THE MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS'
WHEELHOUSE WEEKLY

- Bridging the Information Gap With E-News You Can Use -

Volume 6 . . . . . Number 46. . . . . November 14, 2002

STORIES COVERED

ALSO REMINDERS

 MM&P PRESIDENT CAPT. TIM BROWN RECEIVES AOTOS AWARD

MM&P International President Capt. Tim Brown received the coveted Admiral Of The Ocean Seas (AOTOS) Award at the annual United Seamen’s Service gala held in New York City on Friday evening Nov.8.

In accepting the award, Capt. Brown said he was surprised and deeply honored when he learned that he was one of the two 2002 AOTOS award recipients. He took the occasion to reflect on his own seagoing career that began in the summer of 1962 as a US Merchant Marine Academy cadet  sailing to South America onboard the Delta Lines DEL ORO.

He recounted walking up the ship’s gangway for the first time convinced that he knew more about seafaring than anyone else onboard considering his year of training at Kings Point. He said that following his graduation, his first trip as a newly licensed deck officer was on a Victory ship en route to Vietnam.

After many years of sailing the world’s oceans, on a Saturday morning in Jacksonville in 1983, he found himself making his first trip as a ship’s Master. “As I was drinking coffee early that morning in my quarters,” he recalled, “I realized that after over 15 years before the mast, I didn’t know a damn thing about seafaring. However, we had a KP Cadet aboard and he knew everything so I figured that I would probably do all right,” Capt. Brown told those attending the awards banquet.

He continued by saying that, “On this occasion, I would like to thank many people, some who are not with us tonight and some who are. I, along with a great number of other people in this room, am thankful to Malcolm McLean for starting a container revolution that allowed me to make seafaring a vocation when I graduated from Kings Point. As I talk with many company officials and other sailors, I find that more than a passing number had their start in the industry with Sealand and with Malcolm.”

Among others, he also thanked two Irishmen, Captains
Thomas F. O’Callaghan and Richard G. Connelly for providing him with an interest in Unionism and a desire to serve the Masters, Mates and Pilots membership; Ernest Cohen, former International Counsel of MM&P, and Gene McCormick, former President of Lykes Lines, for teaching him the value of networking and viewing problems from several vantage points; Dave Tolan, former Labor Relations Vice President at Sealand, for the lessons he learned at the bargaining table when they negotiated.

He also thanked ILA President John Bowers for teaching him the value of having a team in place that could provide service to the membership as well as having someone at the helm of the ILA who would listen to the problems that the MM&P faces.

“For this I am deeply thankful. Finally, I would like to thank all the people that I work with at International Headquarters, particularly Audrey Scharmann and Diane Chatham, the two executive secretaries that I have the pleasure of working with on a daily basis and without them I most assuredly would not be here tonight. I also want to thank the MMP General Executive Board that provides the leadership for the MM&P. Without their efforts, the MM&P would be a little poorer.”
 
 
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 CAPT. BROWN URGES HIGHER PROFILE FOR US MERCHANT MARINE

In commenting on the state of the US-flag Merchant Marine during his AOTOS acceptance speech, Capt. Brown noted that, “It is said that a person who has a passionate belief in something can communicate that belief successfully to others. I believe in the American Merchant Marine. I believe in American sailors. I believe in the ability of American Capitalism to find ways to make the American Merchant Marine prosper.

I find it very discouraging that the American passenger markets are served with foreign-flag carriers who hire foreign crews, who pay little or no taxes, pollute the environment and sometime sail lacking what the US Coast Guard would call minimum safety standards.

All of us in this room have done a very poor job in making the American public aware of how important the marine industry is. So, I want to issue a strong challenge to us all to dedicate ourselves and our resources to the promotion of our industry so that we can finally increase the public’s awareness of our American Merchant Marine.

There is an overwhelming lack of knowledge about our merchant marine among the general population. Sadly, it takes a job action on the West Coast for the majority of Americans to realize that consumer products don’t just magically appear on Wal-Mart’s or Target’s shelves.

There are, in fact, too many people both in and out of government who never focus on how our foreign trade moves. These same people have absolutely no idea how great the threat of economic blackmail is if we become totally dependent on foreign-flag vessels and foreign crews to carry the exports and raw materials that drive our economy.

This lack of public awareness even extends to the role we play in the defense of our country. People have forgotten that our merchant marine is our nation’s fourth arm of defense or that our merchant marine is a national asset that needs and deserves the support of all Americans. It is our challenge and our responsibility to make sure they learn that the only way to ensure that American vessels and American crews will be available in time of war is to support a peacetime merchant marine.

The companies and firms represented here tonight spend thousands of dollars promoting their name, their service, and their performance. The unions represented here tonight, including my own, spend a like amount promoting their schools, their history of service, and the qualifications of their members. The associations represented here spend freely to promote themselves, and to recruit more members for their organizations.

This is all well and good. In fact, such advertising is the American way. We spend money to make more money.
But we all need to do more; to do a much better job of educating the American people. We all need to be more farsighted and to be less parochial when we spend our advertising dollars.

Individually and collectively, we have to spend our dollars to make sure the public knows that it can depend on the US-flag merchant marine to deliver the goods. They need to know that the US-flag merchant marine is the critical supply line linking their sons and daughters stationed and fighting overseas with the tools they need for success.

We need to pound our message across. The answer may be simple to each of us. But as I said, it is time that we give everyone else the information they need to reach the same conclusion. It will not be easy; nor will it be quick.

But it is a challenge that we must face head-on, and I assure you that the MM&P stands ready to join with all of you so that together, we can develop the industry we all know our country needs and should have.”
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

SHIPPING AND WORK RULE BALLOT COUNT RESULTS

MM&P International Comptroller John Gorman reports that the Shipping and Work Rules Ballot Committee has finished the ballot count. The ballot contained 16 shipping rules questions and one work rule question. All of the shipping rules passed by large margins as did the one work rule. The only close vote was on Item 4 of the Shipping Rules where Option 2 beat Option 1 by 16 votes. For further info contact John Gorman at: jgorman@bridgedeck.org.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

RECENT RETIREES AND APPLICANTS REQUESTED TO UPDATE STATUS

MM&P HQ has sent a letter to all applicants, to retirees who retired within the last 3 years, and retirees that retired within the last 4-7 years to ascertain, among other things, their current address, the validity of their license, whether or not they have STCW-95.

This info is needed since it is anticipated that merchant marine personnel will be one of the key assets needed to conduct any large scale operation in the Middle East. The Maritime Administration and the Military Sealift Command are currently focusing on deployment needs.

Plans are underway to provide a fast-track STCW-95 course as well as providing assistance in revalidating a mariner’s license if it has expired. Retirees will be able to return to covered employment without the fear of exceeding the earnings limitation for health care.

Further info is available by contacting Assistant to the President Mike Rodriguez at MM&P HQ at phone: 410-850-8700 ext. 23; Email: mrodriguez@bridgededeck.org. Further info is available on the Wheelhouse Weekly page of the MM&P website under “Reminders” at www.bridgedeck.org.
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 

PMI TO TEACH USE OF MAXIMO FOR CSX MARINE OFICERS

The Pacific Maritime Institute (MITAGS West) will be offering a two-day program in the Operational Use of Maximo as used by CSX Lines. This course will be appropriate for any Master, Mate or Engineer who sails on CSX Vessels.

It will be particularly relevant for those who are sailing as permanent or relief, Chief Mate, or First Engineer. If you have found yourself in a position of using AmosD on a CSX Vessel, you will now be using Maximo and could benefit from this course.

The training course will consist of a general introduction to Maximo followed by a specific description of how CSX uses the program. Each area of use will be covered such as, Consumables and Spares ordering, Work Order Generation (used by the Deck Department to request Deck repairs), Maintenance tracking, Preventive Maintenance, and Spares tracking.

For those who already have had some exposure to Maximo, this course will provide a better understanding for the overall program as well as supply much valuable practice time on a test database resembling the one used by CSX.

PMI will be offering the Maximo Training on the following dates: Nov.18–19 and Dec.2-3. Contact Ms. Rita Nalette at 206-441-2880 or toll-free at 888-893-7829 to schedule. PMI requires a six-student minimum to run these courses, so please schedule as far in advance as possible.

CSX will be covering transportation to and from Seattle for all eligible MM&P and MEBA Members. Please contact PMI if you have questions regarding eligibility. For more info visit the PMI website at http://www.mates.org.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 

CAPT. WILLIAM RICH PASSES AWAY AT 79

The MM&P was saddened to learn of the death of William Rich Jr., a longtime member of the MITAGS family. He was 79 and died at his home in Long Branch, NJ. A graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy, Capt. Rich assumed the command of his first merchant vessel at 23. Among his many accomplishments, Capt. Rich commanded merchant vessels during 14 invasions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

During World War II, German submarines torpedoed two of his ships in 1942. The first attack occurred in the North Atlantic while his ship, the CITY OF NEW YORK, was returning from Russia. The second time was in the South Atlantic while his ship, the AFRICAN STAR, was returning from Rio De Janeiro. The first time he was in a lifeboat for 13 hours, the second time for 32 days. He weighed 69 pounds when rescued. He received many medals for his wartime activities.

During peacetime, Capt. Rich was a Master with Grace Lines where he later became a Port Captain. He also served as a delegate to the United Nations Maritime Committee. Capt. Rich also served as Training Director at MITAGS during the 1970s and was also active in government affairs. Letters of condolences may be sent to the family at:
www.damianofuneralhome.com.
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 

MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES

Class Openings

Plenty of seats remain in Advanced Fire Fighting, BST, Computer, and GMDSS classes between now and the end of the year.
 

Basic Shiphandling class beginning December 2 still has 3 open slots.
 

DOT Training for D&A

The 1-day course satisfying the new DOT requirements for Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) and Screening Test Technician (STT) will be presented at MITAGS: Contact admissions for seat availability.
 

Schedules, Course Info & Registration

You can now check schedules, review detailed course descriptions and register on-line or contact Admissions at admissions@mitags.org or 443-989-3226.
 
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 

PACIFIC MARITIME INSTITUTE ACADEMIC NOTES

Class Openings through November:

PMI will be providing DOT Training for D&A on the following dates and locations: Nov.15: Seattle;
Dec.9: Houston; Dec.13: Seattle; Dec.16: San Fran, Dec.17: Los Angeles; Jan.13: Honolulu; Jan.17: Seattle.

PMI will be running the programs necessary to upgrade from Able Seaman to Mate in Jan. 2003. In order to attempt
to fill their first courses, they are offering a 40-percent discount to mariners wishing to start their training in
Jan. For the latest up-to-date info on class schedules, visit the PMI website at www.mates.org.
 
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

MM&P MARKET WATCH AS OF 11-13 CLOSE

 D O W
 N A S D A Q
8,398.40
-372.60 for the week
 1,361.34
 -57.65 for the week
 Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX)
 81.64
 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXMX)
18.50
 Vanguard International Growth Fund (VWIGX)
 12.21
 Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund (VMRGX)
 11.31
 Vanguard Windsor II Fund (VWNFX)
 20.63
 Vanguard GNMA Fund (VFIIX)
10.74
 Chase Growth Fund (CHASX)
13.34
 Fidelity Asset Manager (FASMX)
13.80
 Fidelity Growth and Income (FGRIX)
 30.49
Fidelity Magellan Fund (FAGX)
 80.44
 Spartan US Equity Index Fund (FUSEX)
  31.34

 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

~ Reminders ~

 

 

ALL-HANDS MESSAGE FROM MM&P PRESIDENT BROWN

MM&P International President Capt. Tim Brown and Executive Asst. Mike Rodriguez recently attended a meeting with the US Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration and the Military Sealift Command focusing on the assets needed to conduct an operation in the Middle East.

Deployment and time frames are still being discussed. Below is what the Union knows as of this time.

It is anticipated that merchant marine personnel will be key to this operation. MM&P, MEBA and AMO have a cooperative agreement so that if any of the unions' contracted vessels need personnel and the contracted union cannot supply licensed marine officers, one of the other unions will staff these billets.

Within the next few days, MM&P will be sending a letter to all MM&P applicants, to retirees who retired within the last 3 years, and retirees that retired within the last 4-7 years. The purpose of the letter will be to ascertain your current address, the validity of your license, whether or not you have STCW-95, and other personnel data.

There are plans underway to provide a fast track STCW-95 course for those needing it as well as providing assistance in revalidating your license if it has expired.

In the case of retirees, you will be able to return to covered employment without the fear of exceeding the earnings limitation for health care. However, no additional pension credits will be provided for any service that you may render to your country during this emergency employment.

Since Desert Shield/Desert Storm, American Merchant Mariners have been provided with re-employment rights. These rights will insure that your present employer will give your current employment position back when you return from service with the MM&P in this type of deployment.

More details will be forthcoming in future issues of the Wheelhouse Weekly as they become known.
 
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

 

MAJOR CHANGE TO MM&P'S DENTAL BENEFIT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1

This is a reminder that effective October 1, 2002, the MM&P Plan's contract with Prudential Dental expired. Prudential was purchased by Aetna/US HealthCare in 2001 and could no longer offer the Plan the same type of fee-for-service arrangement as before.

In order to continue to offer Plan Participants an in-network dental benefit option, the Plan reviewed proposals from organizations that provide network dental services. After review, the Trustees approved a contract with Delta Dental, the largest provider of dental services in the US.

The Delta Dental Claims Processing Center in Mechanicsburg, PA, will handle claims administration for all MM&P eligible participants and dependents. This includes claims submitted by out of network dentists as well as those who are Delta Dental providers.

Plan participants who choose to go to a contracted provider will pay 10 percent of the contracted amount and the Plan will pay 90 percent. Participants will have access to all Delta providers in the Delta Premier Network option that includes over 133,000 dentists nationwide.
 
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

~ Where Does My Dentist Submit My Claims?

Effective October 1, 2002, all dental claims with dates of service on or after October 1, 2002, from both in and out-of-network providers, should be sent directly to: Delta Dental, One Delta Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6999. Participants will receive a claim form in the mailing sent out by the Plan Office on August 11. Your dentist can copy this form and use it to submit all dental claims incurred on or after October 1, 2002.

~ How Do I Find A Delta Dentist?

You can locate participating dentists in your area in two ways. You can call 1-800-932-0783 from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday, or you can sign on to the Delta website at www.MidAtlanticDeltaDental.com. Once you have signed on to the website, key on the bar marked "Pennsylvania". (MM&P Plan members are enrolled in the Delta Premier Option through Delta Dental of Penn.) Next enter the search criteria to find participating Delta dentists in your area or enter your own dentist's name to find out if he/she participates with the Premier network.
 
 

WORK IN PROCESS

Delta Dental will coordinate with the Plan Office to transition all billing for "work in process". This means that all root canals, orthodontia work and other staged procedures that are not completed under the old arrangement will be carried over and the remaining balance billing, for work performed on or after October 1, 2002 will be processed by Delta Dental.

It is important to remember that all work that has been pre-determined by Prudential/Aetna must be completed and billed with a billing date on or prior to September 30, 2002, in order to assure that your co-pay will remain the same as quoted in the initial pre-determination.

Any work started under the old Plan but billed for date of service on or after October 1, 2002 will be reimbursed according to whether the dentist is participating in the Delta Dental network. If your dentist is not a participating dentist, the balance billing will be paid at the out-of-network rate of 80 percent of the Plan's UCR schedules.
 
 

CLAIMS QUESTIONS

All questions about any dental claims incurred on or after October 1, 2002, including claims submitted by out-of-network providers, should be directed to Delta Dental at 1-800-932-0783. You have been provided with a Delta claim form to forward to your dentist, however, your dentist may submit any standard dental billing form as long as the bill is sent directly to Delta at the above listed address.
 
 

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Participants will be receiving a brochure in early October that will include a perforated generic identification card. This card lists the telephone number and the billing address for Delta. You are not required to carry an identification card because your social security number and birth date will identify you as an eligible participant in the Delta Dental Network.

It is important to remember that MM&P claims will be processed by Delta Dental of Pennsylvania. You or your dentist can access your eligibility by calling either the Plan Office or Delta Dental at 1-800-932-0783.
 
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 
 

 

QUOTAS SET FOR OFFSHORE LICENSED GROUP AT GEB MEETING

MM&P's General Executive Board met on October 3-4. One item of particular note is that the Offshore Advisory Committee established quotas for admittance to the Offshore Membership Group.

Effective October 4, 2002, no member of any membership group, including the Offshore Unlicensed Membership Group, may transfer into the Offshore Licensed Membership Group without having been a member of the organization for at least as long as the length of time that the lowest applicant admitted into membership has in the organization.

Please see your local Offshore Vice President for additional information.
 
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

SUPPORT FUND ESTABLISHED FOR GISELE SCHMIDT

MM&P has established a Fund to receive donations on behalf of Gisele Schmidt, the daughter of Brother Gary Schmidt. Gisele, who is 21, was rendered paralyzed as the result of a tragic auto accident in March.

Please Note: The fund is open only through December 31, 2002.

Contributions may be made payable to the:

Gisele Schmidt Fund
c/o MM&P
700 Maritime Blvd.
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

JERRY BACKMAN MEMORIAL FUND CREATED

A memorial fund has been established in the memory of recently deceased MM&P member Jerry Backman. Jerry shipped out of San Francisco and was 49-years old at the time of his tragic death as the result of an auto accident last month.

He will be affectionately remembered as a loyal union brother, outstanding licensed deck officer and a fine person. Jerry leaves a widow, a 22-year old daughter and a 15-year old son.

Donations on behalf of Jerry will be used to assist with the education of his children. The Backman family is privately managing the fund. They are most appreciative of all the messages expressing sympathy and the positive stories from his shipmates and friends.

Contributions can be sent to:

The Jerry B. Backman Memorial Fund
c/o Bank of the West
2900 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, CA 94565
 
 
MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

NEW, USED OR REFI: LOW VEHICLE LOAN RATES AT MM&P FCU

Members are reminded that the Masters, Mates & Pilots Federal Credit Union is offering vehicle loans as low as 5.25 percent. Rates range from 5.25 to 6.99 percent for terms of 24 to 60 months. It doesn't matter if it's for a new, used or a refinanced vehicle.

These rates are also in effect for new or used recreational vehicles, motorcycles or boats. Limited funds available at this rate, certain terms and conditions apply.

MM&P Federal Credit Union membership is open to all MM&P members, to all MM&P, MITAGS, MIRAID and Plans staff, and to their immediate families.

Rates and terms of offer are subject to change. Call Kathy Klisavage, Credit Union Manager, toll free 1-800-382-7777 or Email mmpfcu@bridgedeck.org for all the details.
 
 

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 or to subscribe 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.

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