Wheelhouse Weekly, May 23, 2023

Volume 29… Number 21, May 23, 2023

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Always There, in Peace and War: MM&P President Tells FOX Audience What People Should Know About the Merchant Marine
• National Maritime Day Commemoration and Presidential Proclamation
• World War II Mariners To Be Honored at National Memorial Day Concert
• Weeks Marine Takes Delivery of New Dredge
• NMC Temporarily Replaces Merchant Mariner Credential Laminate

Plus:

• MITAGS Seeks License Advancement Program Department Chair
• MITAGS Seeks Lead Manager for Navigation Skills Assessment Program Portfolio

Attention All Mariners:

• Well-Paying Jobs Offering Permanent Employment Are Available With MM&P on the Great Lakes and in Coastal Waters!

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Engineering Jobs Available Offshore and on the Great Lakes

And:

• MM&P Holiday Closing Schedule
• MITAGS-East Academic Notes
• MITAGS–West Academic Notes

MM&P PRESIDENT TELLS FOX AUDIENCE WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE MERCHANT MARINE

FOX Broadcasting recognized America’s mariners yesterday in a “Fox and Friends” Maritime Day broadcast “honoring U.S. merchant marines, their sacrifices and their crucial role in protecting American security and commerce.”

“What should we know about the merchant marines that the average person isn’t familiar with?” MM&P President Don Marcus was asked.

“What people should know is that we are a vital element of the national economy and a vital element of national security,” Marcus responded.

“We’re known as the Fourth Arm of Defense.”

“We’re responsible for maintaining our troops overseas and keeping the supply chains open.”

“It’s been that way since 1775 in peace and in war.”

“What we really need for young Americans,” he added, “is a national maritime policy to make sure there’s a future in this industry.”

Watch the interview.
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NATIONAL MARITIME DAY COMMEMORATION AND PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION

National Maritime Day, the celebration of the critical role that America’s mariners play in the nation’s defense, economy, and security, has taken place on May 22 every year since 1933.

The centerpiece of the commemoration is a ceremony at the headquarters of the Department of Transportation, which includes the Maritime Administration.

Among this year’s speakers were U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the Maritime Administrator, Adm. Ann C. Phillips.

Following the ceremony, MARAD hosted a panel of industry leaders discussing the mariner shortfall.

It is generally agreed that the U.S. has about 1,800 licensed and unlicensed mariners fewer than the number needed to operate the commercial fleet and the Ready Reserve Fleet in the event of a full mobilization exceeding four to six months.

MARAD has said it is seeking to address the problem by:

— assuring cargo preference requirements for government agencies are implemented;

— pursuing policies to ensure equal opportunity and safety for all mariners in the industry; and

— investing in the establishment of the Cable Security Program and the Tanker Security Program.

In recognition of the importance of the day, the White House issued President Biden’s Maritime Day Proclamation, which read in part:

“The United States Merchant Marine underpins our Nation’s prosperity and upholds our Nation’s highest principles—freedom, liberty, and dignity.”

“With professionalism and passion, merchant mariners have forged us into the maritime Nation we are today.”

“My Administration remains steadfast in its support of the Merchant Marine as well as the Jones Act, which ensures American workers see the benefits of our domestic maritime industry.”
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WORLD WAR II MARINERS TO BE HONORED AT NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT

Thousands of American mariners who served during World War II will be honored on the U.S. Capitol grounds on Sunday, May 28, during the National Memorial Day Concert.

Four World War II mariners—William Balabanow, John Laughton, Charles Mills, and MM&P member George Worsham—will participate in the event.

Worsham and Laughton both survived attacks that sank their ships and killed many of their shipmates.

After the war, Worsham sailed as an MM&P licensed deck officer for another 33 years.

More than 240,000 American mariners served in World War II, delivering essential supplies and transporting millions of troops in support of the Allies’ war effort.

They faced torpedoes, bombings, kamikaze attacks, ice, and storms. An estimated 9,600 were killed in action.

The featured spokesperson at Sunday’s event will be World War II veteran David Yoho, who will speak to the importance of the American Merchant Marine and describe his own wartime experiences as a teenager.

“I appreciate the decision to honor U.S. Merchant Marine WWII casualties during the National Memorial Day Concert, as valued contributors to the Allies’ victory,” said Captain Dru DiMattia, president of American Merchant Marine Veterans.

“This is a historical event for the U.S. Merchant Marine and our country.”

He thanked President Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, the Department of Defense, the Maritime Administration, the National Park Service, and the Friends of the National WWII Memorial for their support in organizing the concert and arranging for the Merchant Marine veterans to take part.

The concert will be livestreamed at https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/.
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WEEKS MARINE TAKES DELIVERY OF NEW DREDGE

Weeks Marine has taken delivery of its new trailing arm suction hopper dredge, the RB WEEKS.

Members of the MM&P Great Lakes & Gulf Region vertically crew the trailing arm suction dredges in the Weeks Marine fleet.

The other three are the MAGDALEN, the BE LINDHOLM, and the RN WEEKS.

“We look forward to putting the RB WEEKS to work deepening and maintaining navigation channels, restoring storm-damaged coastal barrier islands and nourishing beaches lost to erosion, aiding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other key clients,” says Weeks Marine President and CEO Eric Ellefsen.

The new Weeks Marine dredge is named in honor of Richard B. Weeks, a co-founder of Weeks Marine.

The new vessel is identical in nearly all respects to its sister ship, the MAGDALEN, which was delivered to the company in 2017.

Both dredges have a hopper capacity of 8,550 cubic yards and can accommodate 26 people.
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NMC TEMPORARILY REPLACES MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL LAMINATE

The National Maritime Center has notified the maritime community that due to ongoing supply chain issues, it is temporarily using an alternate laminate for Merchant Mariner Credentials.

It says the replacement laminate has the same feel and print-protective qualities as the current laminate.

The only difference is the lack of holograms when the MMC is turned to the light.

The agency says that MMCs with the replacement laminate are valid and can be verified using the credential verification tool.

The tool may be accessed from the National Maritime Center (NMC) Home page by:

— clicking Credential Verification in the center navigation buttons;

— selecting Single Mariner Search from the bottom drop-down menu, and then entering the mariner’s reference number and last name.

On this page, both the MMC and the medical certificate can be validated.

The agency says it recommends mariners keep a copy of this statement with their MMC, although it is not required.

For questions, contact the Customer Service Center via Live Chat or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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MITAGS SEEKS LICENSE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM DEPARTMENT CHAIR

MITAGS is seeking a License Advancement Program Department Chair.

The minimum salary is $91,000 with full-time benefits.

The job entails developing and delivering IMO STCW and USCG approved courses and ensuring quality classroom instruction.

Department chairs are responsible to the MITAGS Director for the content and quality of the courses in their department.

The LAP Department Chair will have the duties and responsibilities of a lead instructor, as well as:

— ensuring a high-quality training curriculum and supporting other departments in training development;

— assisting in budget management;

— providing input into the training, professional development, and assignment of instructors;

— acting as primary liaison between the Academic Director and instructional staff;

— supporting scheduling, including arrangement of guest lecturers, transportation of students for off-campus instructional purposes, and requisitioning course supplies;

— helping make staffing recommendations;

— reviewing the performance of department staff;

— working with specific companies for curriculum development or special projects.

May be expected to travel no more than 15 percent of the time to offsite training locations including MITAGS–West.

Required qualifications:

— USCG Officer Level License with experience sailing under his/her highest-level license or similar experience—may be substituted with equivalent uniformed service experience (NOAA, USCG, USN);

— minimum five years’ experience teaching professional subjects to adults;

— experience, training, and qualifications necessary to obtain USCG approval to teach courses in the field.

Desired qualifications:

— degree in Adult Education, Maritime Sciences or related field—post-grad work a plus;

— IMO STCW 2/II Master Mariner;

— two years’ experience supervising and managing a team in a maritime or educational environment;

— STCW Train the Trainer;

— experience delivering online training through a learning management system.

For immediate consideration, please send resume and cover letter to jsibiski@mitags.org.
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MITAGS SEEKS LEAD MANAGER FOR NAVIGATION SKILLS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM PORTFOLIO

MITAGS is seeking an experienced maritime professional and program manager to lead all aspects of the NSAP portfolio.

The minimum annual salary is $87,360 plus benefits. Compensation is commensurate with skill set.

The successful candidate will work with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the delivery and continuous improvement and growth of the program.

A superb general manager and experienced maritime professional with an entrepreneurial spirit would be an ideal fit.

Information on NSAP is available here.

The position entails:

— observing industry trends, emerging technology, and case studies to ensure that the NSAP program remains relevant;

— working closely with the business development team and international partners to manage program cost and pricing;

— assisting development and delivery of strategic initiatives related to winning Navy, Coast Guard, and other federal government work.

Job requires travel to MITAGS–West and other offsite locations, no more than 15 percent of the time.

Required qualifications:

— a bachelor’s degree and significant (>10 years) maritime industry or naval experience;

— minimum of three years of leadership and general management experience in an academic environment;

— comprehensive understanding of navigation procedures, equipment, and assessments in a Bridge environment.

Desired qualifications:

— a relevant master’s degree;

— experience delivering, managing, or being directly responsible for programs that assess maritime skills and competencies at sea.

Sea command experience, in a civilian or naval context, is highly valued and would directly contribute to a candidate’s likely success in the role.

For immediate consideration, please send resume and cover letter to jsibiski@mitags.org.
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WELL-PAYING JOBS OFFERING PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT ARE AVAILABLE WITH MM&P ON THE GREAT LAKES AND IN COASTAL WATERS!

The MM&P United Inland Group has jobs available with Grand River Navigation, Weeks Marine, Cetacean Marine, and Key Lakes.

At Grand River Navigation on the Great Lakes, there are:

— licensed deck jobs for those with Great Lakes pilotage;

— jobs for open water mates with a Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR);

— licensed engineering jobs.

At Cetacean Marine, there are licensed and unlicensed engineering jobs.

At Weeks Marine, there are licensed and unlicensed engineering jobs aboard their growing fleet of dredges. Cross-shipping rights for Offshore applicants/members are available for licensed personnel, with sea time and points counting towards upgrading Offshore membership.

At Key Lakes, there are licensed deck jobs for those with Great Lakes pilotage.

For more information, go to the Jobs page on bridgedeck.org.

If you are interested, please contact UIG Vice President Tom Bell (tbell@bridgedeck.org or 216-776-1667) with any questions.
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

Chief Mate for the LMSR fleet needed now. Security clearance required.

Tanker CM also needed.
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ENGINEERING JOBS AVAILABLE OFFSHORE AND ON THE GREAT LAKES

There are openings for engineers in the MM&P Offshore fleet and the Great Lakes & Gulf Region.

For engineering jobs in the Offshore Group, contact Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin, tlarkin@bridgedeck.org, or 201-963-1900.

For engineering jobs on the Lakes, contact MM&P Great Lakes & Gulf Region Vice President Tom Bell, tbell@bridgedeck.org, or (216) 776-1667.
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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 29, for Memorial Day.
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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): 06/05/23

AIS-1 – Automatic Identifications Systems Orientation (1-Day): Not currently scheduled

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): Not currently scheduled

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): 07/24/23, 10/09/23

BRMP –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

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

BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): 09/11/23

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 06/05/23, 09/26/23, 10/16/23, 11/15/23, 12/19/23

BT-Refresher (3-day): 06/05/23, 09/26/23, 11/15/23, 12/18/23

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 09/18/23

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 06/26/23, 07/24/23, 10/09/23, 12/18/23

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 06/19/23, 07/31/23, 10/30/23, 12/11/23

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/16/23

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 7/10/23, 11/27/23

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 07/17/23, 12/04/23

CM-OPS 2 APL – Chief Mate Operations II APL Specific (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 08/07/23

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 08/14/23, 10/16/23

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 10/02/23

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 11/06/23

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 06/05/23*, 07/10/23, 08/14/23, 09/11/23, 10/02/23, 10/30/23 12/04/23

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 06/12/23*, 07/17/23, 10/09/23, 11/06/23, 12/11/23

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

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 10/09/23

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): 09/25/23

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) – 08/05/23, 12/02/23

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

Online: 07/12/23

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): 11/27/23

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

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): 09/11/2023

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 06/07/23, 09/27/23, 10/18/23, 11/17/23, 12/21/23

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 06/08/23, 09/29/23, 11/13/23, 12/16/23

FSM – Fatigue, Sleep, & Medications (1-Day): Online: Not currently scheduled

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): 07/17/23

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 06/19/23, 09/11/23, 11/16/23

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

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 07/10/23, 10/16/23

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): 06/05/23

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

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

LNG-BADV (3 Day): Coming Soon!

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

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments not included): 12/04/23

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 07/10/23*, 08/21/23, 10/02/23, 12/04/23

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 08/07/23, 11/27/23

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 07/10/23*, 08/21/23, 09/18/23, 10/02/23

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 06/04/23, 07/15/23, 08/26/23, 09/24/23, 10/07/23, 10/15/23, 11/18/23, 12/09/23, 12/22/23

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 06/08/23, 08/10/23, 09/07/23, 10/26/23

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 06/09/23, 08/11/23, 09/08/23, 10/27/23

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day): 06/19/23, 08/12/23, 09/09/23, 10/28/23

MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day): 06/05/2023

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 06/12/23, 08/13/23, 09/11/23, 10/30/23

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour) – 06/10/23, 08/12/23, 09/09/23, 10/28/23

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day) – 06/11/23, 08/17/23, 09/10/23, 10/29/23

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day) – 06/16/23, 08/18/23, 09/15/23, 11/03/23

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): *07/31/23, *08/02/23, 11/13/23*, 11/15/23

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 06/12/23, 09/18/23

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 06/12/23, 09/21/23

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): Upon Request

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 06/19/23, 11/27/23

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 10/23/23

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 06/26/23, 12/11/23

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 06/19/23, 08/28/23, 10/16/23, 12/18/23

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 09/11/23

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): Not currently scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 07/10/23

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

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

VPDSD – Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties: Not Currently Scheduled

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 06/26/23

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 12/04/23

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 07/10/23

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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 2023
30-1 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

June 2023

12-13 Basic Training Revalidation

14th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

19-23 Basic Training (original)

26-30 Tankerman Person-In-Charge

July 2023

10-28 Terrestrial & Coastal Navigation

31-4 Radar Observer Unlimited

31-4 Basic Training

31-4 Advanced Shiphandling I

August 2023

7-10 ARPA

7-11 Advanced Shiphandling II

14-18 Advanced Stability

14-18 Basic Shiphandling

21-25 Basic Meteorology

28-31 Advanced Firefighting

28-1 Leadership & Managerial Skills

September 2023

5-6 Basic Training Revalidation

5-7 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

7th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

11-15 Medical Care Provider

11-22 Medical Person-In-Charge

18-29 GMDSS

October 2023

2-3 Basic Training Revalidation

2-6 ECDIS

4th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

9-12 Advanced Firefighting

9-13 Tankerman Person-In-Charge

16-20 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

23-27 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

30-1 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

30-3 Basic Training

30-10 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

31-3 ARPA

November 2023

6-7 Basic Training Revalidation

6-10 Medical Care Provider

6-10 Leadership & Managerial Skills

13-15 Search & Rescue

16th Leadership & Teamworking Skills

17th Flashing Light Assessment

27-30 Advanced Firefighting

27-15 Celestial Navigation

December 2023

7-8 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

9-10 Basic Training Revalidation

9-11 Basic Training Refresher

11th Radar Renewal

11th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

11-15 Basic Training
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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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