Wheelhouse Weekly, March 10, 2026

Volume 32… Number 10, March 10, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• New Victory for MM&P Licensed Deck Officers! APL Arbitration Award Update
• Impacts on Shipping Increase as War Spreads
• Captain Jim Staples on Fox News
• Congressional Coalition Formed to Defend Federal Workers’ Rights
• Maritime Unions Join Farmers in Asking Congress to Boost Funding for Food Aid

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

APL ARBITRATION AWARD UPDATE

MM&P has received excellent news in its fight to protect Licensed Deck Officer jurisdiction with contracted employer APL.

Arbitrator Randi H. Abramsky concluded in her March 4 arbitration award that American President Lines LLC and its affiliate, APL Marine Services Ltd., violated the collective bargaining agreement when the company did not crew the CMA CGM Phoenix with Licensed Deck Officers represented by MM&P.

APL argued that it has “the unfettered right to select the operator” and the “management right to decide ‘how and by whom’ vessels operate.”

Abramsky rejected APL’s argument, citing “MM&P’s broad jurisdiction over LDOs on ‘all U.S. flag oceangoing vessels,’ including newly added non-MSP vessels.”

After reviewing all the evidence, she found that the provisions of the CBA negotiated in 2005 did not mean that the Company may by-pass MM&P’s broad jurisdictional rights.

“On the evidence presented,” she concluded, “this cannot have been, and was not, the mutual intent of the parties” when the CBA was negotiated.

MM&P will enforce Arbitrator Abramsky’s award, including seeking make-whole remedies to MM&P members and MM&P Plans, and will continue to protect our members’ work jurisdiction aboard any new tonnage brought into the APL fleet.
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IMPACTS ON SHIPPING INCREASE AS WAR SPREADS

Seafarers on ships in the Middle East war zone are operating in a dangerous, uncertain, and rapidly changing situation.

American mariners serving aboard cargo ships, tankers and military vessels of all types have reported hearing detonations or witnessing drones or other munitions deployed.

Two tankers were attacked last week, including one on March 8 which Iran accused of running its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

A containership was hit, and a tugboat dispatched by the UAE authorities to assist it was sunk along with three members of its crew.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, which monitors threat assessments on high-risk shipping routes, released a statement on March 6 saying that maritime traffic in the region was essentially paralyzed.

There were reports that a small number of tankers continued to transit the strait, but with transponders off for safety reasons.

A total of 57 container ships are said to be inside the strait, unable to exit, and dozens of other vessels are blocked in the northern gulf or regional ports.

A spokesperson for the International Labor Organization said on March 10 that almost 30,000 seafarers are stranded aboard ships in the region.

The US maritime authorities have urged commercial vessels to avoid the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC all issued statements last week saying that they were suspending key routes in the conflict region.

“Following our latest risk assessment and operational review and considering the escalating conflict affecting safe navigation in the Gulf region, we have made the decision to temporarily suspend,” Maersk wrote in a message to customers.

President Donald Trump issued a statement saying that he had ordered the US Development Finance Corporation to provide “political risk insurance and guarantees” for the financial security of all maritime trade in the Gulf region.

He said that if it becomes necessary, the US Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

The maritime unions that represent mariners on US-flag vessels in the CENTCOM AOR released a statement that read in part:

“We know many of you are operating in a dangerous, uncertain, and rapidly changing situation.

“We are in close contact with employers, the US Maritime Administration and the Department of Defense.

“The US maritime unions remain united in your support.

“We greatly respect your professionalism and your commitment.

“We are working together with each other and with our counterparts in government to ensure your safety and represent your interests.”
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MM&P CAPTAIN JIM STAPLES INTERVIEWED IN FOX NEWS SEGMENT ON RISKS TO SHIPPING

MM&P Captain Jim Staples discussed the challenges of a seafaring career in a Fox Business News report focused on the risks to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

“What is the one thing you want people to understand about the crew and the captains of these ships and the dangers they undertake?” he was asked by host Liz Claman in the interview, which was broadcast on March 4.

“Going to sea is a tough job,” Staples said. “It’s a difficult job. You’re away from home for long periods of time.

“Some of these sailors can be gone from 10 to 12 months. And they’re facing Houthis, they’re facing the Iranians now.

“We’re always going into harm’s way.”

The interview is posted on the Fox News Site.
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CONGRESSIONAL COALITION FORMED TO DEFEND FEDERAL WORKERS’ RIGHTS

Lawmakers in the House and Senate have launched a new effort to protect federal employees and restore workplace rights that have come under pressure in recent years.

Members of the newly formed Federal Workforce Caucus say they are seeking to ensure that the public servants who keep the government running are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

More than two dozen lawmakers have joined the effort, which is led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), along with Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Reps. James Walkinshaw and Suhas Subramanyam, and Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer.

The decision to form the caucus comes after recent policy shifts that have affected civil service protections, hiring practices, and collective bargaining, changes that have undercut the morale of federal employees in numerous government agencies.

A stable federal workforce, the lawmakers said, is essential not only for federal employees themselves but also for members of the public who depend on government services.

“Federal employees deliver essential services across the country and should be able to do their jobs without fear of political retaliation,” Van Hollen said.

He said the caucus will stand united in support of federal workers and protect the integrity of a merit-based civil service.

“A lot of damage has been done,” Walkinshaw said.

“But there is an opportunity moving forward to rebuild from that damage an even better federal government and an even stronger federal workforce.”

In the near term, caucus members plan to focus on protecting collective bargaining and advocating for laws that restore federal workers’ rights.

They intend to pursue oversight, legislative fixes, and policy reforms that strengthen the workforce and protect employees from political pressure with the aim of improving retention and recruitment and reestablishing workplace stability.

They also plan to focus on modernizing the federal workplace, ensuring fair pay and working conditions, and rebuilding morale.
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MARITIME UNIONS JOIN FARMERS IN ASKING CONGRESS TO BOOST FUNDING FOR FOOD AID

Maritime unions and agricultural organizations are asking Congress to allocate more funding to the international food aid programs that constitute a significant source of cargo for the American merchant marine.

Under federal law, at least 50 percent of all foreign aid cargoes shipped by the government must be carried on US-flag vessels.

Food aid cargoes have traditionally been the largest source of non-defense preference cargo carried by the US-flag fleet.

The recent request from the unions and US agriculture groups came in the form of a joint letter to Congressional leaders that was sent shortly after the US Department of Agriculture’s first major commodities purchase for the Title II PL 480 Food for Peace program.

Title II PL 480 Food for Peace was previously overseen by USAID, which was closed last year by the White House.

Food for Peace, Food for Progress and a third program, McGovern-Dole, have enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress over more than 70 years.

The use of American-grown commodities for food aid has been a cornerstone of these programs for decades.

Food aid is supplied in bags bearing the US flag and/or the words “From the American people.”

US contributions to global food security support US strength abroad, especially in the face of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which makes investments of more than $1 trillion annually.

Ultimately, these kinds of humanitarian assistance programs help create a firm foundation for vulnerable communities to grow and prosper, which is why many former food aid recipient countries are now among the most important US trading partners.

MM&P and MIRAID are part of a coalition of maritime unions and agricultural groups that have worked together over the course of the past year to encourage the administration to permanently move the PL 480 food aid program to USDA.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

Buchanan Marine

1) Mate – MMC with a Mate of Towing within Inland Waters

2) Captain – MMC with a Master of Towing within Inland Waters

If you are interested in any of the above positions, please fill out an application on the company’s website first.

Google Buchanan Marine LP, then click “careers” and scroll down to “apply online.”

Then email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call Paulina at 973-495-9377

Staten Island Ferry

1) Provisional Marine Oilers with their QMED

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-36530 Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org

2) Deckhand with an AB

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s web-site. https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197

Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org

Poling & Cutler

1) Mate with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR

2) Captain with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR

If interested in any of the above positions, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call Paulina at 973-495-9377.

Moran

1) Licensed Engineer (Ship Assist) – MMC with STCW

2) Assistant Engineer (ATB/Offshore) – 3rd A/E Unlimited Oceans or C/E (limited) or A/E (limited) Oceans or Near Coastal (min 6000hp) & STCW

3) AB (ATB/Offshore) – MMC with AB & STCW

If interested in any of the above positions, please fill out an application on Moran’s website first.

Then email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org.

If you have any questions, please call Paulina at 973-495-9377.
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OFFSHORE JOBS

Senior LMSR positions available.
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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

[STCW, MEDICAL & SAFETY Courses]

BT – Basic Safety Training: 04/13/26, 09/07/26, 11/30/26

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 05/11/26

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: 09/07/26, 11/30/26

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 06/29/26

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 04/06/26*, 05/11/26, 07/13/26, 10/12/26, 11/30/26

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 04/27/26*, 08/10/26, 11/16/26

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day):

04/11/26, 04/26/26, 05/16/26, 07/18/26, 08/15/26, 10/17/26, 11/15/26, 12/05/26

[STCW License & Radar Renewal Courses]

Revalidations (REV): You have 360+ days of sea time in the last 5 years

BT-REV (2-day): 03/30/26*, 05/18/26, 09/14/26, 10/26/26, 12/07/26

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 04/01/26, 05/20/26, 09/16/26, 10/28/26, 12/09/26

Refreshers (REF): You have less than 360 days of sea time in the last 5 years

BT-REF (3-day): 03/30/26*, 10/26/26, 12/07/26

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 04/02/26, 10/29/26, 12/10/26

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 04/01/26, 10/28/26, 12/09/26

[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 04/20/26, 06/08/26, 08/24/26, 10/05/26, 12/14/26

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 04/27/26, 06/01/26, 08/17/26, 09/28/26, 11/30/26

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 04/20/26*, 07/13/26, 09/21/26

LAP Testing Notice: Due to changes at the Baltimore REC, LAP courses no longer include priority testing. Seating is limited to 6 students. All testing now requires a scheduled appointment and an approval letter.

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills: 03/23/26, 05/04/26, 07/20/26, 09/21/26, 12/14/26

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: Not Currently Scheduled

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: Not Currently Scheduled

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 04/06/26, 05/11/26, 06/15/26, 07/06/26, 08/03/26, 09/14/26, 10/12/26, 11/02/26, 11/30/26

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: 03/16/26

[AB TO MATE Upgrade Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 05/04/26, 07/06/26

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 03/16/26, 05/18/26, 08/17/26

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 05/25/26

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 05/18/26, 07/13/26

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): 05/07/26 or Contact Admissions

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): 04/13/26, 06/15/26

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 03/23/26, 05/25/26, 08/24/26

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): 05/08/26

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 04/27/26*, 06/29/26

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 05/04/26, 08/03/26

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 04/27/26, 07/13/26*

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 05/11/26, 08/10/26

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 04/06/26, 06/08/26

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 03/30/26, 07/20/26

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 07/06/26

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-ATO-I – Anti-Terrorism Officer (Online): Contact Admissions

MSC-ATO-II – Anti-Terrorism Officer II (MSC-ATO-III included): 08/17/26

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation

(Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 05/07/26, 06/11/26, 08/06/26, 09/10/26, 11/05/26

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer: 03/23/26, 06/22/26, 08/24/26, 12/14/26

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 05/08/26, 06/12/26, 08/07/26, 09/11/26, 11/06/26

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 05/09/26, 06/11/26, 08/07/26, 09/11/26, 11/06/26

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 03/16/26*, 04/13/26, 05/11/26, 06/15/26, 07/13/26, 08/10/26, 09/14/26, 10/12/26, 11/09/26, 12/07/26

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 05/09/26, 06/13/26, 08/08/26, 09/12/26, 11/07/26

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 03/15/26*, 04/12/26, 05/10/26, 06/14/26, 08/09/26, 09/13/26, 11/08/26, 12/06/26

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 03/20/26, 05/15/26, 06/19/26, 08/14/26, 09/18/26, 11/13/26

[MM&P Company Specific Requirements Courses]

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations: Not Currently Scheduled

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – CM Operations II Maersk Specific: Not Currently Scheduled

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 07/27/26, 07/30/26, 10/26/26, 10/29/26

****Offsite LNG-BADV at MMP LA/LB Union Hall: 05/24/26, 05/27/26

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 03/17/26*, 03/19/26*, 5/12/26, 05/14/26, 10/27/26, 10/29/26 – Contact Admissions to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 04/20/26*, 07/20/26

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-Day): 05/02/26, 06/06/26, 07/11/26, 08/22/26, 10/03/26, 12/05/26

[Other MITAGS Courses]

AB – Able Seaman: 04/20/26, 09/14/26, 12/07/26

BRM – Bridge Resource Management: Not Currently Scheduled

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

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

HAZ – Hazardous Materials: 06/15/26

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): 04/08/26

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 04/13/26

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

[Continual Improvement Workshops – NOT covered by the MATES Program]

Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 05/13/26

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (2-Day): Online: 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

March 2026

11-13 Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW)

16-20 Leadership & Managerial Skills

16-20 Basic Training (original certification)

16-27 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

30-31 Basic Training Revalidation

30-3 Able Seafarer

April 2026

6-10 ECDIS

6-10 Basic Training (original certification)

20-23 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)

27-8 Medical Person-in-Charge

27-8 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

May 2026

11-15 Basic Training (original certification)

16th Vessel Personnel w/Designated Security Duties (VPDSD)

18-19 Basic Training Revalidation

20th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

20-22 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

26-29 Advanced Firefighting (original certification)

June 2026

1-5 Medical Care Provider

8-12 Basic Training (original certification)

16-17 Basic Training Revalidation

18th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

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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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