Wheelhouse Weekly, May 5, 2026

Volume 32… Number 18, May 5, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• MM&P-Crewed Alliance Fairfax Safely Transits Strait of Hormuz
• Coast Guard Funding Resumes–NMC Update
• Anti-Jones Act Forces Push to Gain Ground
• Great Lakes Maritime Task Force Asks President to Repeal Waiver
• Cargo Ship Evades Armed Attackers in Gulf of Aden

Mark Your Calendar:

• Atlantic Maritime Group Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, May 6
• Offshore Membership Meeting in the Honolulu Hall on Friday, May 8
• Offshore Membership Meeting in the Boston Hall on Thursday, May 14 
• Offshore Membership Meeting in the Seattle Hall on Tuesday, June 2

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes & Gulf Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

MM&P-CREWED ALLIANCE FAIRFAX SAFELY TRANSITS STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The Alliance Fairfax, with MM&P licensed deck officers at the conn, has transited the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Persian Gulf, accompanied by US military assets.

The transit was completed safely and without incident.

In the wheelhouse were Captain Brian Mercurio, Chief Mate Ernie Caponegro, Second Mate Omalika Lipp and Third Mate Steven Humbert.

“I’m extremely proud of our members,” said MM&P President Don Josberger.

“Once again, MM&P members have demonstrated exemplary levels of leadership, bravery and professionalism in the finest tradition of the American Merchant Marine.”

In a statement, Maersk Line, Limited congratulated the crew and thanked the US military for planning and executing the operation.

The Alliance Fairfax and a US-flag tanker are the first American vessels to exit the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began.

About a fifth of the world’s trade in oil, natural gas and fertilizer passed through the strait before it was effectively closed by Iran, which is demanding tolls in exchange for passage.

The US, meanwhile, has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports, ordering some ships away and warning shipping companies that they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for passage.

The two sides agreed to a ceasefire almost a month ago but hostilities have flared on numerous occasions.

On Monday, Iran fired on US vessels, on multiple foreign-flag ships and on a UAE oil terminal.

US forces responded by destroying some Iranian small craft.

Iran’s IRGC Navy has also issued a notice to ships to avoid an area that includes all of Oman’s territorial waters off the Musandam peninsula.
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COAST GUARD FUNDING RESUMES–NMC UPDATE

The House of Representatives Friday passed legislation to fund the Coast Guard and most other Department of Homeland Security agencies, with the exception of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol

The agreement ends a 76-day shutdown that has caused serious problems throughout the maritime industry.

The National Maritime Center has released the following update on the resumption of services.

NMC and the regional examination centers are resuming normal operations in a phased approach to prioritize the most critical functions and address the backlog of applications and examinations resulting from the lapse in appropriations.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND PROCESSING TIMELINES

• The Application Submission Portal (ASAP) for submission of applications and supporting documentation remains active.

• Applications for merchant mariner credentials (MMCs), medical certificates, and course approvals and related requests will be processed on a first-in/first-out basis.

• Only applications that demonstrate a clear and documented nexus to national defense will be considered for expedited processing.

Marine employers with national defense-related requests are advised to contact the NMC Customer Service Center (CSC).

• All extension policies and mitigation measures outlined in Update #3: Mitigation Efforts–Extensions, dated April 22, remain in effect through their stated expiration dates. Please refer to that bulletin for full details.

During the prolonged lapse, the NMC has accumulated a significant backlog of applications, currently more than 19,000 submissions and growing.

Processing timelines are expected to extend 8-12 months from the date a completed application is received.

To avoid potential delays and disruptions to employment and operations, mariners are strongly encouraged to apply at least 8-12 months in advance of expiration.

After submission, mariners should also allow additional time for applications to be entered into the system before checking the status online or contacting the CSC.

REGIONAL EXAM CENTERS

The RECs will resume operations; however, counter (walk-in) services will remain suspended until further notice to allow staff to focus on backlog reduction and examination scheduling.

Examination scheduling will be conducted in the following order of priority:

1. Mariners with previously scheduled examinations on or after May 1:

Appointments will be honored as scheduled.

2. Mariners whose examinations were scheduled and cancelled between Feb. 17 and May 1:

Mariners will be contacted by REC staff to reschedule at the earliest available opportunity.

3. All other applicants: Scheduling will open once priority groups have been accommodated.

During the initial resumption period, the CSC will not schedule examinations. After the period for mariners whose examinations were canceled during the furlough to reschedule is completed, the opportunity to schedule an exam for all mariners will be available through the CSC.

Anticipate opening exam schedule for all other mariners shortly.

COURSE APPROVALS

Course approvals will continue to be processed on a first-in, first-out basis. Mariners are encouraged to monitor the NMC website for updates regarding processing times, REC operations, and policy adjustments as operations stabilize.

For questions, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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ANTI-JONES ACT FORCES PUSH TO GAIN GROUND

The Trump administration’s broad Jones Act waivers have emboldened opponents of the US-flag fleet, who are renewing their efforts to get Congress to weaken or repeal the act.

“We must act while momentum is on our side,” exhorts one newly formed group, a coalition of energy and agricultural business interests, in a call to members to take action.

“It is time to put this issue front and center and take an earnest approach to reform.”

Also stepping up its anti-Jones Act campaign is a group funded by billionaire Charles Koch, which is lobbying in favor of a repeal bill introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).

The Jones Act continues to enjoy strong, bipartisan support from members of Congress who know it is critical to supporting national security and the US economy.

Repealing it would pave the way for foreign interests to take over the jobs of American mariners and thousands of others who work in the Jones Act maritime industry.

Now is the time for all of us to make our VOICES heard.

Tell your Representatives and Senators to stand up for American workers.

The link below will take you to that option.

USE YOUR VOICE

MM&P and MIRAID are working with the other unions and the carriers in opposition to defend the Jones Act waiver.

Please join us.
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GREAT LAKES MARITIME TASK FORCE ASKS PRESIDENT TO REPEAL WAIVER

The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) has written a letter to President Trump, asking that he repeal the Jones Act waiver and replace it with “a more appropriate solution that protects American jobs and preserves American investments.”

The President waived the Jones Act for 60 days in response to rising gas prices and later extended the waiver for an additional 90 days until August 17.

The task force has requested that the President repeal the waiver for a number of reasons.

First, because it allows “record numbers of foreign actors” into US domestic commerce.

“The waiver explicitly outsources US jobs to foreign workers and foreign companies, including Canadian or other foreign-flagged vessels operating on the Great Lakes, without considering American vessel availability,” the GLMTF says.

“And because foreign workers are subject to far less stringent security standards than Americans, the waiver reduces homeland security and increases opportunities for foreign surveillance, sabotage, or worse by America’s adversaries throughout tens of thousands of miles of US waters.

The task force also quotes The Shipbuilders Council of America, which said the waivers “chill investment in the shipyards that are the economic lifeblood of communities across the country—the very investment this Administration’s policies are designed to attract.”

MM&P belongs to the GLMTF, which counts as members almost 80 organizations representing shipboard and longshore unions, port authorities, cargo shippers, terminal operators, shipyards, vessel operators and other Great Lakes interests from 11 states and the District of Columbia.
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CARGO SHIP EVADES ARMED ATTACKERS IN GULF OF ADEN

A cargo ship sailing south of Yemen on May 1 took evasive action to avoided being boarded by armed attackers, according to a report issued by UKMTO, the UK Maritime Trade Operations office.

The attempted boarding took place approximately 92 nautical miles south of Al Mukalla, Yemen, in the Gulf of Aden.

Somali pirates have increased their activities in the area, which is also in proximity to territory controlled by the Houthis.

The crew of the bulker, which has not been identified, reported that a skiff with a black hull aggressively approached within 10 meters of their vessel.

The small boat was carrying seven individuals who appeared to be heavily armed and intent on boarding.

The captain of the bulker, which was carrying armed security guards, reported that he increased speed and took other evasive maneuvers to prevent boarding.

The skiff then aborted its approach and withdrew.

It is unclear from the report whether there was another vessel in the area serving the attackers as a mothership.

EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta has issued multiple warnings over the past two weeks about an increase in Somali pirate activities.

Several vessels have reported being approached, and in at least one case, pirates and the security guards aboard a vessel departing Somalia traded fire.

Two ships, a small tanker and a cargo ship, have been seized by pirates and taken toward the Somali coast, where local authorities report that monitoring shows they continue to be controlled by the pirates.
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Mark Your Calendar:

ATLANTIC MARITIME GROUP VIRTUAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

The MM&P Atlantic Maritime Group will hold its quarterly membership meeting online on Wednesday, May 6.

The meeting will take place from 1100 hours to 1300 hours.

All members in good standing are urged to attend.

To receive a link to participate in the virtual meeting, you must register BEFORE close of business on May 5 with AMG Representative Paulina Trzepacz.

Her email address is: Ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE HONOLULU HALL ON FRIDAY, MAY 8

There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the MM&P Honolulu Hall on Friday, May 8.

The meeting will take place after the 1000 job call.

Pacific Ports Vice President Melany Velleca will attend the meeting.

The MM&P Honolulu Hall is located at:

521 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste 254

Phone: 808-523-8183

Honolulu@bridgedeck.org
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE BOSTON HALL ON THURSDAY, MAY 14

There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Boston Union Hall on Thursday, May 14, at 1100.

International President Don Josberger will participate and give his report.

The Boston Hall is located at:

Marine Industrial Park

12 Channel St., Suite 505

Boston, MA 02210-2333

617-671-0769

All Offshore members are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE SEATTLE HALL ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2

There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the Seattle Hall on Tuesday, June 2, directly after the 1100 job call.

MM&P Secretary-Treasurer J. Lars Turner and Pacific Ports Vice President Melany Velleca will attend the meeting.

The Seattle Hall is located at:

15208 52nd Ave. South

Suite 100

Seattle, WA 98188

Phone: 206-441-8700.
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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.

Marine Oil Service
1) Tankerman PIC – MMC tankerman (PIC) with DL (required)

If you are interested, please fill out an application online https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//marineoilservice.com/careers/&g=ZTI2ZjJkOTljODYzYjliYg==&h=OTNiOGYzYTQwMmQzOTNlMjg2N2ZiZTY2YTU4ZGFjYzc2YTI0MzNiYzhjNTczOWM2ZTllNDFkYjFkOWJiNTQwMg==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOjc2OTE2OWVlODk1YTQ0YzA0NGRhNWY5NmZhMjJjMzVkOjc6dDpU or email the company careers@marineoilservice.com

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

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GREAT LAKES & GULF MARITIME REGION JOBS

— Unlimited Masters with Great Lakes Pilotage needed for 28/28 rotation – Self Unloading Vessels

— Unlimited Mates with Pilotage needed for 28/28 rotation – Research Vessel and Self Unloading Vessels

— QMED with STCW (RFPW and Able Seafarer-Engine) 21/21 rotation needed for Hopper Dredges

— 2nd Cook needed May through October aboard R/V Lake Guardian operating in the Great Lakes

Email resumes and MMC to elulko@bridgedeck.org
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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: 09/07/26, 11/30/26

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 05/11/26, 08/31/26

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

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 06/29/26, 11/09/26

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

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

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

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): 05/18/26, 09/14/26, 10/26/26, 12/07/26

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 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): 10/26/26, 12/07/26

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

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

[CMM – CHIEF MATE & MASTER UPGRADE COURSES]

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

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 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): 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: 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): 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: Not Currently Scheduled

[AB TO MATE UPGRADE COURSES]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 08/10/26

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 05/18/26, 10/19/26

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 05/25/26, 08/24/26

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 05/18/26, 08/17/26

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): 05/07/26, 08/06/26, 10/08/26

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): 06/15/26, 10/12/26

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

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): 05/08/26, 10/02/26

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 06/29/26

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 08/03/26, 10/05/26

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 07/13/26, 11/30/26

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 05/11/26, 08/10/26, 10/12/26

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 07/13/26

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 07/20/26, 09/14/26

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 07/06/26, 09/07/26

[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): 06/22/26

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 05/07/26, 06/11/26, 08/06/26, 09/17/26, 11/05/26

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer: Not Currently Scheduled

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 05/08/26, 06/12/26, 08/07/26, 09/18/26, 11/06/26

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 05/09/26, 06/11/26, 08/07/26, 09/18/26, 11/06/26

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 05/11/26, 06/15/26, 07/13/26, 08/10/26, 09/21/26, 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, 09/19/26, 11/07/26

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 05/10/26, 06/14/26, 08/09/26, 09/20/26, 11/08/26, 12/06/26

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 05/15/26, 06/19/26, 08/14/26, 09/25/26, 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): 06/28/26, 07/01/26, 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): 5/12/26*, 05/14/26* – Contact Admissions to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 06/08/26*, 07/20/26*, 10/26/26

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

[OTHER MITAGS COURSES]

AB – Able Seaman: 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): Not Currently Scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 7/6/26, 8/31/26

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 08/17/26

[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

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.

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