Wheelhouse Weekly, June 24, 2025

Volume 31… Number 25, June 24, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Middle East: Israel and Iran Continue to Exchange Strikes After US Declares Ceasefire
• MM&P Members Aboard Staten Island Ferry SAMUEL NEWHOUSE Honored for Bravery
• Unions Urge the Senate to Remove Ban on State-Level AI Laws From Budget Reconciliation Bill
• The New Issue of The Master, Mate & Pilot Is Now Online
• WAN HAI 503 Fire: Police in India File Criminal Charges Against Shipowner, Captain and Crew of WAN HAI 503

Mark Your Calendar:

• MM&P Holiday Closing Schedule

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

ISRAEL AND IRAN CONTINUE TO EXCHANGE STRIKES AFTER US DECLARES CEASEFIRE

The US attacks on Iran’s nuclear installations have increased the difficulty of forecasting the risks to shipping of what was already a fraught situation.

President Trump has emphasized that the US does not intend to enter an all-out war with Tehran, but the Saturday night attacks, in which three of Iran’s nuclear sites sustained what the Pentagon said was “severe damage,” set off fears of escalation.

On Monday, Iran launched six missiles at Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.

News outlets reported that Iranian diplomats warned Qatar and the US in advance that the attack was coming, and there were no reported injuries.

President Trump on Monday declared a ceasefire, but Israel and Iran continued to strike each other on Tuesday.

The principal uncertainty at this point is whether Iran, or its proxies, will take action on other fronts that go beyond the battlefields.

Among the threats: Iranian officials have threatened to close or mine the Strait of Hormuz.

At the narrowest point of the strait, both the northern/inward channel and the southern/outward channel lie in Omani waters.

But both before and after this choke point, the sea lanes historically have crossed into Iranian territory.

On the morning of June 23, ships were continuing to use the strait, although keeping to Omani waters in the traffic scheme.

In the Red Sea, the Iran-linked Houthis have announced their renewed intention to strike American shipping.

The city of Haifa was attacked on Friday shortly after Maersk suspended calls to Haifa port.

“Maersk has made the decision to temporarily suspend vessel calls at the Port of Haifa, Israel, and also suspend cargo acceptance for Haifa,” the company said in a notice to customers.

Earlier in the week, CMA CGM released a statement saying, “We confirm that maritime transport activities are proceeding as normal in the area, and our operations and logistics chains remain unaffected.”

It added, however, that it has “activated a dedicated monitoring cell to watch closely all developments.”

“While talk of a ceasefire is cautiously optimistic, the situation in the region remains highly fragile with the next 24 hours critical to whether both sides enact and uphold de-escalation,” maritime security specialists Vanguard said in a Tuesday update.
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MM&P MEMBERS ABOARD STATEN ISLAND FERRY SAMUEL NEWHOUSE HONORED FOR BRAVERY

Members of the crew of the Staten Island Ferry SAMUEL NEWHOUSE have been recognized for heroism for saving the life of a passenger who jumped into the water on June 8.

The MM&P members who participated in the rescue were Marek “Mark” Cyparski, Carlos Davis, William “Billy” Dunn, Andrew Ehrenfeld, Shehan Hettiarachchige and Yogi Selvarajah.

They acted quickly to save the man’s life, throwing flotation devices overboard to mark the location where he had entered the water.

After the passenger was rescued, he was taken to a local hospital, where he was later reported to be in stable condition.

Staten Island ferry crews train regularly in lifesaving and safety. All are certified in CPR and have been trained to use a defibrillator.

On the morning of the incident, the crew of the SAMUEL NEWHOUSE had just practiced rescue boat drills.

During a June 18 ceremony at Borough Hall, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and District Attorney Michael McMahon congratulated the crew for their quick thinking and bravery.

“We’re here today to say thank you for saving a life,” Fossella said.

“I always knew that the ferry crews were the best, and you have revealed it once again.”

“In a matter of duress, in a matter of emergency, you all stood up and sprang into action without worrying about yourselves, without worrying about your own safety, just doing the job and getting the job done,” McMahon said.

Each crewmember was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the borough president and a Certificate of Recognition, as well as a commemorative coin from the district attorney.
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UNIONS URGE THE SENATE TO REMOVE BAN ON STATE-LEVEL AI LAWS FROM BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL

MM&P has joined the AFL-CIO and dozens of other labor organizations in calling on senators to strike a controversial provision on artificial intelligence from the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The provision would stop states from passing laws to protect people from harm caused by artificial intelligence.

Additionally, it would ban states and localities from passing new laws or regulations on artificial intelligence for ten years.

In their June 17 letter, the unions said the bill’s AI provision “would endanger progress in the states and silence local voices responding to real-world harms from worker surveillance, automated wage and price manipulation… deepfakes and disinformation aimed at undermining safety and public trust.”

They urged senators not to infringe on states’ rights to implement common-sense measures to protect people from harms caused by artificial intelligence.

AI safety laws have bipartisan support in Congress and the American public as a whole, the unions noted.

Red and blue states alike are prioritizing AI safety measures, including worker protections, mental health protections and consumer data guidelines.

All 50 states have introduced regulations related to AI, and around 40 have passed legislation.

Six in 10 Americans say that federal AI safety laws don’t go far enough to protect them.

“States are the laboratories of democracy and banning existing and future policymaking will shut down those laboratories and leave everyone vulnerable to wide-ranging abuses stemming from irresponsible AI,” the unions wrote.

“We urge you to oppose this dangerous provision and allow states to do their jobs.”

“With Congress failing to enact meaningful AI regulation, states remain our last line of defense.”

Companies across various industries are exploring a variety of AI-based tools to manage their employees.

One example is “algorithmic firing,” which refers to the use of automated systems powered by AI to determine if a person should be fired based on metrics such as productivity, attendance, deadlines, customer feedback, and other “key performance indicators.”
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THE NEW ISSUE OF THE MASTER, MATE & PILOT IS NOW ONLINE 

The Summer 2025 issue of the MM&P magazine has been posted on bridgedeck.org under News and Announcements.

In this issue:

— MM&P officials, members and allies are working together in Washington, DC, to promote legislation that will strengthen the US-flag fleet;

— landmark legislation to revitalize the American maritime industry is reintroduced in Congress;

— the New York Marine Society honors Jim Patti for 50 years of service to the US-flag fleet;

— the House of Representatives passes legislation to boost cargo preference;

— new study shows fatigue remains an intractable problem for seafarers;

— the maritime industry urges Congress to preserve funding for critical navigation safety systems.

PLUS:

— the US-flag fleet goes to Capitol Hill to advocate for American ships and crews.

The Master, Mate & Pilot will be in your mailbox soon. In the meantime, look for it online on bridgedeck.org.

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POLICE IN INDIA FILE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST SHIPOWNER, CAPTAIN AND CREW OF WAN HAI 503

Police in India have filed criminal charges against the owner, captain, and crew of WAN HAI 503, the Singapore-flag containership that caught fire on June 9 off the coast of Kerala state in southwestern India.

The charges are the same that local authorities have brought in the case of the MSC ELSA 3, a Liberia-flag containership that sank off the coast of Kerala state in May.

In both cases, police have charged the shipowner, captain and crew with negligence and failure to comply with safety regulations.

The WAN HAI 503 was sailing from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Mumbai when it suffered a series of explosions and caught fire.

According to the cargo manifest, it was carrying over 1,700 containers, including 157 containing hazardous materials.

Five Coast Guard vessels responded to the emergency in the midst of monsoon-force winds, with two large patrol ships leading the fire-fighting effort, dousing the blaze and providing perimeter cooling as additional containers continued to explode.

Eighteen members of the crew abandoned ship in a lifeboat and a life raft and were taken to a shoreside hospital, some with serious burns.

Authorities called off the search for four missing members of the ship’s crew last week after a body washed ashore on the coast.

This followed the discovery on the coast of a lifeboat, a container and other debris from the burning ship.
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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 Friday, July 4, for Independence Day.

MM&P headquarters, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, Atlantic Ports union halls, Pacific Mainland union halls, and the Tampa Hall will be closed on Monday, July 7, for Bloody Thursday.
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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.

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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
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): 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): 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
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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

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 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.