Wheelhouse Weekly, Oct. 6, 2026

Volume 32… Number 39, Oct. 6, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Panama Canal Tug Captain Dies While Working Sixth Straight Midnight Watch
• Texas Maritime Coalition Asks Sen. Ted Cruz to Support Maritime Action Plan, SHIPs Act
• Dockworkers Protest Port Automation at International Summit
• Amendments to STCW Basic Training Requirements for Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• Use of Spirit Airlines’ Employee Data to Train AI Systems Sparks Controversy

Mark Your Calendar:

• Offshore Membership Meeting in Charleston Hall on Oct. 8
• Offshore Membership Meeting in Honolulu on Oct. 19
• MM&P Closed on Monday, Oct. 12

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs

And:

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

PANAMA CANAL TUG CAPTAIN DIES WHILE WORKING SIXTH STRAIGHT MIDNIGHT WATCH

A Panama Canal tug captain died in the wheelhouse of his vessel on the night of Sept. 30 while working mandatory overtime.

Initial indications are that he suffered a stroke, but many are asking whether exhaustion may be at least in part to blame.

The death of Efrain Otero, 59, has refocused attention on grueling work schedules on the canal, which have been a subject of concern among workers and their unions for years.

“[T]his incident relates to some common work condition deficiencies recorded by our union since 2016,” said a spokesperson for Unión de Capitanes y Oficiales de Cubierta (UCOC), the MM&P affiliate that represents Panama Canal tug captains and associated vessel personnel.

“In this case, the captain was working mandatory overtime hours on his sixth straight midnight watch.”

“[T]ugboat captains on the Canal are not allowed the minimum hours of rest required by international convention, International Labor Organization rules or Panama’s national regulations,” a UCOC official wrote in a 2024 letter to IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez that was signed by the presidents of MM&P and Nautilus.

“This is particularly dangerous in the new Canal where tugs work directly under the bows and on the sterns of NEOPANAMAX vessels with no margin for error, protecting the Canal lock gates from potential disaster.”

The hazards stem mostly from the poor design of the expanded canal, which has given rise to a much more labor-intensive process of vessel transit.

In the new locks, tugboats are required to continuously position vessels in transit, which means tug captains must be at the controls for the entire passage.

Otero died while escorting a NEOPANAMAX ship through Gatun Lake.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation has called for an independent investigation into the cause of Otero’s death.

Unions are also demanding that the Panama Canal Authority limit consecutive duties, allow workers to have proper rest and hire more people to achieve safer staffing levels.

“Unions in the canal have been warning about safety risks associated with fatigue for years, and those warnings must now be heard,” said the ITF General Secretary.
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TEXAS MARITIME COALITION ASKS SEN. TED CRUZ TO SUPPORT MARITIME ACTION PLAN, SHIPS ACT

MM&P and other maritime industry stakeholders with activities in Texas are asking Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to support the SHIPs for America Act and the Trump Administration’s Maritime Action Plan.

MM&P is part of The Texas Maritime Coalition, whose members include organizations that collectively employ thousands of Texans working at shipyards, shipping companies, barge lines, maritime academies and related maritime entities throughout the state.

“As you know, the Trump Administration has made it a priority to revitalize our domestic maritime industry and thereby protect the economic and national security interests of the United States,” the coalition wrote in an Oct. 1 letter to Cruz, who serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

The coalition cited a June 12 letter to Congress from OMB Director Russell Vought and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, which noted that “decades of neglect for our Nation’s shipyards and maritime industry have left us poorly positioned and without the capacity necessary to scale up the domestic shipbuilding industry when needed to meet national priorities.”

“In response to this glaring need,” the coalition wrote, “the White House proposals would promote investment in the maritime industrial base, improve the competitiveness of U.S. flag vessels trading internationally, and expand educational opportunities for American citizens to join the maritime workforce.”

They quoted Vought and Rubio’s endorsement of the MAP and the SHIPs Act as “vital step[s] toward restoring America’s maritime dominance.”

“The maritime provisions that passed as part of the House NDAA include many of the suggestions made by the White House and will be instrumental in rejuvenating the maritime industry in Texas and elsewhere,” the coalition wrote.

“As the House and Senate enter into conference negotiations on the NDAA this Fall, we hope that you will act favorably on these important House-passed maritime provisions.”
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DOCKWORKERS PROTEST PORT AUTOMATION AT INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT

Members of longshore unions in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand met in Vancouver last month for a four-day summit on the negative impact of artificial intelligence and automation on port workers’ jobs.

The International Dockworkers Anti-Automation Summit brought together delegates from unions including the ILWU, the ILA, the Maritime Union of Australia and the ITF.

The summit ended with a rally at the DP World Center container terminal at the Port of Vancouver.

DP World Canada is the country’s largest container terminal operator, providing cargo handling, port operations, and integrated end-to-end logistics.

The unions are focused on winning the ability to negotiate over technology before it is implemented and opposing changes that lead to cuts in jobs or pay or that don’t bring meaningful benefits to workers.

The impact of waterfront job losses, they note, extends far beyond the docks.

“When you destroy good-paying dockworker jobs, you hurt our families and entire port communities,” says ILA Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett.

Restaurants, stores, contractors and other small businesses supported by port workers all suffer.

Unions say technology should make work safer and strengthen port communities—not serve as a vehicle for job cuts, outsourcing, workplace surveillance, union avoidance or weakened safety standards.
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AMENDMENTS TO STCW BASIC TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONAL SAFETY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published CG-MMC Policy Letter 01-26 titled Amendments to STCW Basic Training Requirements for Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities.

The policy letter provides guidance for evaluating compliance with the amended competency requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Code concerning Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2029, applicants for original STCW Basic Training endorsements and for renewal of an STCW BT endorsement must demonstrate the competencies added to Table A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code through successful completion of a Coast Guard approved course in Prevention of Violence and Harassment, including Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Sexual Assault.

Mariners currently holding an STCW BT endorsement will need to complete the training on or before the first renewal of their MMC that occurs after Sept. 30, 2029.

The Coast Guard will not issue separate MMC endorsements for Prevention of Violence and Harassment, including Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Sexual Assault.

The policy letter offers guidance for training providers considering developing and seeking approval for this course.

Training providers wishing to obtain approval for a course may develop and submit their course for approval at any time.

This policy letter is available on the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentialing policy website.

Mariners and other interested parties should contact the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division at MMCPolicy@uscg.mil or (206) 815-6890 with questions or feedback.
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USE OF SPIRIT AIRLINES’ EMPLOYEE DATA TO TRAIN AI SYSTEMS SPARKS CONTROVERSY

Transportation unions are calling on Congress to put safeguards in place to protect the sensitive private data of Spirit Airlines employees whose personal information is being sold to Google to train its AI models.

Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), co-chair of the House Labor Caucus, is circulating a letter to his colleagues in Congress urging that before a transfer occurs both Spirit and Google be required to commit to guidelines for handling sensitive employee data.

The proposed $10 million sale includes training records, payroll data, disciplinary records, medical accommodations, and much more, all of which would normally require heightened protections.

As things stand now, if the sale goes through as part of Spirit’s bankruptcy proceedings, Google will gain access to a large amount of sensitive employee data without having to adhere to any safeguards at all.

Protections for employee data are currently much weaker than those that apply to consumer data—especially in a bankruptcy sale.

The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, of which MM&P is a member, is urging members of Congress to sign on to Horsford’s letter.

TTD represents members of MM&P and hundreds of thousands of other workers who build, operate, and maintain America’s transportation network.
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN CHARLESTON HALL ON THURSDAY, OCT. 8
There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Charleston Hall on Oct. 8 at 11:00 a.m.

Please contact dispatcher John at charleston@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

The Charleston hall is located at:

1481 Tobias Gadson Blvd., Suite 2C

Charleston, SC 29407-4794

Phone: 843-766-3565

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

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE HONOLULU HALL ON MONDAY, OCT. 19
There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the MM&P Honolulu Hall on Monday, Oct. 19.

The meeting will take place after the 1000 job call.

MM&P President Don Josberger and 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

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

MM&P CLOSED ON MONDAY, OCT. 12
All MM&P union halls, the MM&P Plan Office, the MM&P Federal Credit Union and MM&P headquarters will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12 for Indigenous People’s Day (Columbus Day).
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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

BUCHANAN MARINE

1) Mate – MMC with a Mate of Towing, Near Costal or Oceans

If you are interested in this position, 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.

2) Deckhand – MMC

If you are interested in this position, 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 website:

https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/marine-oiler-in-staten-island-jid-36530&g=NDQxMDIxNTA3NTQ5Mjc5Zg==&h=Nzc0MTM5MmQ0ZjVjOTYzYWI0MzYyYzc2ZDQ3ZGU5OThjZWQyMmMyZjAyMTM5ZTIyYTVjYTJkZGVjNjU3NDEzNA==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOmI0MDNkNTJjZGYxNzEwZjVhM2ZlMTk1NGY0OWJjZmM4Ojc6dDpU

Any questions, please email Anthony: aturzio@bridgedeck.org

2) Deckhand with an AB

If you are interested, please fill out an application on the city’s website. https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197&g=YTg1MTA5NzA1MGE0MjY4Yg==&h=NTc0OTYwYjE1OTY4NjlkZDgyNWM0NzNmMTkxODlkZjc4MDQzZGI4MmI1NzEwMjE2MjY3MmFkM2VlZWU3NWQxOQ==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOmI0MDNkNTJjZGYxNzEwZjVhM2ZlMTk1NGY0OWJjZmM4Ojc6dDpU

Any questions, please email Anthony: aturzio@bridgedeck.org

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=ZDZmNTk3ZWNiOTU1MTliMA==&h=ZjZlODBjOTE4NzJkN2M4MmZmMDkxNGNlOGNlNDQ1MzI0ZTNjMWY0OGMzZTg3YmM4MzNlOGI0ZTk2ZjBjYjM2Nw==&p=YXAzOmJyaWRnZWRlY2s6YTpvOmI0MDNkNTJjZGYxNzEwZjVhM2ZlMTk1NGY0OWJjZmM4Ojc6dDpU or email the company at careers@marineoilservice.com

Any questions, please email Anthony: aturzio@bridgedeck.org

REINAUER

1) Mate with a 500-ton masters or mate near coastal but will accept 200-ton masters or mate near coastal

If you are interested in this position, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Keith: kpoissant@bridgedeck.org.

If you have any questions, please call Keith at 973-420-0492.
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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: 11/30/26, 03/08/27, 04/12/27

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 01/25/27, 05/17/27

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

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 11/02/26, 03/15/27

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 10/12/26*, 11/30/26, 01/18/27, 02/22/27, 04/19/27

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 11/09/26, 11/16/26, 01/04/27, 02/11/27, 05/06/27

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

10/17/26, 11/15/26, 12/05/26, 01/06/27, 01/23/27, 02/13/27, 02/27/27, 04/24/27, 05/09/27

[STCW LICENSE & RADAR RENEWAL Courses]

Revalidations (REV): You have 360+ days of sea time in the last 5 years

BT-REV (2-day): 10/26/26*, 12/07/26, 02/08/27, 03/22/27, 05/03/27

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 10/28/26*, 12/09/26, 02/10/27, 03/24/27, 05/05/27

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, 02/08/27

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 10/29/26, 12/10/26, 02/11/27

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 10/28/26, 12/09/26, 02/10/27
[CMM – CHIEF MATE & MASTER UPGRADE Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 10/05/26, 12/07/26

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 11/30/26

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 04/12/27

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: 12/14/26, 02/01/27

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: Not Currently Scheduled

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: Not Currently Scheduled

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 10/12/26*, 11/02/26, 11/30/26, 01/18/27, 03/08/27, 03/29/27, 05/03/27, 06/07/27

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: Not Currently Scheduled

[AB TO MATE UPGRADE Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/09/26, 02/08/27, 05/03/27

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling & Stowage: 11/09/26, 02/08/27, 03/08/27, 05/10/27

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 11/30/26, 02/22/27, 05/24/27

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 11/16/26, 02/15/27, 05/10/27

FL – Visual Communications / Flashing Light (1 Day): 10/08/26

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (10-Day): 10/12/26, 03/01/27,04/19/27

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Prep (15-Day): 01/04/27, 03/15/27

LTS – Leadership and Teamworking Skills (1-Day): 10/02/26, 11/13/26

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 10/26/26, 02/01/27, 04/26/27

SAR – Search and Rescue (3-Day): 10/05/26, 01/11/27, 02/22/27, 04/26/27

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 11/30/26, 01/04/27

STB-OIC – Stability and Cargo Handling: 10/26/26, 02/01/27, 03/01/27, 05/03/27

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 10/05/26, 01/04/27, 04/05/27

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 02/15/27, 03/29/27

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 11/16/26, 01/18/27, 04/12/27, 06/28/27

[MSC – MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND Courses]

MSC-ATO-I – Anti-Terrorism Officer (Online): Contact Admissions

MSC-ATO-II – Anti-Terrorism Officer: Level 2: 03/22/27

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 11/05/26, 01/07/27, 03/11/27,05/06/27,06/10/27

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 11/06/26, 01/08/27, 03/12/27, 05/07/27, 06/11/27

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day): 11/06/26, 01/08/27, 03/12/27, 05/07/27, 06/11/27

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 10/12/26, 11/09/26, 12/07/26, 01/11/27, 02/08/27, 03/15/27, 04/12/27, 05/10/27, 06/14/27

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 11/07/26, 01/09/27, 03/13/27, 05/08/27, 06/12/27

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 11/08/26, 12/06/26, 01/10/27, 02/07/27, 03/14/27, 04/11/27, 05/09/27, 05/12/27, 06/13/27

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 11/13/26, 01/15/27, 03/19/27, 05/14/27, 06/18/27

[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): 10/26/26*, 10/29/26*

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 02/02/27*, 02/04/27 Contact Admissions@MITAGS.org to Register

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling: 10/26/26*

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

[Other MITAGS COURSES]

AB – Able Seaman: 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: 12/14/26

Qualified Assessor (Online): Contact Admissions

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 11/30/26

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 11/09/26

[CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOPS – NOT COVERED BY THE MATES PROGRAM]

Designated Person Ashore & Internal Auditor (3-Day): Online: 10/07/26

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (2-Day): Online: Not Currently Scheduled

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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

FOR REGISTRATION CONTACT OUR ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT 866.656.5568 OR admissions@mitags.org

October 2026

12-16 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

12-16 Basic Training

12-16 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

16th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

17-18 Basic Training Revalidation

19-23 Basic Training

19-23 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

19-23 Cargo Handling & Stowage

26-30 Medical Care Provider

26-30 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

27-30 ARPA

November 2026

2-4 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

2-5 Advanced Firefighting

2-6 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

2-6 Leadership & Managerial Skills

9-11 Search & Rescue

12-13 Basic Training Revalidation

14th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

16-20 Basic Training

16-20 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

16-20 Basic Shiphandling

December 2026

30-4 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

30-11 Medical Person-In-Charge

30-18 Celestial Navigation

1-4 Advanced Firefighting

7-8 Basic Training Revalidation

7-9 Basic Training Refresher

7-18 GMDSS

9th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

10-11 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

14-18 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

14-18 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.

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