THE MASTERS, MATES AND PILOTS'
WHEELHOUSE WEEKLY

Bridging the Information Gap With E-News You Can Use

Volume 5. . . . . Number 44. . . November 2, 2001

STORIES COVERED

ALSO

 

CSX LINES OFFERS NEW PAYROLL OPTION EFFECTIVE JAN. 02

CSX Lines will be using Automatic Data Processing, (ADP) to process payrolls for all vessel personnel effective January 1, 2002. As part of this new process all crewmembers will have the option to have a portion or all of their net pay directly deposited in a banking institution of their choice.

Once an individual signs up for Direct Deposit he/she will automatically be included in the program on subsequent assignments on CSX Lines vessels. No additional activity is required unless the individual wishes to change a previously made election.

Individuals who wish to sign up for direct deposit after the current initial enrollment period may do so at any time but it will probably take two payroll periods before the individual's pay will be directly deposited into the account of his/her choice.

According to Janet Sanderson in the CSX payroll office, a member may also elect to make direct deposits to the MM&P Federal Credit Union. “They would just need to inform CSX and CSX would take it from there,” said Sanderson who can be reached at 972-813-5374 for members who would like further info on the Direct Deposit service.

For questions concerning services and rates offered by the MM&P Federal Credit Union, members can contact credit union manager Kathy Kilsavage at 410-850-8700x43, or Email her at: mmpfcu@bridgedeck.org.
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

REFUNDS OF OREGON TAXES FOR COLUMBIA RIVER MARINE WORKERS

As a result of the efforts begun by the MM&P and by Cong. Brian Baird (D-WA) to provide relief to Columbia River waterways workers who were being taxed by the State of Oregon, the Oregon legislature passed SB 426 exempting these non-residents of the State from paying Oregon taxes.

The bill allows the taxpayer to file an amended return for the tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1 1986 for any taxes paid plus any associated penalty and interest. It also provides that any taxpayer that did not pay these taxes shall have his assessment canceled.

According to Jeanne Bennett, Chief of Staff to Congressman Baird, MM&P members will have to file an amended tax return for each year in which they paid these taxes. For more info, members should call the Oregon office of taxpayer assistance at 503-378-4988.

Due to the complexity of this issue and the need for up to 15 years of past forms for each member and the need for up to 15 years of blank Oregon tax return forms, it is likely that most members will require the assistance of a professional tax preparer.

Additional info on this subject can obtained by contacting Capt. Steve Demeroutis, Vice President of MM&P's Pacific Maritime Region Membership Group at 206-441-1070; Email: sdemeroutis@bridgedeck.org. Members have until Jan. 1, 2003 to file these amended Oregon state tax returns.
 
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

USCG ADMIRAL LOY DESCRIBES CHALLENGES OF MARITIME SECURITY

In addressing the subject of protecting the nation's maritime security against elusive terrorists threats," USCG Commandant Admiral James Loy said that the old paradigm of prevention, response, and consequence management must now become awareness, prevention, response, and consequence management.

In a recent speech before Wash DC Propeller Club, Adm. Loy noted that Maritime Domain Awareness would be the umbrella that covers all of the info requirements for homeland security in the maritime domain.

Applied to the government interest of getting more cargo through Customs and USCG inspectors in less time with greater security, he said its key elements would be an integrated, accessible database of information; one-stop coordinated inspections; high technology sensors, readers, x-rays, and scanners; solid risk based decision-making forums charged with taking on and solving problems.

The following are some key excerpts from his remarks:

As we get better at collaborative approaches to maritime security issues, we quickly realize how many agencies and companies have important roles, and how varied and complex their information requirements are.

Imagine for a moment the information requirements associated with a hypothetical 6000 TEU flag-of-convenience container ship with a multi-national crew cobbled together by a hiring agent who works for an Algerian vessel operator who chartered the vessel from a Greek ship owner whose corporate offices are in the Cayman Islands.

How would you begin to manage the information required to prosecute an inter-agency response to any of the various threats that might be aboard such a hypothetical ship such as a report of a nuclear device being smuggled, chemical or biological agents, or any of hundreds of other possibilities? Maritime Domain Awareness can become the forum we use to get our arms around that issue.

Its key characteristics would be a system that integrates the many and varied efforts of military civil agencies, and private sector entities; transparency in the domain from over there internationally to the U.S. port; collaboration among federal agencies; coordination among international, national, and local interests; sensitivity to customer service; risk-based decision making; and facilitation of the Incident Command System when incidents do arise. Jointness plus with an emphasis on the plus.

Its tools would have to include solid vulnerability assessments with action plan follow-ups; a model port guide with special attention to security guidelines; counter-terrorism and contingency plans and exercises; real-time cargo, people, vessel tracking systems; and rigorous analytic models & simulations capable of producing tactically actionable products.

But perhaps the most important characteristic of MDA is that it is not just a system. It is a state of mind. You can’t buy that. It is constant, unyielding vigilance. Its most important assets are the eyes and ears of people in the private industry and in the federal, state and local law enforcement officials in US ports and waterways.

The National Response Center is ready and waiting to receive telephone reports of suspicious activity that you might see from day to day. They have a toll-free number: 1-800-424-8802. I urge you to use it. You can help us develop the awareness I’m talking about.

We are a maritime nation. We already know how porous our maritime borders can be, especially in comparison to our land and air borders. Ninety-five percent of our trade is shipped by maritime means. Threats can pose as legitimate trading vessels very easily among such a large volume.

Somebody has to engage these vessels one at a time up close and personal. Somebody has to distinguish the suspicious from the obviously innocent. To separate the guilty from the merely suspicious, somebody has to get alongside and put a boarding team aboard, even if the suspect vessels resist or won’t stop.

Somebody has to size up each case and dispose of it based on the complex humanitarian, diplomatic, military, geo-political, environmental, and legal issues at stake.

Somebody has to coordinate proposed enforcement actions with other government departments, flag states, law enforcement agencies, and everybody else who has a legitimate voice in the matter. It must all be done according to the rule of law. For 211 years, that somebody has been the USCG.
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

NAVAL ACADEMY SUPERINTENDANT TO HEAD SUNY MARITIME

Vice Admiral John Ryan, USN, currently Superintendent of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, has been selected as the next President of the State University of New York Maritime College. He will take office on June 15, 2002 with a mandate to increase enrollment and the level of private financial support the college receives. SUNY Maritime is located at historic Fort Schuyler in Throggs Neck, NY.

Admiral Ryan graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1967 and earned the designation of Naval Aviator in October 1968. He has distinguished himself as a line officer and effective leader, most recently serving as Commander, Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force, US Sixth Fleet; Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean; and Commander, Maritime Air Forces, Mediterranean. Ryan was Commander, Patrol Wings, US Pacific Fleet/Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Forces, US Pacific Fleet.

He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legions of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal, along with various other Service awards. Ryan has served in his current position since 1998.

Vice Admiral John W. Craine Jr. USN (Ret.) will serve as interim president of the State University of New York
(SUNY) Maritime College. He recently retired as the Chief of Naval Education and Training for the Navy where he was responsible for all training and education programs across the Navy, including technical and flight training, and Naval ROTC programs. Craine took office last week and will serve through June 2002.
MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

PENTAGON SEEKS IDEAS ON COMBATING TERRORISM

The Department of Defense recently announced that it is sponsoring a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) asking for help in fighting terrorism. The BAA, issued Oct. 23 (No. 02-Q-4655), specifically seeks help in combating terrorism, defeating difficult targets, conducting protracted operations in remote areas, and developing countermeasures to weapons of mass destruction. Its objective is to find concepts that can be developed within 12 to 18 months.

The BAA provides for a three-phase process in which interested parties initially submit a one-page description of their concept. Initial responses are due by Dec. 23, 2001. After a review of a submission and if DoD is interested in further information, the submitter will then be asked to provide a more detailed description of up to 12 pages. Submitters of concepts that the department is not interested in pursuing further will be so notified.

DoD will evaluate phase two submissions and ask those who have offered the most promising ideas to submit full proposals in a third phase that may form the basis for a contract. Interested parties can obtain more information concerning this BAA by visiting http://www.bids.tswg.gov .
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 


 

MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES

Openings in classes through the end of February 2002

Remainder 2001
January 2002

Course Equivalency

Before submitting requests for equivalencies, members should ensure that their submissions are in accordance with established policy. Policy can be found in hard copy at the halls or on the MITAGS website at www.mitags.org under “Training Policy & Procedures”.

Schedule Info

Schedule through June 2002 is being maintained on the website. Hard copies of the January-June 2002 schedule have been mailed to the halls. Check the MITAGS website at: www.mitags.org for up-to-date info. For additional course info, contact Mary Matlock at voice: 443-989-3226 or Email: admissions@mitags.org.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARITIME INSTITUTE (PMI) COURSE OPENINGS

Openings in classes through December

The first Medical Person-In-Charge course will commence on February 18, 2002 in Seattle. Successful candidates will receive STCW certificates in Elementary First Aid, Medical First Aid Provider and Medical Person in Charge.

Registration is available on-line at http://www.stcw95.com/register.htm.

For further info, contact:

Phone: 206-239-9965; Fax: 206-441-2995; Email: info@stcw95.com
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

MM&P MARKET WATCH AS OF 11-1 CLOSE

 D O W
 N A S D A Q
 9,263.90
-199.00 for the week
 1,746.30
 -29.13 for the week
 Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX)
 100.12
 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXMX)
20.76
 Vanguard International Growth Fund (VWIGX)
 14.21
 Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund (VMRGX)
 13.47
 Vanguard Windsor II Fund (VWNFX)
 24.87
 Vanguard GNMA Fund (VFIIX)
10.63
 Chase Growth Fund (CHASX)
14.13
 Fidelity Asset Manager (FASMX)
15.18
 Fidelity Growth and Income (FGRIX)
 35.99
Fidelity Magellan Fund (FAGX)
 98.45
 Spartan US Equity Index Fund (FUSEX)
  38.42

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.

Return to Top