THE MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS'
WHEELHOUSE WEEKLYonline

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

Volume 8 . . . . . Number 38 . . . . September 16, 2004

STORIES COVERED
ALSO
REMINDERS

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


 

MAERSK CONTRACT MEETING UPDATE

MM&P’s three offshore Vice Presidents along with rank and file committee members Bob Lamb, Greg Oelkers and Darren Collins met at MM&P HQ with Maersk for a collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday and Wednesday with talks ongoing on Thursday as the Wheelhouse Weekly was being distributed.

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LOCAL 88 TRUST PREPARES TO DISBURSE FUNDS

MM&P was advised this week that distributions to the 717 living, known members of the Washington Street Marine Officers Corporation, WASMOC, Local 88 Trust have been delivered to a mailing house and are expected to be in the mail by the end of September. A small contingency fund is being held in reserve for those of the "lost battalion" or other unforeseen expenses.

If you have received no info, and believe that you are entitled to WASMOC proceeds and were a member of the Local 88 Trust on September 30, 1970, contact the New York/New Jersey Union Hall at 201-963-1900 for additional info.
 

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ON MSC T-AGS SHIPS

MM&P-contracted Horizon Lines will soon take over the operation and maintenance of seven oceanographic ships (T-AGS) for the Military Sealift Command (MSC). The mission of these vessels is to support the Naval Oceanography Program. MM&P will represent the deck officers.

For those members and applicants interested in employment possibilities on these ships, contact MM&P HQ by calling 410-850-8700 x23 or by Email at: mrodriguez@bridgedeck.org. For more info about the ships and the MSC’s Special Mission Program, visit www.msc.navy.mil/pm2.
 

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MM&P MEMBERS HELP BRING “OLD IRONSIDES” HOME FROM IRAQ

The US Army’s 1st Armored Division (1st AD) M1-A1 tanks recently returned to their base in Germany after 15 months in Iraq. Many were transported aboard the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command’s Large, Medium Speed, Roll-on, Roll-off (LMSR)ship, the USNS GORDON, which is crewed by M&MP deck officers.

Overall, the 1st AD covered some 17,000 square miles of territory in Iraq during their course of deployment. The stifling heat and blowing desert sand took its toll on the division’s rolling stock, immobilizing a number of wheeled and tracked vehicles.

“Discharging the damaged wheeled and tracked vehicles, or vehicles that simply had broken down, slowed cargo operations to some extent,” said GORDON’s Chief Mate Kevin Kavanaugh. “But, the port’s contracted stevedores, who worked around-the clock off-loading the cargo from the vessel, responded extremely well.”

The 1st AD’s equipment, which secured some of Baghdad’s toughest neighborhoods, and put down an uprising by radical militias in number of cities in southern Iraq, arrived at ports in Antwerp, Belgium and Bremerhaven, Germany, aboard six MSC ships, Aug. 4-25.

Overall, more than 70,000 tons of heavy combat equipment and supplies, armored personnel carriers, tanks, heavy trucks, ambulances, Apache and Blackhawk helicopters, as well as containers carrying everything from bandages to night vision equipment was discharged from five LMSRs, and one fast sealift ship. Most of the cargo will return to Germany by rail, while the choppers will travel by barge.

The Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Europe, and the Army’s Surface Deployment and Distribution Command’s 598th Transportation Terminal Group, component commands of US Transportation Command, teamed up to complete the massive off-load. The Army handles port operations and ensures the cargo is safely delivered to units in the field, while MSC handles the duties of moving the cargo by sea.

In addition to GORDON, other ships involved included the USNS BRITTIN and USNS BENEVIDEZ that are also crewed by MM&P licensed deck officers. Both the BRITTIN and the BENEVIDEZ off-loaded their cargo at Bremerhaven, Aug.11-13 and Aug.21-23, respectively.

Taking the opportunity to tour the port facilities, observe cargo operations, and visit GORDON was US Ambassador to Belgium, Tom Korologos. The Ambassador toured the vessel Aug. 10 observing cargo being moved from the ship’s holds, cargo staged on the pier from the ship’s weather deck and helicopter landing deck, and paying a lengthy visit to the bridge.

“This is a very impressive operation,” the Ambassador said, peering over the ship’s massive main deck. Ambassador Korologos was appointed to Brussels in June, after a posting as senior counselor to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq working directly for former Civil Administrator L. Paul Bremer.

Ship’s Master Capt. Karl Faulkner led the Ambassador on the tour, along with Will Imbrie, the Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, economic officers Terri Robl and Guy Van Habberney, and Office of Defense Cooperation chief, Col. Ulysses Rhodes, USAF. Faulkner, a long-time MSC civilian mariner who served as master of no less than 12 MSC vessels before retiring last year, wrapped up his third transit to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
 

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USCG STARTS ON CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GENERATION CUTTERS

USCG officials joined with executives from Northrop Grumman in Pascagoula, MS last week to mark the start of construction on the service’s first new class of multi-mission cutter in 25 years, to be known as the “Maritime Security Cutter – Large”.

The 385-ft. vessel will be able to travel 28 kts and have a range of 12,000 n-miles. It carries two inflatables, has a flight deck to accommodate helicopter landings and is armed with an Mk 3 57-mm gun among other armaments. The cutter is being built at Ship Systems Ingalls Operations under a $250-million contract and is expected to be launched during the second quarter of 2007.

Under the deepwater program, the USCG is also building a new class of 312-ft cutters to be known as “Maritime Security Cutter – Medium” as well as a new series of smaller coastal patrol boats.
 

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NEW USCG GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING SENSITIVE SECURITY INFO

The USCG has issued a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) containing guidelines for handling sensitive security information (SSI).

According to regulations promulgated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), SSI includes such items as security plans and contingency plans; security directives; info circulars; performance specifications; vulnerability assessments; security inspection or investigative information; threat info; security measures; security screening info; security training materials; critical maritime infrastructure asset info; systems security info; and confidential business info, among other things.

Improper handling of SSI may result in civil penalty or other enforcement or corrective action. For more info see: www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/04/NVIC10-04.pdf.
 

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USCG WANTS NEW AIS VESSEL ID REGULATIONS

Under current international regulations, all commercial ships must be equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) by December, 2004 that will broadcast their position within 50 miles of a country's coast.

Now the USCG has announced that it is working with the International Maritime Organization to have a long range-tracking requirement for all commercial vessels that would require them to broadcast their position for up to 2,000 miles from the coast.

The USCG says that AIS is one of the many efforts to improve US maritime security. Other parts of the USCG's maritime security strategy include; getting better info on incoming cargo, vessels, and people, increasing the number of USCG ships and personnel in ports and waterways, and training personnel to respond to threats.

The USCG is in charge of protecting 361 US ports that are visited by over 7,500 ships carrying more than 14 million containers each year.
 

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FOURTH ANNUAL AIS CONFERENCE COMING THIS OCTOBER

Since July 1, 2003, AIS Systems have been in use on many US-flag oceangoing vessels. As deck officers aboard these vessels you have practical operational experiences that regulators and industry need to hear about.

The Fourth Annual AIS Conference, presented by Pacific Maritime Magazine, UAIS.org and Coastwatch will be held October 12 at the Westin Hotel in Seattle.

The only AIS Conference held in the US, this is your only opportunity to learn first-hand from USCG and industry about early experiences with AIS systems, both in the US and around the world.

In addition, this is your only opportunity to share your experiences with the regulators and industry on:
    Relative value of minimum keyboard display vs. integration with Radar and/or ECDIS;
    Differences between ARPA and AIS targets;
    Training Issues; and
    AIS as aid to collision avoidance/identification.

Further topics for discussion include USCG updates, AIS as a port management tool, security aspects, bridge management aspects and commercial viability of AIS. Visit the AIS Conference website below for agenda and reg form: http://www.rhppublishing.com/aisconf04.html. Or call Pacific Maritime Magazine at 206-284-8285 for more info.
 

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USCG ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING SET FOR SEPT.20-21

The USCG encourages merchant mariners to attend a meeting from Sept.20-21 of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) to discuss a range of issues, including STCW requirements, training and assessment programs for licensed and unlicensed mariners, and utilizing military sea service for STCW certifications.

“We are very interested in the participation of the maritime industry to help us shape beneficial and practical requirements for their training,” said Captain David Scott, the USCG’s executive director of MERPAC. “Historically, these meetings have not been well-attended, so we are taking extra efforts to encourage your attendance. If you are interested but cannot attend in person, we encourage you to send written comments for our consideration.”

Issues up for discussion include:
    Utilizing military sea service for STCW certifications;
    Training programs for officers-in-charge of an engineering watch coming up through the hawsepipe;
    Methods to determine the date when a mariner established competency in Basic Safety Training;
    Training and assessment for able-bodied seamen on seagoing vessels;
    Review of the draft Navigation and Vessel Inspection; and Circular concerning the medical standards applicable to merchant mariners.

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JUDGE GIVES FOREIGN BOMB JOKE CAPT. THE HEAVE-HO FROM US

A federal judge has ordered that the captain who joked that there was a bomb aboard his foreign-flagged vessel be deported from the US. The 47-year-old Turkish national plead guilty in US District Court to making a false statement in regards to the July 22 incident where he told a USCG boarding party that a bomb in his cargo holds would explode when the ship reached the Port of Philadelphia.

In court, the judge described Tumer as a "well-educated family man who made a mistake.” The captain apologized to the court and the “whole American public” for his action. Tumer made the explosive remark after tiring of the boarding party’s extensive inspection of his ship.

The vessel was seized, subjected to a detailed inspection and held for days before being allowed to proceed to port under command of a new master. Tumer, who had been in jail since the incident, was released after the hearing and ordered to leave the country.

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MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES

NEW AT MITAGS
Complete Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting in a combined one week course, offered September 20th.
 
 

CLASS OPENINGS

Between now and the end of November, seats are available in the following courses:
 
CMM - Chief Mate and Master Courses
MSC - Military Sealift Command

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. Check the MITAGS website for up-to-date course descriptions associated with all course title abbreviations, and for schedule revisions and 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 MARITIME TECHNOLOGY & CAREER CENTER ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

All the courses below will be conducted at the new Pacific Maritime Institute facility located in Seattle at 1727 Alaskan Way South, Pier 34. The new facility features a state-of-the art Ship Simulator that has to be experienced. PMI phone numbers remain the same. Come see the new facility at PMI's "Maritime Technology and Career Center".

September 2004

 

October 2004

November 2004

 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 SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 CLOSE

 D O W    N A S D A Q
 10,313.36 -82.00 for the week  1,896.52  +45.88 for the week
Fund Name & Trading Symbol
Closing
Price
 Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX)
103.89
 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXMX)
27.48
 Vanguard International Growth Fund (VWIGX)
16.59
 Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund (VMRGX)
14.71
 Vanguard Windsor II Fund (VWNFX)
28.18
 Vanguard GNMA Fund (VFIIX)
10.45
 Vanguard High Yield Corporate Fund (VWEHX)
6.36
 Vanguard Total Bond Index (VBMFX)
10.29
 Chase Growth Fund (CHASX)
15.87
 Fidelity Asset Manager (FASMX)
15.72
 Fidelity Growth and Income (FGRIX)
36.07
 Fidelity Magellan Fund (FMAGX)
97.69
 Spartan US Equity Index Fund (FUSEX)
39.88

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~ Reminders ~


 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, MEMBER INFO NEEDED FOR T-AGS VESSELS

MM&P-contracted Horizon Lines recently won the bidding to manage MSC's seven oceanographic ships (T-AGS) to support the Naval Oceanography Program. The Licensed Deck Officer billets will be filled by MM&P members. MM&P needs to hear from members and applicants interested in working aboard these ships. Vessel assignments may be permanent.

The T-AGS ships will pay competitive wages and will have 15-for-30 vacation, pension, health & welfare, IRAP and training contributions made on the employees' behalf. Members and applicants selected to sail aboard the T-AGS ships will be required to have a US Government-issued Secret clearance. The Company will assist the mariner in obtaining this clearance.

All interested members and applicants are requested to send a resume to your local area Offshore Vice President or to International Headquarters in care of the Executive Assistant to the President at 700 Maritime Blvd., Linthicum Heights, MD 21090; Fax: 410-850-0973. Calls with questions may be directed to 410-850-8700 x23. Resumes or questions may also be sent by Email to mrodriguez@bridgedeck.org, rmay@bridgedeck.org, rgroh@bridgedeck.org and dmarcus@bridgedeck.org.

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SECURITY OFFICER COURSE REQUIRED TO SAIL ON HORIZON VESSELS

MASTERS AND CHIEF MATES
Masters and Chief Mates sailing on Horizon vessels must have successfully completed the 3-day Security Officer: Port, Company, Ship (SEC-OFF-PCS) course before December 31, 2004.
 
 
SECOND AND THIRD MATES
All Second and Third Mates that desire to ship off-the-board on Horizon vessels must have completed the SEC-OFF-PCS course before December 31, 2005.

This course is taught at both MITAGS and at PMI. These training requirements are contained in the latest Horizon contract MOU that is available for review at all MM&P Offshore Hiring Halls.
 

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MAIL-ORDER Rx PLAN UPDATE

MM&P Health & Benefit Plan Participants should have received information in the mail in early August a letter from NMHC regarding the mail order benefit through the Plan. Effective August 15, NMHC Mail will take over the mail order portion of the pharmacy benefit currently handled by Eckerd Pharmacy Services. This change in providers does not affect your prescription benefit.

For members with existing prescriptions on file with EPS, NMHC Rx has coordinated all MM&P member information with EPS so that all of your prescriptions with remaining refills will be automatically transferred to NMHC Mail. Simply call NMHC Mail at 1-800-456-4803 or visit the website at www.nmhcmail.com to request your prescription refill.

As always, if you should have any questions, please contact the Plan Office at 410-850-8500.

 
NOTICE REGARDING ELIGIBILITY
When you or your provider use the IVR system at the Plan Office to check eligibility, remember that the Plan Office updates eligibility on a monthly basis. This does not mean that your eligibility will terminate at the end of the month simply because the system states that you are eligible until a certain date. Individual contracts have different extension of eligibility rules and the only way we can provide accurate eligibility information for the membership is to download a new eligibility tape on a monthly basis.

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BRIAN HOPE PAINTING RAFFLE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PCF

Raffle tickets for a chance on winning an original painting of the SEAWANHAKA by MM&P member, Maryland Pilot and artist Capt. Brian Hope commissioned by the MM&P are available at $25 each, 5 for $100. Proceeds will benefit the Masters, Mates & Pilots Political Contribution Fund. (The fire aboard the SEAWANHAKA and the scapegoating of Capt. Charles Smith are the beginnings of the MM&P.)

Ticket purchases should be made payable to the MM&P PCF with a notation for the raffle in the memo line, and mailed to the:

MM&P Political Contribution Fund
700 Maritime Blvd.
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Members making PCF contributions through the Members Only section of the MM&P website, noting that the contribution is for the raffle, can also obtain tickets. Raffle tickets will also shortly be available through MM&P port offices.

Cutoff for ticket purchases is December 31, 2004. Drawing for the prize will take place at Noon on January 7, 2005 at MITAGS. Also available at a later date will be a limited number of prints of this painting, numbered and signed by the artist, for a $50 contribution to the PCF designated for the print.
 
 

The fine print:

Raffle tickets are available only to those individuals who are otherwise eligible to make a contribution to the MM&P PCF.

No double dipping: Contributions in exchange for raffle tickets or for a signed and numbered print do not qualify for other PCF contribution incentive premiums.

All contributions to the MM&P PCF, including contributions in exchange for raffle tickets, are voluntary contributions for political purposes and no physical force, job discrimination, financial reprisals or threat thereof has been or will be used in any way to secure such contributions. PCF contributions are not deductible for tax purposes.
 

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MM&P ELECTION PERIOD PUBLICITY GUIDELINES

Members are reminded that for the duration of the MM&P election period the name or likeness of any known candidate for any elected MM&P position will not be referred to by name or photo in any MM&P publication. Reference may be made by title or in contact information such as an email address when it is directly relevant to the communication.

As example, the Master of a MM&P-contracted ship who has declared himself to be a candidate for a MM&P elective position was recently quoted in an article appearing in the "Master, Mate & Pilot", but was referenced as the Master of the vessel and not by name. Similarly, this member's likeness was not included in a photo published with the article. This same rule was applied within the same publication with regard to two other members employed by MM&P at Union headquarters who are candidates for elective position.

This rule has been put into effect to ensure that publications by the MM&P to MM&P members are not used on behalf of any candidate for campaign purposes. These exclusions will end upon completion of the election.

Members wanting to know more about this policy may contact International Counsel John Singleton at 410-850-8700 x19, email: jsingleton@bridgedeck.org, or Communications Director Karl Schwartz at 410-850-8700 x27, email: communications@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.

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