Wheelhouse Weekly, July 21, 2026

Volume 32… Number 29, July 21, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• President Trump Is Considering Further Extending the Jones Act Waiver
• American Mariners Protest Chinese Ship Working in the Domestic Trades
• Christening of TS Lone Star State, Fourth Vessel in MARAD’S NSMV Program
• Middle East Conflict: Traffic in Strait of Hormuz Slows to a Trickle as US and Iran Ramp Up Hostilities
• Iran Orders Houthis to Close Bab al-Mandab Strait If US Strikes Iranian Power Plants

Mark Your Calendar:

• Offshore Membership Meeting in Fort Lauderdale Hall on Thursday, July 23
• Offshore Membership Meeting in Houston Hall on Friday, July 24
• Offshore Membership Meeting in MM&P Norfolk Hall on Thursday, Aug. 13
• Charleston Hall Meeting Rescheduled Until Oct. 8

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes & Gulf Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS CONSIDERING FURTHER EXTENDING THE JONES ACT WAIVER

Reuters, Bloomberg and the Washington Times have reported that President Trump is considering an additional extension of his sweeping, 150-day Jones Act waiver.

The waiver—which was first imposed for 60 days on March 17 and was later extended for an additional 90 days—covers more than 600 products.

The waiver is damaging the domestic maritime industry, causing jobs to be lost and investments to be put on hold—all without any gas price relief.

Republican leadership in the House of Representatives wrote to President Trump on July 16, asking that he allow the extended waiver to expire on Aug. 17, as is currently scheduled.

Almost 100 percent of the waiver voyages have benefited foreign ship operators who do not pay US taxes or comply with American immigration laws, the GOP leaders noted, and foreign-flagged vessels have operated under the waiver even when US-flagged vessels were available.

“In short,” they wrote, “the Jones Act waiver has become a loophole exploited by adversarial countries to erode America’s maritime dominance.”

According to government data, Chinese ship operators have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the waiver.

“U.S.-flag vessels are available to move the commodities, but Chinese vessels are coming into American waters and moving American goods instead, solely because of the waiver,” according to the American Maritime Partnership (AMP)—of which MM&P and MIRAID are members.

“The waiver is now being used for routine domestic commerce rather than emergency relief, completely contradictory to its purpose.”

Congress needs to hear from all of us now!

Use Your Voice

Thousands of supporters of America’s domestic fleet have already contacted Congress.

It’s time to remind lawmakers that this issue has not gone away and that you, as their constituent, expect them to act.

Please click here to send your message now.

Be sure to check “Enable OneClick Echo” at the bottom of the sign-on page.

It will automatically send a follow-up email to your Senators and Representative after 72 hours, reinforcing your message without any extra work.

The Jones Act is foundational to maintaining a strong merchant marine, sustaining maritime employment, supporting shipbuilding capacity, and preserving the domestic industrial base essential to national security.

Waiving this law when US vessels are available outsources American jobs and weakens the long-term resilience of the domestic maritime industrial base.

Together, we can end this failed waiver. Take action now.
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AMERICAN MARINERS PROTEST CHINESE SHIP WORKING IN THE DOMESTIC TRADES

MM&P Captain Armando Dale Rodriguez was among the American mariners who traveled to Garyville, La., on July 9 to protest the arrival at the Marathon Petroleum pier of a Chinese-flag asphalt tanker on a Jones Act waiver voyage.

The vessel, the Jin Zhou Wan, is owned and operated by a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping, which the US Defense Department has designated “a Chinese Military Company.”

Before arriving in Garyville, it had called in Boston, Portland, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Its domestic voyages have been conducted under the Trump administration’s sweeping 150-day Jones Act waiver, which covers more than 600 products.

The most recent Maritime Administration report, dated July 10, shows 162 movements under the waiver, an increase of 17 movements (+11.7), more than double the increase in movements reported two weeks ago and a 70 percent increase over the previous week.

Since the waiver was instituted by President Trump, there has been no showing of necessity for the purpose of national defense nor has there been any evidence of a lowering of gasoline prices on a nation-wide basis, according to the American Maritime Partnership.

MM&P Captain Armando Dale Rodriguez was among the American mariners who stood on the picket line in protest at the Garyville pier when the Chinese vessel docked.

“I feel betrayed by our government,” Rodriguez said.

“They preach that China is stealing our jobs and then they give a waiver.

“It’s very disappointing and disrespectful.”
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CHRISTENING OF TS LONE STAR STATE, FOURTH VESSEL IN MARAD’S NSMV PROGRAM

Lone Star State, the new training ship destined for Texas A&M Maritime Academy, was christened on July 15 at a ceremony at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia.

Among those present were Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel and US Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.).

Scanlon worked with administration officials in Trump’s first term—including former US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao—to secure a $630 million contract in 2020 that led to the construction of three of the new training vessels, the predecessors to the TS Lone Star State.

“This christening represents just the latest in an ongoing bipartisan effort stretching back over the last three administrations to reinvigorate United States shipbuilding…,” Scanlon said at the event.

The NSMV program ushered in a new era in maritime training with five, identical, purpose-built training ships for the maritime academies in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and California.

“The Maritime Administration’s proven vessel construction management model has a powerful track record of delivering critical maritime assets on time and on budget,” said Maritime Administrator Stephen M. Carmel, who also spoke at the christening.

“We are honored to collaborate across the maritime sector to ensure America’s maritime dominance for generations to come.”

Maine Maritime welcomed its own new training ship, State of Maine, to its Castine campus on July 12.

The first new training ship, Empire State, was delivered to SUNY Maritime in 2023.

The second, Patriot State, was delivered to Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2024.

Maine Maritime’s training vessel is the third in the line, and Texas Maritime’s is the fourth.

The final NSMV–TS Golden State–will be delivered to Cal Poly Maritime Academy in the summer of 2027.

MARAD showcases the features of the NSMVs in an informative video that is posted on the websites of several of the academies.
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TRAFFIC IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ SLOWS TO A TRICKLE AS US AND IRAN RAMP UP HOSTILITIES

The US launched a new round of strikes against Iran on Monday, after two American service members on a US base in Jordan were killed in a missile attack.

The strike that killed the two Americans was part of a wave of Iranian attacks on US allies in the Middle East that also targeted sites in Kuwait and Bahrain.

A third American was killed over the weekend at another Middle Eastern base, and a fourth is missing.

Hours after the deadly missile strikes, US Central Command announced it had launched new attacks against Iran to punish it for striking the American bases and “to degrade its ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz…”

Iran has warned that the strait would continue to be a target as long as US military operations continue.

The US blockade of Iran’s ports is ongoing.

Tehran said over the weekend that it had destroyed two tankers, which it did not identify, that were using a route through the strait that it had not approved.

In pre-conflict times, roughly 130 to 140 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz every day.

Analysts say traffic has now slowed to no more than six or seven ships.

In related news, President Trump announced that he would not pursue a plan he had announced on June 13, which would have required all ships transiting the strait to pay the US a fee equal to 20 percent of the value of their cargo.

Instead, he now says the Gulf States will make investments in the United States to compensate America for protecting traffic in the strait.
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IRAN TELLS HOUTHIS TO CLOSE BAB AL-MANDAB STRAIT IF US STRIKES IRANIAN POWER PLANTS

The risk of a new Red Sea shipping crisis has increased since the US and Iran began trading attacks following the breakdown of negotiations over their six-month war.

Reuters reports that several sources have told journalists that Iran has ordered its proxy force in Yemen, the Houthis, to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait if the US attacks Iranian power infrastructure.

One told Reuters that missiles and drones have already been deployed in the vicinity of the strategic waterway and said that the Houthis are waiting for an order to begin once again targeting shipping.

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut, analysts say that the Bab al-Mandab has become the principal passage route for Gulf oil exports, particularly for Saudi Arabia, which has increasingly used its East-West Pipeline to move crude from the Gulf coast to Yanbu on the Red Sea, bypassing Hormuz.

If the Houthis resume attacks on commercial ships or attempt to close the strait, Saudi Arabia would lose its direct eastern route at the same time that the Strait of Hormuz remains inaccessible.

During the wave of Houthi attacks that began in late 2023, most major shipping lines rerouted vessels around southern Africa, adding thousands of miles to voyages and driving up freight costs, fuel consumption and insurance premiums.

Another campaign would almost certainly lead to an increase in diversions around the Cape of Good Hope.

“This threat should be taken seriously,” Nadwa Al-Dawsari of the Middle East Institute told Fox News Digital.

“With recent escalation and US strikes on Iran, Tehran has already signaled that the Bab al-Mandab could become part of its response.”
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN FORT LAUDERDALE HALL ON THURSDAY, JULY 23
There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Fort Lauderdale Hall on Thursday, July 23, at 1100.

Please contact dispatchers Andrea or Maike at pompano@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

The Fort Lauderdale Hall is located at:

3081 East Commercial Blvd., Suite 100

Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308

Phone: 954-946-7883
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN MM&P HOUSTON HALL ON FRIDAY, JULY 24
There will be an Offshore Membership meeting in the MM&P Houston Hall on Friday, July 24, starting immediately after 1100 job call.

MM&P International Secretary-Treasurer J. Lars Turner will attend the meeting.

The address of the Houston Hall is:

13850 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 250

Houston, TX 77034

The phone number is: 281-464-9650

All members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN MM&P NORFOLK HALL ON THURSDAY, AUG. 13
There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Norfolk Hall on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 1100.

Please contact dispatcher Pete at norfolk@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

The Norfolk Hall is located at:

Interstate Corporate Center, Building 8

6353 Center Dr., Ste 200

Norfolk, VA 23502

Phone: 757-489-7406

All Offshore members in the area are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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Mark Your Calendar:

CHARLESTON HALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING RESCHEDULED TO OCT. 8
The Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Charleston Hall has been rescheduled to Oct. 8 at 11:00 a.m.

Please contact dispatcher John at charleston@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

The Charleston hall is located at:

1481 Tobias Gadson Blvd., Suite 2C

Charleston, SC 29407-4794

Phone: 843-766-3565

All Offshore members in the area are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

Buchanan Marine

1) Mate – MMC with a Mate of Towing within Inland Waters

2) Captain – MMC with a Master of Towing within Inland Waters

If you are interested in any of the above positions, please fill out an application on the company’s website first.

Google Buchanan Marine LP, then click “careers” and scroll down to “apply online.”

Then email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call Paulina at 973-495-9377

Staten Island Ferry

1) Provisional Marine Oilers with their QMED

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-36530 Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org

2) Deckhand with an AB

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197

Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org

Poling & Cutler

1) Mate with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR

2) Captain with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR

If interested in any of the above positions, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call Paulina at 973-495-9377.

Marine Oil Service
1) Tankerman PIC – MMC tankerman (PIC) with DL (required)

If you are interested, please fill out an application online https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//marineoilservice.com/careers/&g=ZTI2ZjJkOTljODYzYjliYg==&h=OTNiOGYzYTQwMmQzOTNlMjg2N2ZiZTY2YTU4ZGFjYzc2YTI0MzNiYzhjNTczOWM2ZTllNDFkYjFkOWJiNTQwMg==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOjc2OTE2OWVlODk1YTQ0YzA0NGRhNWY5NmZhMjJjMzVkOjc6dDpU or email the company careers@marineoilservice.com

Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org

Reinauer
1) Mate with a 500-ton masters or mate near coastal but will accept 200-ton masters or mate near coastal

If you are interested in either of the above positions, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Keith at kpoissant@bridgedeck.org.

If you have any questions, please call Keith at 973-420-0492
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GREAT LAKES & GULF MARITIME REGION JOBS

— Unlimited Masters with Great Lakes Pilotage needed for 28/28 rotation – Self Unloading Vessels

— Unlimited Mates with Pilotage needed for 28/28 rotation – Research Vessel and Self Unloading Vessels

— QMED with STCW (RFPW and Able Seafarer-Engine) 21/21 rotation needed for Hopper Dredges

— 2nd Cook needed May through October aboard R/V Lake Guardian operating in the Great Lakes

Email resumes and MMC to elulko@bridgedeck.org
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OFFSHORE JOBS

Senior 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

[STCW, MEDICAL & SAFETY Courses]

BT – Basic Safety Training: 09/07/26, 11/30/26

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 09/28/26, 01/25/27

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: 09/07/26, 11/30/26

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 11/02/26, 11/09/26

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 10/12/26, 11/30/26

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 08/10/26*, 11/16/26

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day):

08/15/26, 10/17/26, 11/15/26, 12/05/26

[STCW LICENSE & RADAR RENEWAL Courses]

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

BT-REV (2-day): 09/14/26, 10/26/26, 12/07/26

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 09/16/26, 10/28/26, 12/09/26

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

BT-REF (3-day): 10/26/26, 12/07/26

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 10/29/26, 12/10/26

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 10/28/26, 12/09/26

[CMM – CHIEF MATE & MASTER UPGRADE Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 08/24/26, 10/05/26, 12/07/26

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 08/17/26*, 09/28/26, 11/30/26

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

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 09/21/26

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: 09/21/26, 12/14/26

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: Not Currently Scheduled

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: Not Currently Scheduled

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 09/14/26, 10/12/26, 11/02/26, 11/30/26

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: Not Currently Scheduled

[AB TO MATE UPGRADE Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 08/10/26*, 11/09/26

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 08/17/26*, 11/02/26, 02/08/27

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 08/24/26, 11/30/26

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 08/17/26*, 11/16/26

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): 08/06/26, 10/08/26

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): 10/12/26, 03/01/27

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 08/24/26, 01/04/27, 03/15/27

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): 10/02/26, 11/13/26

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 08/03/26, 10/26/2026

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 08/03/26*, 10/05/26, 01/11/27

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 11/30/26, 01/04/27

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 08/10/26*, 10/26/26, 02/01/27

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 10/05/26

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 09/14/26, 02/15/27

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 11/16/26, 01/08/27

[MSC – MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND Courses]

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

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 08/06/26, 09/17/26, 11/05/26

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 08/07/26, 09/18/26, 11/06/26

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 08/07/26, 09/18/26, 11/06/26

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 08/10/26*, 09/21/26, 10/12/26, 11/09/26, 12/07/26

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 08/08/26, 09/19/26, 11/07/26

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 08/09/26*, 09/20/26, 11/08/26, 12/06/26

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 08/14/26, 09/25/26, 11/13/26

[MM&P COMPANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Courses]

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations: Not Currently Scheduled

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – CM Operations II Maersk Specific: Not Currently Scheduled

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 07/27/26*, 07/30/26*, 10/26/26*, 10/29/26

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 09/01/26*, 09/03/26 Scheduled – Contact Admissions to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 07/27/26, 10/26/26*

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-Day): 08/22/26, 10/03/26, 12/05/26

[OTHER MITAGS Courses]

AB – Able Seaman: 09/14/26, 12/07/26

BRM – Bridge Resource Management: 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: 12/14/26

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 8/31/26

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 08/17/26*

[CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOPS – NOT covered by the MATES Program]

Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 08/12/26

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (2-Day): Online: Not Currently Scheduled

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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

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 2026

22nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

28-31 Advanced Firefighting

August 2026

3-4 Basic Training Revalidation

3-7 Meteorology (Operational Level)*

3-7 Radar Observer Unlimited

5th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

10-14 Radar Observer Unlimited

10-14 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

17-20 ARPA

17-21 Basic Training

24-27 Advanced Firefighting

24-28 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

31-4 ECDIS

31-1 Basic Training Revalidation

September 2026

2nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

8-11 Advanced Firefighting

14-18 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

14-25 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

21-25 Cargo Handling & Stowage

21-25 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

21-2 Medical Person-In-Charge

28-30 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

28-9 GMDSS

October 2026

5-8 Advanced Firefighting

5-9 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

12-16 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

12-16 Basic Training

12-16 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

16th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

17-18 Basic Training Revalidation

19-23 Basic Training

19-23 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

19-23 Cargo Handling & Stowage

26-30 Medical Care Provider

26-30 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

27-30 ARPA

November 2026

2-4 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

2-5 Advanced Firefighting

2-6 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

2-6 Leadership & Managerial Skills

9-11 Search & Rescue

12-13 Basic Training Revalidation

14th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

16-20 Basic Training

16-20 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

16-20 Basic Shiphandling

December 2026

30-4 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

30-11 Medical Person-In-Charge

30-18 Celestial Navigation

1-4 Advanced Firefighting

7-8 Basic Training Revalidation

7-9 Basic Training Refresher

7-18 GMDSS

9th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

10-11 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

14-18 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

14-18 Basic Training
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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.