Volume 31… Number 3, January 21, 2025
STORIES COVERED
In This Issue:
- Houthis Say They Will Lift Red Sea Blockade Following Ceasefire Agreement
- APL Flags In the Last of the Newbuilds, PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON
- Maritime Coalition Endorses US Transportation Secretary Nominee, Applauds His Support for the Jones Act
- Soo Locks Close for Seasonal Maintenance
- The MM&P Disaster Relief Fund Is There When Disaster Strikes
- Share Your Insights to Help Improve Life at Sea
And:
- Houston Hall Closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Possibly Jan. 22
- Charleston Hall Closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22
Mark Your Calendar:
- Offshore Membership Meeting in the LA/LB Hall, Tuesday, Jan. 28
- Offshore Membership Meeting in the Newark Hall, Wednesday, Jan. 29
- Offshore Familiarization Course in Newark Hall, Jan. 28-29
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
CHARLESTON HALL CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22
The MM&P Charleston Hall will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22, due to inclement weather.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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
Back to Stories Covered
OFFSHORE JOBS
Relief CM APL Eagle
CM SLNC Goodwill
CM SLNC Pax
LMSR positions available.
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): 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
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
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.