MM&P advocates on a number of regulatory fronts for the U.S. Merchant Marine. The union's official comments on a number of regulatory proposals are posted below. For more information on MM&P's work in Washington, D.C., click on the Legislative Issues button or the What's New button.

MM&P MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF MERCHANT OFFICERS’ LABOR ALLIANCE WITH MEBA

MM&P members have voted by an overwhelming margin to approve the Merchant Officers’ Labor Alliance (MOLA) with the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA). The agreement, which was the object of a 90-day ballot, was approved by a vote of 1,720 to 170, or 91 percent. The votes were tallied June 19. MEBA members had earlier approved the alliance by a vote of 745-426. To read the complete MOLA agreement, click here: MOLA Agreement - (click here to download pdf)

MM&P IS BACK IN THE LNG BUSINESS!

MM&P will crew as many as nine ships for international energy industry leader Suez LNG.  The historic agreement, which includes the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), covers recruitment, training and manning of Suez LNG vessels with licensed deck officers and engineers.

The historic, three-part agreement was announced at a Maritime Day commemoration ceremony in Boston on May 24 by U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton “This is a great step forward and shows what can be accomplished when all parties work together,” Connaughton said.

Suez LNG plans to employ MM&P members and MMA cadets and graduates on as many as nine vessels. The company will deploy three vessels to deliver LNG to the Neptune Deepwater Port, in Massachusetts Bay. Six more ships will operate internationally. 

To find out more about the agreement, read the the May 28, 2007 issue of the MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly: http://www.bridgedeck.org/mmp_news_archive/2007/mmp_news070528.html
MM&P/MIRAID Comments on MARAD LNG Program - (click here to download pdf)

MM&P Continues Dialogue With Coast Guard Commandant

In a letter to U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad W. Allen, MM&P International President Tim Brown reiterated the union’s desire to work with the agency to address a number of problems that have a negative effect on the working conditions, recruitment and retention of American mariners. Brown sent the letter as a follow-up to his Dec. 10 meeting with Allen at USCG headquarters. To read the text of the letter, click on this link. Letter to Coast Guard -(click here to download pdf)

Security Document Template

Horizon Lines has provided MM&P with the SF-86 form, which can serve as a template to help gather one’s personal information in preparation for filling out the final security application online. This form is being distributed to all ports. Access to the Horizon Lines E-QIP program is provided by the company once mariners have actually been assigned to a vessel. To download and print the SF-86, please click on this link: Security Document -(click here to download pdf)

MM&P Testifies on the Importance of America’s Maritime Workforce

MM&P presented testimony Oct. 17 on the changes in U.S. government policy that are needed to motivate and conserve America’s maritime workforce. Among the policies advocated by MM&P: support for the Jones Act and cargo preference laws; full funding for the Maritime Security Program (MSP); modification/rationalization of the Transport Worker Identification program; changes to the U.S. Coast Guard’s new medical evaluation policy. Click here to read MM&P's statement: Testimony - October 17, 2007 - (click here to download pdf)

Written Follow-Up to MM&P July 12 Testimony on TWIC

MM&P has reiterated its major concerns regarding the TWIC program in a letter to the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Subcommittee Chairman Elijah Cummings requested that the union provide suggestions on how the TWIC program can be changed by Congress to minimize its negative effects on maritime labor. Click here to read the letter: Supplemental Information on TWIC - (click here to download pdf)

MM&P Testifies on TWIC Before House Subcommittee On Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) should preempt local and state terminal access schemes and be compliant with international standards for security documents, according to MM&P. The union restated its position in official testimony given July 12 by Mike Rodriguez, executive assistant to MM&P International President Tim Brown, before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
To read the union’s testimony, click here: Twic Hearing Testimony - (click here to download pdf)

Former Coast Guard Manager Presents Overview of REC Centralization

In an article published in installments in the industry newsletter MarEx, former USCG manager Andy Hammond, who spent many years working at the Boston Regional Exam Center, presents an overview of the centralization effort now underway. The series is posted on the MM&P website with permission of the author and MarEx. To read the report , please click here.

USCG Marine Safety Program Under Microscope

The "Card Report," authored by former Coast Guard Commandant James C. Card, outlines the challenges facing the Coast Guard's marine safety program and makes suggestions on how it could be improved. To read the report in its entirety, please click here.

MM&P Comments on USCG NVIC on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

MM&P’s comments on the U.S. Coast Guard’s draft NVIC, Guidance for the Implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program in the Maritime Sector. click here to download pdf

MM&P Comments on DHS Chemical Facility Security Rules

DHS has also issued a proposed rule on the security of chemical facilities. In its formal comments on the rule, MM&P supported its systematic approach to assessing threats and developing security plans based on risk. This methodology is not present in the USCG regulations, which treat every vessel and every port facility as if they are all at the same risk of terrorism. MM&P's comments on chemical facility security. click here to download pdf

MM&P Comments on Original USCG Merchant Mariner Document Proposal

On Jan. 25, the U.S. Coast Guard amended its May 2006 notice of proposed rulemaking by publishing a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) entitled, Consolidation of Merchant Mariner Qualification Credentials. MM&P's comments on the original proposal, submitted in July 2006. click here to download pdf

MM&P Comments on USCG NVIC on Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials

Articles in MM&P's Wheelhouse Weekly have covered the USCG's proposed navigation and vessel inspection circular (NVIC) on Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials. The USCG developed the NVIC to offer guidance to those evaluating the physical and medical condition of applicants for merchant mariner's documents, STCW endorsements and licenses. MM&P and others in the maritime industry expressed serious concerns over the impact of the NVIC in comments submitted to the USCG in November. click here to download pdf

MM&P Comments on DHS Voyage Data Recorder Rules

Ferries should not be required to carry voyage data recorders (VDRs) because the information recorded is more likely to be used for finger-pointing than shedding light on what caused an accident, MM&P has warned in comments submitted in response to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) study. Integrated navigation systems with playback functions should be carried instead because such systems improve safety and generate data investigators can use to analyze accidents. The union's comments are in the posted pdf. click here to download pdf