THE MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS'
WHEELHOUSE WEEKLYonline

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

Volume 8 . . . . . Number 15. . . . April 8, 2004

STORIES COVERED

ALSO

REMINDERS

Did you miss a week? Back editions of the Wheelhouse Weekly are available in the Archives section.

MM&P HEADQUARTERS, PLANS AND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION WILL BE CLOSED APRIL 9 IN OBSERVANCE OF THE GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY


 

CONVENTION CALL: MM&P 80th CONVENTON

In accordance with Article IV, Section 2, of the International Constitution, members are hereby notified that a regular convention of the MM&P will be convened at 1000 on Monday, August 2, at MITAGS, 692 Maritime Blvd, Linthicum Heights, MD. Nominations for elective office will take place at this Convention. Constitutional amendments may also be considered at this Convention.

Members are also hereby notified that in accordance with Article IV, Section 6., Subsection b), all proposed resolutions must be forwarded to the International Secretary-Treasurer at least 30 days prior to the opening day of the Convention for inclusion on the Agenda and determination by the Convention.

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OIF MARINERS ENTITLED TO TAX FILING DELAY

April 15 is fast approaching and with it comes the deadline for filing US federal tax returns. For merchant mariners sailing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom "on vessels under Department of Defense operational control in direct support of the United States Armed Forces" (and for their spouses ­ even if separate returns are filed), the dreaded deadline may be just a little farther out on the horizon.

For merchant mariners and several other groups, the Internal Revenue Service is allowing an extension of time for tax filing. The extension, authorized in section 7508(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, 26 United States Code, gives an additional 180 days PLUS the number of days served in a combat zone between January 1, 2004 and April 15, 2004. IRS reports that merchant mariners qualified for the extension are those "serving in the combat zone as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard Maritime Administration and Military Sealift Command owned or controlled vessels."

In addition to the tax filing extension, section 7508 also allows to be postponed the "payment of income, estate, or gift taxes (except employment and withholding taxes), tax claims filings or bringing suits for credits or refunds, filing any petition with the US Tax Court, making a qualified retirement contribution to an IRA, or performing any other act listed in Revenue Procedure 2002-71." According to the notice, "no penalties or interest will be imposed for failure to file a return or pay taxes during the extension period."

IRS Tax Tip 2004-40 published Feb.27, 2004 says, "the various extensions granted to combat zone participants to file returns or pay taxes will also apply to those serving in Contingency Operations, as designated by the Secretary of Defense. This is effective for any acts whose deadline has not expired before November 11, 2003."

Paper returns must be filed if claiming an extension under section 7508. When the return is sent, print the words "COMBAT ZONE" in bold red ink at the top of the return and in large red letters on the mailing envelope. For mariners, the IRS says to attach a brief statement listing the date(s) of service within the combat zone in order to provide them with the total number of days of extension to which you are entitled.

Mariners and others who qualify for combat zone tax filing relief may notify the IRS of their status in advance through a special e-mail address: combatzone@irs.gov. Include in the email the following:

Do not include any social security numbers in an email. Notification may be made by the taxpayer, or by the taxpayer's spouse, authorized agent or representative.

At present, the combat zone for Operation Iraqi Freedom is defined as follows:

More detailed information can be found on the IRS website at www.irs.gov. From the main page, click on "The Newsroom" link and go to "Armed Forces" under the "Related Topics" headline. You'll find useful info in the following titles:

Taxpayers in the US may seek assistance by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Taxpayers outside the US may call the IRS in Philadelphia at 215-516-2000. The information presented here is to serve as a guideline only. As always, readers are urged to seek the advice of a tax professional to discuss their own circumstances.

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UNIONS UNDERSCORE SUPPORT FOR MARITIME TAX AMENDMENT

The MM&P delivered a letter to Capitol Hill on April 6, cosigned by the presidents of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, the American Maritime Officers and the Seafarers International Union, reaffirming our support for maritime tax reform legislation that would benefit US merchant mariners and US shipping companies.

Senators John Breaux (D-LA) and Trent Lott (R-MS) have offered an amendment to S.1637, corporate and international tax legislation that is pending in the Senate Finance Committee.

The Breaux-Lott Amendment would:

The unions' letter emphasized to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) that, "taken together, these tax proposals can encourage the competitive operation of U.S.-flag vessels with American crews, adding significantly to America's commercial sealift capability. We ask that you join with us in support of Senate Amendment 2763 as proposed by Senators John Breaux and Trent Lott."

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MM&P AMONG MANY OPPOSED TO PROVISONS IN USCG INTERIM RULE

In a joint letter to the USCG, the MM&P as well as many other maritime organizations have voiced strong opposition to a number of provisions contained in a USCG Interim Rule (USCG-2003-14500) that place excessive restrictions on the issuance and renewal of Merchant Mariner Documents (MMD).

The letter stressed from the beginning that, "collectively, our organizations represent the overwhelming majority of United States citizens who work aboard US-flag commercial vessels engaged in all aspects of our nation's foreign and domestic shipping trades. The members of our organizations are directly impacted by this Interim Rule and our comments will focus on those provisions we find most onerous and objectionable."

The joint union letter emphasized that, "the procedures and requirements governing the issuance and renewal of MMDs determine whether a trained and qualified individual will or will not in fact be able to pursue his or her chosen profession. It is absolutely essential that such procedures and requirements be reasonable, realistic, clear and fair, and that they do not serve to arbitrarily deny qualified persons with the opportunity to work aboard US-flag commercial vessels."

The comprehensive letter cites a number of objectionable provisions in the interim rule that the labor organizations consider to be both excessive, unduly restrictive and arbitrarily made in the name of homeland security. Among the most egregious are the Interim Rule's "Character and Habits of Life" standards that permits the "appropriate Coast Guard official" to determine who is a "safe and suitable person" to hold a MMD but provides no defined terms of "safe and suitable" and does not define the Coast Guard official with such authority.

The letter states that, "We seek meaningful improvements in security. The individuals we represent may very well be among the first casualties in the event of an attack on an American port or an American flag vessel.

"With respect to deep-sea vessels, the vessels posing the least risk to the security of the United States are US-flag ships crewed by United States citizen licensed and unlicensed merchant mariners. American deep-sea merchant mariners undergo background checks and are subject to stringent MMD requirements and procedures to a degree unmatched in flag of convenience nations or in other maritime sector operations. Yet, the Interim Rule only applies to US citizen deep-sea mariners working aboard US-flag vessels who represent a very small proportion of the total number of mariners arriving and departing on vessels in American ports."

Pointing out some of the greater and more real risks, the letter notes, "the flag-of-convenience system that dominates international shipping, the secretive nature of international shipping, and the clandestine behavior of nations that view their ship registry as a business enterprise and not as a regulatory activity, makes their ships and their crews the real threat to US security. While we commend the USCG for the steps it has taken in recent years to regulate foreign-flag vessels, far more regulation is needed in this area rather than against US-flag ships."

The letter also states, "it is also important to emphasize that to the extent American citizens are denied the chance to pursue a career in the US merchant marine for reasons that have very little if anything to do with their current qualifications and on-the-job performance, our country will lose a valuable, irreplaceable component of its militarily-useful commercial sealift."

The letter - signed by the MM&P; the American Maritime Officers, Inlandboatmen's Union, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, Marine Firemen's Union, Sailors' Union of the Pacific, the Seafarers International Union, and by the AFL-CIO's Maritime Trades Department - concludes by requesting a public hearing in order to develop a complete and accurate record regarding the provisions and consequences of the Interim Rule.

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MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT OF 2004 INTRODUCED

On Thursday, April 1, Senators Ernest Hollings (D-SC), John McCain (R-NV) and John Breaux (D-LA) introduced a major piece of maritime legislation designed to cover many security concerns. The new bill addresses a host of subjects such as port security grant funding, service fees, intermodal cargo security plans, a Department of Transportation Penalty mandate for non-compliance of various security regulations and protection of nuclear facilities near major US ports.

The "Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2004" (S.2279) also calls for the establishment of a joint operations center for port security, assistance for foreign ports, and transportation worker background investigation among other items. The measure was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

The measure will require the Administration to come up with cargo security plans to evaluate targeting systems to determine whether they are effective in deterring and protecting against potential acts of terrorism from cargo. The bill would also require the consolidation of intermodal cargo security programs that are currently operating completely independent of each other as well as require a report on the amount of actual inspections that are being done at foreign seaports.

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USCG TO RECEIVE INCREASED FUNDING TO AID IN MARITIME SECURITY

With its increased maritime homeland security role, the USCG is receiving some big bucks this year to carry out all of its varied missions. Here's how the USCG's nearly $6 billion will be allocated:

 

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SECURITY ANALYST SAYS TERRORISTS MAY ATTACK BY SEA

As the USCG is receiving more funds to use for homeland security initiatives, some security experts are predicting that ships will end up being used for an attack on land targets.

Michael Richardson, a researcher at Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies who writes extensively on maritime security issues recently said that terrorists could easily exploit weaknesses in shipping companies' crew selection procedures by planting sleeper agents on vessels to eventually carry out terrorist plots.

He predicted that regardless of whether it's in a ship or in a container, "if you look at how relatively easy it is to get the materials, put them together and make them go bang, and look at the motivation, terrorism is going to get bigger and it's going to get worse."

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WORLD WAR II MERCHANT MARINER CELEBRATION TO BE HELD AT MITAGS

Glen Paine, Executive Director of MITAGS, has announced that MITAGS will host a celebratory Dinner-Dance evening honoring the Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II, the evening before the dedication of the National World War II Memorial in Wash DC on May 29. The May 28 Dinner-Dance event will be held on MITAGS' campus in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.

The event is scheduled to begin at 1800, with music of the 1940s era being performed by The Radio King Orchestra at 1900. Vice Admiral Gordon Holder (USN), Director of Logistics (J-4), Joint Chief of Staff-Pentagon, and former Director of the Military Sealift Command, will be the guest speaker.

MITAGS is currently offering a special overnight package for those individuals wishing to attend. You may go directly to the MITAGS website at www.mitags.org or contact the MITAGS reservations department toll free at 866-900-3517. Please RSVP by Monday, May 3.

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MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES

CLASS OPENINGS

Between now and the end of May 2004, seats are available in the following courses:

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CMM - Chief Mate and Master Courses

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MSC - Military Sealift Command Courses

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Check the MITAGS website for up-to-date course descriptions associated with the course title abbreviations, and for schedule revisions.

 

Attendance Verification & Cancellation is Vital

If you are scheduled for a course, call, write, or Email admissions to advise whether or not you will attend. Many classes are in demand and maintain a Standby List. "No Shows" are missed training opportunities for other members.

 

Schedules, Course Info & Registration

Courses are subject to change. Always check the MITAGS website for updated course availability. You can also check future schedules, review detailed course descriptions and register on-line or contact Admissions at admissions@mitags.org or by calling toll-free, 1-866-656-5568.

 

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PMI ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

Contact DeeDee Lazik at 206-441-2880 or 888-893-7829 (toll free) for registration or visit the PMI website at mates.org.

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MM&P MARKET WATCH AS OF APRIL 5, 2004 CLOSE

 

 D O W    N A S D A Q
 10,58.37 +200.67 for the week  2,079.12  +84.90 for the week

Fund Name & Trading Symbol

Closing
Price

Year-to-Date Fund
Percentage Return

5 Year
Fund
Percentage Return
 Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX)

106.27

+3.87
 -1.37
 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXMX)

28.89

+8.36
 +5.69
 Vanguard International Growth Fund (VWIGX)

17.34

+7.50
 +2.25
 Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund (VMRGX)

15.70

+5.58
 +0.46
 Vanguard Windsor II Fund (VWNFX)

28.20

+6.46
 +3.37
 Vanguard GNMA Fund (VFIIX)

10.44

+0.69
 +6.32
 Vanguard High Yield Corporate Fund (VWEHX)

6.37

+1.75
 +4.45
 Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX)

10.30

+1.20
 +6.44
 Chase Growth Fund (CHASX)

16.49

+10.67
 +3.53
 Fidelity Asset Manager (FASMX)

16.10

+2.66
 +3.69
 Fidelity Growth and Income (FGRIX)

36.73

+3.37
 -0.96
 Fidelity Magellan Fund (FMAGX)

101.33

+3.67
 -2.28
 Spartan US Equity Index Fund (FUSEX)

40.79

+3.86
 -1.45


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~ Reminders ~


 

IMPORTANT SHIPPING NOTICE ON COURSE DOCUMENTATION

All members shipping off-the-board and all company employees are reminded that they are responsible to insure that all of the company required courses they have completed are listed in the Union computer system.

In order to be dispatched/cleared, members must have certificates for any courses not listed in the computer in their possession and available for inspection by the dispatcher. Please double check that your documentation is in order prior to leaving your home to ship out of our Union halls. This can be done by checking your course history on the "Members Only" section of the MM&P website.

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RE-REGISTRATION NEEDED FOR EXPRESS PHARMACY MAIL-ORDER PRESCRIPTIONS THROUGH NHMC SITE LINK

All members currently getting prescription refills online through Express Pharmacy Services who access Express through the NMHC website link will have to re-register in order to be able to renew prescriptions online.

If you access your prescription renewals directly through www.ehs.com, you will be fine and have no need to re-register. The Plans office apologizes for the inconvenience, but the issue is related to problems with the link to Eckerd on the NMHC website. Please contact the Plan Office if you experience any problems.

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HUMAN FACTORS CONFERENCE SET FOR APRIL 27-29

The USCG, Maritime Administration, Ship Operations Cooperation Program and MarineLog Magazine will sponsor this year's Maritime Operations: Human Factors' Conference on Aril 27-29 at MITAGS. To register or for more info on conference topics contact MarineLog Magazine at 212-620-7209 or online at: www.marinelog.com.

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VOLUNTEER MATES, C/E and AB NEEDED FOR LST TO PUT TO SEA

Plans are underway for the restored World Ward II-vintage USS LST 325 (Landing Ship, Tank) to make a commemorative D-Day voyage from her home port in Mobile, AL to Boston, MA beginning on May 24 and returning July 9.

Two Licensed Deck Officers, a Chief Engineer and an AB are still needed to make the voyage possible. These are all volunteer positions. The Trip may be broken down to three legs or the full 46-day trip with 23 days at sea. Other port visits include the Massachusetts ports of Boston, Gloucester, Quincy, New Bedford and Washington, DC.

For more info, check out the website www.lstmemorial.org or call Bill Kapaus at 972-712-3394 or Capt Al Wilson at 508-830-5040.

Some of the stats:

Travel will be reimbursed. Required documents are a drug free certificate and STCW.

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NEW MAILING ADDRESSES FOR MITAGS, PLANS & CREDIT UNION

The buildings remain where they have always stood, but they have now been assigned new addresses. Local authorities have determined that it was necessary to put in place new street numbering for the MM&P's MITAGS facility and for the MM&P Health & Benefit Plan office. The longstanding address of 5700 Hammonds Ferry Rd., used for both MITAGS and the Plan, has been eliminated.

Effective immediately:

 

 

The change brings the MITAGS, Plans and MM&P FCU addresses into conformance with Postal and 911 emergency mapping since all the buildings are located on the same road of the campus.

Plan Administrator Valerie Verrecchio advises Plan participants that "it is important to remember when you send mail to the Plans that you clearly address it to 'MM&P Plans' and to include our new suite number. This is what the Post Office will use to differentiate mail between the Union and the Plan office. Otherwise, the Post Office may send it through the mail system at the Union and your claims processing could be delayed for a couple of days."

There is no change to the Union HQ mailing address.

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MITAGS JOB OPENING: ACADEMIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) seeks an individual who can apply his/her knowledge and experience in marine shipboard operations to help solve organizational problems through training and education.

Excellent written and verbal skills a must. Person must also have an outgoing personality and be a goal-oriented self-starter with the ability to work independently. Travel expected 25 percent of time to seek opportunities and present proposals.

Desired background:

MITAGS is located near the BWI airport, convenient to Baltimore, Washington and Annapolis, MD. Excellent full Union benefits, competitive salary. See our web site, www.mitags.org for more info. Resumes to Human Resources Fax: 443-989-3341; Email: hr@mitags.org. EOE.

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IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR ALL LDOs ON STCW-95 CERTIFICATION

All Licensed Deck Officers who possess STCW-95 certificates containing Basic Safety Training (BST) completion dates close to or more than five years old need to carry copies of their USCG discharges with them so they can prove that they have the required sea service necessary to extend their BST qualification. For questions or further info, contact Mike Rodriguez at 410-850-8700 ext.23 or Email: mrodriguez@bridgedeck.org.

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LMS OFFERS REIMBURSEMENT FOR SLIP-RESISTANT FOOTWEAR

MM&P-contracted LMS Ship Management recently reviewed the causes of injuries on board their vessels and found that accidental falls tend to be the cause of many of the crew's injuries. In an effort to reduce the number of injuries caused by these falls, LMS is offering crewmembers that sail with them an incentive to purchase and wear proper shoe attire. The goal is for every crewmember to wear slip resistant footwear during their working hours aboard their vessels.

LMS will offer a reimbursement of up to $75 for the cost of the shoes to each crewmember who provides them with an original receipt for the purchase of slip resistant footwear. In order for the crewmember to obtain the reimbursement, they must wear the shoes while on duty. Upon presentation of the receipt, the crewmember will be reimbursed on their pay voucher. The receipt will be retained by the Master and will remain aboard the vessel.

LMS requests that crewmembers purchase one of the following recommended brands in order to be reimbursed:

* Of the above, Red Wing and Caterpillar boots are produced by US union labor.

Red Wing has contracts with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) while Wolverine World Wide has contracts with UNITE!, the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees, for production of its Caterpillar brand (as well as its Hy-Test, Durashock and Bates Military labels). Some other Wolverine branded products including combat boots are manufactured under UFCW contract. Most Dr. Marten's shoes and boots are produced in the UK.

To find US, union-made products, visit the AFL-CIO Union Label Service and Trades website at www.unionlabel.org and click on Union Made Product Search.

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DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR MASTER TOWING LICENSE

The USCG advises that if you began your service or training in the towing industry before May 21, 2001, you may receive a license for Master of Towing Vessels if, before May 21 2004, you complete the exam required by 46 CFR 10.903(a)(18)(i) and meet either of the following two requirements:

1. Three years of service, including:

~ OR ~

2. Three years of service aboard towing vessels, including:

The deadline to complete testing and service is May 21, 2004. If you miss this deadline, then the requirement to work up through Apprentice Mate, Mate, and then Master will apply. Although the deadline is this May, applications submitted after January may not allow sufficient time for evaluation and testing.

For additional info, please contact Richard Wells at 504-240-7300, ext 232, or via Email at REWells@msoneworleansrec.uscg.mil.

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MITAGS AND PMI DISCOUNT COST FOR ADVANCED MARINER LICENSES

MITAGS Executive Director Glen Paine announced that MITAGS and PMI have implemented an innovative program, with reduced tuition and hotel costs, to assist professional mariners seeking license advancement to Chief Mate/Master (CMM).

The Institutes now offer one of the fastest, most versatile, and cost-effective routes for mariners to obtain their CMM licenses. The MITAGS/PMI program, which covers all USCG requirements, is only 12 weeks in duration.

Forty-one of the 53 required assessments may be completed during these courses. To flexibly meet their schedule, students can take the required courses at the PMI campus in Seattle, Washington and/or at the MITAGS campus in Baltimore, Maryland.

The MITAGS/PMI program can be completed in 60 days for under $14,000. Other programs take up to 71 days and charge $19,000 to complete the CMM requirements. Students taking ALL of the CMM courses at MITAGS and/or PMI will receive a 15 percent tuition discount from the normal pricing, which brings the total CMM tuition down to $13,303.

In addition to this cost reduction, those students taking ALL of the CMM courses at MITAGS/PMI will receive a substantial reduction in the room and board rates. If needed, MITAGS and PMI will also provide a convenient and flexible payment plan.

For more info regarding the CMM License Advancement, or any other course programs offered by MITAGS or PMI, please contact Capt. Craig Thomas (MITAGS) toll free at 866-656-5569 or via Email at cthomas@mitags.org. You may also contact Gregg Trunnell at PMI in Seattle at 206-239-9965 or via Email at gtrunnell@mates.org.

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MM&P MEMBERS AT SEA CAN NOW SAVE ON SHIP-TO-SHORE CALLS

Through a special arrangement with ShipCom, MM&P members at sea will now receive a significant discount on personal ship-to-shore radiotelephone calls. The rate is $2.50 per minute to any phone number in the US. This is a significant discount from the usual rate of $3.99 per minute. Calls may be placed collect, or billed to any major credit card.

To take advantage of this offer or for more info contact Station WLO on HF SSB channels 405, 607, 824, 1212, 16401, 1807, or 2237 or on HF radio telex channels (selcall 1090) 406, 606, 806, 810, 815, 1205, 1211, 1605, 1615, 1810 or 2215.

MM&P members must identify themselves as an MM&P member and provide the operator with the last 4 digits of their MM&P book number in order to get the discounted rate.

Any vessel equipped with HF radio telex may send and receive Internet email via the telex terminal. For more info contact WLO radio via telex or HF SSB voice.

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WWII REGISTRY SITE OPEN TO ALL WHO SERVED IN ANY CAPACITY

The National WWII Memorial has a site on its webpage for individuals who served in any capacity during WWII to register to be included in the Memorial's Registry. The main site is www.wwiimemorial.com.

If the individual clicks on WWII Registry, he/she can find out if he/she is already included as a result of one of the WWII databases and, if not, can follow the directions to register. Any American who contributed to the war effort is eligible for the Registry.

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CREDIT UNION MEMBERS: PAY YOURSELF FIRST WITH DIRECT DEPOSIT

Do you want an easy way to grow your savings?

Do you want an easier way to make deposits to your Masters, Mates & Pilots Federal Credit Union account?

Consider establishing payroll or pension direct deposit.

Many employers allow you to directly deposit your pay into several different financial institutions. Trinity Management, Strong America and Moran Towing of Florida are among the MM&P-contracted companies that already provide for employees to deposit funds directly into the MM&P Federal Credit Union.

MM&P Health & Benefit Plans Pensioners and A&G Region Pensioners may have deductions made directly from their pension check to their Credit Union account. In addition, employees of MM&P, Plans, MITAGS and MIRAID are also eligible for payroll deduction directly into their Credit Union account.

Add to your savings by paying yourself first! Contact your payroll office to establish Credit Union direct deposit or to find out if this is available for you.

 

Who Can Be a Member?

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.

 

Want to Know More?

For additional details or to get answers to your questions on all MM&P Federal Credit Union programs, contact Kathy Klisavage, Credit Union Manager, toll-free at 1-800-382-7777 or by Email at mmpfcu@bridgedeck.org.

 

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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.