Volume 30… Number 29, July 16, 2024
STORIES COVERED
In This Issue:
- MM&P Deckhands at Staten Island Ferry Extinguish Dock Fire
- MAERSK SENTOSA Targeted by Flying Object in Gulf of Aden
- MT ALLIED PACIFIC Participates in RIMPAC 2024
- The Seaman’s Protection Act Protects Mariners From Retaliation for Reporting Violations of Safety Laws
- ILWU Member Runs for Office to Save Maritime Jobs
- News From the MM&P Employee Assistance Program: Now, You Can Book Up To 6 Free Counseling Sessions Online
Mark Your Calendar:
- Offshore Membership Meeting in the Honolulu Hall on Wednesday, July 17
- Mainland Pacific Ports Closed July 29 for Harry Bridges Birthday
Job Opportunities:
And:
MM&P DECKHANDS AT STATEN ISLAND FERRY EXTINGUISH DOCK FIRE
MM&P Deckhands aboard the Staten Island Ferry DOROTHY DAY are being hailed as heroes for extinguishing a fire that broke out in the early morning hours of July 13 at Slip 1 at the St. George Ferry Terminal, causing the racks to burst into flames.
Shocking video posted by SI LIve shows the dock fire dangerously close to the DOROTHY DAY.
“The fire ignited at approximately 1230 a.m.,” said MM&P City Representative Anthony Turzio.
“With complete disregard for their own safety, our Deckhands jumped into action and pulled four fire hoses out within a minute of the alarm bells being sounded.”
“The crew was understaffed at the time of the fire because it was at the very tail end of their shift and some of the crew had left for the day, but the remaining crew members went way above and beyond to extinguish the fire before FDNY could even arrive on scene.”
“Shorthanded, two Deckhands each manned a nozzle while another ran between the fire stations to operate the valves until everyone was able to arrive on station.”
“Once everyone was on station, they worked like a well-oiled machine.”
“With the flames just yards away from the fuel barge, it made for an extremely dangerous situation.”
“The outstanding performance had the fire out in less than five minutes, with no damage to the vessel, pier or fuel barge.”
“The ferry boat DOROTHY DAY did not miss a trip and was back in service for rush hour that very morning.”
“Bravo Zulu to the Staten Island Ferry 2B crew,” Turzio said, “especially Deckhands Anthony Gallo, Tommy Tellefsen, Roddy Richardson and Owen Drakes.”
“We appreciate our ferry workers’ quick response to put this fire out,” SI LIve’s Tom Wrobleski quoted NY DOT Press Secretary Vincent Barone as saying.
“The DOROTHY DAY and Slip 1 remain safely in service, without experiencing any significant damage.”
“Our members deserve the highest praise for their instantaneous and professional response to this emergency,” said MM&P President Captain Don Marcus.
“Their performance is in the highest tradition of Masters, Mates & Pilots.”
The Staten Island Ferry Deckhands are members of the MM&P Atlantic Maritime Group.
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MAERSK SENTOSA TARGETED BY FLYING OBJECT IN GULF OF ADEN
MAERSK SENTOSA was targeted by a flying object in the early hours of July 9.
The licensed deck officers at the conn of MAERSK SENTOSA are members of Masters, Mates & Pilots.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the master reported an explosion in close proximity to the ship as it traveled 180 nautical miles east of Nishtun, Yemen, close to the country’s border with Oman.
The crew heard and felt the explosion and observed the plume that it released.
There were no injuries to the crew or damage to the vessel or its cargo. After the incident, MAERSK SENTOSA proceeded directly to its next port of call.
Since mid-November, the Iranian-backed Houthis have launched more than 80 attacks against merchant ships from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
MT ALLIED PACIFIC PARTICIPATES IN RIMPAC 2024
Captain Edward “Ted” Markuske reports here on the essential role that MT ALLIED PACIFIC and its crew are playing in RIMPAC 2024.
The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is a multinational naval exercise designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise, which takes place in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, is held biennially on even numbered years. This year, 29 nations are participating.
The MM&P-crewed tanker ALLIED PACIFIC is participating in these exercises for the first time since being flagged into the U.S. fleet in October 2023.
Her mission is to provide at-sea refueling capabilities to U.S. and allied naval support ships which then refuel naval surface combatants.
After receiving her UNREP certification in June 2024, MT ALLIED PACIFIC has continuously been on station, conducting underway replenishments in support of the RIMPAC exercises.
This dangerous and challenging operation provides critical strategic and logistical capabilities to the U.S. Navy and its allies around the world.
MT ALLIED PACIFIC completed the UNREP certification with the Royal New Zealand Navy auxiliary ship HMNZS AOTEAROA.
It was the first time that the Royal New Zealand Navy had conducted a CONSOL operation with a commercial tanker.
After just two days of dockside training, a live transfer at sea was completed on June 26.
The operation proved a new capability for the New Zealand Defense Forces and proof of operational concept for the ALLIED PACIFIC.
ALLIED PACIFIC senior officers were invited ashore to support operational planning and highlight U.S. Merchant Marine capabilities.
These contributions were made available to Commander CTF 173, a multinational task force which had ultimate operational control (OPCON) of ALLIED PACIFIC for the duration of the exercise.
The MM&P members aboard the MT ALLIANCE are Captain Edward “Ted” Markuske, Chief Mate William “Bill” Murphy, Second Mate Matt Thompson, Second Mate Sawyer Cole, Third Mate Alex Byrley, and Third Mate Steven Filler.
Each one of them has been directly involved in the safe and efficient transfer of oil cargo at sea.
It would not be possible to carry out an underway replenishment without the combined efforts of everyone onboard: the rest of the ship’s complement was represented by MEBA, SUP, MFOW, and SIU.
Photos of the crew carrying out CONSOLs with the U.S. and N.Z. navies will be published in the Fall 2024 issue of The Master, Mate & Pilot.
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THE SEAMAN’S PROTECTION ACT PROTECTS MARINERS FROM RETALIATION FOR REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY LAWS
The Seaman’s Protection Act (SPA) prohibits individuals from retaliating against mariners for engaging in certain protected activities pertaining to compliance with maritime safety laws and regulations.
The SPA defines a seaman as any person engaged or employed in any capacity aboard a U.S.-flag vessel or any other vessel owned by a citizen of the United States.
The law stipulates that a person may not discharge or in any other manner retaliate against a seaman because the seaman:
— reported (or is about to report) information relating to a violation of maritime safety laws or regulations to the U.S. Coast Guard or other appropriate federal agency or department;
— reported (or is about to report) sexual harassment or sexual assault against the seaman or knowledge of sexual harassment or sexual assault against another seaman to the vessel owner, Coast Guard, or other appropriate federal agency or department;
— refused to perform duties because of a reasonable apprehension of serious injury to the seaman, other seamen, or the public, if the seaman has first requested that the employer correct the dangerous condition;
— testified in a proceeding brought to enforce a maritime safety law or regulation (this includes internal complaints);
— notified or attempted to notify the vessel owner or the Coast Guard of a work-related injury or illness of a seaman;
— cooperated with a safety investigation by the Coast Guard or the National Transportation Safety Board;
— furnished information to any public official relating to any marine casualty where there is death, injury, or damage to property occurring in connection with vessel transportation; or
— accurately reported hours of duty under Part A of Subtitle II of Title 46 of the United States Code.
A person may be found to have violated the Seaman’s Protection Act if the seaman’s protected activity was a contributing factor in the person’s decision to take an unfavorable employment action against the seaman.
An unfavorable employment action (“adverse action”) is any action taken by an employer which would dissuade a reasonable employee from engaging in protected activity.
Such actions may include:
— firing or laying off;
— blacklisting;
— demoting;
— denying overtime or promotion;
— disciplining;
— harassment; or
— reporting the employee to the police or to immigration authorities.
For a complete list of adverse actions covered by the Seaman’s Protection Act, go to: https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/spa
Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged unfavorable employment action occurs (that is, when the seaman is notified of the retaliatory action).
A seaman, or a representative of a seaman, who believes he or she has been retaliated against in violation of SPA, may file a complaint with OSHA.
To view a video on how to file a complaint, click here.
As explained in the video, you can make a complaint on your own. You do not need a lawyer or a union representative to assist you in making a complaint.
Complaints may be filed verbally by calling the local OSHA office at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), or in writing by sending a written complaint to the closest OSHA office or filing online at www. whistleblowers.gov/complaint_page.
If the evidence supports a seaman’s claim of retaliation and a voluntary settlement cannot be reached, OSHA will issue an order requiring reinstatement, as well as other possible relief to make the seaman whole.
For more information, go to: https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/spa and https://www.osha.gov/publications/bytopic/maritime-industry.
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ILWU MEMBER RUNS FOR OFFICE TO SAVE MARITIME JOBS
Tim Campbell, a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, is running for a seat on the city council to protect jobs in the Port of West Sacramento, which is under threat by developers.
The port, which is located in the Sacramento metropolitan area, provides work for hundreds of maritime professionals, including members of the MM&P United Inland Group–Pacific Maritime Region who work for Brusco Tug & Barge and longshore workers who belong to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
A proposal that is currently under review by the West Sacramento City Council would shut the port down, replacing it with a pedestrian bridge.
Campbell has worked at the port for more than 30 years, working his way up from an entry level warehouse position to president of ILWU Local 18, an unpaid position that he has held for nine years.
He says he’s running for West Sacramento City Council District 2 to ensure that local government “puts people first… creating and retaining good jobs everywhere in West Sacramento, from the port to downtown.”
“I enjoy helping the membership,” he says, “and what better way to help this union than to get involved.”
To find out more and to support Tim Campbell, visit his website.
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NOW, YOU CAN BOOK UP TO 6 FREE COUNSELING SESSIONS ONLINE
MM&P members and their families can now receive up to six free counseling sessions online through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
The EAP is a CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE provided by the MM&P Health & Benefit Plan.
EAP advisors can help with family problems, marital concerns, financial and legal matters, substance abuse, elder care, stress, depression, and many other issues.
To book an appointment, go to the EAP site.
Enter the username: MMP
Enter the password: 5100
In the purple box on the top left-hand side of the page, click “Schedule an appointment.”
There is also a link on the page to call the EAP toll free.
Additionally, there is a link on the page to download the TELUS HEALTH ONE app, which allows you to use your phone to access any EAP service.
A chat function allows you to communicate with the EAP team for real-time support.
You can use the chat function to ask questions, book appointments, and more.
Get the most out of the EAP by downloading the TELUS HEALTH ONE app or visiting the online platform today.
And remember, 24/7, you can call the EAP’s regular service line toll free at 877-234-5151 or 888-732-9020 (en español).
If asked for your organization or employer, just say Masters, Mates & Pilots.
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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE HONOLULU HALL ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the MM&P Honolulu Hall on Wednesday, July 17.
The meeting will take place after 1000 job call.
Pacific Ports Vice President J. Lars Turner and Honolulu Representative Randy Swindell will attend the meeting and give their reports.
The MM&P Honolulu Hall is located at:
521 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste 254
Phone: 808-523-8183
All members in the area are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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MAINLAND PACIFIC PORTS CLOSED JULY 29 FOR HARRY BRIDGES BIRTHDAY
MM&P Mainland Pacific Ports will be closed on Monday, July 29, for Harry Bridges Birthday.
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE
Numerous MARAD ROS CM and 3M positions open. No training required. Pensioners may work Government Contracts.
There is plenty of work available. Please check the Online Open Offshore Job Board for job availability.
Plus:
— Tanker PIC’s needed.
— CM’s, 2M’s, 3M’s Needed for LMSR’s, please email jhope@bridgedeck.org with any questions or visit any Offshore Hall.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES ON THE GREAT LAKES
There are job openings on the Great Lakes!
If you want more information about any of the listings that appear below, go to https://bridgedeck.org/job-opportunities/.
Interested candidates should reach out to Thomas Bell at the MM&P Cleveland office: tbell@bridgedeck.org.
KEY LAKES, a division of Key Stone, has openings for Mates with Great Lakes pilotage; they may take an Open Water Mate if COI allows. The company operates a fleet of two 1000’ x 105’ ships.
GRAND RIVER NAVIGATION has an opening for a 1st Assistant Engineer.
GREAT LAKES TOWING has an opening for a minimum 200-ton Great Lakes master with Towing endorsement, pilotage not required.
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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): 09/16/24
ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/04/24
AZIPOD (2-Day): Contact Admissions
BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): Not currently scheduled
BRMP –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots (2-Day): Contact Admissions
BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): Contact Admissions
BRMP-Refresher (Now including Emergency Shiphandling for Pilots) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled
BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 09/09/24
BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 09/30/24, 10/28/24
BT-Refresher (3-day): 09/30/24, 10/28/24
CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): Not currently scheduled
[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]
ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 10/07/24, 12/09/24
ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 09/23/24, 12/16/24
CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/14/24
CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 12/09/24
CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 07/15/24, 12/16/24
ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 11/11/24
LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 08/12/24, 11/18/24
MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 09/30/24
(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)
SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 10/28/24
SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 08/05/24*, 08/19/24, 09/09/24*, 09/30/24, 11/04/24, 12/02/24
SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 07/15/24, 08/12/24*, 08/26/24, 09/16/24*, 10/07/24, 11/11/24, 12/09/24
**SHS-ADV-I & II are now approved to include SAR-CMM assessments at MITAGS**
VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 11/04/24
WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): 09/16/24
WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-day) – 07/27/24, 11/16/24
CIW-DPA/IA – Continual Improvement Workshop: Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day) ** This course is NOT covered by the MATES Program **
Online: 08/14/24
CIW-SMS – Continual Improvement Workshop: Successful Safety Management (2-Day) – Online: Not Currently Scheduled
CNAV-OIC– Celestial Navigation (15-Day): Not currently scheduled
CRISIS-COMMS – Crisis Communications (1-Day): Not currently scheduled
CRSMGT – Crisis Management and Human Behavior (1-Day): Not currently scheduled
CDMGT – Crowd Management (1-Day): Not currently scheduled
CSE – Confined Space Entry (3-Day): Not currently scheduled
CSE-AWR – Confined Space Entry Awareness (2-Day): Not currently scheduled
DDE – Great Lakes (20-Day): 2025 Date Coming Soon
ECDIS for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled
ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 12/09/24
ADV-FF – Advanced Firefighting (4-day): Not currently scheduled
FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 09/09/24
FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 10/02/24, 10/30/24
FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 10/03/24
FSM – Fatigue, Sleep, & Medications (1-Day): Not currently scheduled
Online: Not currently scheduled
GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): 2025 Date Coming Soon
GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 08/26/24, 12/02/24
LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 07/22/24, 10/07/24
LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): 2025 Date Coming Soon
LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Program for Original 3rd Mate, Oceans, Any Gross
Ton License (15-Day) : 2025 Date Coming Soon
LEG – Legal Aspects of Pilotage (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 08/05/24, 09/09/24, 10/21/24
LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments /not included): 12/02/24
MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 08/19/24, 09/30/24
MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 07/29/24, 11/18/24
MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 08/19/24
MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 08/03/24, 08/24/24, 10/05/24, 11/17/24
[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]
MSC-ATO-II – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer II (5-Day): 08/19/24
MSC-ATO-III – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer III (1-Day): 08/23/24
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): 08/08/24, 09/12/24, 10/31/24
MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 08/09/24, 09/13/24, 11/01/24
MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 08/09/24, 09/13/24, 11/01/24
MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day): Not currently scheduled
MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 08/12/24, 09/16/24, 11/04/24
MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 08/10/24, 09/14/24, 11/02/24
MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 08/11/24, 09/15/24, 11/03/24
MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 08/16/24, 09/20/24, 11/08/24
NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 08/17/24*, 08/19/24*, 08/21/24*, 12/09/24*, 12/11/24*
PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 09/23/24
PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 09/26/24
RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-day): Not Currently Scheduled
ROR-1 – Radar Observer Renewal (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 10/02/24
ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 10/28/24
SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: Not Currently Scheduled
SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 07/22/24*, 10/14/24*, 12/16/24
STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: Not Currently Scheduled
TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: Not Currently Scheduled
TRAC-TUG-2 (2-Day): Not currently scheduled
TTT – ** NOT covered by the MATES Program **: 10/07/24
VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 12/04/24
WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): Not Currently Scheduled
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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES
You can enroll online at www.mitags.org or contact our Admissions Department 866.656.5568 or admissions@mitags.org
July 2024
22-23 Basic Training Revalidation
24th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
29-2 Basic Training
August 2024
5-9 Radar Observer Unlimited
12-16 Medical Care Provider
12-23 Medical Person-In-Charge
26-27 Basic Training Revalidation
26-30 Advanced Stability
28th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
September 2024
4-7 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility
9-13 Basic Training
9-13 Advanced Shiphandling (Week 1)
16-20 Advanced Shiphandling (Week 2)
16-27 GMDSS
23-26 ARPA
23-27 Advanced Meteorology
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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.