Wheelhouse Weekly, Oct. 7, 2025

Volume 31… Number 40, October 7, 2025

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Victory for Unions in Fight to Restore Federal Workers’ Collective Bargaining Rights
• Government Shutdown’s Impacts on Mariners
• USCG Safety Alert on High-Pressure Water Mist Nozzles
• Finland Drops Case Against Officers of Tanker That Severed Undersea Cables
• MM&P Atlantic Maritime Group Endorses Vito Fossella for Borough President

Mark Your Calendar:

• MM&P Closed for Columbus Day on Monday, Oct. 13
• Membership Meeting in San Francisco/Oakland Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 21
• Membership Meeting in Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 22
• Offshore Familiarization Course in Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall, Oct. 22-23
• Membership Meeting in the Houston Hall, Oct. 29
• Offshore Familiarization Course in the Houston Hall, Oct. 28-9

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs
• Great Lakes Jobs
• Offshore Jobs

And:

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

VICTORY FOR UNIONS IN FIGHT TO RESTORE FEDERAL WORKERS’ COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS

A federal judge has ruled in favor of MM&P and other unions that went to court in July to protect the labor rights of their federal employee members.

Following a Sept. 30 hearing, Judge Paul Friedman granted the unions’ request for a preliminary injunction to block the application to their members of an Executive Order issued by President Trump that took away the labor rights of hundreds of thousands Department of Defense employees.

The Judge found that President Trump had exceeded his authority when he tried to exclude MM&P FEMG members from federal sector labor law.

“[W]hen people are deprived for a substantial period of time of their right to arbitrate their grievances, to bargain collectively, and the unions are deprived of their ability to have dues withheld from paychecks, that harm is really… irreparable,” Judge Friedman said.

Federal civilian workers have had the legal right to collectively bargain with their government-agency employers since the early 1960s.

Judge Friedman noted in his decision that when Congress passed the Federal Relations Labor Act, “it found specifically that collective bargaining was a good thing.”

“They applauded unions,” he said.

“They found that labor organizations and collective bargaining in the civil service are in the public interest.”

The administration had argued in its Executive Order that allowing federal workers to have union representation was a threat to national security.

The Judge ruled, however, that “the EO’s breadth was in furtherance of unrelated policy goals,” adding that the President “acted beyond the narrow national security related bounds of the exclusion provisions and did so to achieve improper goals, such as retaliating against unions and protected activities.”

The unions’ lawsuit, which alleged that the EO violated the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act, named as defendants President Trump and Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth, among other administration officials.

“MM&P will challenge any attempt to take away our members’ right to collective bargaining,” said MM&P President Don Josberger.

“Thanks to Judge Friedman’s decision, MM&P can continue to ensure that our members are treated fairly, lawfully, and with the dignity and respect all workers deserve.”

“The unions partner with government agencies to further the shared goals of protecting and serving our nation,” said MM&P FEMG Vice President Dave Narby.

“This symbiotic relationship has proven to benefit the mariner and thereby national security by improving readiness.”

“Congress explicitly found that collective bargaining, labor organizations and federal unions are in the public interest and it is unlawful to undercut them by executive fiat,” said MM&P Government Fleet Representative Randi Ciszewski.

“Judge Friedman’s finding recognizes the essential contributions that our FEMG members and their families make daily to serve our great nation by restoring their inherent right to union representation.”

Please pay your dues directly to MM&P to remain a member in good standing until the government restores dues withholding.

Thank you for your support and please do not hesitate to contact your MM&P officials on any matter.
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GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN’S IMPACTS ON MARINERS

Activities that the administration has deemed as being “non-essential” ceased to operate on Oct. 2, after Congress failed to reach an agreement to fund the government.

Agencies and activities that have been deemed essential are still functioning, but many employees are working without a paycheck, and the administration has signaled that it may begin laying off thousands of additional government workers.

Merchant mariner credentialing has come to a halt, since the National Maritime Center and regional exam centers are closed until further notice.

Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended.

Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled.

For questions regarding credentialing issues related to national defense, employers are advised to contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

The agency says the NMC website will provide updates on NMC and REC operating status.

According to the Department of Transportation, the Maritime Administration will furlough 192 employees.

Activities that will continue during the shutdown include: the Maritime Security Program; the Tanker Security Program; the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Program; functions to address imminent hazards to safety of human life and protection of US government vessels; emergency disaster assistance, cybersecurity and data center functions.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point will continue to operate, with some restrictions, until funding runs out.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has said it will furlough 1,100 employees.

During a government shutdown, USACE activates a contingency plan to continue activities related to national security and public safety, while closing many of its public recreation areas.

Many USACE projects and functions can continue if they are funded by prior-year, multi-year, or other non-annually appropriated funds.

Contractors working on pre-existing, fully funded contracts can continue their services.

Government employees who are furloughed are guaranteed back pay when the shutdown ends, but contractors do not have the same guarantee and may face layoffs.

The shutdown threatens to leave mariners, marines, and Coast Guard personnel working in activities that are deemed non-essential without pay.

If the government does not reopen by Oct. 15, troops and essential non-military workers will go without pay until a new funding measure is signed into law.

Back pay will be issued when the shutdown ends.

Military Sealift Command and other parts of the Navy, including naval warfare centers, will operate under the Navy Working Capital Fund, which provides a financial cushion of up to several weeks of operation.

The Coast Guard recommends that servicemembers who will miss paychecks during the shutdown seek assistance from food banks, nonprofits, and affiliate groups like the Coast Guard Foundation.

The agency said that “military-adjacent banking institutions” may also be able to provide zero-interest loans to help servicemembers bridge the gap until the next paycheck.

The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, of which MM&P is an affiliate, is urging Congress to fund the government and end the shutdown.

“When the federal government shuts down, thousands of federal employees are furloughed while their work is put on hold,” TTD officials said in a statement.

“Tens of thousands of public servants, including civilian mariners, aviation workers, transportation security officers and rail safety inspectors are forced to work without timely pay, while some government contractors are working without the guarantee that they will ever receive the compensation they are owed.

“A government shutdown reduces federal safety oversight, strains airport security, and delays much-needed infrastructure and planning projects.

“The livelihoods of civil servants and their families must not be leveraged or reduced to political bargaining chips.

“We urge Congress to prioritize the safety of transportation systems, workers, and passengers by coming to a resolution that funds the federal government and works on behalf of American families.

“Interruptions to crucial public services hurt not only the workers who provide them, but also the American people who rely on them.”
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USCG SAFETY ALERT ON HIGH-PRESSURE WATER MIST NOZZLES

While witnessing routine testing of a fixed firefighting system on a foreign passenger vessel, the US Coast Guard discovered that multiple high-pressure water mist nozzles were incapable of discharging water.

As a result, the firefighting system failed to activate in multiple accommodation spaces.

Port State Control officers reported that the nozzles had been manufactured by Marioff (“a2000” series) as part of the “HI-FOG” system.

The manufacturer had released service bulletins on how to address the problem, but the Coast Guard found that implementing the manufacturer-recommended actions did not

raise the system pressure sufficiently to activate the release mechanisms for the nozzles.

As a result, in Marine Safety Alert 16-25, the Coast Guard strongly recommends that owners, operators, and compliance personnel:

— conduct an inspection of all high-pressure water mist nozzles to identify potential issues;

— consider whether more frequent inspections are necessary;

— contact the manufacturer if any signs of green patina build-up are observed on high-pressure water mist nozzles and consider replacing them;

— evaluate whether training for crew members responsible for firefighting system maintenance and compliance walkthroughs adequately addresses the need for inspection of high-pressure water mist nozzles.

The agency says the highest risk of corrosion occurs in sprinklers that are more than 10 years old and those located in high moisture and corrosive atmospheres, such as outer decks, galleys, and areas that are close to external doors.
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FINLAND DROPS CASE AGAINST OFFICERS OF TANKER THAT SEVERED UNDERSEA CABLES

A district court in Finland has dismissed charges against the captain and two officers of the EAGLE S, the Cook Islands-flag tanker that dragged anchor for 90 km across the seabed, severing five undersea cables.

The court ruled last week that Finland lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the three because the incident took place in international waters.

The crew—the master, first officer and second officer—had been charged with aggravated criminal mischief, aggravated interference with telecommunications and gross negligence.

Prosecutors sought prison sentences of over two years, arguing that the officers had failed to respond to obvious indications that the anchor was dragging.

The operators of the severed cables also filed damage claims totaling tens of millions of euros.

The district court dismissed the financial claims along with the criminal charges.

No charges were filed against the ship’s owner, and the tanker was released in March.

The incident, one of several involving cables and pipelines in the Baltic since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has prompted NATO forces to step up regional patrols and monitoring of subsea infrastructure.

It was seen as a test of how maritime law applies to incidents that involve damage to subsea power and telecommunications cables.
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MM&P ATLANTIC MARITIME GROUP ENDORSES VITO FOSSELLA FOR BOROUGH PRESIDENT

The MM&P Atlantic Maritime Group, which represents licensed and unlicensed deck officers in the maritime industry throughout New York Harbor, has endorsed incumbent Vito Fossella in the race for Staten Island Borough President.

“Your steadfast commitment to the working people of Staten Island, and particularly to those who serve in our maritime community, has not gone unnoticed,” the AMG said in a statement.

“From supporting good union jobs and fighting for fair wages, to safeguarding the Staten Island Ferry system that so many of our members dedicate their lives to operating, you have proven to be a true partner.

“The professionalism and safety of our ferry operations, the well-being of passengers, and the protection of maritime workers depend on leaders who understand our unique challenges.

“Time and again, you have shown that you value our contributions and share our priorities.

“We look forward to working together to continue building a strong Staten Island Ferry labor force.”
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MM&P CLOSED FOR COLUMBUS DAY ON MONDAY, OCT. 13

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. 13 for Columbus Day.
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MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND HALL ON THURSDAY, OCT. 21

There will be a membership meeting in the San Francisco/Oakland Hall on Thursday, Oct. 21, immediately after job call.

All members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.

The contact information for the hall is:

315 Broadway, 2nd Floor

Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: 510-808-7068

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MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN LOS ANGELES/LONG BEACH HALL ON WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22

There will be a membership meeting in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 22, immediately after job call.

All members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.

The contact information for the hall is:

533 N. Marine Ave., Ste A

Wilmington, CA 90744-5527

Phone: 310-834-7201
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OFFSHORE FAMILIARIZATION COURSE IN LOS ANGELES/LONG BEACH HALL, OCT. 22-23

The Offshore Familiarization Course will be held in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 22 and Thursday, Oct. 23.

The schedule for the course is 0930-1530 and you must attend both days.

There is no sea-time requirement to take the course.

All Offshore applicants, potential transferees from other membership groups and other interested Offshore members are encouraged to take the course as soon as possible.

If you are interested in participating in the course, please contact Wendy Karnes, wkarnes@bridgedeck.org.

The contact information for the hall is:

533 N. Marine Ave., Ste A

Wilmington, CA 90744-5527

Phone: 310-834-7201
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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 FAMILIARIZATION COURSE, HOUSTON HALL, OCT. 28-9

The Offshore Familiarization Course will be held in the MM&P Houston Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct 28-9, from 0830-1630 each day.

There is no sea-time requirement to take the course.

All Offshore applicants, potential transferees from other membership groups and other interested Offshore members are encouraged to take the course as soon as possible.

Please RSVP by calling or emailing the hall at 281-464-9650 or Houston@bridgedeck.org.

The address of the Houston Hall is:

13850 Gulf Freeway

Ste 250

Houston, TX 77034
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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 https://www.buchananmarinelp.com.

Click on “Careers” on the top right 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: Not Currently Scheduled

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting: Not Currently Scheduled

FF-BADV – Fire Fighting Combined Basic & Advanced: Not Currently Scheduled

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 01/05/26, 03/09/26

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 10/06/25, 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): 10/11/25, 11/16/25, 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): 10/20/25, 11/12/25, 12/08/25

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 10/22/25, 11/14/25, 12/10/25

Refreshers (REF): You have less than 360 days of sea time in the last 5 years

BT-REF (3-day): 11/12/25

FF-ADV-REF (2-day): 11/10/25

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 11/11/25

[CMM – Chief Mate & Master Upgrade Courses]

ADVSTB – Advanced Stability: 10/13/25, 12/08/25, 02/16/26

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

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10-Day): 10/20/25, 02/23/26

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 10/20/25, 04/13/25

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, 02/16/25

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: Not Currently Scheduled

[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

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: 10/13/25, 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: 01/12/26, 03/16/26

TNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 10/20/25, 01/05/26*

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 02/23/26, 03/30/26

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 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): 10/14/25, 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): 10/13/25, 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): 10/15/25*, 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

September 2025

October 2025

9th Flashing Light

10th Leadership & Teamworking Skills

13-17 Basic Training

13-17 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

13-24 Watchkeeping – Operational Level

20-21 Basic Training Revalidation

20-22 Basic Training Refresher

20-24 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

22nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

22-23 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

27-30 ARPA

27-31 Medical Care Provider

27-31 Basic Shiphandling

27-7 Medical Person-In-Charge

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.