Wheelhouse Weekly, Nov. 14, 2023

Volume 29… Number 46, November 14, 2023

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• MM&P World War II Veteran Among Mariners Honored at Historic Ceremony
  
• China Continues To Block Philippine Supply Ships in South China Sea
• MM&P Northern California Regional Rep Tells State Legislators: “Air Resources Board Proposal Would Put Our Members’ Safety at Risk”

Mark Your Calendar:

• Atlantic Maritime Group Membership Meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 1100 Hours
• Holiday Parties in the MM&P Union Halls
• MM&P Closed for Thanksgiving

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:

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

MM&P WORLD WAR II VETERAN AMONG MARINERS HONORED AT HISTORIC CEREMONY

America’s merchant mariners were honored on Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery in a historic event organized by the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV).

It was the first time ever that merchant mariners had been honored in a national commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery alongside veterans who served in the Navy, the Army, the Marine Corps, and the Air Force.

World War II veteran Captain Pete Kurkimilis, a longtime member of MM&P, participated in the ceremony, as did other World War II merchant marine veterans.

Kurkimilis and three other World War II merchant mariners laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of the thousands of merchant mariners who have died in service to our country.

“America honors all U.S. Merchant Mariners who served our Nation in times of peace and war, including military sealift support during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and six Expeditionary Operations in the Middle East and Northeast Africa,” said AMMV President Dru DiMattia, who, along with his associates at AMMV, deserves tremendous thanks for making this recognition possible.

“Laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day this year is a historic first for the Merchant Marine.”

Merchant mariners were indispensable to the Allied victory in World War II, and they paid a heavy price, suffering a casualty rate second only to that of the marines.

The union was represented at the wreath-laying ceremony by MM&P President Don Marcus, as well as Great Lakes Pilot and MITAGS instructor Captain Chris Edyvean.

President Joe Biden laid a wreath and spoke at the event, as did a senior leader of the U.S. Maritime Administration.

AMMV is a non-profit established in 1984 to gain public and government recognition for the service of America’s mariners in peace and war.

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CHINA CONTINUES TO BLOCK PHILIPPINE SUPPLY SHIPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

China is ramping up its pressure campaign against the Philippines, a U.S. ally, in the South China Sea.

Video posted by Maritime Executive shows the PRC deploying a 38-boat flotilla and a water cannon against three Philippine Coast Guard cutters and two small supply boats on Friday.

The U.S.-Philippine mutual defense treaty extends to “armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels and aircraft—including those of its coast guard—anywhere in the South China Sea.”

Recent hostile encounters between the Philippines and China center on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where the Philippine military maintains a small outpost.

The Philippine Coast Guard frequently takes journalists along on the resupply missions to document China’s aggression.

At about 0630 local time on Friday, as shown in the video footage, three Philippine Coast Guard cutters arrived in waters just off the shoal with two small supply boats in tow.

They encountered 38 Chinese boats, including China Coast Guard cutter 5203, which aimed a high-capacity water cannon in the direction of one of the smaller boats.

The cutter appeared to keep a distance of several hundred meters from the smaller vessel.

“The PCG condemns, once again, CCG’s unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, that has put the lives of our personnel at risk,” said PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan.

“China has no legal right or authority to conduct law enforcement operations in our territorial waters and in our exclusive economic zone,” the Philippines government said in a statement.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila has issued a statement of support, reiterating America’s defense treaty obligations with the Philippines.
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“AIR RESOURCES BOARD PROPOSAL WOULD PUT OUR MEMBERS’ SAFETY AT RISK”

A proposed regulation that would require harbor assist operators to retrofit their vessels with filters similar to those that have led to truck fires would put the safety of MM&P members at risk, MM&P Northern California Regional Representative Sly Hunter told state legislators on Nov. 2.

Hunter testified against the proposed regulation—which was issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)—before a select committee of the state legislature.

He said CARB had not responded to the union’s written objections to the plan, which would require harbor operators to retrofit their vessels with “Diesel Particulate Filters” (DPFs).

DPFs are supposed to reduce some emissions by filtering out diesel engine byproducts.

But there are not any commercially available DPFs for use in the maritime industry.

Researchers say a CARB regulation mandating similar filters in the trucking industry has led to hotter and more frequent vehicle fires.

“While a truck driver can run from a fire, a vessel crew’s only option would be to abandon ship, risking their own lives,” Hunter testified.

“Technologies must be vetted as safe.”

He said the six-month “grace period” included in the regulation is not long enough for classification societies and engine manufacturers to assess its impact.

“Safety and preservation of life is why MM&P was founded,” he said, “and it continues to be the most important aspect of what this union does every day.”

“Our members breathe the same air as everyone else, and we share CARB’s commitment to sustainability,” he added, “but this new rule does not do enough to address mariner safety.”
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ATLANTIC MARITIME GROUP MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6, AT 1100 HOURS

The Atlantic Maritime Group has a regularly scheduled membership meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 1100 hours to 1300 hours.

This will be a hybrid meeting: both online and in person, for members in good standing ONLY.

To obtain the code needed to participate electronically, please touch base by Monday, Dec. 4, at 1500 with AMG Representative Paulina Czernek (pczernek@bridgedeck.org).

The in-person meeting will be held at the NY/NJ MM&P Union Hall, 570 Broad Street, Ste. 701, Newark, NJ.

It will be taking place the day after the MM&P Holiday Party, which will be held on Dec. 5 at 1200 hours.

To RSVP for the NY/NJ holiday party, you must call 201-963-1900 by Nov. 20.
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HOLIDAY PARTIES IN THE MM&P UNION HALLS

MM&P is preparing to welcome the holiday season with parties in the union halls.

You must RSVP by emailing or calling the hall if you are planning to attend so there is an accurate headcount for food orders.

— SF/Oakland—11/28 @12:00 pm (Drake’s Dealership Restaurant & Beer Garden) RSVP by November 23rd

— Seattle—11/29 @ 11:00 am–12:00 pm for drinks and socializing; 12:00 pm–2:00 pm for lunch buffet (Union Hall) RSVP by November 23rd

— NY/NJ—12/5 @ 12:00 pm (Union Hall) RSVP by November 20th

— Boston—12/7 @ 12:00 pm (Union Hall) RSVP by November 30th

— LA/LB—12/12 @ Party starts right after the 11:00 am job call (Union Hall) RSVP by December 5th for Offshore to wkarnes@bridgedeck.org or phone 310-834-7201 and for PMR to aamalfitano@bridgedeck.org or phone 310-766-9731

— Charleston—12/12 @ 11:30 am (Kickin’ Chicken) RSVP by December 5th

— Norfolk—12/14 @ 12:00 pm (Dockside Seafood) RSVP by November 7th

— Miami/PEV—12/15 @ 12:00 pm (Umberto’s) RSVP by December 8th

— Houston—12/15 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Whiskey Cake at Baybrook) RSVP by December 8th

— Honolulu—12/19 @ 11:00 am (Union Hall) RSVP by December 12th
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MM&P CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING

All MM&P union halls, the MM&P Plan Office, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, and MM&P headquarters will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24, for Thanksgiving.
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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.

GRN now offers a signing/retention bonus of $3,000 to all mates and assistant engineers who complete the 2023 sailing season and return for the 2024 sailing season.

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.

WMI is offering a $3,000 new hire sign-on bonus. It is payable in three payments of $1,000 each, the first $1,000 after the successful completion of the second hitch, the second $1,000 upon successful completion of the third hitch, and $1,000 upon successful completion of the fourth hitch.

Cross-shipping rights for Offshore applicants/members are available for licensed personnel, with sea time and points counting towards upgrading Offshore membership.

Key Lakes is looking for a mate with Great Lakes pilotage and an open-water mate.

The regular relief is for 30 days but could be modified if mutually agreed on.

These are long-term, permanent jobs.

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

Tanker Captain, CM, 2M and 3M’s needed, including for new tanker ALLIED PACIFIC.

Positions available aboard Patriot LMSR’s at all levels including new vessels SEAY and PILILAAU.

Members and applicants who are interested in MSC training, please sign up with MITAGS and for those who do not qualify for training benefits yet, please email Jeremy Hope, VP Gulf and Gov’t Contracts at jhope@bridgedeck.org with the subject line MSC TRAINING.

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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): 01/22/24, 01/29/24

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

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/13/23, 02/05/24, 03/04/24

AZIPOD (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

BRM – Bridge Resource Management (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

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): 01/15/24, 02/12/24

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): 11/13/23*, 01/29/24, 03/11/24

BT-Refresher (3-day): 01/29/24

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 04/15/24

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 12/18/23, 01/29/24, 04/29/24, 06/24/24

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 12/11/23, 01/22/24, 04/22/24, 06/17/24

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 02/05/24

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 12/04/23, 02/26/24

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 11/27/23, 03/04/24

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

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 12/11/23, 03/11/24

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 11/13/23, 03/18/24

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 03/11/24

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 02/26/24

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 12/04/23*, 01/08/24*, 02/05/24, 04/08/24, 05/06/24, 06/03/24

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 12/11/23*, 01/15/24*, 02/12/24, 04/15/24, 05/13/24, 06/10/24

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

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 02/19/24

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): 03/18/24

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) –12/02/23, 01/27/24

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

Online: Not Currently Scheduled

CIW-SMS – Continual Improvement Workshop: Successful Safety Management (2-Day) – Online: Not Currently Scheduled

CNAV-OIC– Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 05/06/24

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): 02/05/24

ECDIS for Pilots (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 11/27/23

ADV-FF – Advanced Fire-Fighting (4-day): 02/19/24, 03/24/24

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

FF-ADV-Rev (1-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years) – Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation: 11/15/23, 01/31/24, 03/13/24

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 02/01/24

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

Online: Not currently scheduled

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): 02/02/24

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): 01/15/24

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 11/16/23

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 03/04/24

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): 02/05/24

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): 11/13/23*, 01/08/24*, 02/12/24, 03/11/24

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): 04/04/24

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

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 12/04/23, 01/08/24

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 11/27/23, 01/22/24

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 01/08/24

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 11/16/23, 12/09/23, 01/13/24, 03/14/24

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 02/29/24, 05/09/24, 06/07/24, 08/08/24, 09/12/24, 10/31/24

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 03/01/24, 05/10/24, 06/07/24, 08/09/24, 09/13/24, 11/01/24

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 03/01/24, 05/10/24, 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): 01/08/24, 03/04/24, 05/13/24, 06/10/24, 07/15/24, 08/12/24, 09/16/24, 11/04/24

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 03/02/24, 05/11/24, 06/08/24, 08/10/24, 09/14/24, 11/02/24

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 01/07/24, 03/03/24, 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): 01/12/24, 03/08/24, 05/17/24, 06/14/24, 07/19/24, 08/16/24, 09/20/24, 11/08/24

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): 01/22/24*, 01/24/24*, 05/13/24, 05/15/24

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): 01/29/24, 02/05/24

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 01/25/24

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-day): 01/10/24

ROR-1 – Radar Observer Renewal (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 11/18/23, 01/31/24

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Program – Unlimited: 11/16/23, 01/29/24, 02/26/24

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 04/01/24

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 04/29/24

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 11/13/23, 02/26/24

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 04/05/24

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 02/05/24

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 11/13/23, 01/29/24, 03/04/24

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): 05/31/24

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 12/04/23, 03/18/24

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 04/22/24

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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

November 2023
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.

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