Wheelhouse Weekly, Oct. 28, 2025

Volume 31… Number 43, October 28, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• White House Nominee for Maritime Administrator Testifies Before Senate Committee
• “MM&P and APA Members Share a Mission and an Immense Responsibility,” MM&P President Says
• STCW Dispensations to Mitigate Impact of Government Shutdown
• US Navy Lays Keel for New Navajo-Class Towing, Rescue and Salvage Ship

Mark Your Calendar:

• Holiday Parties in the Union Halls
• MM&P Closed for Veterans Day

Mark Your Calendar:

• Membership Meeting in the Houston Hall, Oct. 29
• Offshore Membership Meeting in Miami/Fort Lauderdale Hall on Oct. 30
• Offshore Membership Meeting in the Honolulu Hall on Thursday, Nov. 13

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

WHITE HOUSE NOMINEE FOR MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR TESTIFIES BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE

President Trump’s nominee to head MARAD, Stephen Carmel, told the Senate Commerce Committee during a hearing last week that urgent action is needed to shore up the US-flag fleet and the American Merchant Marine.

Carmel, an MLL executive, is a former ship captain who has sailed with Military Sealift Command and Maritime Overseas Corporation.

The Senate Commerce Committee convened despite the government shutdown to consider his nomination, along with those of two Federal Maritime Commission appointees.

“I believe that your nomination represents an important milestone for MARAD,” said Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who cosponsors the SHIPS for America Act with Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).

“You have a unique experience and a perspective that you can bring to bear on the challenges we face and a familiarity with the commercial industry that we desperately need at this time.”

In response to legislators’ questions, Carmel spoke of the benefits that the SHIPS for America Act could bring and underlined the fact that the US-flag fleet urgently needs more sources of cargo.

“The state of our shipping and shipbuilding industries—starting with shipping—is basically on a lifeline,” Carmel told senators.

“We do not carry our own commerce. Flat out. A merchant marine is supposed to be carrying a nation’s commerce and we need to find a way to get back there.”

Carmel’s nomination is expected to be put forward to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote.
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“APA AND MM&P MEMBERS SHARE A MISSION AND AN IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITY”

State-licensed pilots have always been a key constituency for Masters, Mates & Pilots, says MM&P President Don Josberger, and their interests remain at the forefront of the union’s advocacy work.

The similarities between MM&P and the American Pilots’ Association were a central theme of a speech he delivered at a meeting of the APA Board of Trustees on Oct. 21.

Both MM&P and the APA were founded in the 1880s to protect the rights of seagoing professionals, and today both represent the interests of state-licensed pilots in regulatory and legislative forums.

In his speech, Josberger highlighted a new MITAGS course that exemplifies how MM&P and the APA are working together for the benefit of members of both organizations.

The new pilot ladder safety course was developed based on input from the APA and pilots’ associations, working in concert with MITAGS professionals and MM&P Pilots Membership Group Vice President Tim Ferrie.

Josberger also touched on a number of themes outlined at past APA meetings by MM&P President Emeritus Don Marcus, including that members of both organizations have always been “tasked with the immense responsibility for the safe navigation of ships.”

Going forward, Josberger said, “We pledge our full cooperation with the APA and with the pilots who bring credit daily to both of our organizations and to the maritime industry as a whole.”

“MM&P will continue to support the efforts not only of our affiliated associations but also of the APA and state-licensed pilots generally.”

Among the other speakers at the meeting were Sen. Chris Coons, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, and Congressional staffers Matt Dwyer and John Rayfield.
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STCW DISPENSATIONS TO MITIGATE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

The Coast Guard has issued the following update on its efforts to mitigate the impact of the continuing government shutdown.

The information in Update #2, dated Oct. 15, 2025, remains in place and is valid.

The National Maritime Center and all regional examination centers remain closed.

Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled.

The NMC has implemented the following measures related to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, for Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs) and Medical Certificates:

— MMCs: Pursuant to STCW Article VIII, dispensations may be granted for continued service for mariners operating on endorsements that expired on or after Oct. 1, 2025, provided a renewal application was submitted to the NMC and the employer applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation.

STCW dispensations that are approved will expire up to March 31, 2026. Once the STCW dispensation letter is issued, mariners shall carry the letter AND a copy of this bulletin with the MMC.

Requests for dispensation must be submitted via e-mail with the subject line “STCW Dispensation” to STCWDispensations@uscg.mil and must include the following information:

The ship name, IMO number, ship tonnage, mariner name, mariner reference number, capacity per STCW regulations, credential issuance and expiration dates, company name, company point of contact, and valid mariner e-mail address.

— Medical Certificates: In accordance with STCW Regulation I/9, when the STCW expiration date of a Medical Certificate occurs during a voyage, the certificate remains valid until the earlier of the next US port of call or three months from the expiration date.

For questions regarding credentialing issues related to National Defense, marine employers are advised to contact the Customer Service Center.

Please monitor the NMC website for updates on NMC and REC operating status.

For questions, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing iasknmc@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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US NAVY LAYS KEEL FOR NEW NAVAJO-CLASS TOWING, RESCUE AND SALVAGE SHIP

A ceremony was held on Oct. 17 at Bollinger Shipyards in Houma, La., to mark the keel-laying of USNS LENNI LENAPE, the Navy’s new Navajo-class towing, rescue, and salvage ship.

The LENAPE is named to honor the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, which in 1778 became the first tribe to sign a treaty with the United States.

The first two vessels of the class, USNS NAVAJO and USNS CHEROKEE NATION, are expected to enter service in early 2026.

Navajo-class vessels are capable of towing Navy ships, including aircraft carriers. They have 6,000 square feet of deck space to carry embarked systems.

The multi-mission hull incorporates a bulbous bow to ensure improved fuel efficiency and seakeeping while the bridge provides 360-degree interior and exterior visibility.

The new tugs, which will be operated by Military Sealift Command, will be deployed to support a range of missions including humanitarian assistance, oil spill response and wide-area search and surveillance operations using unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

They are replacing the Powhatan-class Fleet Ocean Tug and Safeguard-class Rescue and Salvage Ships.

Each of the new fleet-ocean tugs will have 23 crewmembers and accommodations for up to 42 additional personnel.

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

Bollinger Shipyards has a contract to construct three other Navajo-class vessels: USNS SAGINAW, USNS OJIBWE ANISHINABEK and USNS MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION.

Earlier this year, Austal USA was awarded a contract for the construction of five other ships in the class: USNS BILLY FRANK JR, USNS SOLOMON ATKINSON, USNS JAMES D. FAIRBANKS, USNS NARRAGANSETT and an additional vessel which has not yet been named.
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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.

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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.
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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, 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, 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

[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 12/08/25, 02/16/26

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 12/01/25, 02/09/26

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: Not Currently Scheduled

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: Not Currently Scheduled

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 11/03/25*, 12/01/25, 01/12/26, 02/06/26*, 03/02/26

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*

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day) 02/13/26, 02/20/26

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 03/23/26

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): 02/12/26, 02/19/26

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: 02/02/26*

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 03/16/26

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 01/05/26*

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 01/12/26, 03/30/26

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 01/05/26, 02/16/26

[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* – 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: 11/03/25

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

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

November 2025
3-5 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

3-7 Leadership & Managerial Skills

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

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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.