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MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

Volume 31… Number 4, January 28, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

Mark Your Calendar:

Job Opportunities:

And:

MM&P LICENSED DECK OFFICERS AT THE CONN OF OCEAN GIANT

MM&P licensed deck officers are at the conn of the Waterman cargo ship OCEAN GIANT, which is on its way to the South Pole for “Operation Deep Freeze,” the Navy’s annual resupply mission to scientists based at McMurdo Station.

The heavy-lift ship was loaded in Port Hueneme, Calif., before the Christmas holidays with vehicles, mobile office units and containers carrying mechanical parts, construction materials, office supplies and electronics.

On the bridge are MM&P members Master Ryan Kinnell, Chief Mate Trevor Gordon, Second Mate Ryan McAfee and Third Mate Martin Hunley-Bota.

The vessel is expected to arrive at the remote Antarctic outpost on Jan. 30.

Military Sealift Command has supported Operation Deep Freeze since the year the station was established, 1955.

To enable safe passage for the vessels participating in the mission, the Coast Guard heavy icebreaker POLAR STAR is on a 140-day deployment from Sydney, Australia, to cut a path through the ice that surrounds the station.

This year, besides the usual supplies, OCEAN GIANT is carrying parts of a 65-ton floating marine causeway system.

An ice pier made of rebar and frozen seawater was used previously to offload cargo. But it was damaged and is no longer usable, so the causeway is replacing it.

Once OCEAN GIANT arrives in Antarctica, the causeway will be assembled in sections on the deck, placed in the water and assembled to form the pier.

After the crew completes the McMurdo mission, OCEAN GIANT will be loaded with cargo for transportation off the continent, including trash, recyclables and equipment that is no longer needed at the station.
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ADMINISTRATION ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELEVANT TO AFL-CIO AFFILIATES

On his first day in office, President Trump issued several dozen Executive Orders (EO), a number of which touch on areas important to labor unions.

A list of all the EOs that were issued on the first day is posted on the White House website.

Some of the EOs will have immediate effect, while others require rulemaking or other action before they become effective.

There will be, or, in some cases, already is, litigation challenging some of the EOs.

Here is a description of some of the initial Executive Orders that are most likely to be of relevance to the labor movement:

— rescinds a Biden Administration recension of an EO from the first Trump Administration that limited federal sector collective bargaining;

— rescinds a Biden Administration recension of an EO from the first Trump Administration that delegates to the Secretary of Defense the authority to

exclude employees from collective bargaining;

— changes provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that emphasized high labor standards;

— changes provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 that emphasized the creation of well-paying union jobs;

— directs all executive agencies to freeze the rulemaking process, for example, for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Heat Injury & Illness Prevention rule;

— stops any new or renewed leasing of areas on the Outer Continental Shelf for offshore wind energy projects, pending review, and temporarily stops federal approvals required for onshore wind projects, also pending review.

The impact of any particular Executive Order will depend on how additional executive action, future rulemaking, and any litigation play out.

The AFL-CIO will provide updates on the status of these and future EOs going forward.

MM&P is one of the 60 AFL-CIO affiliates, which together represent more than 12.5 million working Americans.
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HOUTHIS RELEASE CREW OF HIJACKED CAR CARRIER

Houthi rebels have released the 25 crewmembers of the Bahamas-flag car carrier GALAXY LEADER.

The vessel and crew were taken hostage on Nov. 19, 2023.

Some members of the crew had already been serving aboard the ship for as long as two years before the GALAXY LEADER was seized, so when they were finally released, they had not seen their families in over three years.

The US State Department said in a statement that the Houthis are still holding hundreds of hostages, including United Nations diplomatic staffers and Yemenis who had previously worked for the US government.

The State Department also noted that the vessel itself is still being held and is considered stolen property.

“We must not be distracted by this insufficient action by the Houthis,” the State Department said.

“Houthi attacks have endangered the lives of seafarers, hindered the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance, and harmed economies across the region.”

“The Houthis have also stated that they will continue their unlawful attacks in the Red Sea against certain vessels associated with Israel.”

“They must permanently cease all attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways without exception and immediately release the hundreds of detainees.”

During their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, the Houthis have killed four seafarers, sunk two merchant vessels and targeted numerous other merchant and military ships.
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SUSPICIOUS MILITARY CRAFT SEEKS TO DIVERT US-FLAG SHIP INTO IRANIAN WATERS

The US-flag LIBERTY POWER experienced what Western military authorities have termed “a suspicious approach” on Jan. 24 when it was sailing in international waters between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

MM&P Captain Keith Schultz, who is sailing as master aboard the LIBERTY POWER, reported that the ship was approached by a small military vessel at around 6:30 a.m. local time.

Personnel aboard the military craft identified themselves as “Safarni Navy” and repeatedly flashed a green laser light towards the bridge of the American ship.

Security firm Vanguard and UK Maritime Trade Operations said it appeared the small craft was trying to force the LIBERTY POWER into Iranian waters.

UKMTO said other vessels underway in the area had reported receiving challenges over VHF radio, including demands to alter course.

“MM&P recognizes the professionalism and diligence of Captain Schultz and his crew,” said MM&P President Don Josberger.

“We understand that the LIBERTY POWER will be escorted upon departure from Dubai, and we extend our sincere gratitude to MSC Commander Adm. Philip Sobeck for his pivotal role in swiftly arranging this support.”

The Iranian military often intercepts commercial vessels underway in the region.

It is not clear whether the incident was related to Iranian naval exercises taking place in the north of the Persian Gulf.
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COAST GUARD COMMANDANT RELIEVED OF DUTIES BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Adm. Linda L. Fagan was relieved of her duties by President Trump on Jan. 21.

Fagan, an expert on marine safety, port and flag state issues, was the first female four-star admiral in Coast Guard history, the first woman to lead the Coast Guard and the first to lead a branch of America’s armed services.

Her career has included work on flag state issues with the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization, including development of the International Ship and Port Security Code and the Maritime Labor Convention.

Adm. Kevin E. Lunday has been named Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard.
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PORTS OF INDIANA CELEBRATES OPENING OF FIRST NEW DOCK IN 20 YEARS

Longshore workers and local officials celebrated the opening of a new $6 million dock at Ports of Indiana in the fall of last year.

The new dock, “Berth 5,” was funded in part by a Maritime Administration grant.

It will serve ocean vessels at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor.

The project involved building more than 500 feet of dock at the Lake Michigan port to manage bulk shipments unloaded by ILA members from ocean vessels, lake carriers and river barges.

“This is the first new dock that Ports of Indiana has opened in 20 years and it demonstrates our commitment to supporting economic growth in our state,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock.

“It will provide new global connections for Indiana companies and farmers and jobs for local workers and their families.”

Berth 5 is just one part of a package of $77 million worth of new infrastructure being built at the port.

Other projects include doubling truck-traffic capacity; increasing rail storage by 1,200 percent; adding two more new docks; and building the state’s first sea cargo container terminal.

Ports of Indiana is also building two new railyards and adding a $3 million heavy-lift crane which is set to arrive in 2025.

The port already offers customers the option of using an all-water supply chain that connects ocean vessels with river barges to reduce emissions.

“The combination of our outstanding workforce and top-notch infrastructure creates a sustainable competitive advantage for our customers,” said Port Director Ryan McCoy.

He said the new dock will receive cargo that includes road salt, fertilizer, agricultural products, limestone, taconite, foundry coke, grain, aggregates, steel and construction supplies.
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WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES WELCOMES NEW APPRENTICES

A select group of future Washington State Ferry deck officers began their two-year educational journey at MITAGS on Jan. 14.

The 12 participants—chosen from over 300 applicants—have been awarded a full scholarship to the MITAGS Maritime Apprenticeship Program.

Over the course of the next 24 months, these mariners-in-training will divide their time between classroom and simulator courses at MITAGS-West in Seattle and work experience on deck and in the wheelhouses of Washington State Ferries underway.

To mark the first day of training, WSF Director Steve Nevey and members of his senior staff met with the new trainees.

Nevey spoke of the productive relationship that the ferry system has forged with MITAGS as he welcomed the group to the WSF team.

The scholarship program began in 2024. This is the fourth group of WSF apprentices to be trained by MITAGS and the second to receive full training scholarships.

The MITAGS Maritime Apprenticeship Program offers the fastest track in the industry to become a credentialed licensed deck officer for those who want to work on the bridge of a ferry, a tug or a Great Lakes vessel.

Even those without prior maritime experience who graduate from the program can obtain a Coast Guard-issued Mate’s license in just over two years.

In addition to training new personnel during the two-year WSF apprenticeship program, MITAGS has also conducted a series of six-month AB-to-Mate programs for the ferry system.

Mariners with several years of sea time who graduate from the AB-to-Mate program acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to sit for an Unlimited Inland Mate’s license.

To learn more about the Marine Apprenticeship Program, click HERE.

To learn more about the AB-to-Mate Program, click HERE.

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YOU CAN DOWNLOAD YOUR EOBs ON YOUR OWN THROUGH THE MM&P PLANS MEMBER PORTAL

The Plan Office recently announced the launch of the new MM&P PlansMember Portal, designed with your needs in mind.

The portal gives you quick and easy access to essential tools and information—all in one place.

With the new portal, you can:

— View your EOBs “Explanation of Benefits” and Eligibility status;

— Access your Vacation Computation Sheets;

— Find and download important documents, whenever you need them.

And this is just the beginning: More features and enhancements are on the way to make your experience even better.

To explore the portal, visit members.mmpplans.com and click the Sign-Up button.

Click here for information on how to access the portal.

If you encounter any issues, send an email to HELP@mmpplans.com, or call 410-850-8638.

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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 MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE NORFOLK HALL, TUESDAY, FEB. 4

There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Norfolk Union Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 1100.

President Don Josberger will be in attendance to give his report.

Please contact Peter Petrulis at norfolk@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

The Norfolk Hall is located at:

Interstate Corporate Center, Bldng 8

6353 Center Dr., Ste 200

Norfolk, VA 23502

Phone: 757-489-7406
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AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE VETERANS CONVENTION APRIL 2-6 IN NORFOLK

The American Merchant Marine Veterans will hold their 37th National Convention in Norfolk, Va., from April 2-6.

AMMV is a not-for-profit dedicated to educating the public and the government about the importance of maintaining a strong American Merchant Marine and US-flag fleet.

Speakers at the convention will include: former Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby (Rear Adm. US Navy-Ret.); author William Geroux; Tane Casserley, a specialist in 19th-century warships and deep-water archeology; and military historian Sepp Scanlin.

There will be a tour of the Mariners’ Museum and a Victory Rover Boat Tour of Norfolk Naval Base.

Check the AMMV website and Facebook page for information on how to register for the convention.

The convention will be held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

To reserve a room at the AMMV rate of $159/night, call the hotel at 757-627-4200 or click here before March 11.
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OFFSHORE JOBS

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, 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*, 03/17/25*, 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

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 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): 02/10/25, 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): 02/09/25, 03/16/25, 04/14/24, 05/11/25, 06/15/25

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 02/14/25, 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

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, 04/14/25

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 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
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.