Wheelhouse Weekly, Sept. 15, 2026

Volume 32… Number 36, Sept. 15, 2026

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• National Maritime Center Launches New Digital Credentialing System
• “Larger Ships a Growing Threat to Bridges,” Coast Guard Warns
• Houthis Seize More Territory in Fight to Control Bab al-Mandab Strait
• MARAD Accepts Delivery of TS Lone Star State
• Home Financing Benefits for Union Families

Mark Your Calendar:

• 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

NATIONAL MARITIME CENTER LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL CREDENTIALING SYSTEM

The Coast Guard launched its new digital credentialing system, Navita, on Sept. 14 at 8:00 a.m. EST.

The agency says the new system “represents a significant modernization of the credentialing process and is designed to provide mariners with a more intuitive, guided application experience.”

It says Navita will help applicants identify applicable requirements, provide required information and documentation, and submit more complete applications.

The improvements are expected to reduce delays associated with incomplete submissions and—over time—streamline application processing.

Starting on Sept. 14, mariners will submit applications electronically through Navita, which will provide guided workflows intended to simplify the application process and help ensure that the applications that are submitted are complete.

To prepare for the launch, the National Maritime Center is taking the following steps.

Key Information

— A Navita user guide will be available on the NMC website homepage.

— The Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP) will be discontinued and will no longer be available.

— The IASKNMC email address will be discontinued for submitting inquiries to the NMC.

Mariners and other stakeholders will submit inquiries to the NMC directly through Navita using the Case function.

The agency said this transition will provide a centralized method for submitting and managing inquiries and will ensure that correspondence is associated with the appropriate applicant or application.

— Although paper applications will still be accepted, the Coast Guard intends to phase out this submission method within the next 12 months.

Mariners are strongly encouraged to submit credential applications via Navita to ensure they receive timely, first-in, first-out processing and status of their application.

Paper applications, whether submitted by mail or in-person, will take significantly longer to process.

— REC personnel will continue to review application documents presented during an appointment for completeness; however, applicants are encouraged to submit through Navita after the review.

REC personnel may assist with questions pertaining to the use of Navita and submissions, but computers or internet access at the RECs for mariner use will not be provided.

The agency said that although Navita will improve the application and credentialing process, its launch will not immediately reduce current processing timelines.

Applications received prior to Sept. 14, as well as applications submitted through Navita, will continue to be processed on a first-in, first-out basis.

Applications that have been previously submitted to the NMC should not be resubmitted through Navita. Duplicate submissions will delay application processing times.

Requests for expedited processing will be considered only for applications demonstrating a clear and documented nexus to national defense.

The agency says that mariners using Navita should continue to apply early.

Renewal applications may be submitted up to 8 months before expiration and may be postdated up to 8 months, allowing people to apply early without losing validity on their existing credential.

Mariners and employers should continue to plan accordingly and submit applications early to avoid potential disruptions to employment or vessel operations.

For ongoing updates, sign up for the NMC list server by scanning the QR code that is posted at the bottom of the original version of this message, which is posted on the NMC website at this link.

For questions, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
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“LARGER SHIPS A GROWING THREAT TO BRIDGES,” COAST GUARD WARNS

A new report by a US Coast Guard Board of Inquiry has found that numerous US ports are vulnerable to accidents like the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge.

Ships are increasing in size, the Coast Guard notes, while bridge protections have not kept pace.

The Key Bridge collapse, the Coast Guard says, shows “the degree to which existing critical infrastructure within any number of U.S. ports may be vulnerable to previously unanticipated failure.”

The Coast Guard Board of Inquiry found that a ship striking a bridge is the most feared worst-case scenario at 8 of the 11 ports that it examined nationwide.

“There needs to be a better way to evaluate the risks that large vessels pose to bridges,” says CBS WJZ reporter Mike Hellgren in a televised report that aired on Sept. 8.

The National Transportation Safety Board called the 2024 Baltimore bridge collapse “preventable” and has called on state and local officials to respond to the threat.

“We need action,” says NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “Public safety depends on it.”

The Coast Guard report calls for: more simulator training for captains and pilots; increasing the capability and availability of tugboats; and improving pier support at older bridges.

More congestion near ports is another risk factor, the investigators say adding that it should be addressed with the introduction of better communications between commercial and recreational vessels.

“We have for a long time underestimated the risk to existing bridges around the United States, and what we saw with the Key Bridge was not an aberration,” Michael Shields, an associate professor of civil and systems engineering at Johns Hopkins University, told WJZ last year.

“It was consistent with historical precedent.

“And it’s something that we need to be aware of, that we need to take corrective measures for, and we need our protections in place, so we don’t see this type of event again.”

The complete report is posted here.
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HOUTHIS SEIZE MORE TERRITORY IN FIGHT TO CONTROL BAB AL-MANDAB STRAIT

Iran-backed Houthi rebels last week advanced into strategic areas that bring them much closer to asserting a high level of control over ship traffic in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

They took the Yemeni port city of Mokha on Sept. 10.

The following day, they seized Perim, a small volcanic island located inside the strait at the southern entrance of the Red Sea.

Shipping lanes through the Bab al-Mandab Strait run less than three miles from Perim Island, well within the range of the Houthis’ missiles and drones.

Tehran has already cut off much of the oil trade that flowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis’ recent advances are expected to give Iran additional leverage.

The Yemeni government has been at war with the Houthis since 2014, when the rebel militia took over the country’s capital, Sanaa.

The government has lost a significant amount of territory in recent months, in part because of a shortage of funds, arms and air support linked to the international community’s focus on the US-Iran war.

The Houthis have also capitalized on the Washington-Tehran conflict to recruit new supporters to their ranks.

Analysts say their primary aim in resuming warfare after the relative quiet that prevailed since an informal ceasefire came into force in March 2022 has always been to gain control of sea traffic through the Bab al-Mandab.
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MARAD ACCEPTS DELIVERY OF TS LONE STAR STATE

The fourth of the new training ships being built for the US maritime academies was delivered to MARAD at the end of August.

The delivery of the Lone Star State to Texas A&M marks another major milestone for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel program.

Its sisterships have already been delivered to the state maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, and Maine.

The final ship in the series, TS Golden State, will be delivered to Cal Poly Maritime in the coming months.

The new training ships are all purpose-built NSMVs developed to modernize the training capabilities of the nation’s maritime schools.

They have numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and modern engineering and technical systems.

They have space for up to 600 cadets or 1,000 people when deployed on a humanitarian mission.

They have a hospital and RoRo capabilities. They can also handle shipping containers.

The Lone Star State’s first sea term is scheduled for April 2027.rel=”noopener”>resolution.
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HOME FINANCING BENEFITS FOR UNION FAMILIES

If you’re an active or retired union member or an eligible family member, you may be able to take advantage of exclusive mortgage benefits.

Whether you’re planning to buy a new home or refinance your present one, Wells Fargo and Union Plus can help you move forward with confidence.

To find out more, visit the Union Plus mortgage website.

For mortgage calculators, webinars and other tools, click here.
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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

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): 09/28/26, 01/25/27

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

[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, 02/08/27, 03/22/27, 05/03/27

FF-ADV-REV (1-day): 09/16/26, 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: 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, 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: 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, 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

WKP-OIC – Watchkeeping (10-Day): 09/14/26, 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): 09/25/26, 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: 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: 11/30/26

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: 09/24/26

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MITAGS–WEST ACADEMIC NOTES

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

September 2026

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.

For subscriptions, address changes or messages to the editor, send an email to communications@bridgedeck.org.