, Second Mate Graham Herder and Third Mate Jorge Jaime.

The ships are also crewed by members of MEBA, SIU, SUP, and MFOW.

MM&P Pacific Ports Vice President Melany Velleca attended the flag-in to congratulate the crew and welcome the new vessel into the MM&P fleet.

During his term as president, Lyndon B. Johnson issued Executive Order #11156, establishing a Maritime Advisory Committee.

Its purpose was to consider “such matters of policy and administration of government programs affecting the maritime industry as it deems to be in the public interest, including policies and practices which may be followed by labor, management or the government for strengthening the trade, national defense, manpower and labor relations programs of the maritime industry.”

Throughout his time in office, Johnson issued annual Presidential Maritime Day Proclamations that recognized the service of America’s mariners and the essential role that the US-flag fleet plays in our country’s economy, security and national defense.

The previous ships to join the APL fleet this year were the PRESIDENT GRANT, the PRESIDENT REAGAN, the PRESIDENT BUSH, and the PRESIDENT MONROE.

They replaced the ROOSEVELT, the EISENHOWER, the KENNEDY, the TRUMAN, and the CLEVELAND.
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MARITIME COALITION ENDORSES US TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY NOMINEE, APPLAUDS HIS SUPPORT FOR THE JONES ACT

The American Maritime Partnership, the nation’s largest maritime industry legislative coalition, announced last week that it supports the nomination of former Congressman Sean Duffy to lead the US Department of Transportation.

MM&P and MIRAID are both members of the American Maritime Partnership, which represents all sectors of the domestic maritime industry.

“We have worked with Congressman Duffy during his tenure in Congress and believe he is well-qualified for this important position,” AMP President Jennifer Carpenter said in a Jan. 15 letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.).

“AMP particularly appreciates his unequivocal support for the Jones Act as expressed during his Commerce Committee confirmation hearing.”

During the hearing, Duffy, a Republican who represented Wisconsin until he left Congress in 2019, replied in the affirmative when asked by the committee’s Ranking Member, Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), whether he supports the Jones Act.

The Jones Act requires that cargo moving between two US points be carried on American-built, -owned and -crewed vessels.

It ensures that American maritime jobs are not shipped overseas and that the assets underlying our defense capabilities are not outsourced to foreign nations.

As secretary of transportation, Duffy will oversee the Maritime Administration (MARAD), which is responsible for supporting the US merchant marine, promoting domestic shipbuilding and ensuring the readiness of critical maritime infrastructure.
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SOO LOCKS CLOSE FOR SEASONAL MAINTENANCE

The Great Lakes navigation season came to an end on Jan. 16, when the Soo Locks closed for critical seasonal maintenance.

The Poe Lock is scheduled to reopen on March 25; the MacArthur Lock is scheduled to reopen in April.

The Great Lakes operating season is established by federal regulation based on the feasibility of moving vessels during typical ice conditions.

The US Army Corps of Engineers uses the non-navigation period to maintain the system.

“The Soo Project team works long hours in extreme conditions during the annual closure period,” said USACE Maintenance Branch Chief Nicholas Pettit.

“The work they perform is unique, especially given the harsh northern Michigan winter conditions.”

This year, the team will install a temporary panel bridge across the Poe Lock so materials and equipment can be mobilized to job sites.

Crews will replace anchorages on Gate 3, commission the temporary dewatering system, fill in nonoperational ship arrestor recess on the downstream end, flush and clean the hydraulic systems, remove underground storage tanks and repair the winter work bridge recesses.

The Poe Lock will not be dewatered for scheduled maintenance this year.

Other jobs include the replacement of pier fender timbers and preventive maintenance on electrical and mechanical systems.

“The Soo Project team is well versed in planning and executing complex maintenance and repairs,” says Soo Locks Operations Manager LeighAnn Ryckeghem.

“The cold climate and physical site constraints add an intensity that requires strategic logistical planning and controls to ensure safety and success.”

More than 4,500 vessels travel through the locks annually, carrying up to 80 million tons of cargo.

Iron ore, coal, wheat and limestone are among the most frequently carried commodities.
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THE MM&P DISASTER RELIEF FUND IS THERE WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

The MM&P Disaster Relief Fund stands ready to help MM&P families affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and other disasters.

Please consider making a contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund today.

Contributions to the fund are generally tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.

To contribute to the MM&P Disaster Relief Fund, click here or go to bridgedeck.org and look for Disaster Relief in the menu bar.

If you are an MM&P member who has been negatively affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, contact your MM&P Area Vice President.
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SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS TO HELP IMPROVE LIFE AT SEA

The Global Maritime Forum, a not-for-profit organization based in Copenhagen, is conducting research on how life at sea could be improved for current and future generations of mariners.

Their research focuses on a range of topics, including diversity, inclusion and sustainability.

In phase one of their research, they received about 400 completed surveys from seafarers sailing internationally.

Here is a link to a detailed description of the results that emerged.

Some of the primary “asks” made by the mariners who responded were:

— zero-tolerance policy for abuse, harassment and bullying;

— internet access and social connectivity; and

— transparent training and performance evaluation systems.

“The data that [we have collected so far] provides clear signposts as to how the industry could change its practices and improve conditions for the 1.9 million men and women working at sea,” the researchers said.

To find out how the results of the pilot phase measure up, they have asked MM&P to circulate this link to a 10-minute follow-up survey.

(You can also access the survey by means of a QR code that is posted on bridgedeck.org under News and Announcements.)

If you know other sailing mariners, whether union members or not, who might be interested in completing the survey, please share the link with them and encourage them to share it with others.
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HOUSTON HALL CLOSED ON TUESDAY, JAN. 21

The MM&P Houston Hall will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, due to inclement weather.

It will reopen on Wednesday if conditions allow.

Please call the Hall at 281-464-9650 before making the trip.
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CHARLESTON HALL CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22

The MM&P Charleston Hall will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22, due to inclement weather.
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MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN LA/LB HALL, JAN 28

There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Union Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 28

The meeting will begin directly after the 11:00 job call.

Secretary-Treasurer Lars Turner and Pacific Ports Vice President Melany Velleca will present their reports and respond to questions.

The MM&P Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall is located at:

533 N. Marine Ave., Suite A

Wilmington, CA 90744-5527

If you have items that you would like to have placed on the agenda or questions that may require research, please email them to mskippen@bridgedeck.org or call the LA/LB Hall: 310-834-7201.

All Offshore members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE NEWARK HALL, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29

There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Newark Union Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 1100.

The Newark Hall is located at:

570 Broad Street, Suite 701

Newark, NJ 07102

Phone: 201-963-1900

All Offshore members are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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OFFSHORE FAMILIARIZATION COURSE IN NEWARK HALL, JAN. 28-29

The Offshore Familiarization Course will be held in person in the MM&P Newark Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 28 and Wednesday, Jan. 29.

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.

Here is the schedule:

— Day 1, Jan. 28, from 0930 to 1500.

— Day 2, Jan. 29, from 0930 to 1100.

— Day 2 Jan. 29, from 1100 to 1330 OS membership meeting.

The Newark Hall is located at:

570 Broad Street, Suite 701

Newark, NJ 07102

Phone: 201-963-1900
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OFFSHORE JOBS

Relief CM APL Eagle

CM SLNC Goodwill

CM SLNC Pax

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
AB – Able Seaman (5-Day): 02/10/25, 04/28/25

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 02/03/25, 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): 02/03/25, 02/24/25, 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

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

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

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 02/10/25, 05/12/25

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

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

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

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

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 02/03/25, 03/10/25, 04/07/25, 05/05/25, 06/09/25

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 02/10/25, 03/07/25*, 04/14/25, 05/12/25, 06/16/25

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: 02/19/25

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

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

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

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 03/17/25

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

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 02/03/25, 04/14/25, 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): 02/07/25

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

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): 02/10/25

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

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

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

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 02/03/25, 04/07/25, 05/12/25

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 01/25/25, 03/08/25, 04/12/25, 05/03/25, 05/17/25

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-ATO-II – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer II (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

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

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

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

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 02/11/25, 03/17/25, 04/15/25, 05/12/25, 06/16/25

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

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 02/10/25, 03/16/25, 04/14/24, 05/11/25, 06/15/25

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

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

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 04/28/25,

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-day): 01/29/25

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): Contact Admissions

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 01/27/25, 03/17/25

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 02/26/25

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

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 01/27/25, 04/21/25, 06/23/25

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 02/10/25

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): Not currently scheduled

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

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

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

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 04/21/25

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
January 2025
27-31 Lifeboatman/Proficiency in Survival Craft

27-31 Medical Care Provider

27-31 Advanced Shiphandling I

27-7 Medical Person-In-Charge

February 2025

3-21 Celestial Navigation

10-14 Basic Training

10-14 Advanced Shiphandling II

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.

For subscriptions, address changes or messages to the editor, send an email to communications@bridgedeck.org.