Wheelhouse Weekly, September 3, 2024

Volume 30… Number 36, September 3, 2024

STORIES COVERED

In This Issue:

• Important Notification: Attention Vessel Masters
• “Union Approval Rating” Continues to Climb
• ILWU Pledges Solidarity With ILA as Contract Deadline Nears
• USNS BURLINGTON Completes Operation Continuing Promise
• Thousands of Hotel Workers Strike Over Low Pay, Service Cuts

Mark Your Calendar:

• Atlantic Maritime Group Membership Meeting on Sept. 4

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 from several Masters that certain employers are attempting to restrain or interfere with their ability to carry out their responsibility to operate the vessel in a safe manner, please be aware of the following Federal Regulations that protect your use of professional judgment:

TITLE 33 CHAPTER 1 Subchapter H Maritime Security PART 104 Subpart B Vessel Security Requirements

33 CFR § 104.205 Master.

(a) Nothing in this part is intended to permit the Master to be constrained by the Company, the vessel owner or operator, or any other person, from taking or executing any decision which, in the professional judgment of the Master, is necessary to maintain the safety and security of the vessel.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-104/subpart-B/section-104.205

If you find yourself in a situation where your employer is attempting to undermine your professional judgment as a Master and usurp your authority to protect the safety of the crew, the vessel, the cargo or the environment, please contact your area representative who will provide legal counsel.
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“UNION APPROVAL RATING” CONTINUES TO CLIMB

A majority of Americans responding to a Gallup poll released on Aug. 28 say they have a positive view of the country’s labor unions.

The so-called “union approval rating” increased to 70 percent, from 67 percent in 2023.

The 2024 rating is the second-highest in nearly 60 years, topped only by 71 percent in 2022.

Unions’ high approval rating is no surprise, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a Labor Day speech.

“It’s better in a union,” she said, “and the American people know it.”

“Workers in labor unions make 18 percent more in wages than our nonunion counterparts.”

“We are more likely to have health care benefits,” she said.

“We work in safer workplaces. And we have more job security—even and especially in moments of economic crisis.”

Polls showed the public largely supported the strike by auto workers against Ford, General Motors and Jeep parent company Stellantis.

Several union leaders, including UAW President Shawn Fain, gave speeches at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Shuler says that unions will be decisive in the outcome of the national presidential campaign.

“We can run up the margins where it counts, we have built an organizing machine that can mobilize on a dime, and we have built a singular trust and connection with workers, families and neighbors,” Shuler said.

“There is no question that the road to the White House runs through America’s union halls.”
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ILWU PLEDGES SOLIDARITY WITH ILA AS CONTRACT DEADLINE NEARS

ILWU President Willie Adams has pledged his union’s support for the International Longshoremen’s Association as the expiration of its contract with East and Gulf Coast employers nears.

The contract will expire at the end of September.

Negotiations between the two sides were halted in June, and neither the union nor the employers’ association, USMX, has released a statement since early August.

The talks are reportedly stalled over automation: in particular, according to an article published in the Sept. 2 issue of The New York Times, an automated truck-processing gate at the Port of Mobile that allows employers to eliminate the jobs of human “checkers.”

“As you continue negotiating and move close to the expiration of your contract, the ILWU stands in solidarity with the ILA for a fair contract that respects dockworkers and protects our jurisdiction,” Adams wrote in a letter to ILA President Harold Daggett.

“From coast to coast, the ILWU and the ILA remain militant and resolute in our fight against automation.”

“We will not settle for a substandard deal that does not adequately address our concerns about the future of our workplace and the safety of our members.”

In his response, Daggett said that “support from the ILWU arms us with a powerful weapon to fight the intentions of so many greedy shippers, who put profits over people, and fail to recognize the contributions your members and mine have made to this industry.”

“The ILA is working hard to avoid a strike come October 1st, but we’re confident that the American public will side with ILA workers who are fighting for a fair and decent contract from foreign shipping companies that are earning billion-dollar profits at U.S. ports,” Daggett said.
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USNS BURLINGTON COMPLETES OPERATION CONTINUING PROMISE

Expeditionary fast transport ship USNS BURLINGTON left Colón, Panama, on Aug. 25, concluding its final mission stop as part of operation Continuing Promise 2024.

The previous stops on the mission were Jamaica, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Colombia.

BURLINGTON is crewed by licensed deck officers represented by the MM&P Federal Employees Membership Group: Captain Tyler Driscoll, First Officer Zachary Jonsson, Second Officer Nathan Jensen, Third Officer William Trager, and Third Officer Cade Brounley.

“I’m proud of the hard work and dedication our CIVMARs contributed to the success of this mission,” Driscoll said.

“It’s an honor and privilege to participate in Continuing Promise 2024.”

In Colón, medical personnel aboard the vessel treated 796 primary care patients and 430 dental patients, provided 327 eye exams, filled 8,215 prescriptions, and repaired medical equipment.

Disaster relief personnel trained 108 firefighters. A veterinarian and three technicians performed wellness checks and sterilization surgeries on 571 animals.

Navy construction specialists installed a water heater, doors and electrical outlets at a center for children with disabilities.

“I could not be prouder of my MM&P brothers and sisters employed by all of our federal agencies,” said MM&P Government Fleet Representative Randi Ciszewski.

“Their daily sacrifices allow U.S. military forces to work with those of other countries, leading to greater unity, security and stability.”

“But as was the case for most Continuing Promise 2024 mission stops in ports such as Costa Rica and Panama, the CIVMARS aboard USNS BURLINGTON had to endure arbitrary and capricious liberty restrictions while other Department of Defense workers enjoyed unlimited liberty.”

“MM&P was forced to challenge these restrictions—with liberty eventually being granted.”

“MM&P FEMG members are professional, Coast Guard credentialed, U.S. citizens,” Ciszewski said.

“When they are in port, the expectation should be that they follow the same Department of State advisories that all other DOD officials and American citizens follow when traveling aboard: Always Exercise Caution.”

“I strongly encourage responsible DOD leaders to take whatever action is necessary with pre-arrival teams to ensure that liberty is granted so as to avoid MM&P having to seek formal redress on behalf of our members who are entitled to unrestricted liberty.”
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THOUSANDS OF HOTEL WORKERS STRIKE OVER LOW PAY, SERVICE CUTS

More than 10,000 hotel workers in nine cities walked off the job over the Labor Day weekend in a massive strike against three major hotel chains.

The workers—housekeepers, valets, front desk staff, and cooks—are represented by UNITE HERE.

Many say their pay is so low that they have to work multiple jobs to pay bills and can no longer afford to live within commuting distance of the hotels they work for.

They are also seeking a return to automatic daily room cleaning, which many hotels eliminated during the pandemic.

“We’re on strike because the hotel industry has gotten off track,” Gwen Mills, international president of UNITE HERE, said Sunday morning in a statement.

“During Covid, everyone suffered, but now the industry is making record profits while workers and guests are left behind.”

The wave of strikes began this weekend at Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt hotels in San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Honolulu, Kauai, Boston, Seattle and Greenwich.

In the coming days, more workers are expected to walk out in New Haven, Oakland, and Providence.

The union says 15,000 members have already signed strike authorizations.

Earlier this year—after months of strikes that began in the summer of 2023—UNITE HERE won major gains for hotel workers in Southern California, including higher wages, higher employer contributions to pensions and “fair workload” guarantees.

“We won’t accept a ‘new normal’ where hotels profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers,” Mills says.
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ATLANTIC MARITIME GROUP MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON SEPT. 4

The Atlantic Maritime Group will hold its regular membership meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 1100 to 1300.

This will be a hybrid meeting, held in person and online.

Any member wishing to attend the meeting must be in good standing.

The deadline for requesting a link to participate online is Sept. 3 before 1500.

Please send an email to Paulina Trzepacz, Ptrzepacz@bridgedeck.org, before 1500 on Sept. 3.

Any member who misses the deadline and wishes to participate in the meeting will be required to attend in person. There will be no exceptions.

As a reminder, the MM&P New York/New Jersey Hall is located at:

570 Broad St.

Ste. 701

Newark, NJ

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OFFSHORE JOBS AVAILABLE

CM needed for ALLIED PACIFIC. You will be relieved on time by the Permanent CM. TPIC required, start September 5th in Far East.

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.
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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

9-13 Basic Training

9-13 Advanced Shiphandling (Week 1)

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.

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