Wheelhouse Weekly, Sept. 1, 2026

Volume 32… Number 35, Sept. 1, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Legislation Introduced in Congress to Extend Foreign Source Income Exclusion to Merchant Mariners in Foreign Trades
• Administration Calls Up TS Empire State for Federal Service
• Relief for Mariners With Pending MMC Applications
• 22 Presumed Dead in Bay of Bengal Sinking
• She Was a Proud Union Sister: Dolly Parton Carried a Union Card for Almost 60 Years
• AMG News: Atlantic Maritime Group Virtual Membership Meeting on Sept. 9
• How Can the Industry Improve Confined Space Safety Training? Let the International Maritime Organization Know What You Think

Mark Your Calendar:

• Holiday Closing Schedule: MM&P Closed for Labor Day
• Offshore Meeting in Newark Hall on Thursday, Sept. 3
• Offshore Membership Meeting in the Honolulu Hall on Friday, Sept. 18
• Offshore Membership Meeting in Seattle Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 23
• Offshore Membership Meeting in Charleston Hall on Oct. 8
• Offshore Membership Meeting in Honolulu on Oct. 19

Job Opportunities:

• AMG Jobs

And:

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

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS TO EXTEND FOREIGN SOURCE INCOME EXCLUSION TO MERCHANT MARINERS IN FOREIGN TRADES

The US-flag fleet is pushing for passage of a bipartisan bill that would extend the foreign source income exclusion to merchant mariners working aboard US-flag vessels in the foreign trades.

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on Aug. 27 by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) and Brendan Boyle (D-Pa).

A key factor in the decline of the US-flag fleet has been that it can’t compete on cost with China and other foreign adversaries that operate in open registries and pay little or no US taxes.

Virtually every major maritime nation shields seafarers’ wages from individual income tax but under current law, American merchant mariners are subject to income tax on wages earned while working in international commerce.

This places them and the US-flag shipping companies that employ them at a significant competitive disadvantage.

“This legislation would go a long way towards equalizing the tax treatment given to American and foreign mariners,” said MM&P President Don Josberger.

“We applaud the bill’s cosponsors in the House of Representatives for taking this critically important step to help level the playing field.”

Passage of the legislation, he added, would have a positive impact on recruitment and retention and help ensure access to the professional mariner workforce necessary to support the nation’s economic and military security.

The bill, HR 10153, has been referred to a House committee.

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ADMINISTRATION CALLS UP TS EMPIRE STATE FOR FEDERAL SERVICE

The State University of New York Maritime College reported on Friday afternoon that the TS Empire State has been activated by the Maritime Administration for federal service.

No information was immediately available on the nature or location of the deployment.

“I received a decision memorandum from the Maritime Administrator, Stephen M. Carmel, outlining that MARAD will be activating Empire State for temporary federal service, commencing approximately September 1, 2026,” said Maritime College President John A. Okon in a statement.

“There is still much that we do not know, but over the next week our obligation is to prepare the vessel for federal use.”

He said MARAD has told the college that it anticipates a mission duration of approximately 170 days.

“I know this message is likely to cause anxiety and stress,” Okon said.

“Please know you are not alone, we are in this together.”

He added that the school is paying close attention to the stress that could be experienced by current and incoming students.

The TS Empire State, delivered to SUNY in 2023, is the first of the new generation of training ships designed to support teaching as well as humanitarian assistance and other government missions.

It normally accommodates 600 people but it can be equipped to carry up to 1,000.

As part of its humanitarian capabilities, it has a complete hospital on board.

TS Empire State returned to campus on July 16 after a two-month training cruise with more than 600 students, faculty, and crew aboard.

It had departed campus on May 12, first holding offshore for cadet training and then proceeding to Charleston, S.C., crossing the Atlantic to Malaga, Spain, and then to Southampton, England, before returning to New York Harbor for the Sail 250 celebration.

The academic year was scheduled to get underway this week.

This will be the first activation of any of the national security multi-mission vessels serving as maritime academy training ships.
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RELIEF FOR MARINERS WITH PENDING MMC APPLICATIONS

The National Maritime Center continues its efforts to reduce the elevated inventory of mariner applications and mitigate the impact of extended processing timelines on mariners.

The temporary credential extensions and other mitigation measures outlined in Update #3: Mitigation Efforts, dated April 22, will expire on Aug. 31.

The NMC recognizes that some mariners submitted renewal applications but, due to extending processing timelines, had their credentials expire while awaiting evaluation.

Without delays, these mariners may have received an evaluation determination and completed remaining renewal requirements before their credentials expired.

To address the impact of processing delays on this specific population, the NMC is implementing case-specific relief for mariners with qualifying renewal applications.

This relief is separate from the temporary extensions expiring Aug. 31 and applies only to mariners who meet the eligibility criteria below.

Eligibility for Relief

A mariner may qualify for a temporary 120-day authorization to continue sailing under the authority of an expired credential as follows:

— Merchant Mariner Credentials (national endorsements only) that expired between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2026;

— a renewal application submitted to the NMC before the credential expired, but no later than Aug. 26; and

— the NMC evaluation results in a letter requesting additional information to complete the evaluation, or the NMC issues an Approval to Test letter.

For eligible applications, the NMC will issue a temporary authorization letter in conjunction with the applicable request for additional information or approval to test letter.

This letter allows the mariner to continue operating under the authority of the affected national endorsements for 120 days from the date the NMC issues the letter.

Mariners must carry their expired credential and authorization letter while sailing under the authority of the affected national endorsements.

The NMC will not issue separate or replacement MMCs reflecting the temporary authorization.

The temporary authorization applies only to national endorsements and does not extend the validity of any Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) endorsements or medical certificates.

Additionally, the authorization is only valid for the specific application for which the NMC issued it.

Mariners should carefully review all correspondence from the NMC and promptly provide all requested information or complete required testing.

Failure to satisfy the requirements of the pending renewal application will not result in any additional temporary authorization.

The Coast Guard designed this relief to mitigate the impact of extended application processing timelines on qualifying mariners whose credentials expired while their renewal applications were pending evaluation.

The NMC continues to process applications on a first-in, first-out basis as expeditiously as possible, and mariners are strongly encouraged to submit renewal applications early to allow sufficient time for evaluation and resolution of any additional requirements.

Mariners are encouraged to monitor the NMC website for future processing timeline updates.

For questions, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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22 PRESUMED DEAD IN BAY OF BENGAL SINKING

Officials in India said hopes are fading for 22 seafarers aboard the Panama-flag Ocean Winner, which capsized on Aug. 21 in the Bay of Bengal.

A Navy reconnaissance aircraft picked up a distress signal from the ship, but when the Coast Guard arrived at the coordinates, they found only the emergency beacon and a damaged lifeboat.

The Ocean Winner had departed Paradip, India, for Singapore on Aug. 20 after taking on a cargo of 72,000 tons of iron ore fines.

On Aug. 21, its AIS signal disappeared suddenly in the middle of the Bay of Bengal.

The following day, two crewmembers in a life raft were recovered by a good Samaritan vessel.

The two told rescuers that the ship had developed a list before sinking in about eight minutes.

The authorities said the speed of the sinking, the early development of a list, and the type of cargo the ship was carrying are consistent with bulk liquefaction.

Wet iron ore fines pose a grave safety risk because excess moisture causes the solid cargo to liquefy under ship vibrations and rolling.

When the cargo shifts suddenly, it can cause a vessel to rapidly capsize.

Coast Guard officials in India emphasize that the cause of the accident has not yet been determined, noting that there are moisture limits for cargo and that wet loading of iron ore is prohibited.

The crew of the Ocean Winner included 20 Chinese nationals, three seafarers from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh. The two rescued crewmembers are nationals of China.
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DOLLY PARTON CARRIED A UNION CARD FOR ALMOST 60 YEARS

Dolly Parton, the beloved songwriter and singer who died last week at the age of 80, was a card-carrying member of the American Federation of Musicians and SAG-AFTRA for nearly six decades.

“Workers everywhere knew what Parton meant when she sang about ‘barely gettin’ by’,” writes John Nichols in an article published in the Aug. 26 edition of The Nation.

An American icon and a world-class musician, Parton was also a champion of equality and workers’ rights.

Her title song for the 1980 film “9 to 5” rose to the top of pop and country charts, winning two Grammys and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

“It’s a rich man’s game no matter what they call it,” she warned in the title track.

“And you spend your life puttin’ money in his wallet.”
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ATLANTIC MARITIME GROUP VIRTUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON SEPT. 9

The Atlantic Maritime Group quarterly membership meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 1100 hours to 1300 hours.

You must be a member in good standing to participate in the meeting.

To receive a link to participate in the meeting virtually, you must register with AMG Representative Paulina Trzepacz before noon on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Her email address is: Ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org

Instructions on how to apply for a “no-fee” passport are posted in the Members’ Only section of bridgedeck.org.

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LET THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

An International Maritime Organization working group is developing new industry guidance to make onshore and onboard enclosed space training and exercises more effective.

MM&P members can have a voice in the process, because the union is a member of the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations (IFSMA).

Since IFSMA has consultative status at the IMO, its representatives can participate in committees, subcommittees and working groups.

Between 2019 and 2023, on average, over 50 maritime industry workers died each year in enclosed space entry accidents.

One reason that enclosed spaces are a persistent hazard is because of the difficulty of detecting dangerously low oxygen levels or the presence of poisonous gas.

Another factor in the elevated death toll is the fact that a single incident frequently results in multiple fatalities: all too often, a second or third crewmember sees an unconscious shipmate in the hold, goes in to help, and suffers the same fate.

Despite industry efforts, too many shipboard and shoreside workers are still dying in enclosed spaces.

IFSMA belongs to a working group that is developing new industry guidance to make onshore and onboard enclosed space training exercises more effective.

The work is focused on the development of guidance for onboard training, exercises and drills.

To ensure that the views and practical ideas of serving shipmasters, officers and ratings are taken into consideration, please respond to this anonymous survey with information based on your own professional knowledge and experience.

The survey should be considered as a request for information and ideas.

The working group does not wish to receive company-specific policies, processes or checklists.

The questionnaire will remain open until mid-September 2026.

IFSMA will then send all members a summary of the report.
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Mark Your Calendar:

MM&P CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
All MM&P union halls, the MM&P Plan Office, MM&P headquarters and the MM&P Federal Credit Union will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day. 
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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEETING IN NEWARK HALL ON THURSDAY, SEPT. 3
There will be an Offshore membership meeting in the MM&P Newark Union Hall on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 1100.

MM&P President Don Josberger and Atlantic Ports Vice President Tom Larkin will attend the meeting.

The Newark Hall is located at:

570 Broad Street, Suite 701

Newark, NJ 07102

201-963-1900

All Offshore members are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Contact Ana Victoria at avictoria@bridgedeck.org for a head count.

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Mark Your Calendar:

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE HONOLULU HALL ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 18
There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the MM&P Honolulu Hall on Friday, Sept. 18. 

The meeting will take place after the 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

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

OFFSHORE MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THE SEATTLE HALL ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23
There will be an Offshore Membership Meeting in the Seattle Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 23, directly after the 1100 job call.

MM&P Secretary-Treasurer J. Lars Turner and Pacific Ports Vice President Melany Velleca will attend the meeting.

The Seattle Hall is located at:

15208 52nd Ave. South

Suite 100

Seattle, WA 98188

Phone: 206-441-8700.

All Offshore members and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting.
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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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ATLANTIC MARITIME JOBS

Buchanan Marine

— Mate – MMC with a Mate of Towing within Inland Waters

If you are interested in this position, first please fill out an application on the company’s website.

Google Buchanan Marine LP, then click “careers” and scroll down to “apply online.”

After that, email your resume and copies of your credentials to Paulina Trzepacz at: ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org

If you have any questions, please call her at 973-495-9377.

Staten Island Ferry

— 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-36530

If you have any questions, please send an email to Anthony Turzio at:

aturzio@bridgedeck.org

— Deckhand with an AB

If you are interested in this position, please fill out an application on the city’s website:

https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/deckhand-in-staten-island-jid-36197

If you have any questions, please send an email to Anthony Turzio at:

aturzio@bridgedeck.org

Marine Oil Service

— Tankerman PIC–MMC tankerman (PIC) with DL (required)

If you are interested in this position, please fill out an application online at:

https://marineoilservice.com/careers/

or email the company at careers@marineoilservice.com

If you have any questions, please send an email to Anthony Turzio at:

aturzio@bridgedeck.org

Reinauer

— 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 the above positions, please email your resume and copies of your credentials to Keith at Poissant at:

kpoissant@bridgedeck.org

If you have any questions, please call him 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

FF-ADV – Advanced Firefighting (4-Day): 09/28/26, 01/25/27

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

MED-PRO – Medical Care Provider: 11/02/26, 11/09/26

MED-PIC – Medical Person in Charge (10-Day): 10/12/26*, 11/30/26

MED-PIC-REF – Medical Person in Charge Refresher: 11/16/26

MED-DOT-DA – Dept. of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Testing (1-Day): 10/17/26, 11/15/26, 12/05/26

[STCW LICENSE & RADAR RENEWAL Courses]

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

BT-REV (2-day): 09/14/26, 10/26/26*, 12/07/26

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 09/16/26, 10/28/26*, 12/09/26

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

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

ROR-1N – Radar Observer Renewal Evening Classes (1-Night): 10/28/26, 12/09/26

[CMM – CHIEF MATE & MASTER UPGRADE Courses]

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

ADVWX – Advanced Meteorology: 09/28/26, 11/30/26

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

LAP – License Advancement Program for Mate to Master (20-Day): 09/21/26

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: 09/21/26, 12/14/26

MPP-CMM – Marine Propulsion Plants: Not Currently Scheduled

SHMGT-CMM – Ship Management: Not Currently Scheduled

SHS-ADV-CMM – Advanced Shiphandling (10-Day): 09/14/26*, 10/12/26, 11/02/26, 11/30/26

WKP-CMM – Advanced Watchkeeping: Not Currently Scheduled

[AB TO MATE UPGRADE Courses]

ARPA-OIC – Automated Radar Plotting Aids (4-Day): 11/09/26

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

CNAV-OIC – Celestial Navigation (15-Day): 11/30/26

ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display Information Systems: 11/16/26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 09/14/26, 02/15/27

WX-OIC – Basic Meteorology: 11/16/26, 01/08/27

[MSC – MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND Courses]

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

MSC-CBRD-1 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Orientation (Basic) Indoctrination (1-Day): 09/17/26, 11/05/26

MSC-DC – Damage Control (1-Day): 09/18/26, 11/06/26

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 09/18/26, 11/06/26

MSC-SMA – Small Arms (4-Day): 09/21/26, 10/12/26, 11/09/26, 12/07/26

MSC-SWB – Security Watch Basic (1-Day): 09/19/26, 11/07/26

MSC-SW-ADV – Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 09/20/26, 11/08/26, 12/06/26

MSC-Ship’s Reaction Force (3-Day): 09/25/26, 11/13/26

[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): 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: 09/14/26, 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: 11/30/2026

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: Not Currently Scheduled

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

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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

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 2026

2nd Advanced Firefighting Revalidation

8-11 Advanced Firefighting

14-18 Ship Construction & Basic Stability

14-25 Watchkeeping (Operational Level)

21-25 Cargo Handling & Stowage

21-25 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

21-2 Medical Person-In-Charge

28-30 Security Officer – Vessel, Company & Facility

28-9 GMDSS

October 2026

5-8 Advanced Firefighting

5-9 Self-Study LAP (Original Mate Level)*

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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