Wheelhouse Weekly, May 21, 2024

Volume 30… Number 21, May 21, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Transportation Labor Demands Stronger Global Safety Standards for Cargo Ships
• MV DALI Refloated
• Unions Show Support for Crew
• Plus: Get a Free Copy of PowerShips Magazine!

Mark Your Calendar:

• Offshore Membership Meeting in Norfolk Union Hall on May 22
• Atlantic Maritime Group Quarterly Meeting Postponed Until May 29
• AMG Staten Island Ferry Meeting on May 30
• MM&P Holiday Closing Schedule
• National Maritime Day 2024

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Job Opportunities on the Great Lakes

And:

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

TRANSPORTATION LABOR DEMANDS STRONGER GLOBAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR CARGO SHIPS

Officials of MM&P and 36 other transportation unions are calling for urgent action to strengthen international maritime safety standards following the allision of the Singapore-flag containership MV DALI with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

They issued the call to action during last week’s AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department Executive Council meeting in Washington, D.C.

MM&P is one of the 37 unions, representing millions of transportation workers, who belong to TTD.

Union leaders are also urging tougher enforcement of existing international standards, in particular by tightening supervision of flag-of-convenience ships.

They say the U.S. should mandate that foreign ships entering America’s ports comply with safety, labor, and operating standards, including minimum safe manning and hours of work/rest requirements.

The Coast Guard, they added, must be appropriated the funding necessary to carry out its mission-critical port state control activities, assuring that these requirements are met.

Transportation union officials discussing the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge also acknowledged “the quick action taken by the American pilots aboard the MV DALI.”

“The steps taken by the Maryland pilots, members of the TTD-affiliate International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, helped to save lives, and their swift actions are a testament to their rigorous training and expertise,” they said.

“We commend them for performing at the highest industry standards under such devastating circumstances.”

In other actions, the leaders of TTD affiliates attending the meeting also adopted policy statements calling for federal regulations to protect workers in the transportation sector and every industry in the U.S. against extreme temperatures.

They also called on the Biden administration to reject ongoing attempts by the airline industry to eliminate the requirement that there be at least two pilots on the flight deck of U.S. and international commercial airliners.

To save money, the industry is pushing for the requirement be eliminated so as to allow a single pilot.

“The administration should maintain the minimum pilot staffing levels as required by regulation and aggressively advocate for at least two pilots on every flight deck here at home and in international forums,” TTD union leaders said.

“Congress should further codify the safety necessity of at least two well-trained and qualified pilots on the flight deck of every airliner.”
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MV DALI REFLOATED

Salvage teams refloated the MV DALI on Monday morning, almost two months after it allided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The massive vessel, surrounded by five tugboats, began a 2 ½ mile journey back to a berth in the Port of Baltimore at high tide, around 0640, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Its bow was still covered with blocks of concrete, damaged containers, and steel trusses. A large hole was visible on its starboard side, above the waterline.

After temporary fixes are made at Seagirt Marine Terminal, it will be moved to a shipyard in Norfolk for major repairs.

Refloating the vessel, which had been stuck in the ship channel since the accident, is a critical step in the efforts of the Unified Command to fully reopen the port, which is expected to happen by the end of the month.

Since the bridge collapsed, authorities have opened four temporary channels to allow some shipping to resume.

It will take about four years to rebuild the bridge, Maryland officials have said.

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UNIONS SHOW SUPPORT FOR CREW

The 21-person crew of MV DALI have remained on board the vessel since the accident took place almost eight weeks ago.

For much of this time, they have been unable to communicate with their families because their cellphones were confiscated by the FBI as part of the investigation.

They have since received new phones, but some, as of Monday, had not received their SIM cards back.

“The prolonged detention of MV DALI seafarers aboard their vessel and the failure by authorities to return their personal communication devices are unjust,” said MM&P President Don Marcus in a statement.

“Our hearts go out to the master, officers and crew of the MV DALI, who not only suffered a mortifying and tragic experience resulting in the loss of six lives, but who continue to remain in isolation from their loved ones.”

“However long the investigation takes, the crew’s rights and welfare should not be infringed upon during its course,” Dave Heindel, president of the Seafarers International Union and head of the ITF Seafarers’ Section, said in a statement.

“We call on the authorities to be mindful that seafarers utilize mobile devices to conduct personal business for bill payments and more importantly, transfer money to their home country to sustain families,” he said.

“Crew members are becoming demoralized without the basic tools we all take for granted.”

Besides the terror of the tragedy that brought down the bridge and killed six highway workers, the members of the crew have also endured the controlled explosions used by salvors to break apart the section of the bridge that was stuck across the ship’s bow.

CNN’s Holly Yan interviewed representatives of the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), which represents the ship’s officers, and the Singapore Organization of Seamen (SOS), which represents the rest of the crew.

“It has been tough for the seafarers, primarily [because] they know that there’s been loss of life,” Yan quoted Gwee Guo Duan, SMOU assistant general secretary, as saying.

“It is tough for them, being on board and having to look at the accident site every single day.”

It could be months before they can disembark because their U.S. visas have expired, and the investigation is ongoing. Additionally, the ship must be manned.

As they wait for the situation to be resolved, members of the crew are carrying out their jobs on board and helping the salvors, a spokesperson for shipowner Synergy said.

On Monday, several tugboats towed the vessel to the Port of Baltimore’s Seagirt Marine Terminal where it will undergo temporary repairs.
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GET A FREE COPY OF POWERSHIPS MAGAZINE!

PowerShips is a quarterly, full-color magazine that is full of history: from the mechanical and industrial history of powered ships to the culture of fine ocean liners; to maritime news, book reviews, museum features, and more.

Simply fill out this form to get the current issue of PowerShips Magazine (Spring 2024, No. 329) for free.

You will also receive PowerShips free enewsletters, The Telegraph and Ahoy.

(PowerShips will never sell your information and you can unsubscribe at any time.)

Note: Hard copies of the magazine will be sent to domestic U.S. addresses only. International entries will receive a digital copy. Current members are excluded from this offer.

PowerShips will celebrate May 22, National Maritime Day, by drawing names for five lucky people to get a free tourist class membership, good for one year, to the Steamship Historical Society.

Exclusive Member Benefits:

— Discounts on research, photos, and in the Ship Store;

— Free maritime museum visits with any Cabin Class membership.

Plus: Join a local chapter and meet fellow SSHSA members.

Ready to climb aboard? Join today and help us keep our educational programs free for all.

To get a free copy of PowerShips, go to: https://shiphistory.org/get-a-free-powerships/
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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN NORFOLK UNION HALL ON MAY 22

There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Norfolk Union Hall on Wednesday, May 22 at 1200.

Secretary-Treasurer Don Josberger will participate in the meeting and give his report.

The Norfolk Hall is located at:

Interstate Corporate Center Building 8

6353 Center Drive

Norfolk, VA 23502

757-489-7406

All Offshore members are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME GROUP QUARTERLY MEETING POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 29

The Atlantic Maritime Group quarterly membership meeting has been postponed until Wednesday, May 29.

The meeting will be held both in person and virtually so that all interested parties can attend.

It will take place from 1100 hours to 1300 hours.

You must be a member in good standing to participate in the meeting.

The in-person meeting will be held at the NY/NJ Union Hall, 570 Broad Street, Suite 701, Newark, NJ 07102.

To receive a link to participate in the meeting virtually, you must register with AMG Representative Paulina Trzepacz before noon on Tuesday, May 28.

Her email address is: Ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org
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AMG STATEN ISLAND FERRY MEETING ON MAY 30

There will be a Staten Island Ferry meeting on May 30 at the Ocean Yacht Club on Front Street.

Details to follow.
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MM&P Holiday Closing Schedule

All MM&P union halls, the MM&P Plan Office, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, and MM&P headquarters will be closed on Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day.
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NATIONAL MARITIME DAY 2024

Congress declared May 22 National Maritime Day 91 years ago to commemorate the American steamship SAVANNAH’s voyage from the U.S. to England, marking the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with steam propulsion.

Each year, ceremonies throughout the country recognize National Maritime Day and the American merchant mariners our country depends on.

Among the Maritime Day ceremonies that will be held this year on May 22:

MARAD National Maritime Day

“Navigating the Future! Safety First”

U.S. Department of Transportation West Atrium

10:00 am-11:30 am

Norfolk International Propeller Club

The Battleship Wisconsin with Keynote Address by USTRANSCOM Commander Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost

1 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, Va.

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

City of San Pedro, Calif.

American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial & Walls of Honor

Harbor Boulevard at the foot of 6th Street, San Pedro, Calif.

Starting at 11 a.m.

National Maritime Day Memorial Service

CONTACT: John Pitts – President, American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Committee, Inc. 562-716-2899 – ameucman@aol.com

A luncheon at Ports O’ Call restaurant at Berth 76, San Pedro will follow the memorial service. The luncheon will feature a guest speaker associated with U.S. maritime issues. Lunch will be served at 12:30 with a no-host bar available at noon.
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

Tanker PIC’s needed.

CM’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 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

May 2024

30-31 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

June 2024

1-2 Basic Training Revalidation

1-3 Basic Training Refresher

3rd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

3-7 Basic Training

3-14 GMDSS

3-21 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

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.

For subscriptions, address changes or messages to the editor, send an email to communications@bridgedeck.org.