Wheelhouse Weekly, September 10, 2024

Volume 30… Number 37, September 10, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Five MSC Support Ships Commended for Red Sea Service
• Port of Green Bay Will Expand Thanks to Federal Grant
• Mariner Aboard FOC Ship Died of Heat Exhaustion
• PATRIOT STATE, Mass Maritime’s New Training Ship, Is Christened
• Register for the Webinar on Falsification of Work/Rest Records: Quantifying an Inconvenient Truth: Revisiting a Culture of Adjustment on Work/Rest Hours
• Now Available: Updated SOCP Guide on Responding to Sexual Assault/Harassment in Maritime

Job Opportunities:

• Offshore Jobs Available
• Job Opportunities on the Great Lakes

And:

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

FIVE MSC SUPPORT SHIPS COMMENDED FOR RED SEA SERVICE

Civil Service mariners aboard five Military Sealift Command support vessels have been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for their deployment in the Red Sea from October 2023 to May 2024 with the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group.

The crews of USNS SUPPLY, USNS ALAN SHEPARD, USNS KANAWHA, USNS AMELIA EARHART and USS LEWIS B. PULLER have been recognized for their role in Operation Prosperity Guardian and carrier strike group defense against Houthi attacks.

Over the course of 247 days, USNS SUPPLY steamed more than 50,000 miles and carried out 143 underway replenishments with U.S. Navy and coalition ships.

“I’d like to think those eight long months should put to rest any doubts of our commitment to the Navy, the carrier strike group and MSC’s ability to carry out sustained underway replenishment in what can only be described as a difficult and hostile environment,” said USNS SUPPLY Captain Pete Lenardson.

“From the bridge team to the engine room, each crew member was challenged by this deployment like never before. Those challenges were met and surpassed.”

The LDOs, Pursers and MSOs aboard all MSC CIVMAR manned ships are represented by MM&P.

“I could not be prouder of our members who sail to the most remote parts of the globe in every one of the 24 time zones,” said MM&P Government Fleet Representative Randi Cizsewski.

“MSC tours of duty are four months long, but it’s routine for our members to not be relieved in a timely manner.”

“Most sail 9‒12 months a year performing critical mission support for our Navy.”

“I’m thrilled that they have received this well-deserved recognition.”

“But it’s unfortunate that Department of Defense officials still refuse to authorize Military Sealift Command to recognize their efforts with Imminent Danger Pay (IDP)—a very minimal stipend.”
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PORT OF GREEN BAY WILL EXPAND THANKS TO FEDERAL GRANT

The Port of Green Bay, Wis., will receive a grant from the Maritime Administration to finance the construction of a new terminal, new docks, and systems and equipment improvements.

The money—a $10,000,000 grant—has been provided under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

As part of the expansion, the site of a former power plant will be converted to docks that can support multiple ships.

Fourteen businesses located on the Fox River already move more than two million tons of cargo each year on more than 200 vessels.

The port handles machinery and wind components, dry bulk commodities such as coal, limestone and salt, bulk liquids like petroleum products, liquid asphalt and tallow, and break-bulk commodities including wood pulp and forest products.

“We’re in a location where you’ve got the river, you’ve got a rail line that’s connecting to it, and you’ve got the interstate highway half a mile away,” a local businessman explained.

“That kind of inter-connection does not occur very much anymore.”

The Maritime Administration said in a statement that the funding will cover construction of new dock walls and bulkheads, new stormwater collection and treatment facilities and repair and extension of a rail spur with installation of three switches.

The expansion of the port could generate $87 million in additional economic activity in the first five years, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

“The redevelopment also presents an opportunity for the Port of Green Bay to move additional cargo using a variety of modes of transportation,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)

“With the site’s location adjacent to rail, highway and water transportation facilities, the project has the potential to provide intermodal connections that are not found in other areas of the state.”
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MARINER ABOARD FOC SHIP DIED OF HEAT EXHAUSTION

Excessive heat and a work schedule that did not allow time for acclimatization are being blamed for the death of one crewmember and the hospitalization of three others aboard a Malta-flag bulk carrier in July 2023.

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit said in a July 30, 2024, report that the maritime industry should reexamine work schedules and the topics covered by safety training because of the increasing frequency of severe heat events associated with climate change.

The accident took place aboard the Malta-flag bulk carrier ELPIDA GR, which had unloaded a cargo of bagged rice at the port of Umm Qasr in Iraq on July 22.

The next day the ship, which was crewed by 21 Filipino mariners, traveled to Mesaieed, Qatar, to load a cargo of bulk urea.

En route, the bosun and several ordinary seamen were instructed to clean the cargo holds under the supervision of the chief officer.

The air temperature that day was measured at between 104―113 degrees F. Radio broadcasts warned people to take precautions to avoid heat exhaustion.

As the first mooring lines were passed at 0900, the bosun, who was stationed at the forward mooring station, collapsed.

Since his temperature was found to be abnormally high, his shipmates started CPR and gave him oxygen.

When three other members of the crew felt ill and were having trouble breathing, paramedics were summoned from shore.

They determined that the bosun and the other three crewmembers needed emergency care and transported them to a shoreside facility for treatment.

At 1030, the bosun was declared dead of acute respiratory failure due to heat stroke, which had led to cardiac arrest.

The other three crewmembers were found to be suffering from heat exhaustion.

The investigators concluded that the crew was tired and had been exposed to several days of high temperatures without taking adequate precautions.

They said it was highly unlikely that the crewmembers had been able to acclimatize effectively since acclimatization to high temperatures can take several weeks.
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PATRIOT STATE, MASS MARITIME’S NEW TRAINING SHIP, IS CHRISTENED

PATRIOT STATE, the new Massachusetts Maritime Academy training ship, was christened yesterday at Philly Shipyard.

It is the second of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels destined for America’s maritime academies. The first, EMPRE STATE VII, was delivered to SUNY Maritime last September.

The NSMVs are multipurpose vessels with capacity for up to 8,500 tons of cargo.

They are designed to serve as training ships but can be easily converted for disaster relief missions.

The design includes a hospital facility, a helipad, ro/ro capability for relief missions and room for up to 1,000 people if needed.

“PATRIOT STATE represents a significant leap forward in maritime training and disaster response capabilities,” said Rear Adm. Francis X. McDonald, the president of Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

“This vessel will not only equip our cadets with the hands-on experience necessary to become the next generation of skilled mariners, it also stands ready to serve our nation in times of crisis, providing critical support in disaster relief operations.”

The remaining NSMVs are on schedule to deliver within six years.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro attended Monday’s christening, hailing the delivery of PATRIOT STATE as a step forward in restoring America’s maritime power, including its shipbuilding capacity.

“I thank all those who answered the nation’s call to service to ensure we remain the most dominant maritime force in the world,” Del Toro said.

“Your contributions to our shipbuilding industry and maritime training are vital to our maritime statecraft.”
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QUANTIFYING AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: REVISITING A CULTURE OF ADJUSTMENT ON WORK/REST HOURS

In a culture in which falsification of Hours of Work/Rest records is endemic, a huge gulf has developed in terms of the working/resting hours expectations of people working at sea versus people working on shore.

The system is broken: bad for the health and wellbeing of seafarers, bad for occupational safety and bad in terms of accident prevention.

The ITF Seafarers’ Trust and the World Maritime University are hosting a webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 11:00 BST, entitled Quantifying an Inconvenient Truth: Revisiting a Culture of Adjustment on Work/Rest Hours.

The expert panel will discuss the impact of a working culture that promotes fatigue, undermines national and international regulatory regimes, and compromises the safety of life at sea.

The speakers are Captain Raphael Baumler and Captain Bikram S. Bhatia, both of whom are professors at World Maritime University.

The moderator is Richard Meade (Lloyds List).

The panelists are Beatriz Vacotto (International Labor Organization), Dr. Michelle Grech (Australian Maritime Safety Association), and one additional participant, whose name will be announced later.

Register for the webinar here: https://bit.ly/QAITLaunchWebinar

This is an essential conversation for everyone involved in maritime.

Two reports by the WMU on this topic have been posted on bridgedeck.org under News and Announcements:

— A Culture of Adjustment: Evaluating the Implementation of the Current Regulatory Framework on Rest and Work Hours;

— Quantifying an Inconvenient Truth: Revisiting a Culture of Adjustment on Work/Rest Hours.

These reports are a ‘must read’ for anyone involved in the operation, management, or regulation of commercial vessels,” said MM&P President Captain Don Marcus.

“As it is, there is no excuse for licensed officers to put the safety of their crews and vessels, their livelihoods and their personal health at risk by being pressured or otherwise coerced into working excessive hours.”

“While CMA-CGM’s U.S. affiliate, American President Lines (APL), and other companies may consider the 98-hour work week an innovation, for those who are required to work under these conditions, the demand is unacceptable.”

“MM&P urges such personnel to contact their MM&P area representative or the U.S. Coast Guard at the CGIS Hot Line: https://www.uscg.mil/Units/Coast-Guard-Investigative-Service/Organization/ or CGIS TIPS on the web.”
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UPDATED SOCP GUIDE ON RESPONDING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT/HARASSMENT IN MARITIME

The Ship Operations Cooperative Program has updated its guide on the prevention of and response to sexual harassment and sexual assault in the maritime industry.

The new guide is available for download to the U.S. public at no charge on the SOCP SASH Prevention website at https://www.socp.us/sash-prevention-materials.

It was developed with industry input, under a cooperative agreement with the Maritime Administration, in partnership with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

The guide addresses a number of other prohibited behaviors, such as retaliation, bullying, hazing, coercion, and stalking.

SOCP encourages you to post the link to the guide on your own website to encourage others to download it and incorporate it into their own SA/SH Prevention and Response programs.

SOCP is a nonprofit organization of maritime professionals working to improve the safety, productivity, efficiency, security, and environmental performance of U.S. vessel operations.

Its members include ship owners and operators, unions, academies, training institutions, and government agencies.

You can contact SOCP by sending an email to: programadmin@socp.us www.socp.us 301-538-7627
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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

There are job openings on the Great Lakes!

If you want more information about any of the listings that appear below, go to https://bridgedeck.org/job-opportunities/.

Interested candidates should reach out to Thomas Bell at the MM&P Cleveland office: tbell@bridgedeck.org.

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): 09/16/24, 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): 09/09/24

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): 09/23/24, 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): 09/09/24*, 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): 08/26/24, 09/16/24*, 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): 11/04/24, 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): 09/09/24*, 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): 09/12/24, 10/31/24, 01/09/25, 03/13/25, 05/08/25, 06/12/25

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

MSC-ENVPRO (1-Day – Evening Class): 09/13/24, 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): 09/16/24, 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): 09/14/24, 11/02/24, 01/11/25, 03/15/25, 05/10/25, 06/14/25

MSC-Security Watch Advanced (1-Day): 09/15/24, 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): 09/20/24, 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): 09/23/24

PSC-REF – Personal Survival Craft Refresher (2-Day): 09/26/24, 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: 09/16/24, 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

16-20 Advanced Shiphandling (Week 2)

16-27 GMDSS

23-26 ARPA

23-27 Advanced Meteorology
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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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