Wheelhouse Weekly, May 20, 2025

Volume 31… Number 20, May 20, 2025

STORIES COVERED

REP. RICK LARSEN RECEIVES SALUTE TO CONGRESS AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP ON MARITIME ISSUES

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) was honored by the International Propeller Club of the United States on May 14 in recognition of his many years of advocacy for the maritime industry.

Larsen, the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been a forceful and outspoken proponent of all segments of the maritime industry since he was elected to represent Washington’s 2nd congressional district in 2001.

Officials of MM&P and MIRAID were among several hundred industry leaders who gathered at the Army-Navy Club in Arlington, Va., to congratulate him and thank him for his support.

“It’s a great privilege and honor to represent the women and men who work on the water,” Larsen said in accepting the award.

“The US is a maritime nation, but maritime workers have been neglected for far too long.”

“The supply chain crisis of 2021 highlighted what happens when you don’t invest in maritime.”

“The foundation is the Jones Act, which needs to be vigorously protected because we don’t know where the next attack will come from, but protecting the Jones Act is definitely not enough.”

“There’s a lot of work to do.”

The International Propeller Club is a network of professionals dedicated to the promotion of the maritime industry and the efficient and economical movement of foreign and domestic waterborne commerce.

Beginning in 1985, the Salute to Congress award has been presented to members of Congress who have demonstrated a keen awareness of the importance of the maritime industry to the economic, homeland, and national security of the United States.
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MEXICAN NAVY TALL SHIP HITS BROOKLYN BRIDGE, KILLING TWO MEMBERS OF CREW

A Mexican naval vessel, the CUAUHTÉMOC, struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night.

Two crewmembers died in the accident and 22 were injured.

The ship’s masts snapped and partially collapsed after they made contact with the bridge.

At least one person can be seen on video clinging from a rope on the top-most rung of a mast, while several others on the top two rungs can be seen crawling to the center of the mast.

A few individuals can be seen climbing a ladder in an attempt to reach those stuck.

The two people who died fell from one of the masts, a law enforcement official told CNN.

Before the accident, the ship had been docked at Pier 17 in Manhattan, just below the Brooklyn Bridge.

On Saturday night, it was supposed to head south and sail out of New York Harbor, with a stop on the Brooklyn waterfront to refuel before setting out for Iceland.

Instead, at about 8:30 p.m., the CUAUHTÉMOC was apparently headed in the wrong direction, a spokesman for New York City’s Office of Emergency Management told journalists.

After striking the underside of the bridge, it drifted toward the edge of the river.

There were 277 people aboard the CUAUHTÉMOC, which is used to train cadets at Mexico’s Heroic Naval Military School.

It departed Acapulco on April 6 and was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 nations, for a total of 254 days—170 at sea and 84 in port.

More than 100 fire and emergency medical service personnel responded to the scene of the accident, according to the New York City Fire Department.

On Sunday, the National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a go-team to the Brooklyn waterfront to begin the accident investigation, which will also involve officials from Mexico.
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DEFENSE DEPARTMENT TO END PREPOSITIONED SHIP PROGRAM

The Department of Defense has decided to decommission the Army’s seven Afloat Prepositioned Stock 3 (APS-3) vessels and is moving forward with a plan to replace them with land-based storage facilities.

The timeline of this process is not clear: it could be implemented in phases over the course of a year and a half.

The prepositioning program has given the Defense Department access to equipment, vehicles, and supplies aboard full operating status vessels that remain afloat and ready for rapid deployment in strategic areas.

The seven 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.

MM&P and MEBA crew the five large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships: USNS RED CLOUD, USNS CHARLTON, USNS WATKINS, USNS POMEROY and USNS SODERMAN.

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

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

As part of the new plan adopted by DOD, operational control of the LMSRs will shift over time to the Maritime Administration.

MM&P will continue to need mates and will still have four FOS LMSRs.

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ILO AND IMO FORMALLY ADOPT NEW GUIDELINES ON FAIR TREATMENT OF SEAFARERS

Both the International Labor Organization and the International Maritime Organization have now formally adopted new guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers accused of committing maritime crimes.

The goal of the new guidelines is to ensure that seafarers detained on suspicion of committing a crime are treated fairly during any investigation and that detention by public authorities is for no longer than necessary under the laws of the port or coastal state.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation has consistently lobbied for strengthening the framework protecting seafarers, citing the global nature of unjust criminalization and unfair treatment, and the wide range of issues for which seafarers are increasingly criminalized and detained, whether maritime accidents, illicit cargo or pollution infringements.

In September of last year, two seafarers were sentenced despite no evidence of wrongdoing to 30 years’ imprisonment after drugs were found on a vessel docked in Turkey.

The new guidelines that were formally adopted earlier this month were agreed last November during a meeting of the Joint ILO–IMO Tripartite Working Group in which seafarers were designated as “key workers” who merit specific protections.

Four hundred delegates representing seafarers, shipowners and governments advanced the new measures in the form of amendments to the Maritime Labor Convention–2006 (MLC).

The MLC has been ratified by 97 countries, which together represent over 97 per cent of global shipping.

Although the Convention has not been ratified worldwide (the United States, for example, is not a signatory), vessels from non-signatory states which attempt to enter the ports of signatory states may face penalties for non-compliance.

The amendments will be presented to the International Labor Conference during its next session, June 2-13. If they are approved, as expected, they should take effect by December 2027.

MM&P is one of the 670 transport unions in 147 countries that belong to the ITF.
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SINGAPORE-FLAGGED MAERSK CONTAINERSHIP UNDER TOW AFTER ENGINE ROOM FIRE

An ocean-going salvage tug reached the disabled Singapore-flagged containership MAERSK SANA on May 16, a company spokesperson said.

The vessel became disabled about 75 nautical miles from Bermuda on April 28, after reportedly experiencing an explosion and engine room fire.

Maersk said that in the three weeks that it had taken to engage and deploy the salvage tug, the Norwegian anchor handler SEA1 RUBY, the SANA had retained power and the ability to use side thrusters for maneuvering.

It said the salvage tug would tow the ship to a port of refuge in the Bahamas, with an expected arrival in the last week of May.

“Our monitoring teams continue to track weather developments and operational progress to ensure safe and efficient handling throughout this operation,” the company said in a brief statement.

The vessel’s AIS signal showed that it was bound for Freeport, a tow of approximately 900 nautical miles, which at 5 knots would take seven days.

Maersk previously said that it had selected a tug from Europe as “we wanted to employ a ‘first time right’ approach,” adding, “We had to find the right tug for this operation, not necessarily the closest tug.”

Three crew members were injured in the incident, with one receiving first aid on the ship and two transferred to another Maersk vessel and later evacuated to Bermuda.

The company said it is investigating the causes of the incident.
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SEAFARERS SAY INSUFFICIENT MANNING IS THEIR BIGGEST CONCERN

The Mission to Seafarers has released the most recent results of its quarterly international survey, the Seafarer Happiness Index.

The survey, now in its tenth year, shows a slight improvement in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the last quarter of 2024.

The organizers said the most recent result—6.98 out of 10, up from 6.91 in the fourth quarter of 2024—reveal “a steadying in seafarer satisfaction.”

Safe manning now emerges as the biggest concern, with respondents describing the negative impact of diminished crew sizes, such as having to implement “triage systems” for maintenance tasks with only the most urgent repairs being addressed and routine upkeep falling behind.

Training was also frequently identified as a problem area, with respondents expressing a need for more consistent, practical, and scenario-based instruction “that builds real confidence”—not just theoretical knowledge—especially to deal with high-stress or emergency situations.

Not surprisingly, heavy workloads continue to affect morale: long hours, especially during port operations, excessive administrative burdens and constant pressure from shoreside management.

Limitations on shore leave are a frustration that is deeply felt throughout the seafaring community.

“There continue to be challenges that shouldn’t be ignored,” says Yves Vandenborn of North Standard, a survey cosponsor.

“Persistent overwork, stagnant wages, and patchy welfare support continue to have a negative impact on morale.”

The Mission to Seafarers says the industry must act decisively by investing more in vessel upkeep, hands-on training, and ensuring crews have access to rest, support, and connections ashore and at home.

The Seafarers Happiness Index is open to everyone who works at sea.

“Share your views,” The Mission to Seafarers says, “and let the industry know what changes need to be made.”
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NATIONAL MARITIME DAY IS THURSDAY, MAY 22

Congress designated May 22 as National Maritime Day to commemorate the Atlantic crossing of the SS SAVANNAH, which sailed from Savannah to Liverpool in 1819.

National Maritime Day was observed for the first time in 1933.

Congress viewed National Maritime Day as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the country’s maritime heritage and to honor the mariners who answer the nation’s call in peace and war.

This year, the National Maritime Day observance in Washington will take place at the headquarters of the Department of Transportation from 10:00 to 11:00.

The theme for 2025 is “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance.”

In Oakland, the Propeller Club of Northern California is observing National Maritime Day on Wednesday, May 21, from 11:30 to 1:30 at Scott’s Seafood.

In San Pedro, the American Merchant Marine Memorial Committee invites everyone to attend the National Maritime Day Observance and luncheon.

The service will be held on May 22 at the foot of 6th Street in San Pedro beginning at 11:00. Luncheon will follow at the Memorial Wall.

Once again, the Committee recommends Massey’s House of Flowers on Western Ave. in Lomita (310) 325-8222.

Massey’s will deliver all the wreaths on Monday morning before the program begins.

There is a new parking lot located next to the Memorial.

If you have any questions, please contact Harold Gage, Hgage@mfoww.org (562)253-8120 cell.
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THE MM&P DISASTER RELIEF FUND IS THERE WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

The MM&P Disaster Relief Fund stands ready to help MM&P families affected by the recent storms, wildfires and other disasters.

Please consider making a contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund today.

Contributions to the fund are generally tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.

To contribute to the MM&P Disaster Relief Fund, click here or go to bridgedeck.org and look for Disaster Relief in the menu bar.

If you are an MM&P member who has been negatively affected by a recent disaster, contact your MM&P Area Vice President.
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MM&P HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

NATIONAL MARITIME DAY IS THURSDAY, MAY 22