Wheelhouse Weekly, September 24, 2024

Volume 30… Number 39, September 24, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Important: Attention Vessel Masters
• Nominee to Head USTRANSCOM Tells Congress: “US-Flag Sealift Capability Is Critically Important to Our Mission”
• Court in Turkey Sentences Captain and Chief Mate of Panama-Flag Ship to 30 Years for Cocaine in Cargo
• Keel Is Laid for USNS LANSING, Navy’s Final Expeditionary Fast Transport Vessel
• US Sues Owner and Operator of Vessel That Struck Baltimore Bridge
• The MM&P San Francisco/Oakland Hall Has Moved
• The Union Plus Credit Card: No Annual Fee, US-Based Customer Service and More

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Job Opportunities on the Great Lakes

And:

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

Attention Vessel Masters

In response to shipboard reports that the following federal statutory requirement regarding rest before watch is not part of several company’s ISM/SMS requirements and that the provision is not being enforced, please be aware of the following:

46 CFR Section 8104(a): An owner, charterer, managing operator, master, individual in charge or other person having authority may permit an officer to take charge of the deck watch on a vessel when leaving or immediately after leaving port only if the officer has been off duty for at least 6 hours within the 12 hours immediately before the time of leaving (Emphasis Added). {This provision is also found in the MM&P Master Collective Bargaining Agreement Section XIII, Subsection 4 (“Blue Book”)}

{See: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title46/pdf/USCODE-2022-title46-subtitleII-partF-chap81-sec8104.pdf

or

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/46/8104}

Do not put your license at risk if this is the case aboard your vessel. Contact your employer and request corrective action or report a non-conformity.

Do not hesitate to contact your MM&P Area Representative, your DPA or the USCG if assistance in this matter is necessary.
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“US-FLAG SEALIFT CAPABILITY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR MISSION”

Air Force Lt. Gen. Randall Reed, who has been nominated by President Biden to head USTRANSCOM, reiterated his strong support for America’s commercial fleet in a Sept. 17 confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“It is critically important that we maintain a viable U.S.-flagged sealift capability to support Department of Defense needs,” he testified.

Reed has been nominated to the post to succeed Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost who has been the commander of USTRANSCOM since October 2021.

Several members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have come out forcefully in recent months on the need to strengthen the US fleet.

In May, two senators and two members of the House of Representatives released a wide-ranging plan aimed at “reversing the decline of America’s maritime power.”

The plan sets out a series of strategies, objectives, and actionable steps to address the challenges the industry faces.

The authors of the plan are Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.).

During the confirmation hearing, Kelly questioned Reed on the national security risks that stem from the maritime power gap between the US and China.

China has over 5,500 merchant ships compared to the 80 internationally trading vessels that fly the US flag.

“[T]here is no way that I can do my mission without the commercial industry,” Reed said, adding that he is committed to growing the size of the fleet and increasing the number of American merchant mariners.

“Most importantly,” he testified, “a long-term, stable and resourced strategy to increase fleet readiness, recapitalize the sealift fleet through purchasing used commercial ships for immediate readiness relief, and procurement of new ships will ensure we maintain sufficient capacity and industrial base to meet the needs of the National Defense Strategy.”

Reed is currently deputy commander of Air Mobility Command.

He is also up for appointment to the grade of general.
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COURT IN TURKEY SENTENCES CAPTAIN AND CHIEF MATE OF PANAMA-FLAG SHIP TO 30 YEARS FOR COCAINE IN CARGO

A court in Turkey has sentenced the captain and chief mate of a Panama-flag bulker to 30 years in prison because cocaine was found hidden in a cargo hold.

Prosecutors argued that Captain Marko Bekavac and Chief Mate Ali Albokhari were guilty of drug smuggling because they occupied positions of command authority aboard the vessel, the PHOENICIAN M.

Eight seafarers arrested on the same charges were acquitted. The verdicts were announced on Sept. 16.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation and the government of Croatia are among those arguing that the captain—a Croatian citizen—and the chief mate should have been acquitted along with the rest of the crew.

The case began in October 2023 when the PHOENICIAN M arrived in the Black Sea port of Eregli, Turkey, after taking on a load of coal in Columbia.

During a search of the vessel, Turkish authorities discovered 137 kilos of cocaine hidden under the coal in one of the cargo holds.

According to testimony, before arriving in Columbia, the captain had contacted ship management to say the PHOENICIAN M did not have the resources necessary to guarantee the security of the loading operation.

He asked for additional security, including cameras, but ship managers did not follow up on his request.

The captain is also on record as telling Turkish authorities when the vessel docked in Eregli that he was concerned about the lack of security in Columbia.

Defense attorneys noted that Captain Bekavac has been sailing for more than three decades without ever being accused of impropriety of any sort.

Journalists covering the trial reported that the prosecution did not provide any evidence linking any member of the crew to the cocaine.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Bekavac’s behalf in June.

He said Croatia expected the Turkish authorities to “act fairly,” adding that the Croatian government would continue to provide the captain with diplomatic, consular, legal and other support.

ITF representatives, Croatia’s ambassador to Turkey, and members of the captain’s family were present at the trial.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation and its member unions have expressed outrage at the sentence.

“We are all in shock,” said Neven Melvan of the Seafarers’ Union of Croatia.

Under Turkish law, the court has 30 days to present its verdict in writing.

Only then can defense lawyers file an appeal.

MM&P and the Seafarers’ Union of Croatia are both affiliates of the Nautilus Federation and the International Transport Workers’ Federation.
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KEEL IS LAID FOR USNS LANSING, NAVY’S FINAL EXPEDITIONARY FAST TRANSPORT VESSEL

Austal USA officially began construction of USNS LANSING, the Navy’s final Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, with a keel-laying ceremony at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard.

The ship’s sponsor, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and welder Emija Coleman authenticated the keel by welding Whitmer’s initials into a plate that will be permanently affixed to the vessel’s hull.

In remarks delivered at the keel-laying, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro tied construction of USNS LANSING to the push to strengthen the U.S. fleet and reclaim America’s role in the international maritime sphere.

“This ship highlights the success and importance of our Maritime Statecraft initiative, encompassing a national, whole-of-government effort to restore the comprehensive maritime power of our Nation,” he said.

“The future USNS LANSING is named for the capital city of the state that is a leader in developing the techno-industrial workforce we need to build and assemble the ships, munitions, parts, and pieces our Naval fleet requires….”

The USNS LANSING will be the third and final EPF Flight II vessel constructed by Austal USA.

EPF Flight II vessels have enhanced medical capabilities, including advanced secondary health care, an intensive care unit, ward beds, and limited diagnostic services.

Their catamaran design ensures stability, making their onboard operating suites suitable for performing medical procedures at sea.

Additionally, the Flight II configuration improves support for V-22 flight operations and includes facilities for launching and recovering 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boats.

Although 32 ships have previously been named after Michigan and its cities, EPF 16 is the first Navy ship to bear the name Lansing.

USNS LANSING will be operated by Military Sealift Command. MM&P represents the LDOs, Pursers and MSOs aboard all MSC CIVMAR manned ships.
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US SUES OWNER AND OPERATOR OF VESSEL THAT STRUCK BALTIMORE BRIDGE

The Department of Justice has filed a civil suit seeking $103 million in costs plus punitive damages from the owner and operator of the MV DALI, the Singapore-flag containership that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six roadworkers.

The suit alleges that the company and operator “jury-rigged” the ship to keep it sailing despite the fact that it was unseaworthy.

“This was an entirely avoidable catastrophe, resulting from a series of eminently foreseeable errors made by the owner and operator of the Dali,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, during a Sept. 18 briefing.

“The owner and operator of the DALI were well aware of vibration issues on the vessel that could cause a power outage,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer.

“But instead of taking necessary precautions, they did the opposite.”

“Out of negligence, mismanagement, and, at times, a desire to cut costs, they configured the ship’s electrical and mechanical systems in a way that prevented those systems from being able to quickly restore propulsion and steering after a power outage.”

“As a result, when the DALI lost power, a cascading set of failures led to disaster.”

After the accident, Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine went to court seeking to limit their liability to approximately $44 million.

The families of the six men who died have sued the companies, as have the City of Baltimore and local businesses.

The state of Maryland, which owned the bridge, is expected to file suit to cover the cost of replacing it.

The FBI is investigating the accident and may file criminal charges.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said it will take up to a year to publish the final results of its investigation.

The DALI departed Norfolk, bound for China, on Sept. 19.
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NO ANNUAL FEE, US-BASED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MORE

The Union Plus credit card is manufactured in the US by union members.

Customer service, which is also based in the US, is available 24/7.

There is no annual fee and the card offers other benefits, such as hardship grants for eligible cardholders.

See if you’re pre-approved today—with no impact to your credit score.
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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

2M Urgently needed for PAX, TPIC preferred, but if any interested candidates with Tanker Assist, please throw in for the job.

MARAD ROS CM and 3M positions open. No training required.  Pensioners may work Government Contracts.

 

CMs, 2Ms, 3Ms Needed for LMSR’s, please email  jhope@bridgedeck.org with any questions or visit any Offshore Hall.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES ON THE GREAT LAKES

here are job openings on the Great Lakes!

KEY LAKES, a division of Key Stone, has openings for Mates with Great Lakes pilotage; they may take an Open Water Mate if COI allows. The company operates a fleet of two 1000’ x 105’ ships.

GRAND RIVER NAVIGATION has an opening for a 1st Assistant Engineer.

If you want more information about Great Lakes job listings, go to https://bridgedeck.org/job-opportunities/.

Interested candidates should reach out to Thomas Bell at the MM&P Cleveland office: tbell@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
AB – Able Seaman (5-Day): 02/10/25

ARPA-OIC– Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/04/24, 03/24/25

AZIPOD (2-Day): Contact Admissions

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

BRMP –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots (2-Day): Contact Admissions

BRMP-EMR –Bridge Resource Management for Pilots with Emergency Shiphandling – (Now also included in BRMP-Refresher) (3-Day): Contact Admissions

BRMP-Refresher (Now including Emergency Shiphandling for Pilots) (3-Day): Not currently scheduled

BT – Basic Safety Training (5-Day): not currently scheduled

BT-Revalidation (2-day) (Must have 1 year of sea service in last 5 years): *09/30/24, 10/28/24

BT-Refresher (3-day): *09/30/24, 10/28/24

CHS-OIC – Cargo Handling Basic (5-Day): 02/17/25

[CMM – Chief Mate and Master Courses]

ADVSTB-CMM – Advanced Stability (5-Day): 10/07/24, 12/09/24, 01/13/25, 03/24/25, 04/28/25

ADVWX-CMM – Advanced Meteorology (5-Day): 12/16/24, 01-06/25, 03/17/25, 06/02/25

CHS-CMM – Advanced Cargo Operations (10 Days): 10/14/24, 01/20/25

CM-OPS 1 – Chief Mate Operations (5-Day): 12/09/24, 02/10/25, 05/12/25

CM-OPS 2 Maersk – Chief Mate Operations II Maersk Specific (5-Day): 12/16/24, 02/17/25, 05/19/25

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (5-Day): 11/11/24, 03/31/25

LMS – Leadership and Managerial Skills (Management Level – Formerly MCL-CMM) (5-Day): 11/18/24, 03/10/25

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants (5-Day): 09/30/24, 03/03/25

(DCS-1 available on request – contact Admissions)

SHMGT-CMM- Ship Management (5-Day): 10/28/24, 02/17/25

SHS-ADV-I-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 1) (5-Day): 09/30/24*, 11/04/24, 12/02/24, 01/13/25, 02/03/25, 03/10/25, 04/07/25, 05/05/25,

SHS-ADV-II-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (week 2) (5-Day): 10/07/24, 11/11/24*, 12/09/24, 01/20/25, 02/10/25, 03/07/25, 04/14/25, 05/12/25

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

VPEN-CMM – Voyage Planning & Electronic Navigation (5-Day): 04/28/25

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping (5-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

WX-HW-PAC – Heavy Weather Avoidance Routing: Pacific Ocean (2-day) – 11/16/24

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): 05/05/25

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): 01/27/25

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

ERM – Engine Resource Management (5-Day): 12/09/24, 03/17/25

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-day): Not currently scheduled

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: 10/02/24, 10/30/24

FF-ADV-REF (2-day) – Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher: 10/03/24

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

Online: Not currently scheduled

GL-Pilot – Great Lakes Pilotage Familiarization (2-Day): 02/07/25

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (10-Day): 01/06/25

HAZ – Hazardous Materials (5 day): 12/02/24

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 10/07/24, 03/10/25

LAP-Great Lakes – License Advancement Program – Great Lakes (15-Day): 02/10/25

LAP-ORG3rd – License Advancement Program for Original 3rd Mate, Oceans, Any Gross

Ton License (15-Day): 06/03/25

LEG – Legal Aspects of Pilotage (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

LNG-BADV – Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations (3 Day): 10/21/24*, 10/28/24, 12/16/24, 01/13/25, 03/12/25, 05/05/25, 06/04/25

LTS –Leadership and Teamworking Skills (Formerly MCL-OIC) (1-Day): 02/24/25

MEECE – Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment (Assessments /not included): 12/02/24, 03/24/25

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 09/30/24, 12/02/24, 01/20/25, 04/07/25, 05/12/25

MED-PIC-REF– Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 11/18/24, 01/06/25, 03/03/25, 04/28/25

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: (5-Day): 02/03/25, 04/07/25, 05/12/25

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 10/05/24, 11/17/24, 12/07/24, 01/11/25, 01/25/25, 03/08/25, 04/12/25, 05/03/25, 05/17/25

[MSC – Military Sealift Command Courses]

MSC-ATO-II – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer II (5-Day): 01/20/25

MSC-ATO-III – Military Sealift Command Anti-Terrorism Officer III (1-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

MSC-CBRD-OFF – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Officer (5-Day): Not currently scheduled

MSC-CBRD-1 – Military Sealift Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Orientation (Basic) (1-Day): 10/31/24, 01/09/25, 03/13/25, 05/08/25, 06/12/25

MSC-DC – Military Sealift Command Damage Control (2-day): 11/01/24, 01/10/25, 03/14/25, 05/09/25, 06/13/25

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 11/01/24, 01/12/25, 03/16/25, 05/11/25

MSC-FF-HELO (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

MSC-SMA – Military Sealift Command Small Arms Qualifications (4-Day): 11/04/24, 01/13/25, 02/11/25, 03/17/25, 04/15/25, 05/12/25, 06/16/25

MSC-Security Watch Basic (1-Day/ 8-hour): 11/02/24, 01/11/25, 03/15/25, 05/10/25, 06/14/25

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 11/03/24, 01/12/25, 02/10/25, 03/16/25, 04/14/24, 05/11/25, 06/15/25

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 11/08/24, 01/17/25, 03/31/25, 05/13/25, 06/20/25

NSAP-MMP – Navigational Skills Assessment Program-MM&P (2-Day): 12/09/24*, 12/11/24*, 01/07/25, 01/09/25

PSC – Personal Survival Craft (Lifeboatman) (5-Day): Not Currently Scheduled

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 02/17/25

RFPNW – Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (3-day): 01/29/25

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

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 10/02/24

ROU-OIC – Radar Observer Unlimited: 10/28/24, 03/17/25

SAR – Search & Rescue – (Now with OIC and CMM assessments) (3-Day): 02/26/25

SHS-BAS-OIC – Basic Shiphandling: 03/07/25, 04/14/25

SHS-EMR5 – Emergency Shiphandling (5 Day): 10/14/24*, 12/16/24*, 01/27/25, 04/21/25, 06/23/25

STB-OIC – Ship Construction and Basic Stability: 02/10/25

TCNAV/CO – Terrestrial Navigation and Compasses (15-Day): 01/20/25

TPIC – Tankerman Person in Charge: 10/21/24, 11/11/24

TRAC-TUG-2 (2-Day): Not currently scheduled

TTT – ** NOT covered by the MATES Program **: 10/07/24

VSO – Vessel Security Officer (3-Day): 12/04/24

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (Operational Level) (10-Day): 01/20/25, 04/21/25

WX-OIC –Meteorology (Operational Level): 03/10/25
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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
September 2024

24-25 Basic Training Revalidation

24-26 Basic Training Refresher

30-4 Leadership & Managerial Skills

30-4 Basic Shiphandling

30-1 Basic Training Revalidation

October 2024
2nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

7-9 Search & Rescue

7-10 Advanced Firefighting

14-18 Ship Construction and Basic Stability

21-25 Basic Cargo Handling & Stowage

21-25 Basic Training

28-29 Basic Training Revalidation

28-30 Security Officer–Vessel, Company & Facility

28-31 ARPA

30th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

November 2024

4-8 Leadership & Managerial Skills

4-8 Medical Care Provider

11-13 Search & Rescue

18-22 Basic Training

December 2024

2-13 Advanced Cargo Operations

2-13 GMDSS

5-6 Advanced Firefighting Refresher

7-8 Basic Training Revalidation

7-9 Basic Training Refresher

9th Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

9-13 Basic Training

16-19 Advanced Firefighting
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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.