Volume 31… Number 24, June 17, 2025
STORIES COVERED
In This Issue:
- House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Boost Cargo Preference
- National Weather Service Adding New Hires After Reductions in Staff
- MM&P Members at Grand River Navigation Ratify New Contract
- White House Names Sang Yi as Acting Head of the Maritime Administration
- Debris From Burning Singapore-Flag Ship Washes Up on India’s Coast
- Minnesota AFL-CIO Statement on June 14 Political Violence
Mark Your Calendar:
Job Opportunities:
And:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES LEGISLATION TO BOOST CARGO PREFERENCE
The House of Representatives has passed HR 2035, bipartisan legislation to increase the US-flag cargo preference shipping requirement to 100 percent for all cargoes procured, furnished or financed by the Department of Transportation.
The bill was sponsored by Congressman Salud Carbajal, Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee and cosponsored by the Subcommittee’s Chairman, Congressman Mike Ezell. It was passed by a vote of 373-14.
The legislation, the American Cargo for American Ships Act, is strongly supported by MM&P and other labor and management organizations in the maritime industry.
“Efforts to grow the US-flag fleet are dependent on the availability of cargo,” said MM&P President Don Josberger.
“We commend Congressman Carbajal and the other supporters of this legislation for acting to ensure that the carriage of Department of Transportation cargoes—which are financed by the American taxpayer—are transported by US-flag, US-crewed vessels and support American maritime jobs, not foreign jobs.
“We urge the Senate to quickly consider and pass this legislation.”
“American cargo transported on American ships strengthens our economy, creates jobs, and protects our supply chains from external threats,” Carbajal said.
“My bipartisan bill will strengthen the US shipping fleet by ensuring that taxpayer-funded cargo is moved on US-flagged ships.
“I’ll continue working across the aisle to get this bill across the finish line and signed into law.”
“This is a major victory for American workers, our national security, and our economy,” Ezell said.
“The American Cargo for American Ships Act strengthens our maritime capabilities and ensures we’re not dependent on foreign vessels to move US goods—especially during times of crisis.
“A strong US-flagged fleet means a more secure and self-reliant America.
“I’m proud to see this bill—which keeps American cargo on American ships, restores fairness to our system, and gives our mariners a fighting chance against heavily subsidized foreign competitors—pass the House.
“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act swiftly and send it to the President’s desk.”
The American Cargo for American Ships Act would increase cargo preference for all US Department of Transportation cargoes to 100 percent.
The Cargo Preference Act of 1954 requires that 50 percent of civilian agencies’ cargo and agricultural cargo be carried on US-flag vessels.
Back to Stories Covered
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ADDING NEW HIRES AFTER REDUCTIONS IN STAFF
The National Weather Service, the US forecasting agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is hiring about 125 new meteorologists for its offices around the country, according to media reports.
Earlier this year, the agency lost more than 500 employees to layoffs and early retirements.
The weather service is also moving forward with a stopgap measure of transferring meteorologists from well-staffed offices to ones that are short of personnel.
A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress earlier this month would give federal weather forecasters and other technical staff new job protection in light of their public safety role.
The bill’s sponsors say it would have protected meteorologists from the cuts in staffing that took place earlier this year.
“Everyone supports the National Weather Service,” said Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), one of the bill’s sponsors. “Everyone relies on them, whether they realize it or not.”
The bill’s other sponsors include Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was organized under President Nixon in 1970.
It is responsible for monitoring, researching, and forecasting weather and climate, maintaining a fleet of satellites and research aircraft and vessels, and overseeing oceans, coasts, and marine species.
It operates 122 offices across the US, Puerto Rico, and Guam, where meteorologists gather weather observations and issue localized forecasts—including of approaching hurricanes—broadcast weather information over NOAA radio and work with local emergency management officials.
Within the weather service, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction include nine national centers devoted to forecasts and warnings, the best known of which is the National Hurricane Center.
Back to Stories Covered
MM&P MEMBERS AT GRAND RIVER NAVIGATION RATIFY NEW CONTRACT
Members of the MM&P United Inland Group‒Great Lakes & Gulf Region who work for Grand River Navigation (GRN) have approved a new contract by a large margin.
The contract includes meaningful wage increases, improvements in retirement benefits and a dues restructuring that will support further representation for the group.
MM&P Great Lakes & Gulf Region Vice President Ed Lulko congratulated the group on the positive result and thanked the licensed and unlicensed crewmembers who participated in the rank-and-file negotiating committee for their hard work and dedication.
Back to Stories Covered
WHITE HOUSE NAMES SANG YI AS ACTING HEAD OF THE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
The Trump administration has announced the appointment of congressional aide and USMMA graduate Sang H. Yi as acting maritime administrator.
The Maritime Administration is responsible for promoting domestic shipping and shipbuilding and providing funding for intermodal port connections with rail and trucking.
The agency has been without a confirmed leader since Adm. Ann Phillips stepped down in January.
Yi has 15 years of experience as a staff member and advisor to various committees in the House of Representatives.
They include the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform, the Natural Resources Committee and the Committee on Homeland Security.
He was previously a member of the Fairfax, Va., City Council.
At the beginning of his career, he worked for five years as a maritime analyst and in other positions at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
He graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and is commissioned as an officer in the Navy Reserve.
He holds a master’s degree from the US Naval War College and a JD from George Washington University Law School.
In May, President Trump nominated Stephen Carmel, an executive with Maersk Line Ltd., as maritime administrator.
Carmel sailed as a deep-sea tanker captain before coming ashore to work in a variety of operations and finance positions at MLL.
He is now MLL’s senior vice president, maritime services.
He is also an adviser to the Yorktown Institute, a national security and geopolitical forum.
Carmel is awaiting confirmation by the Senate to assume the leadership position at MARAD.
Back to Stories Covered
DEBRIS FROM BURNING SINGAPORE-FLAG SHIP WASHES UP ON INDIA’S COAST
Salvors worked over the weekend to tow a burning containership, WAN HAI 503, away from the coast of Kerala state in southwestern India.
Local residents were warned not to approach barrels, a lifeboat, containers and other objects from the ship, which was carrying hazardous materials.
The navy deployed a three-person salvage team from a helicopter on Friday to the Singapore-flag vessel, which has been on fire since a container exploded on the morning of June 9.
On Saturday, salvors were able to establish a towline between the burning ship and a tug, the OFFSHORE WARRIOR, and begin towing it further out to sea.
Four members of the crew were reported missing in the explosion and subsequent fire.
The remaining 18 crewmembers advised the Coast Guard after three hours of fighting the flames that they were abandoning ship in a lifeboat and a life raft.
They were picked up by rescuers and taken to the port of New Mangalore, where six were admitted to hospital, some with serious burns.
A total of five Indian Coast Guard vessels responded to the emergency, with two large patrol ships leading the fire-fighting effort, dousing the blaze and providing perimeter cooling in the midst of monsoon-force winds as additional containers continued to explode.
The port authority said the manifest it had received indicated there were 157 containers with hazardous materials aboard.
Reports vary on the number of containers that were lost overboard in the initial incident, and there are indications that additional containers went overboard during the firefight.
The vessel has taken on a 10-to-15-degree list which has the authorities concerned that it might sink, taking with it the remaining cargo and 100 tons of fuel oil.
Back to Stories Covered
MINNESOTA AFL-CIO STATEMENT ON JUNE 14 POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Statement from Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham and Secretary-Treasurer Brad Lehto in response to Saturday’s political violence:
“On behalf of Minnesota’s Labor Movement, we are heartbroken at the murder of House Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
“We are sending all our prayers and hopes for Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette to make a full recovery from this assassination attempt.
“Melissa Hortman was more than just a friend to the Labor Movement; she embodied our core values and wore them on her sleeve during her twenty years in public service.
“As Speaker of the House in 2023, Melissa Hortman led the way in passing the most expansive pro-labor legislation in more than a generation, passing the strongest paid family and medical leave legislation in the state, earned sick and safe time, expanded collective bargaining rights and so much more.
“Her legacy will live on for generations thanks to everything she did for working Minnesotans and our families.
“Violence has no place in our political discourse.
“In a democratic republic, we work out our disagreements through public debate and expressing our rights to peacefully protest injustice.
“We unequivocally condemn this and any other act of political violence and hope those responsible face justice for this terrible act.
“Our thoughts are with both the Hortman and Hoffman families and all elected officials who stand up for working people in our democracy.”
Back to Stories Covered
MM&P HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE
All MM&P union halls, MM&P headquarters, the MM&P Plan Office, and the MM&P Federal Credit Union will be closed on Thursday, June 19, for Juneteenth.
Back to Stories Covered
ATLANTIC MARITIME Jobs
Buchanan is looking for two Mates with a Mate of Towing in Inland Waters Endorsement.
If you are interested, please fill out an application on the company’s website Buchanan Marine LP. Click on “Careers” and scroll down to “Apply Online.”
If you have questions, please send an email to: ptrzepacz@bridegeck.org.
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 fill out an application with the attached link
https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-27357
If you have questions, please send an email to: Aturzio@bridegeck.org
Statue City Cruises is looking for Deckhands, and Mates and Captains with a 100-ton license.
If you are interested, please fill out an application on the company’s website Statue of Liberty Tickets & Tour Experiences – Statue City Cruises.
Click on “Careers” on the bottom right.
Once you do that, please contact Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org.
OFFSHORE JOBS
Senior LMSR positions available.
Back to Stories Covered
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.
Back to Stories Covered
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): 09/22/25
ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): Not currently scheduled
AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled
BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): 08/04/25
BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): 10/20/25
BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 09/08/25
BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 09/22/25, 10/20/25, 11/12/25
BT-Refresher (3-day): 09/22/25
CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): Not Currently scheduled
[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]
ADVSTB – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 08/04/25, 10/13/25, 12/08/25
ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 07/28/25, 09/29/25, 12/01/25
CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/20/25
CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 08/18/25
CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 8/25/25
ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): Not currently scheduled
LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (5-Day): 06/23/25, 10/06/25, 12/15/25
MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 09/15/25
(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)
SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 09/22/25
NOTICE
SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (Week 1) (5-Day) and
SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (Week 2) (5-Day)
have been combined into a single 2-week (10-day) course.
Moving forward, these courses will only be offered as one comprehensive course.
SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 07/14/25*, 08/11/25, 09/15/25, 10/06/25, 11/03/25, 12/01/25
VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-day): 08/02/25
CIW-DPA/IA – Continual Improvement Workshop: Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day) ** This course is NOT covered by the MATES Program **
Online: 08/13/25
CNAV-OIC– Celestial Navigation (15-Day): Not currently scheduled
DDE – Great Lakes (20-Day): Not currently scheduled
ECDIS for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled
FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-day): Not currently scheduled
FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 09/08/25
FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 09/24/25, 11/22/25, 11/14/25
FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 09/18/25, 11/10/25
FSM – Fatigue, Sleep, & Medications (1-Day): Not currently scheduled
GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): Not currently scheduled
GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): Not currently scheduled
HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 07/21/25, 10/27/25
LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 07/21/25, 10/20/25
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-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 08/18/25, 08/21/25, 10/01/25, 10/15/25, 12/15/25
LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments /not included): Not Currently Scheduled
MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 07/07/25*, 09/01/25, 10/06/25, 12/08/25
MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 08/04/25, 11/17/25
MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 07/12/25, 08/09/25, 09/06/25, 10/11/25, 11/16/25, 12/13/25
[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]
MSC-ATO-II – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer II (MSC-ATO-III included) (5-Day): Not currently scheduled
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): 08/07/25, 09/11/25, 11/16/25
MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-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 – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 07/14/25, 08/11/25, 09/15/25, 10/14/25, 11/10/25, 12/09/25
MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 08/09/25, 09/13/25
MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 07/13/25, 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
NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 07/08/25*, 07/10/25*, 08/26/25*, 08/28/25*, 09/30/25*, 10/02/25*, 12/02/25, 12/04/25
PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 09/15/25
PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions
RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-day): 09/19/25
ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 09/24/25, 11/11/25
ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: Not currently scheduled
SAR – Search & Rescue (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: Not Currently Scheduled
SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 06/23/25*, 07/28/25, 08/11/25, 09/08/25*, 11/03/25, 12/15/25
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
TTT – ** NOT covered by the MATES Program: Not currently scheduled
VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 08/18/25
WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): Not currently scheduled
WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): Not currently scheduled
Back to Stories Covered
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
June 2025
18th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
23-26 Advanced Firefighting
23-27 Advanced Stability
July 2025
7-11 Medical Care Provider
14-15 Basic Training Revalidation
14-16 Basic Training Refresher
16th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
17-18 Advanced Firefighting Refresher
14-1 Terrestrial Navigation
21-24 Advanced Firefighting
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 2025Back to Stories Covered
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.
Related Posts
Wheelhouse Weekly, January 17, 2023
Volume 29… Number 3, Jan. 17, 2023 STORIES COVERED In This Issue: New Congress Starts Selecting Leaders of Committees Important to Maritime Pilot Dies in Transfer Accident in Britain’s Humber Estuary New International Shipboard Medical App Now Available NLRB Certifies Amazon Labor Union and Requires Company to Bargain MM&P Sends Condolences to the Family of […]
Wheelhouse Weekly, May 2, 2023
Volume 29… Number 18, May 2, 2023 STORIES COVERED In This Issue: “U.S. Wind Farms Should Employ U.S. Mariners,” Unions Tell Congress Unions Pledge To “Fight Like Hell for the Living” on Workers Memorial Day Iran Seizes Chevron-Chartered Tanker in Gulf of Oman Cargo Vessel Veers Miles Off Course and Strikes Wind Turbine Plus: May […]
Wheelhouse Weekly, July 25, 2023
Volume 29… Number 30, July 25, 2023 STORIES COVERED In This Issue: Food Aid, Cargo Preference, Under Attack President Biden Nominates Adm. Lisa Franchetti To Lead the Navy Construction of Second EPF With Advanced Medical Capabilities Now Underway International Maritime Organization Council Elects New Secretary-General Plus: MM&P General Executive Board Appoints Captain Kip Carlson as […]