Wheelhouse Weekly, July 22, 2025

Volume 31… Number 29, July 22, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Act Now! You Can Help Restore Union Rights to Federal Workers!
• Citing Risks of Lithium-ion Batteries, Matson Suspends Shipping EVs
• Fiscal Year 2026 House of Representatives MSP Appropriations Update
• ITF Sounds the Alarm on Surge in Seafarer Abandonment
• MM&P and MITAGS Tout Benefits of a Maritime Career at National School Counselors’ Conference
• Important News From the MM&P Plan Office: Plan Office Change of Bank for the Vacation Plan and PRO Payments
• Important Update Regarding LAP Testing at the Baltimore REC
• Do You Need to Take HAZMAT, EMERGENCY 5-DAY or BRM?

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

YOU CAN HELP RESTORE UNION RIGHTS TO FEDERAL WORKERS!

President Trump signed an executive order in March that took the right to collectively bargain away from hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

It was the single biggest act of union-busting in American history.

So the labor movement got organized—and got a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress to overturn the executive order.

Then we mobilized to get a majority of members of Congress—Democrats and Republicans—to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill.

And now we have huge news: We have the votes we need to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act in the House of Representatives.

And we have a new way to get this bill to a vote.

Congress can do it with a tool called a “discharge petition,” which skips all the political procedures and shenanigans and brings a bill quickly to the floor for a vote.

But we need every single member of Congress who says they support America’s unions to sign the discharge petition right now.

It’s time to restore federal workers’ collective bargaining rights.

Please call your member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—and urge them to sign the discharge petition for the Protect America’s Workforce Act (HR 2550) right now.

We have the votes in Congress to overturn that executive order—and today, we’re calling on every House member to stand with working people and put their commitment in writing by bringing legislation to restore our rights to the floor for a vote.

More than 70 percent of Americans—Democrats, Republicans and Independents—support unions.

After months of union organizing, there is now also bipartisan majority support in Congress for the Protect America’s Workforce Act to restore federal workers’ collective bargaining rights.

Union-busting is unacceptable, whether it’s on the shop floor or in the federal government.

The Protect America’s Workforce Act is simple bipartisan legislation that restores the rights of those who care for our veterans, ensure our food is safe to eat, and protect our health and safety on the job.

Working people are watching and calling on their representatives to bring this critical bill to a vote.

Call your member of Congress today and urge them to sign the discharge petition and pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act!
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CITING RISKS OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES, MATSON SUSPENDS SHIPPING EVS

Matson has stopped transporting used and new battery-powered electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles because of the risks associated with transporting large lithium-ion batteries.

The company notified clients last week of the change, which took effect immediately for new bookings on all trade routes.

In a letter to customers, Matson wrote that it had already developed comprehensive standards and procedures to address the fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and that it plans “to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented.”

The company has an internal electric vehicle safe carriage working group and participates in external working groups on electric vehicles and lithium batteries.

Its shoreside handling procedures include a review process and a used battery shipment checklist.

It has developed procedures aimed at preventing lithium fires from occurring aboard its vessels, including specific stowage protocols and thermal-imaging cameras to warn of temperature spikes.

Matson’s shipboard firefighting protocols include the deployment of the Viking HydroPen, which is designed to drill into containers and extinguish fires.

Given the recent spate of fires, the industry is facing a pivotal moment in its approach to fire safety.

The recent fire aboard the MORNING MIDAS was at least the third major casualty linked to EV fires since the loss of the FREMANTLE HIGHWAY in 2023 and the FELICITY ACE in 2022.

The Coast Guard said the Liberia-flag MORNING MIDAS—which sank on June 23 —was carrying 3,048 vehicles, including 70 that were fully electric and 681 that were partial-hybrid electric.

Shipping companies are discussing the implementation of measures that include pre-shipment battery safety certification and unified standards for EV stowage on international voyages.

The International Maritime Organization and national regulators are accelerating rule changes, including proposed amendments to SOLAS that may include mandatory thermal isolation for EV cargo and more firefighting training for mariners, with a specific focus on the risk of lithium-ion ignition.
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FISCAL YEAR 2026 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MSP APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE

The House Committee on Appropriations has approved the FY’26 funding legislation for the Department of Transportation, including the Maritime Administration.

The Committee included $380 million for the Maritime Security Program, $10 million less than Congress had authorized.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations is scheduled to consider its version of the legislation this week, prior to the Congressional recess.

The Maritime Security Program is a vital component of America’s military strategic sealift and global response capability.

It is designed to ensure that the nation has the US-flag commercial sealift readiness capability and trained US-citizen merchant mariners necessary in times of war or national emergencies.
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ITF SOUNDS THE ALARM ON SURGE IN SEAFARER ABANDONMENT

The number of seafarers abandoned by unscrupulous ship owners has surged in the first six months of 2025, according to a new report issued by the International Transport Workers’ Federation.

More than 2,280 seafarers aboard 222 vessels have been abandoned so far this year, eclipsing the record set in the first six months of 2024, when 172 cases involving 1,838 seafarers were reported.

“Every case of abandonment is a disgrace,” says the ITF’s Steven Trowsdale, “and the failure to end abandonment exposes a systemic problem in the maritime industry.”

A third of this year’s cases have occurred in the Arab world and another third have occurred in Europe—especially in Turkey.

“The Gulf region, and the UAE in particular, has seen a huge increase in seafarer abandonment,” Trowsdale says.

The next most problematic region is the Asia Pacific.

The law defines abandonment as leaving a seafarer stranded without wages, food or medical care for more than two months.

The reality is that cases of abandonment often drag on for months, or even years.

Lack of enforcement by flag and port states and lack of adequate vessel insurance are major contributors to the problem.

Not surprisingly, the flag-of-convenience system is central to the rise in the number of abandonments.

The ITF has received 26 reports this year of abandoned vessels registered in St. Kitts & Nevis, another 26 registered in Tanzania, and 18 registered in Comoros.

In the US, the Federal Maritime Commission has announced that it is launching an investigation into the practices of some registries.

It has also raised concerns about unfavorable business conditions created by flags of convenience and their impact on US trade.

The EU has launched a program of insurance checks for FOC vessels sailing in Northern Europe and the Baltic in response to specific incidents and fears of a major environmental disaster.

“Much more must be done to crack down on rogue shipowners,” Trowsdale says.

“They must be shown that there are consequences for their actions.”
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MM&P AND MITAGS TOUT BENEFITS OF A MARITIME CAREER AT NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS’ MEETING

MM&P Pacific Ports Vice President Melany Velleca and MITGS Apprenticeship Program Manager Michele Barutha illustrated the benefits of a maritime career to counselors from all over the country at the American School Counselor Association Conference.

More than 4,300 school counselors attended the event, which took place July 13-17 at the Long Beach Conference Center.

The conference featured four days of general and breakout sessions, as well as networking events.

“Michele and I talked to counselors from all over, including Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, West Virigina, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Ohio, New York and Maryland,” Velleca said.

“And the list goes on.”

The goal was to spread the word about the opportunities offered by a career in maritime and explain how to get into the industry.

Major employers, the maritime unions, all the maritime academies and the Maritime Administration had booths at the conference.
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PLAN OFFICE CHANGE OF BANK FOR THE VACATION PLAN AND PRO PAYMENTS

Effective Monday, July 21, staff in the MM&P Port Offices and the MM&P Plan Office were required to begin issuing all Vacation and Port Relief Officer (PRO) checks from the Plan Office bank Northern Trust.

The following notice of the change in the Vacation Plan Checking Accounts was mailed in May and again on July 16 to all Vacation Plan participants who filed a Vacation Application in 2024 and/or 2025.

“The Vacation Plan has had an account for Vacation Payments and PRO Payments for many years with the Bank of America.

“Earlier this year, Bank of America informed the Plan that they will no longer support (keep open) ERISA Accounts like the Vacation Plan.

“It is important for you to make sure you cash all of your Vacation or PRO checks in a timely manner.

“Once the checking accounts are closed at the Bank of America, you will not be able to cash checks issued on these accounts.

“The bank has advised that they will give us a few more days to cash your checks.

“Please make sure that you cash your checks issued under Bank of America before July 31, 2025; otherwise, the bank will not honor the checks.

“At their last Board of Trustee Meetings in June 2025, the Board of Trustees were advised that we would be changing the Vacation Plan accounts to Northern Trust.

“This is the same bank we use for the other MM&P Benefit Plans. Northern Trust does not have any brick-and-mortar locations.

“When we start issuing checks under Northern Trust, the Plan will not be able to have a place where you can cash these checks without fees.

“Participants should consider having their Vacation and PRO payments made by Direct Deposit.

“We strongly encourage you to have a Direct Deposit Form on file with the Vacation Plan.

“If you already have a Direct Deposit Form on file with the Plan, you do not have to file a new form unless you want to change your bank or account.

“If you have this form on file with the Vacation Plan you can still elect, at the time you file for your Vacation, to receive your Vacation pay in the form of a check.

“The Vacation ACH form is posted on the MM&P Members’ Only site. 

“Just click on Documents, then on Plan Documents, and then look under the heading labeled Vacation.

“The form is titled Vacation Plan – Application for Electronic Funds Transfer/Direct Deposit. 

“The document is five pages long and the form itself appears on page 3. 

“Please do not delay.

“It could take a few days/weeks to process new direct deposit forms through the banking system, and if you wait, we may not be able to send your next Vacation payment by Direct Deposit before Bank of America closes our account.

“If, after you review this information, you have any questions regarding these payments, please contact the Vacation Benefit Advisor at 410-850-8625.”
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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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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): 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: Not Currently Scheduled

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*

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, 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 Access

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
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.