Wheelhouse Weekly, June 28, 2022

Volume 28… Number 26, June 28, 2022

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Jones Act Coalition Rejects Calls for Waivers in Response to High Gas Prices
• Seafarers Are Still Being Abandoned—Thousands Waiting To Get Home
• Number of Containers Lost at Sea Grew in Winter 2020-21, World Shipping Council Reports

Also:

• Apple Store Workers Make History With Union Vote

Union History:

• Vintage Footage of Bloody Thursday, the 1934 Strike in Which Seven Workers Died

Plus:

• Your Feedback Needed for a Survey on Workloads and Hours of Work/Rest

Job Opportunities:

• Job Openings on the Great Lakes
• Offshore Jobs Available!
• Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Seeks Marine Operations Manager

Mark Your Calendar:

• MM&P Holiday Closing Schedule

And:

• Covid-19 Vaccination Required for All MITAGS Students; MITAGS Requires Negative Test for Unvaccinated Students Who Have Received Exemptions
• MITAGS East Academic Notes
• MITAGS West Academic Notes

JONES ACT COALITION REJECTS CALLS FOR WAIVERS IN RESPONSE TO HIGH GAS PRICES

The American Maritime Partnership has spoken out sharply in response to calls to waive the Jones Act in response to high gas prices, saying waivers are not necessary and would not help lower prices at the pump.

The Jones Act requires that waterborne cargo moving between two points in the United States be carried on U.S.-flag ships that are U.S. built, U.S. crewed and U.S. owned.

President Biden is a strong proponent of the Jones Act.

Within days of his inauguration, he cited it in a Buy American executive order, calling it essential to the nation’s economy and security and “an opportunity to invest in America’s workers.”

One company that has written to the White House recently seeking to link the price of gas to the Jones Act is ExxonMobil, which suggested that the government, “enact measures often used in emergencies following hurricanes or other supply disruptions—such as waivers of the Jones Act…”

Biden has instead urged oil companies to ramp up production, blasting them over historically high profit margins.

AMP has also been quick to respond.

“The cost of gasoline is primarily driven by the price of crude oil and the processing of gas, which is spiking,” responded AMP President Ku’uhaku Park.

“The Jones Act is not a cost driver for increased gas prices, representing an average of less than one cent per gallon of the overall cost of gasoline.”

Earlier this year, proponents of foreign-flag shipping interests cited the ban on Russian energy imports as a pretext to seek Jones Act waivers.

In that case as well, AMP responded that the requests were totally without merit.

“Obviously, the requester of that waiver had made no attempt to identify Jones Act-qualified vessels,” Park wrote in a letter to the White House, calling the request “a textbook example of the lengths some will go to circumvent U.S. law in order to make a profit in the middle of a world crisis.”

MM&P and MIRAID are both members of AMP, a coalition working to defend the Jones Act and support and strengthen the domestic maritime industry.
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SEAFARERS ARE STILL BEING ABANDONED—THOUSANDS WAITING TO GET HOME

More than 3,600 seafarers were stranded in the world’s ports at the end of May, according to RightShip, an organization working in the areas of environmental, social, and corporate governance that has been building a log of abandonment cases.

RightShip’s database covers about two decades of incidents. It includes the vessel owner, manager, and any entities connected to the case that did not help to address it.

The organization uses the information to analyze patterns, such as crew nationality, vessel type, vessel age, location, and duration of the abandonment.

Its records show that at the end of May, there were 247 vessels abandoned at ports worldwide and over 3,600 seafarers awaiting repatriation.

On average, it takes seven months to repatriate seafarers whose ships have been abandoned, and complete settlement of a case may take much, much longer.

Over the past 18 years, RightShip has identified 30 cases that took more than ten years to settle.

“When a ship is abandoned, if the crew leave the vessel it is far less likely that they will be paid, so they are forced to stay put, waiting, for months and sometimes years on end,” said RightShip CEO Steen Lund.

“The uncertainty is incredibly stressful for both the crew and their families left at home.”

“In the absence of rigorous international enforcement of seafarers’ rights,” Lund says, “we help responsible organizations shine a spotlight on themselves so that best practice can be recognized and rewarded, and by extension those who abuse the rights of seafarers suffer competitively.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the organization reports, vessels at the end of their commercial lifespan—when ships have the highest maintenance costs and the lowest resale value—are the most likely to be abandoned. But even nearly new vessels are sometimes involved.

The Maritime Labor Convention contains protections for seafarers, but more than a third of IMO members—including the United States—have not ratified it.
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NUMBER OF CONTAINERS LOST AT SEA GREW IN WINTER 2020-21, WORLD SHIPPING COUNCIL REPORTS

An unusually high number of shipping containers were lost at sea in the winter of 2020-21, according to the World Shipping Council.

“The industry is deeply concerned about this development, although so far in 2022 there have been few incidents,” the council says.

For the past 11 years, WSC has surveyed its members to estimate the total number of containers lost at sea each year.

Since WSC member companies operate more than three-quarters of global containership capacity, the organization says that a survey of their losses provides a valid basis for an estimate of the total number of containers lost.

The average losses for the two-year period 2020-21 were 3,113, a significant increase over the preceding survey period.

The increase was due in large part to the loss by ONE OPUS of more than 1,800 containers in severe weather.

The MAERSK ESSEN also experienced severe weather in 2021, with the resulting loss of some 750 containers.

In response to the 2020-21 numbers, WSC says it has partnered with others in the industry to develop actionable recommendations to increase container safety.

One finding: parametric rolling in following seas, a phenomenon that is not well known and can develop unexpectedly with severe consequences, is especially hazardous for container vessels.

The council has recently participated in the revision of the IMO guidelines for inspection of cargo transport units, including containers.

It has also been studying discrepancies in container stacking strength, which can lead to collapsed container stacks.

In any case, WSC believes that it should be mandatory to report ALL containers lost at sea.

Today, the reporting requirement pertains only to containers declared to contain dangerous goods or marine pollutants.

The requirement should be extended to all containers lost overboard, without regard to their declared content, WSC says, adding, “All containers lost at sea represent safety and environmental hazards, regardless of how and when those containers were lost” or what they contain.
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APPLE STORE WORKERS MAKE HISTORY WITH UNION VOTE

A group of Apple employees in Maryland have become the first to form a union at one of the tech giant’s retail stores.

Workers at the store, which is located in Towson Center, outside Baltimore, voted 65-33 in favor of joining in union.

Their new union, AppleCore, will be a branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

“We did it, Towson! We won our union vote! Thanks to all who worked so hard and all who supported! Now we celebrate… Tomorrow we keep organizing,” AppleCore tweeted.

The results follow a string of union victories at Starbucks, Amazon and REI.

Organizing campaigns are already said to be underway at Apple stores in New York and Atlanta.

Workers at the Towson store sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook last month, saying they had “come together as a union because of a deep love of our role as workers within the company and out of care for the company itself.”

Apple opposed the organizing drive and managers of the Apple store had discouraged workers from voting in favor of joining the union.

According to the NLRB, union elections filings in the first half of fiscal year 2022 are up 57% from the year before.

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VINTAGE FOOTAGE OF BLOODY THURSDAY, THE 1934 STRIKE IN WHICH SEVEN WORKERS DIED

In 1934, in the midst of the great depression, Pacific Coast longshoremen went on strike to win better working conditions, control over the hiring process, and coast-wide union recognition.

Associated with them in what ultimately became a strike that involved the entire maritime industry were MM&P, the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union, the Marine Firemen’s Union, and the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific.

Carrying signs reading “Smash the Fink Hall” and “Workers Unite—We Can Never Lose,” they marched through the streets of San Francisco, where they were attacked by the police.

View vintage footage of the strike and a short documentary by labor historian Ron Magden, an honorary member of the ILWU.
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YOUR FEEDBACK NEEDED FOR A SURVEY ON WORKLOADS AND HOURS OF WORK/REST

The World Maritime University is conducting a survey on seafarers’ views regarding hours of work and rest, workloads and ship manning.

The survey is being funded by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and conducted in collaboration with the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations, the Nautical Institute, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network.

Seafarers who are currently working on any commercial ship or who have worked on such ships at any time after Feb. 1, 1997, are invited to participate in the survey.

The survey should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.

The information you provide will be kept strictly confidential.

The deadline to complete the survey is Dec. 1, 2022.

Please follow this link to complete the survey https://wmuhq.questionpro.eu/t/AB3uvMYZB3vReL

Please share the link with other seafarers who might be interested in participating.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and for taking the time to respond.

At the conclusion of the survey, the World Maritime University will work with the maritime community to consider improvements.

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There are jobs for licensed and unlicensed personnel at Grand River Navigation and jobs for licensed officers at Key Lakes. If you are interested, please contact MM&P Vice President Great Lakes & Gulf Region Vice President Tom Bell, tbell@bridgedeck.org, or (216) 776-1667.
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE!

MARAD MARAD 3M ROS jobs available, no training required. Start is immediate. Inquire at any Offshore hiring hall.

Fully MSC trained LDO’s, all levels, needed for the Watson Class fleet. Jobs available today!

Urgent need for tanker Second Mates: One 2M for SLNC PAX. Tankerman PIC or ASSIST, MSC Courses required. One 2M needed for Haina Patriot, no MSC courses required. Jobs open nationwide and for early return from vacation.

Tanker Chief Mates needed with and without MSC Classes or Security Clearance.

If you are interested, please contact Jeremy Hope, VP Gulf Ports and Gov’t Contracts, at jhope@bridgedeck.org.

Chesapeake Crewing has opportunities available for First Assistant Engineers. If you are interested, please contact Tom Larkin, VP Atlantic Ports, at TLarkin@bridgedeck.org.

Any Member or Applicant who already has a valid security clearance and is interested in taking the MSC courses required for Patriot Watson Class and Chesapeake Crewing vessels but does not have training eligibility to take the courses, please email Jeremy Hope, VP of Gulf Ports and Gov’t Contracts, at jhope@bridgedeck.org with the words “MSC Training” in the subject line.
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LAMONT-DOHERTY EARTH OBSERVATORY SEEKS MARINE OPERATIONS MANAGER

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University is seeking a marine operations manager to be responsible for the personnel and the operation, maintenance, and safety of Columbia University’s research vessel, the RV MARCUS G. LANGSETH.

Qualifications for the position are posted at https://academic.careers.columbia.edu/#/80810

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory seeks fundamental knowledge of the origin, evolution, and future of the natural world.

LDEO scientists study the planet from its deepest interior to the outer reaches of the atmosphere, on every continent and in every ocean, providing a rational basis for the difficult choices facing humanity.

The LDEO is the scientific research heart of the Columbia Climate School, which was founded in 2020 to develop and inspire knowledge-based solutions and educate future leaders for just and prosperous societies on a healthy planet.

The contact for the marine operations manager position is Sean Higgins, sean@ldeo.columbia.edu or 845-365-8528.
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MM&P HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE

All MM&P Union Halls, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, the MM&P Plan Office and MM&P headquarters will be closed on Monday, July 4 for Independence Day.

MM&P headquarters, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, MM&P Atlantic Union Halls, the Tampa Hall and Pacific Ports with the exception of the Honolulu Hall will be closed on Tuesday, July 5, for Bloody Thursday.
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COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIRED FOR ALL MITAGS STUDENTS; MITAGS REQUIRES NEGATIVE TEST FOR UNVACCINATED STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED EXEMPTIONS

Full COVID vaccination is mandatory for everyone attending training on campus at MITAGS East and MITAGS West.

In addition, for unvaccinated participants who have received exemptions only, MITAGS requires a negative test within 72 hours of attendance and masks must be worn.

Contact MITAGS for information about exemptions.

Scans, photocopies, or electronic images of your Covid-19 vaccination cards (records) or certification by a medical provider are acceptable.

We appreciate your cooperation during these very trying times.
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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) – 8/15/22
AIS-1 – Automatic Identifications Systems Orientation (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

ARPA-OIC (4-Day) – Automated Radar Plotting Aids: 9/27/22, 11/1/22

AZIPOD (2-Day) –9/12/22

BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots (2-Day): 9/20/22, 11/14/22

Online: Not currently scheduled

BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): 9/14/22

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

BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 9/12/22

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) –9/26/22, 10/17/22, 11/14/22, 12/19/22

BT-Refresher (3-day) –9/26/22, 11/14/22, 12/19/22

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 9/12/22

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 8/15/22, 10/24/22, 12/19/22

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 8/22/22, 10/17/22, 12/12/22

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/31/22

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations – Week 1 (5-Day): 7/11/22, 12/5/22

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 7/18/22, 12/12/22

CM-OPS 2 APL – Chief Mate Operations II APL Specific – Not currently scheduled

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 8/1/22, 10/10/22

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 8/8/22, 11/14/22

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 9/19/22

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SEC-APPS – Practical Defense Tactics: Not Currently Scheduled

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 9/26/22

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 7/25/22, 8/8/22, 9/19/22, 10/3/22, 10/17/22, 11/7/22, 12/5/22

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 8/1/22, 8/15/22, 9/26/22, 10/10/22, 10/24/22, 11/14/22, 12/12/22

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

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 10/3/22

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): Fall date coming soon!

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) -07/31/2022

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

Online: Not currently scheduled

CIW-SMS – Continual Improvement Workshop: Successful Safety Management (2-Day) – Online: Not Currently Scheduled

CNAV-OIC (15-Day) – Celestial Navigation: 8/15/22, 10/31/22

CRISIS-COMMS – Crisis Communications (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

CRSMGT – Crisis Management and Human Behavior (1-Day) – 08/27/2022

CDMGT – Crowd Management (1-Day) – Not Currently Scheduled

CSE – Confined Space Entry (3-Day): 08/16/2022

CSE-AWR – Confined Space Entry Awareness (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

CY-MAR – Cyber-Skilled Mariner (5-Day) **NOT covered by the MATES Program ** – Not currently scheduled

Cyber-MAR-ONL – Cyber Skilled Mariner, Management of Information & Systems Security (Online Seminar) **NOT covered by the MATES Program ** – Not Currently Scheduled

DDE – Great Lakes (20-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

ECDIS for Pilots (2-Day) – 11/16/22

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 8/1/22, 11/28/22

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

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 9/12/22

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 9/28/22, 10/19/22, 11/16/22, 12/21/22

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 9/29/22, 11/17/22, 12/17/22

FSM – Fatigue, Sleep, & Medications (1-Day): 9/20/22

Online: Not currently scheduled

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): 8/15/22

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 9/12/22, 12/12/22

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

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 7/11/22, 10/17/22

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): 9/21/22, 11/14/22

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

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): 9/26/22

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments not included): 7/25/22, 12/5/22

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 7/11/22*, 10/3/22, 12/5/22

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 8/1/22, 11/28/22

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 7/11/22*, 09/19/2022, 10/3/22

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 7/16/22, 08/06/22, 9/26/22, 10/8/22, 10/17/22, 11/17/22, 12/10/2022, 12/23/22

–

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 8/4/22, 9/14/22, and 11/5/22

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 8/5/22, 9/16/22, 11/4/22

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day) –11/3/22

MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day) –9/12/22

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 7/18/22, 8/8/22, 9/19/22, 11/7/22

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour) –8/6/22, 9/17/22, 11/4/22

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day) –7/17/22, 8/7/22, 9/18/22, 11/6/22

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day) –7/22/22, 8/12/22, 9/23/22, 11/11/22

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): 7/18/22, 8/29/22*, 8/31/22, 10/05/2022, 12/19/2022, 12/21/2022

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (5-Day) – Contact Admissions

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day) – 10/3/22

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): 9/20/22, 9/28/22

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 8/29/22

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 9/7/22

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 9/12/22, 12/5/22

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day) – 8/22/22, 11/28/22

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 8/8/22

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 7/18/22

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 7/18/22

TRAC-TUG-2 (2-Day): 11/16/22

TTT – ** This course is NOT covered by the MATES Program ** — Not Currently Scheduled

VPDSD – Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 9/7/22

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 10/17/22

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 9/19/22
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MITAGS WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

2022 Spring/Summer/Fall

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

July 2022

5-8 Advanced Firefighting

11-15 Advanced Stability

11-29 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

18-22 Advanced Meteorology

25-29 Advanced Shiphandling I

August 2022

1-5 Radar Observer Unlimited

1-5 Medical Care Provider

1-5 Advanced Shiphandling II

8-12 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

15-19 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

22-26 Radar Observer Unlimited

29-2 Basic Meteorology

September 2022

6-8 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

9th Flashing Light

12-23 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

26-30 Basic Shiphandling

October 2022

3-7 ECDIS

10-14 Advanced Stability

10-28 Celestial Navigation

17-21 Advanced Shiphandling I

24-28 Advanced Shiphandling II

31-4 Advanced Meteorology

November 2022

1-4 ARPA

7-10 Advanced Firefighting

7-11 Leadership & Managerial Skills

14-16 Search & Rescue

17th Leadership & Teamworking Skills

28-9 GMDSS

December 2022

12-16 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©2021. 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 or to MM&P headquarters, e-mail communications@bridgedeck.org. Back issues of The Weekly are posted on www.bridgedeck.org