THE MASTERS, MATES AND PILOTS'
WHEELHOUSE WEEKLY

Bridging the Information Gap With E-News You Can Use

VOLUME 5. . . . . NUMBER 6. . . February 9, 2001

STORIES COVERED

ALSO

SENATORS BREAUX, LOTT READY TO WORK ON MARITIME REFORM

According to the Congressional Information Bureau, Senators John Breaux (D-LA) and Trent Lott (R-MS) have told President Bush that Congress is ready to work with the new administration to develop new ideas to revitalize the US maritime industry.

In a recent letter to the president, Breaux and Lott pointed out the importance of maintaining a strong US maritime industry, including a strong shipbuilding presence.

The letter noted that “for more than two decades, we have worked with other Senators and Representatives in a bipartisan effort to maintain and grow the US-flag merchant marine and the US shipbuilding industry. We were pleased when both the Bush and Gore campaigns put forth strong statements recognizing the value of the maritime industry to our economy and national defense.

“Without a vital US merchant marine and shipbuilding capacity, our military power would depend on foreign interests to build our nation’s military vessels and provide the sealift required to mobilize its military forces. You’ve noted the importance of reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

“Maintaining an independent capability to transport military equipment overseas is critical to our national security. We must continue to fully fund the Maritime Security Program and increase funding for the Title XI shipbuilding loan guarantee program to historic levels. We must preserve existing programs such as the Jones Act and cargo preference. We look forward to working with you to develop new ideas to revitalize the industry.”

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

CSX LINES TURNS IN LOSS WHILE CORPORATE PROFITS RISE

MM&P-contracted CSX Lines turned in “disappointing” performance for the fourth quarter while the rest of CSX Corp. recorded a solid turnaround on earnings, with net income of $54 million compared to a loss of $25 million in the same quarter of 1999. The company's rail, intermodal and world terminals business all performed strongly through the quarter.

The domestic container shipping business recorded a $10 million operating loss in the fourth quarter on revenues of $166 million, and was flat for the year on revenues of $666 million, though executives said it should do better this year after CSX redeployed vessels out of the volatile Puerto Rico trade and into the strong Pacific markets. CSX chief executive, John Snow, remarked that earnings at CSX Lines were down sharply as a result of difficulties in the Puerto Rico trade and rising costs.

He said: "Results for the quarter are disappointing and we are working hard to turn things round," adding that "this is a solid business with strong market positions in Alaska and Hawaii as well as Puerto Rico". CSX World Terminals, meanwhile, had "another excellent quarter, and we are confident that this unit will continue to grow successfully in 2001".

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

USS DENVER'S SKIPPER IS BLAMED FOR COLLISION WITH MSC TANKER

A report obtained by the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper of a US Navy investigation blames the skipper and a junior officer of the San Diego-based amphibious ship USS DENVER for the vessel's July 13, 2000 collision with a MM&P-crewed Military Sealift Command (MSC) tanker off Hawaii.

"Human error caused this collision," the investigation concluded. The DENVER's Commanding Officer and an unnamed ensign who was officer of the deck and in charge of the ship's navigation failed to change course to avoid hitting the tanker USNS YUKON, stated the report.

As reported last July in the Wheelhouse Weekly, both ships were extensively damaged, but there were no injuries. Afterward, the DENVER's captain was replaced but the Navy refused to say whether he received further punishment. Officials also wouldn't disclose the junior officer's name or whether he was reprimanded. Six months later, the DENVER's former CO has been reassigned to the Pentagon and could not be reached for comment.

The DENVER, returning from a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf, was to refuel from the YUKON, a Pearl Harbor-based MSC tanker, while underway. The investigation report reveals confusion aboard the DENVER in the final minutes before the collision. The report found that:

The CO and the officer of the deck should have realized the high probability of a crash about five minutes before the accident. Instead, the DENVER held its course and kept coming on while the YUKON turned in front of the amphibious ship. Bridge and combat information center crew members on the DENVER seemed confused about rendezvous and refueling plans.

The officer of the deck, an ensign, and the conning officer -- who was a midshipman on a summer cruise during college -- were inexperienced on the bridge. When the officers tried to avoid striking the YUKON, it was too little, too late. Such at-sea refuelings are standard for all Navy warships.

On July 13, the USS DENVER and USNS YUKON approached each other from opposite directions. The YUKON, which by navigation rules determines the course and speed, announced plans to turn and set a new course for refueling the amphibious ship.

The investigation concluded that instead of falling in behind the tanker, which is normal practice, DENVER continued on a steady course, ignoring frantic radio calls from Capt. Mark Wilson, the tanker's master, as the ships neared.

Only when the ships were less than a mile apart did the DENVER's captain urge the officer of the deck to change course.  But, the course changes weren't enough to miss the YUKON and as the ships got closer, the DENVER’s CO took charge. "Left full rudder . . . All engines stop! . . . All engines back full!" he ordered in the final seconds.

On the USNS YUKON, knowing that a collision was imminent, the captain made several quick decisions that probably prevented an oil spill or catastrophic explosion, according to Navy officers familiar with the report and who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Loaded with more than 6 million gallons of marine and jet fuel, the YUKON could have exploded if the collision sparked a fire. Much of the fuel was loaded in the YUKON's starboard tanks which was the side the DENVER was bearing down on. Wilson increased speed and turned left, hoping the DENVER would miss the fuel-laden tanks, he told investigators. It worked.

The DENVER's bow sliced into the tanker at the rear of its superstructure, crushing its outer hull above the waterline and tearing a gash in the aft flight deck. The third and fourth decks of the DENVER’s bow were obliterated as hull plates were pushed back more than 20 feet. Part of an anchor was broken off and deposited on the YUKON.

Seconds after impact, YUKON's Wilson radioed the DENVER:  "That was one of the worst examples of seamanship I've ever seen." An unidentified DENVER crewman responded, via radio:
"I agree." Thanks to MM&P Government Employees’ Membership Group Representative Randi Ciszewski for providing the above info.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

MM&P MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND TO MARAD MARINER SURVEY

MARAD will need about 10 minutes of your time if you have been selected to receive one of their maritime surveys scheduled to be sent out by the end of this month. The agency is coordinating a survey of a random sample of mariners that will be conducted by DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

The survey is designed to provide an indication of the accuracy of key information in MARAD’s Merchant Marine personnel electronic database systems as well as ensuring that info on mariners' documents and sea service records is complete.

Also measured will be the progress of US Merchant
Mariners towards meeting the 1995 amendments to the International Convention on STCW. Info provided regarding experience, understanding of reemployment rights, and willingness to serve on sealift ships, will provide MARAD with a measure of the US Merchant Marine's capability to respond to sealift needs.

The survey contains less than 20 questions and should take around 10 minutes to complete. It will be sent to randomly selected mariners by the end of this month. For further info, contact Chris Krusa at Email: chris.krusa@marad.dot.gov or at voice: 202-366-2648.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES

Openings in classes over February and March are listed below.  Emergency Shiphandling class (SHS-EMR), a three day class running from Wed-Fri, March 14-16, currently has one person enrolled. If two additional students are not confirmed by Feb.28 the class will be cancelled. Schedule through Dec. 2001 is now being maintained on the MITAGS website. Hard copy updates of schedules are also provided to the halls.

MED-MGMT

On Mar. 23 the first MED-MGMT class will be held at MITAGS. Although not required now, after Feb.1, 2002 it will be required under STCW for persons moving from “Officer in Charge of a Navigation Watch” to “Chief Mate/Master”. Thus, after Feb.1, 2002, mariners going from 2nd Mate to Chief Mate will need to satisfy the requirement. MED-MGMT is a 1-day course. Persons who complete either MED-SMC or MED-PIC will satisfy the requirement and will not need to take the 1-day course.

MSC Classes

 The Strategic Sealift Communications Course will be held at MITAGS April 2-6, 2001.

GMDSS License Renewal

There have been significant changes to the renewal process. Fee has increased to $50. Forms have been revised. You cannot apply for renewal prior to 90 days before expiration date. Check under GMDSS on the MITAGS website at: www.mitags.org for up-to-date forms and submission info.  New forms are also being sent to the halls.

For additional MITAGS course info, please contact Mary Matlock at Voice: 443-989-3226 or e-mail: admissions@mitags.org.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARITIME INSTITUTE (PNMI) ACADEMIC NOTES

Classes with availability through February are as follows:
Note: The ECDIS course will meet the EINS (Electronic Integrated Navigation Systems) Standards.
Download their entire schedule at: http://www.stcw95.com. The latest PNMI press releases are at: http://www.stcw95.com/press_releases.htm. For further info contact Gregg Trunnell at voice: 206 239-9965; fax: 206-441-2995; Email: info@stcw95.com.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

MM&P MARKET WATCH AS OF 2-8 CLOSE

 DOW  10,880.55

-103.08 for the week 

  NASDAQ  2,562.06

-220.73 for the week 
 Vanguard 500 Index Fund
 123.13
-3.75 for the week
 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund 
27.12
-0.94 for the week
 Vanguard International Growth Fund
 18.44
-0.57  for the week
 Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
 17.49
-0.97 for the week
 Vanguard Windsor II Fund
 27.53
+0.24 for the week
 Chase Growth Fund (CHASX)
 16.50
-0.01  for the week
 Fidelity Asset Manager (FASMX)
 16.87
-0.23 for the week
 Fidelity Growth and Income (FGRIX)
 41.30
-0.66  for the week
 Fidelity Magellan Fund (FAGX)
 120.01
-3.91 for the week
 Spartan US Equity Index Fund (FUSEX)
 47.29
+0.29  for the week

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

The MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly is the official electronic newsletter of the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots, ILA, AFL-CIO, 700 Maritime Blvd., Linthicum Heights, MD 21090-1941. Phone: 410-850-8700; Fax: 410-850-0973; Email: iommp@bridgedeck.org. For further info contact John Peige at jpeige@bridgedeck.org. The Wheelhouse Weekly is sent via Email to MM&P-contracted vessels at sea, broadcast worldwide via FEC marine telex and is posted on our web page under "News" at: http://www.bridgedeck.org.

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