Wheelhouse Weekly, June 4, 2024

Volume 30… Number 23, June 4, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Maritime Labor, Contracted Companies, Fight Army Proposal to Decommission Prepositioned Supply Ships
• MM&P Pacific Ports Coast Agent Visits Crew of APL Newbuild JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
• MSC Takes Delivery of Newest Fleet Replenishment Oiler
• Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Seek to Turn Maritime Revitalization Plan Into Law
• St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation Season Off to a Strong Start
• Personal Safety of Women Seafarers: Please Respond to an ITF Survey on Whether You Feel Safe as a Woman Working at Sea

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Job Opportunities on the Great Lakes
• MITAGS-East Seeks Admissions Services Representative

And:

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

MARITIME LABOR, CONTRACTED COMPANIES, FIGHT ARMY PROPOSAL TO DECOMMISSION PREPOSITIONED SUPPLY SHIPS

MM&P has joined forces with contracted companies and other maritime labor unions to oppose a proposal floated by the Army to decommission the seven Afloat Prepositioned Stock 3 (APS-3) vessels and replace them with land-based storage facilities.

An anonymous military source has told a journalist that the plan, the details of which have not been released, is “pre-decisional.”

Congress could intervene in the process, and at least one member has said he has serious questions about it.

The ships, which are operated by Military Sealift Command and stationed around the globe, serve as floating warehouses equipped with everything troops need in a conflict, including ammunition, tanks, medical supplies, and parts.

They provide quick and efficient movement of military gear between operating areas without reliance on other nations’ transportation networks, giving U.S. regional combatant commanders the assurance that they will have what they need to quickly respond in a crisis, anywhere, anytime.

MM&P is fighting the proposal to decommission the ships alongside Patriot Contract Services, Sealift Inc., and all American maritime labor.

Members of MM&P crew the five large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships.

The two commercial container ammunition ships in the program are crewed by members of AMO.

“Considering the levels of combat going on around the world and the uncertainty for the future, the potential stand-down of pre-positioned military equipment and ammunition that is now available immediately to support our forces and those of our allies makes no sense,” said MM&P President Don Marcus.

“This decision would obliviate hard lessons learned over, at least, the last thirty years.”

The afloat prepositioned stocks program complements a network of land-based inventories stored in the U.S., Europe, South Korea, and the Middle East.

A March 27 Army document cited by Politico’s Morning Defense outlines the proposal—which has not officially been circulated outside the Department of Defense—in the context of concerns that in the event of a conflict, the People’s Republic of China or others could interfere with deployment of the floating stores.

The publication quotes an anonymous source as saying that the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff must approve it this month if the decision is made to move the provisions off the ships and into land-based facilities by October 2025.

Key members of Congress, including Rep. Michael Waltz, Chair of the House Armed Services Committee Readiness Subcommittee and Rep. John Garamendi, Subcommittee Ranking Member, have expressed concerns and are asking the Department of Defense for more information.
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MM&P PACIFIC PORTS COAST AGENT VISITS CREW OF APL NEWBUILD JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

The crew of the APL newbuild PRESIDENT JOHN QUINCY ADAMS received a visit last week from MM&P Pacific Ports Coast Agent Melany Skippen.

Aboard the vessel at the time were Master Gabor Ujvari, Training Master Doug McCarrel, Chief Mate Fred Holm, Second Mate Garrett Flottman, Third Mate Joseph Schulman, and PRO Brendan Lewis.

PRESIDENT JOHN QUINCY ADAMS is the first of at least seven new ships to be flagged into the APL fleet to replace older vessels.

It replaces the PRESIDENT TRUMAN, which was de-flagged in Mexico over the weekend.

The next newbuild to join the APL fleet will be PRESIDENT GRANT, which is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles today.

Captain Armando Rodriguez and Chief Mate Corey Hur are currently onboard.

The other LDOs will start the flag-in today and move onto the vessel on June 6. The second mate is Jennifer Bono and the third mate is Toni Alvarez.

PRESIDENT GRANT replaces the PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT set to flag out towards the end of June.

Additional newbuilds set to join the APL fleet this year are the PRESIDENT REAGAN, PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT MONROE, and PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
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MSC TAKES DELIVERY OF NEWEST FLEET REPLENISHMENT OILER

Military Sealift Command has taken delivery of USNS EARL WARREN, its newest fleet replenishment oiler.

WARREN is the third vessel in the 20-ship John Lewis class. After testing and sea trials, it will be deployed to provide logistics support to Navy ships at sea.

The Lewis class oilers, all of which are being built by General Dynamics NASSCO, will replace the current Kaiser Class oilers which are aging out of the fleet.

The newbuild ship honors EARL WARREN, an attorney, politician, and jurist who served as the chief justice of the Supreme Court from 1953 to 1969, after serving for a decade as the governor of California.

He is considered one of the most influential Supreme Court justices and political leaders in the history of the United States.

During his term on the Supreme Court, Warren is remembered for writing the majority opinion in landmark civil rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education.

He also led the Warren Commission, which investigated the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

The John Lewis class honors civil rights leaders and activists.

Among the other Lewis class oilers now being built are USNS ROBERT F. KENNEDY, USNS LUCY STONE, and USNS SOJOURNER TRUTH.

USNS THURGOOD MARSHALL, USNS RUTH BADER GINSBURG, and USNS HARRIET TUBMAN are under contract.

MSC directs and supports operations for approximately 140 civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, conduct specialized missions, preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, perform a variety of support services, and move military equipment and supplies to deployed U.S. forces.

MM&P represents the licensed deck officers, pursers, and medical services officers aboard all MSC CIVMAR manned ships.

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BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS SEEK TO TURN MARITIME REVITALIZATION PLAN INTO LAW

Two senators and two members of the House of Representatives who released a wide-ranging plan aimed at “reversing the decline of America’s maritime power” say they are working to turn its recommendations into legislation.

The authors of the plan are Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.).

The plan sets out a series of strategies, objectives, and actionable steps to address the challenges the industry faces.

The key, the lawmakers assert, is a “long-term national maritime strategy” that:

— guarantees the peacetime flow to U.S. ships of U.S.-government cargo;

— provides for multi-year authorizations of critical maritime programs; and

— includes new programs that leverage tax incentives, enhanced cargo preference, operational subsidization, and federal financing to incentivize companies to ship their products on U.S.-flag ships.

MM&P and other maritime labor unions are among those who have called repeatedly for a national maritime strategy.

During a May 16 hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Kelly—citing statistics that show China controls approximately 5,500 merchant ships—said that he is “concerned with the size and the status of the U.S. merchant marine and how it’s a risk to our national security.”

“…[I]nsufficient commercial maritime capacity impacts peacetime trade and supply chains, but also has a great impact on our ability to move things we need to move if we’re engaging in combat somewhere across the globe,” he said.

“And this isn’t a capability that can be turned on overnight, as you know.”

Kelly said he is working with the other legislators who coauthored the bicameral report to develop legislation to strengthen American maritime.

“Our report provides a comprehensive vision to revitalize the nation’s maritime sector,” he said.

“And now we’re working to turn the recommendations into legislation.”

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said he fully endorses the bicameral plan.

“I have read the recommendations,” he told Kelly, “and I agree with all ten of them.”

“We must renew our commitment to recapitalizing national maritime power.”

Kelly and Del Toro were both among the speakers at the Maritime Day event at the Department of Transportation.

They spoke forcefully in favor of revitalizing the maritime industry to support our military and economic needs.
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ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY NAVIGATION SEASON OFF TO A STRONG START

The Chamber of Marine Commerce reports that early tonnage figures show a strong start for the 66th Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway navigation season.

The Chamber of Marine Commerce is a bi-national, private sector, not-for-profit association that represents maritime industry stakeholders in the U.S. and Canada.

“Early fleet positioning due to low winter ice coverage on the Great Lakes jump-started the grain and potash Seaway navigation season,” CMC reports.

Canadian and U.S. grain totals increased by 39,000 tons over the previous year, totaling approximately 1.21 million tons as of the beginning of May.

Potash traffic registered an increase of 83,000 tons. Potash includes various mined and manufactured minerals that contain potassium in water-soluble form. It is used in fertilizers to support plant growth, increase crop yield and disease resistance, and enhance water preservation.

To assure an exceptional level of reliability, both the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation and the U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation have invested heavily in infrastructure renewal projects.

The SLSMC and GLS are also working together with industry partners to develop a Green Shipping Corridor Network with the goal of increasing sustainability, and decarbonization.

“Our dedication to investing in infrastructure renewal lays the foundation for the Seaway’s exceptional reliability,” said Terence Bowles, president and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

“This is critical because marine transportation is the most fuel-efficient and cost-effective method to transport goods.”

A recent study showed the maritime industry in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway region supports almost 360,000 jobs.
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PLEASE RESPOND TO AN ITF SURVEY ON WHETHER YOU FEEL SAFE AS A WOMAN WORKING AT SEA

The International Transport Workers’ Federation has asked MM&P and its other maritime affiliates to ask female members to complete a brief survey on their experiences with personal safety at work.

Women make up only an estimated 2 percent of the world’s maritime workforce. The ITF would like to hear from as many female seafarers as possible.

Please help the ITF gather some information on what it is like for a woman working at sea and what needs to be improved.

Take the survey here.

The survey takes approximately 2-3 minutes to complete.

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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

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): 06/10/24, 09/16/24

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 08/12/24, 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): 6/10/24*, 06/13/24, 09/30/24, 10/28/24

BT-Refresher (3-day): 06/10/24*, 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): 06/24/24, 10/07/24, 12/09/24

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 06/17/24, 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): 08/12/24, 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): 06/03/24*, 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): 06/10/24, 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) – 05/11/24, 06/15/2024, 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: 05/15/24

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 Fire-Fighting (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: 06/12/24, 06/15/2024, 10/02/24, 10/30/24

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 06/13/24, 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): 06/03/24

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

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 05/20/24*, 06/17/24*, 09/09/24, 10/21/24*

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments /not included): 12/02/24

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 08/19/24, 09/30/24

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 07/29/24, 11/18/24

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 07/08/24, 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): 06/07/24, 08/08/24, 09/12/24, 10/31/24

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 06/07/24, 08/09/24, 09/13/24, 11/01/24

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 06/07/24, 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): 06/10/24, 07/15/24, 08/12/24, 09/16/24, 11/04/24

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 06/08/24, 08/10/24, 09/14/24, 11/02/24

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 05/12/24, 06/09/24, 07/14/24, 08/11/24, 09/15/24, 11/03/24

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 06/14/24, 07/19/24, 08/16/24, 09/20/24, 11/08/24

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 06/27/24*, 08/17/24*, 08/19/24*, 08/21/24*, 12/09/24*, 12/11/24*

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 06/17/24, 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): 06/12/24

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 08/05/24, 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): 06/24/24, 07/22/24*, 10/14/24, 12/16/24

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: Not currently scheduled

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: Not Currently Scheduled

TRAC-TUG-2 (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

TTT – ** NOT covered by the MATES Program **: Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 05/31/24, 08/26/24, 12/04/24

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 07/29/24
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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

June 2024

24-25 Basic Training Revalidation

26th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

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.

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