Wheelhouse Weekly, July 4, 2023

Volume 29… Number 27, July 4, 2023

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Senators Demand Answers: Investigation Into Allegations of SA/SH at Coast Guard Academy “Went Undisclosed for Years”
• Chamber of Shipping of America Recognizes MM&P-Contracted Companies for Safety
• ILWU Canada on Strike at British Columbia Ports
• “The First Ship I Had Torpedoed”: Captain George Worsham Remembers World War II

Attention All Mariners:

• Well-Paying Jobs Offering Permanent Employment Are Available With MM&P on the Great Lakes and in Coastal Waters!

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Engineering Jobs Available Offshore and on the Great Lakes

And:

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

INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF SA/SH AT COAST GUARD ACADEMY “WENT UNDISCLOSED FOR YEARS”

Senators are demanding that the Coast Guard provide details of a yearslong internal investigation into allegations of sexual violence at the Coast Guard Academy.

Following the publication on June 30 by CNN of an article on the investigation, the Coast Guard gave an informal briefing to staff of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Now Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) have written to Coast Guard Commandant Linda L. Fagan, asking for information on what the USCG reportedly referred to as “Operation Fouled Anchor.”

Cantwell is chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Baldwin is chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing.

“We write to express our grave concern regarding the reports of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment at the United States Coast Guard Academy between 1988 and 2006 and the Coast Guard’s lack of action to properly and timely investigate, prosecute, and report these criminal acts,” they wrote.

“We are also concerned about the Coast Guard’s failure to disclose its investigation that began in 2014 and ended in 2020, the withholding of which some have described as intentional.”

In the Senate briefing, the Coast Guard reportedly indicated that it had identified 62 “substantiated incidents” of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment that had either occurred at the academy or been committed by cadets.

The agency reportedly identified 42 individuals against whom there may have been substantiated claims of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, “yet it does not appear that the Coast Guard appropriately investigated,” the senators wrote.

“The Committee is most concerned that, per the briefing, the Coast Guard neglected to pursue disciplinary measures, whether punitive or administrative, against most individuals for whom the investigations substantiated claims of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, which is unacceptable.”

They also noted that two of the investigated officers who were given the opportunity to retire “were confirmed by the Senate at least once (likely more than once) during the course of the investigation.”

“It is unclear how many other officers had substantiated claims against them, were not disciplined, and remained in positions of leadership or management,” they wrote.

The committee is requesting additional documentation about the security clearance status of the 42 individuals, along with other information.

The senators said some survivors were discouraged from filing formal complaints or otherwise disclosing the assaults.

They questioned whether survivors had received adequate support during their time at the academy, whether they had experienced additional avoidable hardships, financial or otherwise, and whether the agency had done anything to mitigate the hardships.

“We must resolve the past to build a better future for the Coast Guard, and in this case, that means pursuing full accountability for perpetrators and investing in meaningful support for survivors,” they wrote.

The committee has requested that the agency respond in detail by July 14.

Commandant Fagan and Rear Adm. Michael Johnstone, the new superintendent of the academy, issued a statement saying they are committed to doing “everything we can to eliminate sexual assault and the behaviors that enable it.”

In her message, Fagan stated, “We own this failure,” and apologized to the victims and their loved ones.

In a statement, a Coast Guard spokesman apologized to the victims, saying that “by not having taken appropriate action at the time of the sexual assaults, the Coast Guard may have further traumatized the victims, delayed access to their care and recovery, and prevented some cases from being referred to the military justice system for appropriate accountability.”
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CHAMBER OF SHIPPING OF AMERICA RECOGNIZES MM&P-CONTRACTED COMPANIES FOR SAFETY

The Chamber of Shipping of America presented awards for safe operations to vessels operated by numerous MM&P-contracted companies at a ceremony that took place on June 20.

Among the companies honored were Keystone Shipping, MLL, Matson, Moran, Pasha Hawaii, Patriot, Reinauer, and Seabulk.

The Jones F. Devlin Safety Achievement Award is presented to companies with vessels that have operated for at least two years without a lost-time injury.

In total, 1,242 vessels, both foreign and domestic, with a cumulative amount of 8,224 years without a lost-time incident, were recognized at the annual event.

CSA represents more than 30 U.S.-based companies that own, operate, charter, or maintain a commercial interest in oceangoing tankers, containerships, tugs, and other merchant vessels engaged in the domestic and international trades.

CSA has sponsored two safety programs since 1968, both of which are open to CSA members and non-members.

Besides the Jones F. Devlin Safety Award, CSA offers the Ship Safety Achievement Award, which recognizes men and women responsible for performing outstanding feats of safety during a calendar year. These may include, for example, rescues or assistance to distressed vessels.

Jones F. Devlin Safety Award certificates are awarded to all merchant vessels that have operated for two full years or more without a crewmember losing a full turn at watch because of an occupational injury.

All vessels, including containerships, tankers, Great Lakes carriers, offshore supply vessels, and tugboats, representing all segments of the industry are eligible to participate in these programs.
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ILWU CANADA ON STRIKE AT BRITISH COLUMBIA PORTS

More than 7,000 longshore workers at Canada’s West Coast ports walked off the job on July 1.

ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton said the union decided to strike because the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association “refused to negotiate on the main issues,” leaving workers “no choice but to take the next step in the process.”

The terminal operators’ only objective, he said, “is to take away rights and conditions from longshore workers after having gorged themselves on record profits during the pandemic.”

We “have not taken this decision lightly,” he added, “but for the future of our workforce, we had to take this step.”

The two sides have been unable to reach an agreement since the expiration of the previous contract on March 31.

The issues on the table include automation, wages, and the employment at the port of non-union workers.

According to a spokesperson for Canada’s government, the parties remained at the bargaining table all day Saturday despite the walkout.

The strike comes two weeks after the announcement of a tentative agreement between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association covering 22,000 workers at all 29 U.S. West Coast ports.

That agreement must now be ratified by members of the ILWU and the PMA.

MM&P partners with the ILWU and three other leading maritime unions in the Maritime Labor Alliance.

“After two years of a global pandemic and unprecedented profits for container terminal operators on the West Coast, longshore workers from California to British Columbia have earned the right to fair and equitable collective bargaining agreements,” the MLA said in a statement, adding that terminal operators in British Columbia had amassed “unprecedented profits.”

The members of the Maritime Labor Alliance are MM&P, the American Radio Association, the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, and the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association.
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CAPTAIN GEORGE WORSHAM REMEMBERS WORLD WAR II

George T. Worsham, an MM&P member who served in World War II and then went on to sail for another 33 years as a licensed deck officer, recalls a dramatic wartime experience in a new video that assumes special relevance on July 4.

“The first ship I had torpedoed was the THEODORE DWIGHT WELD, which was sunk by a German U-238,” recalls Worsham, now 99, who joined the merchant marine at the age of 18.

“It was struck by four torpedoes, breaking the ship in half, and sinking it about 500 miles southwest of Iceland.”

Worsham, along with other merchant marine World War II veterans, recently received the Congressional gold medal.

His daughter Vicky tells the story of the sinking of the THEODORE DWIGHT WELD as recounted by her father in “Quite a Humdinger,” the book he wrote about his wartime experiences.

The video is produced by USA Warrior Stories, a not-for-profit organization that records, archives and shares videos of veterans’ stories to help them connect with one another, and to help us all better understand their sacrifices for our freedoms.
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WELL-PAYING JOBS OFFERING PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT ARE AVAILABLE WITH MM&P ON THE GREAT LAKES AND IN COASTAL WATERS!

The MM&P United Inland Group has jobs available with Grand River Navigation, Weeks Marine, Cetacean Marine, and Key Lakes.

At Grand River Navigation on the Great Lakes, there are:

— licensed deck jobs for those with Great Lakes pilotage;

— jobs for open water mates with a Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR);

— licensed engineering jobs.

At Cetacean Marine, there are licensed and unlicensed engineering jobs.

At Weeks Marine, there are licensed and unlicensed engineering jobs aboard their growing fleet of dredges.

Cross-shipping rights for Offshore applicants/members are available for licensed personnel, with sea time and points counting towards upgrading Offshore membership.

Key Lakes is looking for a mate with Great Lakes pilotage and an open-water mate.

The regular relief is for 30 days but could be modified if mutually agreed on.

These are long-term, permanent jobs.

For more information, go to the Jobs page on bridgedeck.org.

If you are interested, please contact UIG Vice President Tom Bell at tbell@bridgedeck.org or 216-776-1667 with any questions.
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

Two third mates needed in the tanker fleet. TPIC not required.
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ENGINEERING JOBS AVAILABLE OFFSHORE AND ON THE GREAT LAKES

There are openings for engineers in the MM&P Offshore fleet and the Great Lakes & Gulf Region.

For engineering jobs in the Offshore Group, contact Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin, tlarkin@bridgedeck.org, or 201-963-1900.

For engineering jobs on the Lakes, contact MM&P Great Lakes & Gulf Region Vice President Tom Bell, tbell@bridgedeck.org, or (216) 776-1667.
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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): Not currently scheduled

AIS-1 – Automatic Identifications Systems Orientation (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/13/23

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): 07/24/23, 10/09/23

BRMP –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP-Refresher (Now including Emergency Shiphandling for Pilots) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 07/10/23, 09/10/23 (Sunday-Thursday)

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 09/26/23, 10/16/23, 11/13/23, 12/19/23

BT-Refresher (3-day): 09/26/23, 12/18/23

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 09/18/23

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 07/24/23, 10/09/23, 12/18/23

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 07/31/23, 12/11/23

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/16/23

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 7/10/23, 11/27/23

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 07/17/23, 12/04/23

CM-OPS 2 APL – Chief Mate Operations II APL Specific (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 08/07/23, 12/11/23

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 08/14/23, 11/13/23

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 10/02/23
(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 11/06/23

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 07/10/23*, 08/14/23, 09/11/23, 10/02/23, 10/30/23 12/04/23

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 07/17/23*, 10/09/23, 11/06/23, 12/11/23

**SHS-ADV-I & II are now approved to include SAR-CMM assessments at MITAGS**

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 12/18/23

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): 09/25/23

WX-HW-ATL – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Atlantic Ocean (2-day) – Not Currently Scheduled

WX-HW-IND – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Indian Ocean (2-day) – Not Currently Scheduled

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-day) – 08/05/23, 12/02/23

CIW-DPA/IA – Continual Improvement Workshop: Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day) ** This course is NOT covered by the MATES Program **
Online: 07/12/23

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): Not currently scheduled

ECDIS for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 11/27/23

ADV-FF – Advanced Fire-Fighting (4-day): Not currently scheduled

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 09/10/2023 (Sunday-Thursday)

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 09/27/23, 10/18/23, 11/15/23, 12/21/23

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 09/29/23, 12/16/23

FSM – Fatigue, Sleep, & Medications (1-Day): Not currently scheduled–Online

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

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): 07/17/23

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 09/11/23, 11/16/23

IEN – Integrated Electronic Navigation (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 07/10/23, 10/16/23

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

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Program for Original 3rd Mate, Oceans, Any Gross
Ton License (15-Day): Not currently scheduled

LEG – Legal Aspects of Pilotage (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

LNG-TPIC (10-Day): Not currently scheduled

LNG-BADV (3 Day): Coming Soon!

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments not included): 12/04/23

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 07/10/23*, 08/21/23*, 10/02/23, 12/04/23

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 08/07/23, 11/27/23

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 07/10/23*, 08/21/23*, 09/18/23, 10/02/23

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 07/15/23, 08/26/23, 09/24/23, 10/07/23, 10/15/23, 11/16/23, 12/09/23

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 08/10/23, 09/07/23, 10/26/23

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 08/11/23, 09/08/23, 10/27/23

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day): 08/12/23, 09/09/23, 10/28/23

MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 08/14/23, 09/11/23, 10/30/23

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 08/12/23, 09/09/23, 10/28/23

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 08/13/23, 09/10/23, 10/29/23

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 08/18/23, 09/15/23, 11/03/23

NDMS-ENAV – Navigational Decision Making Series – Best Practice in eNav (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): *07/31/23, *08/02/23, 11/06/23*, 11/08/23*

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 09/18/23

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 09/21/23

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): Upon Request

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 11/16/23

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 10/23/23

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: Not Currently Schedule

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 08/28/23, 10/16/23, 11/13/23, 12/18/23

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 09/11/23

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): Not currently scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 07/10/23, 09/11/23, 11/13/23

TRAC-TUG-2 (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

TTT – ** NOT covered by the MATES Program **: Not Currently Scheduled

VPDSD – Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties: Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): : Not Currently Scheduled

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 12/04/23

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 07/10/23

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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 2023
10-28 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation
31-4 Radar Observer Unlimited
31-4 Basic Training
31-4 Advanced Shiphandling I

August 2023

7-10 ARPA
7-11 Advanced Shiphandling II
14-18 Advanced Stability
14-18 Basic Shiphandling
21-25 Basic Meteorology
28-31 Advanced Firefighting
28-1 Leadership & Managerial Skills

September 2023

5-6 Basic Training Revalidation
5-7 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility
7th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
11-15 Medical Care Provider
11-22 Medical Person-In-Charge
18-29 GMDSS

October 2023

2-3 Basic Training Revalidation
2-6 ECDIS
4th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
9-12 Advanced Firefighting
9-13 Tankerman Person-In-Charge
16-20 Ship Construction & Basic Stability
23-27 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage
30-1 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility
30-3 Basic Training
30-10 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)
31-3 ARPA

November 2023

6-7 Basic Training Revalidation
6-10 Medical Care Provider
6-10 Leadership & Managerial Skills
13-15 Search & Rescue
16th Leadership & Teamworking Skills
17th Flashing Light Assessment
27-30 Advanced Firefighting
27-15 Celestial Navigation

December 2023

7-8 Advanced Firefighting Refresher
9-10 Basic Training Revalidation
9-11 Basic Training Refresher
11th Radar Renewal
11th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
11-15 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.