Volume 31… Number 44, November 4, 2025
STORIES COVERED
In This Issue:
- Maritime Industry Salutes Mariners, MM&P Plans Trustee and MLL Executive
- Unions Reiterate Support for SHIPS Act in Testimony for Shipbuilding Hearing
- SLNC STAR Saves Crew of Drifting Fishing Boat
- US and China Suspend Reciprocal Port Fees for a Year
- Unions Call on Administration to Fund Food Benefits Program During Shutdown
Mark Your Calendar:
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Job Opportunities:
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MARITIME INDUSTRY SALUTES MARINERS, MM&P PLANS TRUSTEE AND MLL EXECUTIVE
The honorees at this year’s Admiral of the Ocean Sea awards ceremony included longtime MM&P Plans Trustee Ed Morgan, MLL Chief Operating Officer Ed Hanley and MM&P members who sail for the Washington State Ferry system and Military Sealift Command.
Ed Morgan, who served as president of United Seamen’s Service for over two decades, received the AOTOS Special Recognition Award.
He also served as a member of the MM&P Plans Board of Trustees—including in leadership roles—for 25 years, and was president of E-Ships, Ltd., before the company was purchased by Maersk.
MLL Chief Operating Officer Ed Hanley, who has worked in the industry for more than 40 years, was also honored.
“[He] has championed US-flag shipping, expanded the fleet, and advanced shipboard safety,” said Kenneth R. Wykle, a retired US Army lieutenant general, who served as the evening’s master of ceremonies.
The mariners aboard the Washington State Ferry SAMISH were awarded the Mariner’s Plaque for rescuing the crew of a cabin cruiser last year in Puget Sound.
“The quick response and excellent seamanship exhibited by Washington State Ferries highlights the incredible partnerships we have in Puget Sound,” a Coast Guard official said.
Details of the incident, which resulted in the rescue of six people, were reported at the time in The Wheelhouse Weekly and The Master, Mate & Pilot.
Civil Service mariners sailing aboard USNS AMELIA EARHART were recognized for their valiant efforts to save the life of a fellow crewmember who experienced a serious medical incident while onboard.
“More than 20 members of the crew stepped forward to assist with providing the MSO 24-hour assistance during a very difficult time,” said MSC Captain Scott Flanagan.
“Most merchant ships don’t have a doctor on board, routinely requiring MM&P members to receive medical training comparable to an EMT-Advanced to respond to medical emergencies,” said MM&P Government Fleet Representative Randi Ciszewski.
“While underway, Captain Flanagan led his team of shipmates and coordinated around-the-clock medical and logistics support from both afloat and ashore personnel following all required protocols.”
“This is what our members do—they look after one another,” she said.
“They work selflessly with loyalty, teamwork, and commitment to duty, often facing extreme danger to act as the ‘fourth arm of defense’ in times of need.”
The other AOTOS honorees were AMO President Willie Barrere and Vincent J. Marin, chief executive officer of the Marino Group.
The annual event is organized by the United Seamen’s Service, an international social service non-profit dedicated to seafarers’ welfare.
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UNIONS REITERATE SUPPORT FOR SHIPS ACT IN TESTIMONY FOR SHIPBUILDING HEARING
Maritime labor unions submitted written testimony last week to a Senate committee that is weighing strategies to strengthen America’s shipbuilding industry.
Passage of the SHIPS Act is critical to the attempt to shore up the American maritime industry in general and shipbuilding in particular, the unions said.
They thanked the sponsors of the SHIPS Act, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), as well as the members of Congress who have signed on as cosponsors.
They urged Congress to act quickly on the SHIPS Act, warning that “without the critically important initiatives contained in this legislation, vessels may be forced to leave the US flag, worsening the shortage of professional mariners available to the Department of Defense.
“When we lose US-flag vessels and the shipboard billets they provide, trained and experienced American mariners lose their jobs, their income and their ability to provide for their families,” the unions wrote.
“When this happens, they have no choice but to leave our industry and find employment someplace else.
“For our government, this means that a sufficient number of American mariners will no longer be there the next time the need to support American troops and America’s interests abroad arises.”
The unions said the international shipbuilding industry, like the rest of the international maritime industry, “is not a level playing field where all vessels operate under the same set of rules and comply with the same operational, manning and tax requirements.
“US-flag vessels are forced to compete against foreign-state owned and controlled vessels and other flag of convenience vessel operations, as well as those vessels receiving significant tax related and other economic incentives that help them secure larger amounts of the world’s foreign trade.”
To this end, they urged Congress to increase US-flag cargo preference shipping requirements for all taxpayer-funded government cargo to 100 percent, as called for in the SHIPS Act.
They also called for:
— measures that result in the carriage of a greater portion of America’s foreign trade on US ships;
— consideration of tax incentives for American mariners and US shipping companies;
— adjustment of duties on imported cargo carried on US-flag vessels as part of bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations.
The letter was signed by MM&P, AMO, MEBA, MFOW, SIU, SUP, the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department and the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department.
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SLNC STAR SAVES CREW OF DRIFTING FISHING BOAT
The crew of SLNC STAR saved a group of fishermen who had been adrift for days without fuel, food or water.
The rescue began on the night of Oct. 9, when the STAR received a distress message from the fishing boat ROOSA KUSUM 02, which was approximately 8 nm away.
The MM&P licensed deck officers aboard the STAR were Captain Dave McLean, Chief Mate Chris Nowak, Second Mate Abigail Solomos and Third Mate Connor Donnelly.
Once onsite, the crew determined that the small craft was not in immediate danger of sinking and that no one on board was injured.
McLean decided that for the safety of everyone involved, further action should be delayed until the weather conditions had improved.
Shore-based company personnel and all relevant authorities were kept informed of the situation while the STAR stood by with the smaller boat in sight.
Sources on shore confirmed that the fishing vessel belonged to a company in Sri Lanka, Winarali Marine, and that there were no other support vessels in the vicinity.
The following day the weather had improved, so a first approach to the distressed vessel was made.
The captain of the fishing boat was brought aboard the STAR after proper security protocols had been established and it had been determined that there was no threat to the vessel or its crew.
The language barrier was overcome, McLean said, “thanks to Google translate and Starlink.”
The fishing boat captain said his vessel had been adrift for five days and had run out of both food and water two days previously.
He called the fishing fleet’s home office and was told that another company boat could arrive at the earliest in five to seven days. He was also permitted to call his family.
It was determined that the fishing boat only needed fuel, and after consultation with the company’s designated person ashore and Military Sealift Command, it was agreed to fuel the vessel.
Underway fueling operations began at 0934.
The ROOSA KUSUM 02 was provided with about 2,000 liters of MGO, provisions and fresh water, and SLNC STAR was able to resume its scheduled run at 1150 on Oct. 10.
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UNIONS CALL ON ADMINISTRATION TO FUND FOOD BENEFITS PROGRAM DURING SHUTDOWN
MM&P has joined the AFL-CIO and a number of its other affiliates in calling on the administration to fund the food assistance program known as SNAP, which serves one in eight Americans.
The administration has argued that it lacks the resources the fund the program because Congress is not in session.
“SNAP is our nation’s largest food assistance program, serving forty-two million people and supporting countless jobs throughout the economy, including along the food supply chain,” the unions wrote in an Oct. 30 letter to US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“Any lapse in SNAP funding will have devastating impacts for program beneficiaries, reduce hours and wages for food workers in every state and congressional district in the country… and hurt local economies.
“SNAP serves people of all ages and from all types of communities—rural, urban, suburban, and veterans,” they wrote.
“Four in five SNAP households have a child, a person aged 60, or older or a
person with disabilities.
“Between 2018 and 2023, 80 percent of SNAP households included at least one working person.
“SNAP is an economic multiplier,” the unions wrote.
“Each $1 spent by SNAP generates up to $1.80 in economic activity that is felt throughout the economy, spurring spending in the food chain—from farmers and ranchers to food manufacturers and truckers to grocers and store employees—and beyond.
“The administration can and must take action immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can rely on SNAP benefits to continue putting food on their tables.
“Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance.”
Two federal judges ruled on Friday that the administration must continue to fund the program despite the shutdown.
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US AND CHINA SUSPEND RECIPROCAL PORT FEES FOR A YEAR
The US and China have agreed to stop charging the costly port fees that were first imposed in mid-October.
President Trump and President Xi announced the suspension of the tit-for-tat fees after their trade meeting last week in South Korea.
The White House said the US will suspend the implementation of port fees under its Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries.
China said that once the US suspension takes effect, it will make the corresponding changes to its own slate of countermeasures.
No other details were released.
The International Chamber of Shipping released a statement calling the news “a welcome and positive development.
“ICS welcomes the agreement that appears to have been made between President Trump of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China…. and we look forward to receiving confirmation on these reports and further details,” the trade group said.
“[We support] the ambition to increase US shipbuilding capacity and to make the United States shipbuilding industry strong…
“However, the port fees imposed by the USTR on Oct. 14, 2025, and subsequently by China as countermeasures to US-linked ships, [have] already posed significant challenges and disruptions for the shipping industry and global trade.
“[W]e strongly advocate for the need for shipping to be able to move trade freely and efficiently, and remain committed to working collaboratively with all administrations and international partners to avoid any disruptions to the flow of global trade.”
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HOLIDAY PARTIES IN THE UNION HALLS
MM&P is welcoming the holiday season with parties in the union halls!
Here is the schedule. To RSVP and for more information, please contact the hall.
ATLANTIC PORTS
— Charleston: 12/2/25 @ 1130-1530; Kickin’ Chicken, 1179 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407
— Newark: 12/5/25 @ 1130-1530; Newark Union Hall, 570 Broad Street, Suite 701, Newark, NJ 07102
— Boston: 12/9/25 @ 1130-1530; Boston Union Hall, 2 Channel Street, Unit 505,
Boston, MA 02210-2333
— Norfolk: 12/16/25 @ 1130-1530; Dockside Seafood, 3311 Shore Dr.,
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
— Miami/PEV: 12/19/25 @ 1130-1530; Umberto’s, 3051 E. Commercial Blvd.,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
GULF PORTS
— Houston: 12/10/25 @ 1100, Esteban’s Cantina, 402 W Main St. League City, TX 77573
PACIFIC PORTS
— Honolulu: 12/11/25 after 1100 job call; Honolulu Hall, 521 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 254, Honolulu, HI 96813
— LA/LB: 12/12/25 after 1100 job call; LA/LB Hall, 533 N. Marine Ave., Suite A, Wilmington, CA 90744
— Seattle: 12/16/25 after 1100 job call; Seattle Hall, 15208 52nd Ave., South, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98188
— SF/Oakland: 12/9/25. Time and location to be finalized
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MM&P CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY
All MM&P union halls, the MM&P Plan Office, the MM&P Federal Credit Union and MM&P headquarters will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.
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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING, HOUSTON HALL, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
An Offshore Membership Meeting will be held in the Houston Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 1100, immediately following job call.
MM&P International President Don Josberger will attend the meeting.
The address of the Houston Hall is:
13850 Gulf Freeway
Ste 250
Houston, TX 77034
All members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.
OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE MIAMI/FORT LAUDERDALE HALL, OCT. 30
Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin has scheduled an Offshore Membership Meeting in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale Hall on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 1200.
The Miami/Fort Lauderdale Hall is located at:
3081 E. Commercial Blvd., Ste. 100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-946-7883
All Offshore members are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE HONOLULU HALL ON THURSDAY, NOV. 13
There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the MM&P Honolulu Hall on Thursday, Nov. 13.
The meeting will take place after 1000 job call.
Pacific Ports Vice President Melany Velleca and Honolulu Representative Randy Swindell will attend the meeting and give their reports.
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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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS
— BUCHANAN MARINE is looking for a Mate: MMC with a Mate of Towing with Inland Waters
— BUCHANAN is looking for a Deckhand – MMC with an OS.
If you are interested, please fill out an application on the company’s website.
Google Buchanan Marine LP, then click “careers” and scroll down to “apply online.”
If you have questions, please contact Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org or 973-495-9377.
— — MORAN is looking for a tankerman: MMC with a PIC, preferably with an AB and STCW but will work with an OS.
If interested, please email your resume to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call at 973-495-9377.
— POLING & CUTLER is looking Mates & Captains with a 200-ton coastwise license & TOAR.
If interested, please email your resume to Paulina at ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org. If you have any questions, please call at 973-495-9377.
— REINAUER is looking for a Mate – MMC with 500-ton license and TOAR. If interested, please email Keith at kpoissant@bridgedeck.org.
— STATEN ISLAND FERRY is looking for Provisional Marine Oilers with their QMED.
If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s website.
https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-27357
Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org.
— STATEN ISLAND FERRY is looking for a Deckhand with an AB.
If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s website.
https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-34931
Any questions, please send an email to Anthony at aturzio@bridgedeck.org
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OFFSHORE JOBS
Senior LMSR positions available.
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GREAT LAKES & GULF JOBS
Immediate openings in the Great Lakes region for the following permanent jobs:
— Great Lakes Towing CAPTAINS – Must live within one hour of Ports; Detroit, Toledo, Chicago, Duluth, Cleveland, Buffalo – Start Date Immediately
If you’re interested in applying or want more information, please contact MM&P GL&G Vice President Ed Lulko, elulko@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
[STCW, MEDICAL & SAFETY Courses]
BT – Basic Safety Training: 02/02/26, 03/16/26, 09/07/26, 11/30/26
FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting: Not Currently Scheduled
FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: 02/02/26, 03/16/26, 09/07/26, 11/30/26
MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 01/26/26*
MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 12/08/25, 02/02/26
MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 11/17/25, 01/05/26
MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day):
11/18-19/25 (Evening Session), 12/13/25, 01/10/26, 02/07/26
[STCW License & Radar Renewal Courses]
Revalidations (REV): You have 360+ days of sea time in the last 5 years
BT-REV (2-day): 11/12/25, 12/08/25, 01/19/26, 03/30/26, 05/15/26, 09/14/26, 09/28/26, 10/26/26
FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 11/14/25, 12/10/25, 01/21/26, 04/01/26, 05/20/26, 09/16/26, 09/30/26, 10/28/26
Refreshers (REF): You have less than 360 days of sea time in the last 5 years
BT-REF (3-day): 11/12/25, 01/19/26, 03/30/26, 10/26/26
FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 11/10/25, 01/22/26, 04/02/26, 10/29/26
ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 11/11/25, 01/21/26
[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]
ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 12/08/25, 02/16/26, 04/20/26, 06/08/26
ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 12/01/25, 02/09/26, 04/27/26, 06/01/26
CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): 02/23/26
LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 04/13/26
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: 12/15/25, 02/16/26, 03/23/26
MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: 03/23/26
SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: 03/09/26
SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 12/01/25, 01/12/26, 02/06/26*, 03/02/26, 04/06/26, 05/11/26, 06/15/26
WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: 03/16/26
[AB TO MATE Upgrade Courses]
ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/10/25, 02/09/26*
CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 01/19/26, 03/23/26
CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 12/01/25, 03/09/25
ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 11/17/25, 02/23/26*, 03/02/26
FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): Contact Admissions
LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 03/23/26
LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): Contact Admissions
ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 02/02/26*
SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 02/09/26, 02/16/26, 03/02/26
SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: Not Currently Scheduled
STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: Not Currently Scheduled
TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 01/05/26*
WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 01/12/26
WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 01/05/26, 02/19/26
[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): 01/26/26
MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 11/16/25, 01/08/26, 03/12/26
MSC-CBRD-OFF – Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer: 03/23/2026, 06/22/2026
MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 11/07/25, 01/09/26, 03/13/26
MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 11/09/25, 01/09/26, 03/13/26
MSC-SMA – Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 11/10/25*, 12/09/25, 01/12/26, 02/09/26, 03/15/26, 04/13/26
MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 11/08/25, 01/10/26, 03/14/26
MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 11/09/25*, 12/08/25, 01/11/26, 02/08/26, 03/15/26, 04/12/26
MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 11/14/25*, 01/16/26, 03/20/26
[MM&P Company Specific Requirements Courses]
CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations: 01/12/26
CM-OPS 2 Maersk – CM Operations II Maersk Specific: 01/19/26
LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3-Day): 12/15/26, 02/02/26, 02/05/26
NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 12/02/25*, 12/04/25* 01/06/26, 01/08/26, 03/17/26, 03/19/26, 5/12/26, 05/14/26, 09/01/26, 09/03/26, 10/27/26, 10/29/26 – Contact Admissions to Register
SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 11/17/25*, 01/26/26
WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-Day): 11/15/26, 12/06/25
[Other MITAGS Courses]
AB – Able Seaman: 02/16/26
BRM – Bridge Resource Management: 03/23/26
GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): 02/13/26
LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): 02/16/26
HAZ – Hazardous Materials: Not Currently Scheduled
Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions
RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): Not currently scheduled
TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 11/10/25
VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled
[Continual Improvement Workshops – NOT covered by the MATES Program]
Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 11/05/25, 02/04/26
Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (2-Day): Online: Not Currently Scheduled
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
November 2025
10-12 Search & Rescue
10-13 Advanced Firefighting
17-18 Basic Training Revalidation
19th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
December 2025</strong?
1-2 Basic Training Revalidation
1-3 Basic Training Refresher
1-12 GMDSS
3rd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation
4-5 Advanced Firefighting Refresher
8-12 Basic Training
15-18 Advanced Firefighting
15-19 Tankerman Person-In-Charge
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.
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