Wheelhouse Weekly, June 25, 2024

Volume 30… Number 26, June 25, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• MM&P 90th Convention Now Underway
• Industry Leaders Call on Countries With Influence in the Region to Help Stop Red Sea Attacks
• Charleston Harbor Pilots Save the Day When Outbound Ship Loses Propulsion Control
• 2,000 Seafarers Abandoned in 2023, the Worst Year on Record
• Updated List of Candidates Who Support the Merchant Marine on Bridgedeck.org
• MM&P President Don Marcus Addresses the 39th ILWU Convention: “The ILWU Raises the Tide for All of Maritime Labor”

Mark Your Calendar:

• Memorial for Captain Mike Murray on July 13 at MM&P Seattle Hall

Holiday Closing Schedule:

• MM&P Holiday Closing Schedule

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Job Opportunities on the Great Lakes

And:

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

MM&P 90TH CONVENTION NOW UNDERWAY

Delegates representing MM&P’s five membership groups convened the 2024 Constitutional Convention, followed by the 90th MM&P Regular Convention, on June 24 at MITAGS in Linthicum Heights, MD.

Among the guests were MM&P members, national and international labor leaders, and current and former U.S. government officials.

Speakers on the first day of the Regular Convention included former Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby, Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, and ILA International Vice President Ken Riley.

MM&P President Don Marcus and Secretary-Treasurer Don Josberger gave their reports on the second day.

Speakers on the second day included AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan, and a number of international guests, including Nautilus International General Secretary Mark Dickinson, and officials of the two MM&P affiliates Orden Marítima in Mexico and Unión de Capitanes y Oficiales de Cubierta in Panama.

Delegates serving on committees performed convention-related functions, examined the union’s financials, and considered a number of resolutions submitted by MM&P members.

Complete convention coverage will be provided in future editions of the MM&P publications.

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INDUSTRY LEADERS CALL ON COUNTRIES WITH INFLUENCE IN THE REGION TO HELP STOP RED SEA ATTACKS

The international maritime community is calling on all countries with influence in the region to do everything possible to halt the deadly attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea.

Joining the call to action were the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations (IFSMA), the International Maritime Pilots’ Association, the World Shipping Council, and other leading industry groups.

MM&P is a member of IFSMA, the professional organization that represents the world’s serving shipmasters at national and international forums including the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization.

“The shipping community is appalled and deeply saddened by the tragic news that yet another seafarer seems certain to have been killed in a drone boat strike on Wednesday, June 12, aboard the MV TUTOR in the Red Sea,” the industry said in a June 19 statement.

“We utterly condemn these assaults which directly contravene the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.”

“Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and loved ones of the seafarer who tragically lost their life.”

“It is deplorable that innocent seafarers are being attacked while simply performing their jobs, vital jobs which keep the world warm, fed, and clothed.”

“This is the second fatal attack in which our seafarers have been caught in the crosshairs of geopolitical conflicts.”

“Three seafarers tragically lost their lives when the TRUE CONFIDENCE was

attacked earlier this year.”

“And we must not forget the crew members from the GALAXY LEADER and MSC ARIES who are still being held captive.”

“Furthermore, we strongly condemn the attack on the cargo ship VERBENA on Thursday, June 13, in which a seafarer was severely injured by anti-ship cruise missiles.”

“This is an unacceptable situation, and these attacks must stop now.”

“We call for States with influence in the region to safeguard our innocent seafarers and for the swift de-escalation of the situation in the Red Sea.”

“We have heard the condemnation and appreciate the words of support, but we urgently seek action to stop the unlawful attacks on these vital workers and this vital industry.”

“We hope that on this year’s Day of The Seafarer on Tuesday, June 25, the world takes a moment to recognize the immense contribution that seafarers make to the global economy and the unjust circumstances they are facing in the Red Sea and across the world.”

Besides IFSMA, IMPA, and the WSC, the signatories to the joint statement include BIMCO, European Community Shipowners’ Association, INTERMANAGER, International Association of Ports and Harbors, International Chamber of Shipping, International Maritime Employers’ Council, and The Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents.
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CHARLESTON HARBOR PILOTS SAVE THE DAY WHEN OUTBOUND SHIP LOSES PROPULSION CONTROL

The Charleston Harbor Pilots are credited with averting what could have been a catastrophic allision on June 5 when an MSC containership experienced a failure of its propulsion control systems while traveling outbound from the North Charleston Container Terminal.

There has been no word yet from investigators about what caused the vessel, the MSC MICHIGAN VII, to lose engine control and accelerate to 17 knots as it headed towards the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

“It was up to the harbor pilots on the water to use their training and experience to get things under control in minutes,” reported Webb Wright of ABC News 4.

The harbor pilots had few options and little time to act, confirmed Captain John Cameron, the executive director for the Charleston Branch Pilots Association.

“The engine was locked onto a high speed,” Cameron said, “so the transit was occurring at about twice the normal or the typical speed.”

“The pilot and the captain, who are always working together on the ship, came to a consensus that amongst their very few options was to proceed with the voyage at speed.”

Local first responders, alerted by the Charleston Harbor Pilots dispatcher, shut down the bridge for a short time and cleared the shipping channel while the vessel passed.

“The skill and the experience of that pilot lent to his ability to maintain the ship in the dead center of that channel all the way out,” Cameron told ABC News 4.

“That’s the job of the pilot, to be as familiar as possible and to apply the skills, the training, and the emergency shiphandling training that we’ve been through for two decades.”

The pilots safely navigated out through the channel at high speed, and the ship anchored nine miles offshore to await an inspection.

The bridge reopened once the ship had passed underneath.

“Any time a vessel can’t control its propulsion it’s concerning,” said Coast Guard Sector Charleston Deputy Commander Randy Preston at a press conference.

“But thanks to our partners, our maritime partners, our local law enforcement partners, it turned out well and that’s due to our intense partnership and coordination.”
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2,000 SEAFARERS ABANDONED IN 2023, THE WORST YEAR ON RECORD

Two thousand seafarers were abandoned by global shipowners in 2023, according to the International Maritime Organization.

The number is the highest since the IMO started keeping track of abandonments two decades ago.

Seafarers are considered abandoned if they have not been paid for two or more months, are not receiving adequate food supplies, and are denied the cost of travel necessary to return to their home countries.

The number of abandonments rose sharply during the pandemic and has continued to increase, possibly as a consequence of the impact on shipowners of higher costs stemming from inflation and problems in global supply chains.

Under the Maritime Labor Convention—which is intended to provide basic rights and protections to the world’s seafarers—the flag state is required to step in when a shipowner abandons a crew.

But flag-of-convenience registries often shirk their responsibilities.

In many cases, flag states that are signatories to the MLC don’t respond when the IMO contacts them to report that crews aboard vessels in their registry have been abandoned.

Twenty percent of the ships abandoned since 2020 are registered in Panama, followed by Tanzania, Palau, and Togo, each with about 5 percent.

More than a quarter of recent cases of abandonment occur in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, none of which is a signatory to the MLC.

To illustrate the impact of abandonment in terms of human suffering, AP journalists Helen Wieffering and Joshua Goodman traveled to Saudi Arabia to interview Abbu Nasser Saleh, stuck alone aboard his ship in the port of Jeddah for more than a decade.

Within two weeks of the journalists contacting the Saudi authorities, an individual responsible for the ship sent Saleh enough money to get home. In April, he was able to see his wife and son for the first time in 11 years.
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UPDATED LIST OF CANDIDATES WHO SUPPORT THE MERCHANT MARINE ON BRIDGEDECK.ORG

An updated list of the Congressional candidates who have received a contribution from the MM&P Political Contribution Fund for their 2024 races has been posted in the Members’ Only section of bridgedeck.org.

The list is periodically updated as the MM&P PCF makes additional contributions, and as more information about candidates and their position on issues important to the Masters, Mates & Pilots become available.

If you have any questions about a particular candidate, please contact MM&P headquarters or Jim Patti at jpatti@miraid.org.

And remember: The PCF needs resources to support the campaigns of candidates who, regardless of political party, will work with us to ensure that America’s laws, policies, and regulations promote the use of U.S.-flag vessels and the employment of U.S.-citizen mariners.

Please help protect your job by donating to the MM&P PCF.
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“THE ILWU RAISES THE TIDE FOR ALL OF MARITIME LABOR”

MM&P President Don Marcus saluted members and officials of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union at the 39th ILWU International Convention, which took place on June 19 in Vancouver.

In his speech, he noted the important role that the ILWU has played in raising living standards throughout the industry.

“The ILWU remains the North Star for maritime labor,” he said, “not only for setting the standard for progressive democratic unionism but also for advancing the wages, working conditions and benefits of all maritime workers.”

“Everyone in our industry knows that ILWU raises the tide for maritime labor.”

MM&P and the ILWU have stood together over the years through many labor struggles, beginning with the West Coast Waterfront Strike of 1934, when 12,000 longshore workers walked off the job from Bellingham, Wash., to San Diego, bringing West Coast shipping to a halt.

“A lot of water has gone under the bridge since that time,” Marcus said, “but one thing has remained the same: labor must fight for anything we get, and we have to fight just as hard to keep it.”

He expressed gratitude for the support and solidarity extended to MM&P over the years by ILWU President Willie Adams, International Vice President Bobby Olvera Jr., Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris, the Coast Committee and rank and file members.

He noted that today, the ILWU, the Inland Boatmen’s Union, and MM&P are all working together as affiliates of the International Transport Workers’ Federation to secure the place of unionized maritime workers in the development of the offshore wind industry in the United States.

“The ITF has gone all out to support the efforts of longshoremen and seafarers to secure our rightful places as key workers in the development of offshore wind,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity for all the members of the ILWU, the IBU and MM&P.”
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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 Thursday, 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 Friday, July 5, for Bloody Thursday.
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MEMORIAL FOR CAPTAIN MIKE MURRAY ON JULY 13 AT MM&P SEATTLE HALL

There will be a memorial for Captain Mike Murray on Saturday, July 13, from 1500 to 1730 at the MM&P Seattle Tukwila Hall.
Please RSVP to Kirsten Wilhelm by July 3 by calling 206-441-8700 or emailing KWilhelm@bridgedeck.org

The Seattle Tukwila Hall is located at 15208 52nd Avenue South, Seattle.
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

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.

CARDINAL POINT CAPTAINS, which operates the RV LAKE GUARDIAN out of Milwaukee, has an opening for a QMED with electrical background and an opening for an Assistant Engineer unlimited or DDE (Dedicated Duty Engineer) 4,000 hp.

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 openings for two mates with Great Lakes pilotage and may take on an Open Water Mate with valid TOAR. The company operates a fleet of seven ships, two articulated tug/barge units and one integrated tug/barge unit.

GRAND RIVER NAVIGATION has an opening for a 1st Assistant Engineer.

GRAND RIVER NAVIGATION has openings for two mates with Great Lakes pilotage and may take on an Open Water Mate with valid TOAR.

GREAT LAKES TOWING has an opening for a minimum 200-ton Great Lakes master with Towing endorsement, pilotage not required.

If you want more information about any of the listings that appear above, go to https://bridgedeck.org/job-opportunities/.

Interested candidates should reach out to Thomas Bell at the MM&P Cleveland office: tbell@bridgedeck.org.
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MITAGS-EAST SEEKS ADMISSIONS SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

MITAGS-East has an immediate opening for a full-time Admissions Services Representative.

This is a CBA position with MM&P benefits. Starting salary is $20.49/hour.

The job entails managing the admissions process and providing administrative support for daily operations, registration, courses, classrooms, and materials.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

— coordinating all phases of the admissions process including advising potential candidates, companies and organizations of admissions procedures as outlined in the Academic Division Operations Manual;

— interfacing with MM&P Plans Office to verify student eligibility;

— processing requests for travel, under direct supervision;

— providing academic administrative support to instructors, staff and directors;

— preparing course guides, manuals and materials for use in classes.

Required qualifications include:

— one year of direct experience or three years in a related area of an academic institution or setting, such as admissions or registrar experience;

— experience with using basic computer skills, such as Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

Desired qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in educational administration or a related area or equivalent experience. Knowledge of maritime industry a plus.

If you are interested, please send your resume to Jsibiski@mitags.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): 09/16/24

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): 07/08/24, 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): 07/08/24, 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): Not currently scheduled

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): Not Currently Scheduled

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): Not Currently Scheduled

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Program for Original 3rd Mate, Oceans, Any Gross

Ton License (15-Day): Not Currently Schedule

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

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 07/08/24, 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): 07/08/24, 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): 07/19/24, 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: 07/22/24

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 07/22/24*, 10/14/24*, 12/16/24

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 07/22/24

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.