Wheelhouse Weekly, July 9, 2024

Volume 30… Number 28, July 9, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Nautilus Federation Unions Issue Call to Action: “NATO Must Reverse the Decline in the Number of Merchant Mariners”
• The Master, Mate & Pilot Is Now Online
• PRESIDENT GRANT Joins APL Fleet
• ITF Adds Two Ship Registries to Its Flag-of-Convenience List
• Navy Christens Newest T-ATS Vessel, USNS CHEROKEE NATION
• DOD Warns Those Subject to Military Drug Testing to Avoid Consuming Poppy Seeds
• Offshore Membership Meeting on July 11 in MM&P Seattle Hall
• MM&P Houston Hall Closed Due to Flooding and Power Outages
• MM&P Publications Election Blackout Restriction
• New Suite Number for MM&P Boston Hall

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Job Opportunities on the Great Lakes

And:

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

“NATO MUST REVERSE THE DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF MERCHANT MARINERS”

Leading maritime unions in 12 countries have called on NATO nations to rapidly strengthen their merchant fleets in response to rising geopolitical tensions.

MM&P joined other Nautilus Federation unions in issuing the call to action as NATO leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., to mark the alliance’s 75th anniversary

“With rising geopolitical tensions threatening Europe, the war in Ukraine, escalating violence in the Middle East, and efforts by other nations to dominate the high seas, NATO must confront the alarming decline in the number of qualified merchant seafarers and national-flagged merchant vessels,” the unions wrote.

“This decline significantly jeopardizes NATO’s obligations to its members.”

The unions noted “the vulnerability of the U.S. maritime sector, heavily reliant on foreign-flagged ships and with a shrinking merchant shipping capability and shipbuilding capacity.”

They added that “a similar situation has prevailed in the United Kingdom and other traditional maritime nations within NATO for decades,” with many states across Europe “facing historic lows in seafarer numbers and national-flagged merchant vessels.”

They noted that “the shortage of qualified officers and ratings impairs our collective and individual ability to support military logistics and secure essential supply chains for energy, food, and medical supplies during conflicts and health emergencies.”

The current situation, they added, “exposes our nations to severe risks, with potentially disastrous consequences.”

Needed to reverse the decline, they told NATO leaders, is a coalition of like-minded maritime nations, working together to:

— increase the number of qualified merchant seafarers and national registered vessels;

— end incentives for flags of convenience; and

— put a stop to the continued exploitation of foreign crews.

They called on the governments of NATO member countries “to use this milestone to commit to significant investment in maritime capabilities, to strengthen their merchant marines and to invest in their maritime professionals.”

MM&P is one of the 22 maritime unions that belong to the Nautilus Federation.

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THE MASTER, MATE & PILOT IS NOW ONLINE

The Summer 2024 issue of The Master, Mate & Pilot will be in your mailbox soon.

In the meantime, look for it online on bridgedeck.org under News and Announcements.

In this issue:

— MM&P has lost a leader, a mentor, and a friend with the passing of former United Inland Group Vice President Mike Murray;

— MM&P members have embraced the industry effort to build a more respectful culture aboard ship—but in many cases, ship managers and shipowners are creating a hostile work environment by bullying MM&P masters;

— MM&P Government Group Representative Randi Ciszewski honored for defending mariners’ rights;

— CIRCLE LINE MANHATTAN saves kayaker;

— WSF SAMISH rescues six boaters;

— MAERSK KINLOSS helps dozens of people in drifting inflatable boat;

— SEACOR/Waterman continues fleet renewal.

Plus, the MM&P Health & Benefit Plan has a new partnership that will allow some active members and covered dependents to save money on their prescription drug costs.

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PRESIDENT GRANT JOINS APL FLEET

PRESIDENT GRANT, the second new vessel to join the APL fleet as part of the company’s fleet renewal program, was flagged in on June 6 in Los Angeles.

MM&P Coast Agent Melany Skippen boarded the vessel the next day, greeting the MM&P LDOs: Captain Dale Rodriguez, Chief Mate Corey Hur, Second Mate Jen Bono, and Third Mate Toni Alvarez.

The PRESIDENT GRANT replaced the PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, which has been flagged out to the CMA CGM international fleet.

The fleet renewal is set to continue with the arrival in the coming months of the PRESIDENT REAGAN, PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT MONROE, and PRESIDENT JOHNSON.

The 837-foot newbuilds will assume the Maritime Security Program slots of the outgoing vessels they replace.

APL says the delivery and phase-in of the replacement ships will take place on a monthly basis, with the last vessel tentatively scheduled to join the fleet in December 2024.

The ships will be crewed by members of MM&P, MEBA, SIU, SUP, and MFOW.
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ITF ADDS TWO SHIP REGISTRIES TO ITS FLAG-OF-CONVENIENCE LIST

The International Transport Workers’ Federation has added two ship registries to its flag-of-convenience list: one is Gabon, in West Africa, and the other is Eswatini, in southern Africa.

The ITF defines an FOC vessel as one flying the flag of a country other than that of its actual ownership. There are now 43 countries on the ITF’s FOC list.

“Registering ships in countries where there is no regulation, no oversight and no accountability allows for the exploitation and the abandonment of seafarers,” says International Transport Workers’ Federation President Paddy Crumlin.

“It’s a toxic industry.”

Companies often register ships in low-regulation countries to hide ownership, reduce tax obligations, employ cheap labor, or avoid environmental laws and safety standards.

About half of the world fleet is registered in FOC states.

The three largest FOC registries—Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands—account for over 40 percent of the entire international fleet.

The practice of flagging ships to FOC registries occurs despite the fact that international law requires that there be a genuine link between the ship and the flag state.

“Flag registers should not be allowed to operate as businesses using lower standards than traditional national registers,” says ITF Seafarers’ Section Chair Dave Heindel.

“Until that is stopped, seafarers’ rights will continue to be abused with impunity.”

There is evidence that vessels flagged to Gabon and vessels flagged to Eswatini are transporting oil and other sanctioned goods as part of the so-called shadow or dark fleets engaged in illicit trade.

Gabon’s registry has grown exponentially since international sanctions came into effect following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Eswatini’s registry opened in November 2023, taking in three vessels sanctioned for supporting Syria and also known to have transported Ukrainian grain from Russian-occupied territories.
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NAVY CHRISTENS NEWEST T-ATS VESSEL, USNS CHEROKEE NATION

U.S. Navy officials joined representatives of Bollinger Shipyards in June to christen USNS CHEROKEE NATION, the Navy’s newest towing, rescue, and salvage ship.

The vessel is named to honor the Cherokee people and recognize their significant contributions to America’s armed services and national defense.

The Navajo class is operated by Military Sealift Command. It provides ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to support fleet operations.

The T-ATS vessels replace and fulfill the capabilities previously provided by the Powhatan-class Fleet Ocean Tug (T-ATF) and Safeguard-class Rescue and Salvage Ships (T-ARS).

“The USNS CHEROKEE NATION and other Navajo-class ships are multi-purpose powerhouse vessels,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander, U.S. Navy Installations Command, in remarks he delivered at the christening.

“The versatility of this class of ship adds immeasurably to the capabilities of the United States Navy with regards to rendering assistance to those in peril on the high seas.”

“The new Navajo-class ships will help ensure our sailors and marines receive critical, timely support to stay in the fight around the globe and the U.S. Navy stands ready to respond quickly if disaster strikes.”

The Navajo-class is a multi-mission common hull platform that will be deployed to support a range of missions including towing, rescue, salvage, humanitarian assistance, oil spill response and wide-area search and surveillance operations using unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The CHEROKEE NATION is the second of 10 planned Navajo-class T-ATS.

The contract includes a total of five vessels to be built at Bollinger Houma Shipyards, each to be named in honor of a federally recognized Native American tribe.

In addition to the USNS CHEROKEE NATION, Bollinger is constructing USNS NAVAJO, USNS SAGINAW OJIBWE ANISHINABEK, USNS LENNI LENAPE, and USNS MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION.

Navajo-class ships will be capable of towing U.S. Navy ships, including aircraft carriers, and will have 6,000 square feet of deck space for embarked systems.

MM&P represents the LDOs, Pursers & MSOs aboard all MSC CIVMAR manned ships.
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DOD WARNS THOSE SUBJECT TO MILITARY DRUG TESTING TO AVOID CONSUMING POPPY SEEDS

The Department of Defense is reminding those subject to military drug testing to avoid consuming foods containing poppy seeds over concerns that newer seed varieties may contain elevated levels of codeine.

“The seeds in foods are naturally sourced from the poppy plant, a commercial crop cultivated by the pharmaceutical and food industries,” according to a warning circulated to service members on May 29 by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

“It has been well-documented that the seeds may be contaminated with morphine and codeine during harvest.”

“However, it is the recent increase in codeine contamination in food grade seeds that concerns the department.”

“Since the last warning memorandum, significant work has been undertaken to address the issue,” the agency says.

“The military drug testing program has implemented additional measures to distinguish poppy seed ingestion from codeine misuse, including raising the drug testing cutoff for codeine.”

“While these measures significantly reduce the possibility of a positive drug test, avoiding foods containing poppy seeds remains the best policy.”
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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON JULY 11 IN THE MM&P SEATTLE HALL

There will be an Offshore membership meeting on Thursday, July 11, in the MM&P Seattle union hall.

The meeting will begin after the 1100 job call.

MM&P International President Don Marcus and Vice President-Pacific Lars Turner will give their reports and respond to questions.

All members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.

The Seattle Hall is located at:

15208 52nd Ave. South, Suite 100

Seattle, WA 98188

If you have any items you wish to have placed on the agenda, and/or questions that may require research, please email them to Lars Turner at lturner@bridgedeck.org or call the Seattle Hall at 206-441-8700.
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MM&P HOUSTON HALL CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING AND POWER OUTAGES

The MM&P Houston Hall is closed on Tuesday due to widespread flooding and power outages.

The decision to open the rest of the week will be based on daily evaluation of the conditions.

Please call the Hall at (281) 464-9650 to verify that it is open before traveling.

For any other concerns, please contact Jeremy Hope, VP Gulf.
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MM&P PUBLICATIONS ELECTION BLACKOUT RESTRICTION

The General Executive Board has determined that the 2024 MM&P election period shall commence on July 21 and shall continue until the conclusion of the 2024 MM&P election.

The MM&P has determined to exclude any reference by name or photograph of any candidate in the 2024 MM&P election during the election period.

MM&P has also determined to suspend publication of Letters to the Editor until after the election.

The Publication Blackout Restriction described above shall not apply to candidates who are running unopposed.

These determinations have been made to ensure that publications by MM&P to MM&P members are not used for campaign purposes.

These restrictions will end upon the completion of the election.
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NEW SUITE NUMBER FOR MM&P BOSTON HALL

The MM&P Boston Hall is moving on July 16. The new address is:

Marine Industrial Park

12 Channel St., Suite 505

Boston, MA 02210

All contact information for the Boston Hall will remain the same:

Phone: 617-671-0769

Fax: 617-261-2334

boston@bridgedeck.org
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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*, 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*, 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): 07/13/24, 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): 07/15/24, 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): 07/14/24, 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

15-18 Advanced Firefighting

15-2 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

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.