APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR NEW MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Secretary of Homeland Security has announced it will establish the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (MMMAC). Individuals interested in serving on this committee are invited to apply for membership. Completed application forms for membership should reach the Coast Guard on or before Aug. 3, 2009.
To read the Federal Register notice in its entirety, click here.

To download a copy of the application form, click here.

USCG White Paper Says Access Limits on Foreign Ships Creating Hazards

MarEx newsletter has reported on a Coast Guard white paper, dated Nov. 26, 2008, which was written by the Captain of the Port of New York. The white paper points out that there are no security standards that address crew and vessel service access at facilities. The white paper points out that this has “inadvertently resulted in an increase in risk to shipboard operations/conditions.” The paper specifically calls attention to conditions that result in the reluctance of experienced mariners from around the world to trade to the United States and the risks to safety and the marine environment of requiring ships to bunker and take stores at anchor. To read the white paper, click here.

Captain Richard Phillips' Testimony Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Maersk Alabama Captain Richard Phillips presented testimony April 30 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Phillips, a member of MM&P who was held hostage by pirates earlier in the month during a failed attempt to hijack his ship, outlined possible strategies that could be used to stem the growing problem of piracy in the Gulf of Aden. To read Phillips' testimony, click here.

Maritime Labor United in Support of Lautenberg Bill to Overhaul Medical Review Process, Investigate Role in Accidents of Undermanning

The nation's maritime unions have come out strongly in favor of a bill introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), that would address grave deficiencies in the medical review process for merchant mariner credentials that was unilaterally implemented last year by the Coast Guard. The proposed legislation would establish a national registry of medical examiners for merchant mariners, a review process that has long been successfully employed in other transportation modes. The bill would also require the Coast Guard to investigate the causal effect between under-manning and accidents at sea. To read the letter that the maritime unions wrote to Sen. Lautenberg, click here.

NATIONAL MARITIME CENTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Coast Guard's National Maritime Center has issued several announcements regarding procedural, administrative and processing changes that are being implemented in correspondence with the Transportation Worker Identification Credential deadline. To read the announcements, click here.

MARITIME UNIONS ASK THAT TWIC CARDS BE DELIVERED TO MARINERS BY MAIL

The nation's maritime unions are advocating a procedural change that would save mariners and other maritime industry workers the time it now takes them to travel to an enrollment center to pick up their Transportation Worker Identification Cards (TWICs) in person. The unions made the request in a letter to House Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie Thompson. To read the letter, click here.

International Maritime Organization Seeks Nominations for Exceptional Bravery at Sea Award

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is seeking nominations for its 2009 Exceptional Bravery at Sea award. The winner of the award will be presented with a medal at a special ceremony to be held on the occasion of World Maritime Day or another major IMO occasion. The recipient of the award will be reimbursed the cost, where necessary, of a round-trip flight from his/her country of origin to London, or to the city where the award ceremony is to take place and the payment, where necessary, of corresponding hotel expenses. Nominations of candidates to be considered for the 2009 Award (for actions performed between March 1, 2008 and Feb. 28, 2009) must reach IMO no later than April 15, 2009.For instructions on how to make a nomination, click here.

Five Steps to Rebuilding America's Crumbling Infrastructure

The most recent edition of MarEx newsletter quotes construction expert Barry B. LePatner on five steps that must be taken to rebuild America's infrastructure. "Our infrastructure system is silently deteriorating," LePatner says. As an example, he writes, by some estimates America has experienced "over 500 bridge failures since 1989." To read the article, which was authored by Dottie DeHart, click here: http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/2009-02-04-road-work-ahead-five-solutions-repairing-nations-infrastructure/

Columbia Bar Pilots Profiled in "Smithsonian Magazine"

A dramatic feature story in the Jan. 24 issue of "Smithsonian Magazine" details the day-to-day work of the pilots who navigate the Columbia River Bar. "Despite all the jet-powered wizardry at their disposal, the pilots' stock in trade is still their feel for the water," writes journalist Matt Jenkins. He calls the work "highly technical, difficult, wet and dangerous." While researching the article, the journalist accompanied Captain Dan Jordan on "his morning commute." He says the trip felt like "riding a mechanical bull through a dunk tank." To read the article, "Steering Ships Through a Treacherous Waterway," click here.

New Pension Plan Legislation

The House of Representatives and the Senate have passed legislation (HR 7327) intended to address the problems facing pension plans because of the current economic crisis. Provisions specifically relating to multiemployer plans are contained in sections 204 and 205 of the bill, which has been cleared for action by the President. Click here to read the sections of HR 7327 that relate specifically to multiemployer plans.

Horizon Lines Warns Employees of Possible Loss of Personal Data

Horizon Lines has contacted a number of employees to warn that some of their personal information, including Social Security numbers, may have inadvertently been "lost" by Federal Express during transfer of a Horizon Lines computer server. Horizon Lines advises employees to monitor their credit reports and consider taking other steps to guard against identity fraud while the company tries to locate the missing server. To read the letter from Horizon Lines, click here.

Right Whale Compliance Guide

The National Marine Fisheries Service has established regulations to implement speed restrictions of no more than 10 knots applying to all vessels 65 ft (19.8m) or greater in overall length in certain locations and at certain times of the year along the east coast of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. The purpose of the regulations is to reduce the likelihood of deaths and serious injuries to endangered North Atlantic right whales that result from collisions with ships. To read the compliance guide that details the requirements of the new regulations, click here.

"FAIR TREATMENT OF SEAFARERS" INFORMATION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the International Shipping Federation (ISF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have joined forces in a new initiative to help protect seafarers involved in maritime accidents. The three organizations, which represent maritime employers and trade unions worldwide, announced last week in London that they have united to support and promote the IMO and ILO Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the Event of a Maritime Accident. The guidelines require that seafarers be treated fairly by the port or coastal state, the flag state, the seafarer state and shipowners.

As part of the campaign, the organizations have designed a poster to be displayed on ships and union halls.
Click here to download the poster -(download pdf)

They are also encouraging their members -- national ship owners' associations belonging to the ISF and ICS, and seafarers' unions affiliated with the ITF -- to approach their governments to promote the guidelines and to monitor how effectively they are being implemented.
Click here to download the IMO/ILO Guidelines on Fair Treatment - (download pdf)
Click here to download the IMO Resolution on Fair Treatment - (download pdf)

REMEMBER-- If you are questioned about a maritime accident involving your vessel:

• If you think it is necessary, ask for a lawyer before answering any questions or making any statements to port, coastal or flag state investigators, since any statement you make could be used against you in future criminal or other legal proceedings
• Contact your company and/or union for advice and assistance
• Make sure you fully understand everything that you are asked

If there is anything you don't understand:

• ask the authorities to stop the questioning
• request the assistance of an interpreter, if necessary

It is important to ensure that you protect your interests first. Therefore, follow the advice you receive from your company, union or lawyer, and importantly, when advised to provide information, be truthful with investigators. Read the fair treatment guidelines and know your rights. If in doubt, ask for advice.

D-Book Membership Evaluation Forms

To be considered for D-Book status, applicants must have completed the MM&P history class now being offered on a rotating basis in the union halls, have four favorable recommendations, have paid their initiation fee and have at least 360 days sea time under MM&P contract.

To download a copy of the application form, click here.

The evaluation form should be filled out by masters or chief mates with whom the applicant has recently sailed and then returned to the applicant for submission.

If you have questions about D-Book Membership, please contact your Area Vice President, the MM&P Agent-Pacific Ports or MM&P Gulf Port Representative.

Fact Sheet on Swine Flu

MM&P Health & Benefits Plans provider Coventry has provided us with a list of frequently asked questions about swine flu. To view the frequently asked questions, click here.

To read the update on swine flu from Ceriedian LifeWorks, click here.

For the most up-to-date information, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine. You may also follow developments on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website at www.dhhs.gov.

Phone Service Discounts for Union Members and Union Local Offices

The AFL-CIO has entered into a series of agreements with vendors of telecommunications services covering phone equipment for union local offices, as well as a discount on wireless service for union members and their families. To read about the equipment union locals can purchase, as well as the discounts for union members and their families, click here: AFL-CIO newsletter.

Read previously reported comments in our: What's New Archive