Wheelhouse Weekly, July 15, 2025

Volume 31… Number 28, July 15, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Towards an “America First” Food Aid Program: Unions and Farmers Fight to Save PL 480 Cargo
• Eleven Crewmembers Unaccounted for After Houthis Attack Liberia-Flag Bulker
• New Congressional Caucus Seeks More Federal Funding for Ferry Systems
• National Hurricane Center Offers Twice Weekly Briefings for Blue Water Mariners
• Belgian Pilot Critically Injured in Fall From Pilot Ladder
• Fighting for Fairness for America’s Working Families: AFL-CIO Kicks Off “It’s Better in a Union” Bus Tour
• Important Update Regarding LAP Testing at the Baltimore REC
• Do You Need to Take HAZMAT, EMERGENCY 5-DAY or BRM?

Mark Your Calendar:

• Offshore Familiarization Course in Newark Hall on July 16 and 17
• Offshore Membership Meeting in the Newark Union Hall on July 17

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

UNIONS AND FARMERS FIGHT TO SAVE PL 480 CARGO

Maritime unions and agricultural groups are working together to encourage decision-makers in Washington, D.C., to transfer the PL 480 food aid program to the Department of Agriculture.

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

The program was put on hold by a Jan. 20 Executive Order dissolving the federal agency that administered it.

MM&P and MIRAID are part of a broad coalition that has reached out to members of the administration and Congressional leaders in both parties to underline the benefits of the program, as well as the opportunity to align it more closely with America’s strategic goals by moving it to the Department of Agriculture.

“Food for Peace offers critical support for the existing US-flag vessel fleet and American union workers that move cargo, load and crew the ships that transport our commodities across the globe,” the coalition wrote in a recent letter to the leaders of the Senate subcommittee that oversees appropriations to the Department of Agriculture.

“USDA is perfectly positioned to take on this lifesaving program in the interests of American citizens.

“USDA also has a positive track record of putting its cargoes on US ships instead of our foreign-flag competitors.”

“It’s time to bring America’s international food assistance programs back in line with their most direct domestic stakeholders: the American mariners, farmers and millers, ensuring it advances American interests at home and abroad.”

Besides MM&P and MIRAID, the signatories to the letter included 66 other stakeholder groups—labor unions, maritime shipping companies and agriculture organizations—a broad coalition of longtime participants and strong supporters of the international food assistance programs.
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ELEVEN CREWMEMBERS UNACCOUNTED FOR AFTER HOUTHIS ATTACK LIBERIA-FLAG BULKER

The ETERNITY C, a Greek-operated bulk carrier with a 22-member Filipino crew, a Greek captain and a two-person security team on board, sank last week, a day after being attacked by Houthi rebels.

Security analysts said on July 14 that four members of the crew died in the attack, 10 have been rescued and 11 are unaccounted for.

The ship’s lifeboats were reportedly destroyed in the attack, leaving the crew unable to abandon ship.

After the Houthi skiffs departed, a rescue team from a nearby commercial vessel approached the area to rescue the crew and provide medical aid.

On arrival, they found empty life rafts and no crewmembers in the water.

US officials have accused the Houthis of kidnapping the surviving crewmembers.

The attack followed the sinking of another vessel, the MAGIC SEAS, a day earlier in a similar assault.

All members of the crew of the MAGIC SEAS were reported safe after abandoning the vessel.

In a statement, the Houthis called the two incidents “clear warnings” to shipping companies doing business with Israel.

They also released a video showing the deliberate sinking of the MAGIC SEAS by a boarding team that used simultaneous explosive charges to breach the ship’s hull.

The government of the Philippines has now directed all licensed manning agencies to reroute vessels manned by Filipino crews away from Red Sea and Gulf of Aden routes.

“These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security,” the State Department said in a July 8 statement.

“The United States has been clear: we will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks, which must be condemned by all members of the international community.”
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NEW CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS WILL SEEK MORE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FERRY SYSTEMS

A bipartisan congressional caucus has been established to advocate for long-term federal investment in the nation’s public ferry systems.

The co-chairs of the newly founded Congressional Ferry Caucus are Reps. Emily Randall (D-Wash.) and Nick Begich (R-Alaska).

The other members of the caucus are Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.).

The group will work to educate key decision-makers and members of the public on the critical role that ferries play in sustaining local communities.

“MM&P represents workers in ferry systems around the country, from Alaska to New York,” said MM&P Secretary-Treasurer J. Lars Turner.

“We look forward to working with the ferry caucus to advocate for our members and responsible ferry operators.”

“Washington State’s ferry system isn’t just transportation infrastructure—our ferries are a lifeline,” Randall said.

“From daily work commutes and medical appointments to connecting with loved ones, my constituents rely on these boats every day.”

“I’m proud to be launching the bipartisan Congressional Ferry Caucus to advocate for the federal funds and support that our marine highways deserve, to ensure we meet the unique needs of our coastal and rural communities and to build a more connected, resilient future.”

Rep. Nick Begich said the initiative “provides an important platform to build bipartisan support and secure the resources necessary to keep our ferries running.”
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NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER OFFERS TWICE WEEKLY BRIEFINGS FOR BLUE WATER MARINERS

As we’re entering the second month of the 2025 hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center wants to make sure that you’re aware of the twice weekly briefings that can help provide awareness of tropical storm and hurricane hazards.

Its Tropical Atlantic Marine Weather Briefings are issued Sunday and Thursday afternoons with a focus on marine hazards over the tropical North Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of America for the next five days.

You can get email notification about the latest briefing via the GovDelivery platform that the US Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) maintains. Sign up here.

After signing in, under the ‘NAVCEN’ section you can select the “NWS Tropical Atlantic Marine Weather Briefing” option, then click Submit to be subscribed.

Be safe this hurricane season!
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BELGIAN PILOT CRITICALLY INJURED IN FALL FROM PILOT LADDER

A pilot in Belgium was seriously injured while boarding a vessel from a pilot boat in the early morning hours of July 1.

The news was reported by Maritime Executive.

At about 0015 hours, the 66-year-old pilot was transferring from a Belgian Pilotage Service boat to a ship.

While climbing the pilot ladder, he fell a distance of about 20 feet back onto the pilot boat, sustaining severe injuries.

He was evacuated to a shoreside hospital for urgent treatment and later transferred to a hospital in Antwerp.

He is reportedly in critical condition.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Belgian media services reported that he was set to retire in August.
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AFL-CIO KICKS OFF “IT’S BETTER IN A UNION” BUS TOUR

Union members rallied at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C., last week to launch the labor federation’s nationwide bus tour “Fighting for Freedom, Fairness and Security.”

It marked the first day of a summer of action that includes meetings with workers across the country to talk about the issues facing their communities, the fight to organize workplaces and win fair contracts, and the impact of reckless policies on their lives.

The union bus will visit 26 states: speaking directly with workers, joining picket lines, supporting organizing campaigns and visiting Veterans Affairs facilities and hospitals.

“We do the things our communities count on—at schools and hospitals, factories and construction sites, small and big businesses—but today too many families can’t afford to keep food on the table, pay the rent or afford childcare,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

“We’re here today because we believe that change can happen.

“And the answer is not a political party—the answer is not more of the broken status quo—the answer is a good union job.”

In the lead-up to Labor Day, the bus will crisscross the country to amplify workers’ voices on the fight to organize and the issues that matter to working families.

Masters, Mates & Pilots is one of the 63 affiliates of the AFL-CIO.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING LAP TESTING AT THE BALTIMORE REC

Due to recent changes at the Baltimore Regional Exam Center (REC), LAP courses will no longer include priority seating for testing.

All students will now be required to have a scheduled appointment and a letter of approval to test.

Please note: the Baltimore REC will likely be limited to seating just 6 students at a time until further notice.

If you have questions about the LAP process or need assistance, please contact Catherine Gianelloni at Cgianelloni@mitags.org.
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DO YOU NEED TO TAKE HAZMAT, EMERGENCY 5-DAY OR BRM?

If so, MITAGS would like to hear from you as soon as possible.

The school has openings to fill in the following courses which will be offered SOON.

HAZMAT- July 21-25

EMERGENCY 5 day-Aug. 11-15

BRM-Aug. 4-8

If you need these classes, now is the time to act.

Please send an email to cgianelloni@mitags.org.

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OFFSHORE FAMILIARIZATION COURSE IN NEWARK HALL ON JULY 16 AND 17

The Offshore Familiarization Course will be held in person in the MM&P Newark Hall on Wednesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 17.

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, July 16, from 0930 to 1500;

— Day 2, July 17, from 0930 to 1100;

— Day 2 July 17, from 1100 to 1330 Membership Meeting

The Newark Hall is located at:

570 Broad Street, Suite 701

Newark, NJ 07102

The phone number is 201-963-1900.
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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE NEWARK UNION HALL ON JULY 17

There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Newark Union Hall on Thursday, July 17, at 1100.

The Newark Hall is located at:

570 Broad Street, Suite 701

Newark, NJ 07102

201-963-1900

All Offshore members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

— BUCHANAN is looking for two Mates with a Mate of Towing with Inland Waters Endorsement.

— BUCHANAN is looking for a Deckhand – MMC with an OS.

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the company’s website https://www.buchananmarinelp.com.

Click on “Careers” on the top right and scroll down to “Apply Online.”

If you have questions, please contact Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org or 973-495-9377.

— MORAN is looking for a tankerman with a PIC, preferably with an AB and STCW but will work with an OS.

If interested, please email your resume to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call at 973-495-9377.

— POLING & CUTLER is looking for deckhands with a minimum of an OS. If interested, please email your resume to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call at 973-495-9377.

— REINAUER TRANSPORTATION is looking for a Mate with a 500-ton license with a near coastal and TOAR.

If you have questions, please contact Keith Poissant at 973-420-0492 or kpoissant@bridgedeck.org.

— STATEN ISLAND FERRY is looking for Provisional Marine Oilers with their QMED.

If you are interested, please go to this link to fill out an application:

https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-27357

If you have questions, please contact Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org.

— STATUE CITY CRUISES is looking for Deckhands and Mates with a 100-ton license and Captains with a 100-ton license.

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the company’s website:

https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue/?pageNo=1&query=&sortBy=prodv3_ce_experiences&specialCouponCategories=&city=&country=&categoryTheme=&webCategoriesMain=&durationTiming=&brandTag=Statue City Cruises&dateMin=&dateMax=&hierarchical.lvl0=&showPriceWithFees=false .

Click on “Careers” on the bottom right.

Once you fill out an application, please contact Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org.

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OFFSHORE JOBS

Senior LMSR positions available.
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GREAT LAKES & GULF JOBS

Immediate openings in the Great Lakes region for the following permanent jobs:

Grand River Navigation MATES and CAPTAINS (28/28 Rotation)

Grand River Navigation ASSISTANT ENGINEERS – 1st, 2nd, 3rd or DDE (28/28 Rotation)

Weeks Marine QMED – Must have STCW documents: AS-E, VPDSD, RFPEW (21/21 Rotation)

Great Lakes Towing CAPTAINS – Must live within one hour of Ports; Detroit, Toledo, Chicago, Duluth, Cleveland, Buffalo

If you’re interested in applying or want more information, please contact MM&P GL&G 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
[STCW, MEDICAL & SAFETY Courses]

BT – Basic Safety Training: 09/08/25

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: 09/08/25

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: Not Currently Scheduled

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 09/01/25, 10/06/25, 12/08/25, 02/02/26, 04/06/26, 05/11/26

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 08/04/25, 11/17/25, 01/05/26, 04/27/26

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 08/09/25, 09/06/25, 10/11/25, 11/16/25, 12/13/25, 01/10/26, 02/07/26, 04/11/26, 05/02/26, 05/16/26

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman): 09/15/25*, 01/19/26, 04/20/26

[STCW License & Radar Renewal Courses]

Revalidations (REV): You have 360+ days of sea time in the last 5 years

BT-REV (2-day): 09/22/25, 10/20/25, 11/12/25

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 09/24/25, 10/22/25, 11/14/25

Refreshers (REF): You have less than 360 days of sea time in the last 5 years

BT-REF (3-day): 09/22/25

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 09/18/25, 11/10/25

PSC-REF (2-day): 09/25/25

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

[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 08/04/25, 10/13/25, 12/08/25, 02/16/26, 04/20/26, 06/08/26

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 07/28/25, 09/29/25, 12/01/25, 02/09/26, 04/27/26, 06/01/26

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): 10/20/25, 02/23/26

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 07/21/25, 10/20/25

LAP Testing Notice: Due to changes at the Baltimore REC, LAP courses no longer include priority testing. Seating is limited to 6 students. All testing now requires a scheduled appointment and an approval letter.

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills: 10/06/25, 12/15/25

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: 09/15/25

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: 09/22/25, 03/09/26

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 08/11/25, 09/15/25, 10/06/25, 11/03/25, 12/01/25, 01/12/26, 02/06/26, 03/02/26, 04/06/26, 05/11/26, 06/15/26

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: 03/16/26

[AB TO MATE Upgrade Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): Fall 2025 Date Expected

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

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: Fall 2025 Date Expected

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): Available on Demand

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: Fall 2025 Date Expected

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 11/03/25

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 08/18/25

AB to MATE Program: January – June 2025. Covers CHS-OIC, LAP-ORG3rd, STB-OIC, TNAV/CO, WKP-OIC, WX-OIC. Schedule release expected in Fall.

FL, LTS, ROR-1N by request. Contact Admissions.

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-ATO-I – Anti-Terrorism Officer (Online): Contact Admissions

MSC-ATO-II – Anti-Terrorism Officer II (MSC-ATO-III included): 08/18/25

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 08/07/25, 09/11/25, 11/16/25

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer: 07/21/25

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 08/08/25, 09/12/25, 11/07/25

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

MSC-SMA – Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 08/11/25, 09/15/25, 10/14/25, 11/10/25, 12/09/25

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 08/09/25, 09/13/25

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 08/10/25, 09/14/25, 10/13/25, 11/09/25, 12/08/25

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 08/15/25, 09/19/25, 11/14/25

[MM&P Company Specific Requirements Courses]

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations: 08/18/25, 01/12/26, 05/11/26

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – CM Operations II Maersk Specific: 08/25/25, 01/19/26, 05/11/26

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 08/18/25*, 08/21/25, 10/01/25, 10/15/25, 12/15/25

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 08/26/25*, 08/28/25*, 09/30/25*, 10/02/25*, 12/02/25, 12/04/25 – Contact Admissions to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 07/28/25, 08/11/25, 09/08/25*, 11/17/25, 12/15/25, 01/26/26, 04/20/26

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-Day): 08/02/25, 08/23/25, 11/01/25, 12/06/25

[Other MITAGS Courses]

AB – Able Seaman: 09/22/25, 01/26/26

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management: 08/04/25, 03/23/26, 06/08/26

BRMP-EMR – Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling

(Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): 10/20/25, 10/27/25

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

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

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): Not currently scheduled

HAZ – Hazardous Materials: 10/27/25

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): 09/19/25

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 08/11/25

[Continual Improvement Workshops – NOT covered by the MATES Program]

Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 08/13/25

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (2-Day): Online: 09/18/25

TTT – 09/15/25 @ Offsite at Seattle Maritime Academy: Contact Admissions

Learn America Online Courses: Contact Admissions for Access

Breakbulk Shipping: 90 Day Online Access

Contract Management for Shipbuilding and Repairs: 90 Day Online

Corrosion and Coating Protection of Ships: 90 Day Online Access

Maritime Logistics: 90 Day Online Access

Ship Superintendent – Marine: 365 Day Online Access

Ship Superintendent – Technical: 365 Day Online Access

Ship Superintendent – General: 365 Day Online Access
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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

July 2025
16th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

17-18 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

14-1 Terrestrial Navigation

21-24 Advanced Firefighting

28-29 Basic Training Revalidation

30th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

August 2025
4-8 Radar Observer Unlimited

4-8 Basic Training

11-14 Advanced Firefighting

18-22 Medical Care Provider

25-29 ARPA

September 2025

3-5 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

8-12 ECDIS

9-12 Advanced Firefighting

15-19 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

15-26 GMDSS

22-23 Basic Training Revalidation

24th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

22-26 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

29-1 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

29-3 Leadership & Managerial Skills

29-3 Meteorology – Operational Level

29th MSC – Security Watchstander Advanced

30-3 MSC – Small Arms

October 2025
6-9 Search & Rescue

7-10 Advanced Firefighting

9th Flashing Light

10th Leadership & Teamworking Skills

13-17 Basic Training

13-17 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

13-24 Watchkeeping – Operational Level

20-21 Basic Training Revalidation

20-22 Basic Training Refresher

20-24 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

22nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

22-23 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

27-30 ARPA

27-31 Medical Care Provider

27-31 Basic Shiphandling

27-7 Medical Person-In-Charge

November 2025
3-5 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

3-7 Leadership & Managerial Skills

10-12 Search & Rescue

10-13 Advanced Firefighting

17-18 Basic Training Revalidation

19th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

December 2025</strong?

1-2 Basic Training Revalidation

1-3 Basic Training Refresher

1-12 GMDSS

3rd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

4-5 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

8-12 Basic Training

15-18 Advanced Firefighting

15-19 Tankerman Person-In-Charge

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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.