Wheelhouse Weekly, May 9, 2023

Volume 29… Number 19, May 9, 2023

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Six Crewmembers Kidnapped by Pirates Are Now on the Way Home
• New Edition of IFSMA Newsletter Posted on Bridgedeck.org
• Contaminated Fuel Caused MV WALLA WALLA Grounding
• Keel-Laying Ceremony for Third Maritime Academy Training Ship
• Iranian Navy Seizes Panama-Flagged Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
• Sudan Conflict: Three Navy Ships Standing By To Assist If Needed in Evacuation

Attention All Mariners:

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

Mark Your Calendar:

• Atlantic Maritime Group In-Person and Virtual Meeting on May 10
• Offshore Membership Meeting in the Boston Hall on Thursday, May 11

Job Opportunities:

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

And:

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

SIX CREWMEMBERS KIDNAPPED BY PIRATES ARE NOW ON THE WAY HOME

The six members of the crew of the MONJASA REFORMER who were kidnapped from their vessel in late March are heading home to their families, the Danish fuel company Monjasa said in a statement.

They were “safely recovered from an undisclosed location in Nigeria,” the company said, and were in “relatively good health condition given the difficult circumstances they have been under.”

There were no details about when the six were released or whether a ransom had been paid.

“We are immensely grateful for the support received from our professional advisors, navies, and authorities and to all others who have helped us resolve this awful situation,” said Monjasa CEO Anders Østergaard.

He said the six “have all been receiving medical checks and are now being repatriated to their home countries to reunite with their families.”

“Unfortunately, this and other recent and similar hijackings in the Gulf of Guinea clearly demonstrate the need for joint international political action to face these issues once and for all,” the company said in a statement.

“Monjasa urges safe passage routes and safe zones under an international coalition, and we will continue working with our partners, authorities, and fellow shipowners for a safe working environment for all seafarers.”

In October 2018, 12 crewmembers were kidnapped from two other Monjasa vessels and held for two months.

According to the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Center, in the first quarter of 2023, there were five reported incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, compared to eight in 2022 and 16 in 2021.
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NEW EDITION OF IFSMA NEWSLETTER POSTED ON BRIDGEDECK.ORG

The May issue of the newsletter of the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations has been posted on bridgedeck.org.

MM&P is a member of IFSMA, the professional organization that represents the world’s serving shipmasters at the IMO, the ILO, and other international and national forums.

In this issue of the newsletter:

— guidelines for the carriage of lithium-ion batteries;

— pilot ladder retrieval lines;

— International Chamber of Shipping publishes new medical guide.

To read the new issue of the IFSMA newsletter, go to bridgedeck.org and click on News and Announcements.
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CONTAMINATED FUEL CAUSED MV WALLA WALLA GROUNDING

An investigation into the April 15 grounding of the MV WALLA WALLA has determined that contaminated fuel led to a generator failure resulting in a loss of propulsion and steering controls.

Backup systems were affected by the same issue, resulting in a second generator failure within seconds of the first.

After inspections, repairs, testing, and dock and sea trials, the Jumbo-class ferry was returned to service on the Seattle/Bremerton route on May 3.

The Washington State Ferry system has installed new, upgraded generator monitoring gauges on the MV WALLA WALLA and its sister ship the MV SPOKANE.

The investigation into how the fuel was contaminated is ongoing.

The ferry was traveling from Bremerton to Seattle with 596 passengers, 15 crewmembers, and 175 vehicles on board when it went aground.

There were no injuries.

“The MM&P deck officers handled this emergency exactly as they were trained to do,” said MM&P United Inland Group–Pacific Maritime Region Vice President Dan Twohig.

“The master of the vessel ensured minimal damage and followed procedures to ensure the safety of the ship, the passengers and the crew.”
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KEEL-LAYING CEREMONY FOR THIRD MARITIME ACADEMY TRAINING SHIP

The keel of the third national security multi-mission vessel was laid in a ceremony at Philly Shipyard on May 1.

The newbuild is scheduled to be delivered to Maine Maritime Academy in 2024.

The national security multi-mission vessel program is operated by the Maritime Administration.

It will provide state-of-the-art training platforms for the state maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas, and California.

The NSMVs will also be equipped to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

The first of the new ships, TS EMPIRE STATE VII, was floated from the dry dock at Philly Shipyard on Sept. 24, 2022.

It will be delivered to SUNY Maritime College this spring.

The second will be delivered to Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2024.

The NSMVs have numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and space for up to 600 cadets to train in an academic environment at sea.

Each will feature hospital facilities, a helicopter pad, and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people.

The vessels will also provide roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for use in disaster relief missions.
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IRANIAN NAVY SEIZES PANAMA-FLAGGED TANKER IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

Iranian forces have seized another tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Navy has reported that the Panama-flagged VLCC NIOVI was seized on May 3 at around 6:20 a.m. local time by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.

The tanker, which was not carrying any oil at the time, had departed from Dubai and was headed to the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

According to the U.S. Navy, a dozen IRGCN fast-attack craft swarmed the NIOVI mid-strait, forcing the crew to change course and head towards Iranian territorial waters.

The NIOVI is owned and managed by affiliates of Greece-based Smart Tankers Inc.

The incident came less than a week after Iran captured the Chevron-chartered Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker ADVANTAGE SWEET in international waters in the Gulf of Oman.

That attack followed the confiscation by the United States of an Iranian oil cargo from a tanker accused of sanctions violations.

“Iran’s actions are contrary to international law and disruptive to regional security and stability,” the U.S. Navy said in a statement.

“Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are unwarranted, irresponsible and a present threat to maritime security and the global economy.”
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THREE NAVY SHIPS STANDING BY TO ASSIST IF NEEDED IN EVACUATION

Three U.S. ships are operating in the Red Sea as part of the State Department-led effort to help people who want to find a way out of Sudan.

Fighting in the country has been ongoing since the middle of April, part of a dispute between factions that cooperated in 2021 to overthrow Sudan’s government but are now involved in a bloody power struggle.

The Military Sealift Command fast transport vessel USNS BRUNSWICK made one crossing from Port Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 4, carrying a total of 300 people, including U.S. citizens, the Pentagon said.

It then returned to Port Sudan to be available if needed.

Also deployed off the Sudanese coast are the USS TRUXTUN, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and USS LEWIS B. PULLER, the lead ship of her class of expeditionary mobile bases.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s top spokesperson, told reporters that the Navy vessels are there “to provide us with options, should we need that capability.”

MM&P represents the LDOs, Pursers & MSOs aboard all MSC CIVMAR manned ships.

Military officials said last week that there were only a “relatively small number” of Americans in Sudan who were still trying to get out.

“As long as there are American citizens in Sudan who are seeking our assistance in leaving Sudan, we will continue to do this,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last Tuesday.

“We have been working very hard to make sure that our embassy personnel were able to get to safety and that American citizens with whom we were in contact and asked for assistance were also able to get to safety.”

The U.N. Refugee Agency has said that as many as 800,000 people might flee Sudan for other countries.
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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 and Cetacean Marine.

There are licensed deck jobs for those with Great Lakes pilotage and unlicensed deck positions at Grand River Navigation on the Great Lakes.

There are unlicensed and licensed deck jobs with Weeks Marine 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.

There are unlicensed and licensed engineering jobs with Cetacean Marine, Grand River, and Weeks Marine.

If you are interested, please contact UIG Vice President Tom Bell at tbell@bridgedeck.org or 216-776-1667 with any questions.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME GROUP IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL MEETING ON MAY 10

There will be an Atlantic Maritime Group membership meeting on Wednesday, May 10, from 1100 hours to 1300 hours.

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

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

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 Czernek before noon on Tuesday, May 9.

Her email address is: pczernek@bridgedeck.org.
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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE BOSTON HALL ON THURSDAY, MAY 11

MM&P Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin has scheduled an in-person membership meeting at the Boston Union Hall on Thursday, May 11, at 1100 EDT following job call.

All members and applicants are welcome to attend.

MM&P President Don Marcus and Secretary-Treasurer Don Josberger will participate in the meeting.

The Boston Union Hall is located at:

Marine Industrial Park

12 Channel St., Suite 606-A

Boston, MA 02210-2333

The phone number is: 617-671-0769.
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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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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): 06/19/23, 09/04/23, 11/13/23

AZIPOD (2-Day) : Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): 07/24/23, 10/09/23, 12/11/23

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, 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, 10/02/23

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

CY-MAR – Cyber-Skilled Mariner (5-Day) **NOT covered by the MATES Program ** – Not currently scheduled

Cyber-MAR-ONL – Cyber Skilled Mariner, Management of Information & Systems Security (Online Seminar) **NOT covered by the MATES Program ** – 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): 05/08/23, 07/24/23

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): 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): 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: 05/22/23*, 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): 05/20/23, 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): 05/22/23, 06/08/23, 08/10/23, 09/07/23, 10/26/23

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 05/23/23, 06/09/23, 08/11/23, 09/08/23, 10/27/23

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day): 05/13/23, 06/19/23, 08/12/23, 09/09/23

MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 05/15/23, 06/12/23, 08/13/23, 09/11/23, 10/30/23

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour) – 05/13/23, 06/10/23, 08/12/23, 09/09/23, 10/28/23

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day) – 05/14/23, 06/11/23, 08/17/23, 09/10/23, 10/29/23

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day) –05/19/23, 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): *05/22/23, 05/24/23, *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): 10/09/23,

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

15-26 GMDSS
18-19 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

20-21 Basic Training Revalidation

20-22Basic Training Refresher

22nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

22-26 Basic Training (original)

23rd Radar Renewal

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©2021. 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 or to MM&P headquarters, e-mail communications@bridgedeck.org. Back issues of The Weekly are posted on www.bridgedeck.org