Copyright © 2016 American Maritime Officers ■ editorial@amo-union.org

Page 6: Ocean Glory rescues fisherman in distress

On August 27, the Constitution, the second ECO Class tanker in a seriesof three being built for SEA-Vista by General Dynamics NASSCO, waschristened and launched at the shipyard in San Diego, Calif. Coverageof this event will be featured in the October edition.

Second Jones Act tanker in SEA-Vistaseries christened, launched

The complete text of the American Maritime Officers NationalConstitution will remain available for membership review via a link onthe home page of the union’s website: www.amo-union.org. The docu-ment will no longer be published in the newspaper on a regular basis.

AMO National Constitution available onunion’s website: www.amo-union.org

Volume 46, Number 9 September 2016

See West Virginia ◆ Page 6

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the West Virginia, here during the christening ceremony inPhiladelphia on August 16, included (in no particular order) Captain Scott Davis, Chief Mate Michael Stutevoss Jr., ChiefMate David Hall, Second Mate Peter Guggina, Third Mate Sebastian Grant, Third Mate Alexander Jenkins, Chief EngineerDaniel Savoie, Chief Engineer Evan Park, First Assistant Engineer Daniel Figge and Third A.E. Thomas Millett.

Crowley Maritime Corp. on August16 christened the West Virginia, the compa-ny’s fourth Jones Act product tanker in aseries built ready for conversion for use ofliquefied natural gas as a fuel by PhillyShipyard Inc.

The West Virginia joins sister shipsLouisiana, Ohio and Texas, which werereceived by Crowley in 2015 and 2016 asthe first-ever tankers to receive theAmerican Bureau of Shipping’s LNG-Ready Level 1 approval. MarathonPetroleum will utilize the West Virginiaunder a long-term charter.

“Today represents a banner day forour company, Marathon Petroleum andPhilly Shipyard as we welcome the WestVirginia to our tanker fleet,” said TomCrowley, chairman and CEO of CrowleyMaritime. “The christening of this vessel,along with its sister ships, represents the bestof the U.S. maritime industry — from themen and women who built her to the menand women who will operate her with greatsafety, integrity and high performance.”

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Photo: Crowley Maritime Corp.

2 • American Maritime Officer September 2016

Union’s MembershipAssistance Programavailable to aid AMOmembers hit bynatural disaster

The American Maritime Officers MembershipAssistance Program (MAP) is a voluntary disaster relieffund established to aid AMO members, applicants formembership in AMO, and AMO retirees who suffer dam-age to their property as the result of severe storms andnatural disasters, such as the flooding that has devastatedparts of Louisiana.

Benefits from the MAP are paid in varyingamounts determined exclusively by need.

The application for relief benefits under theMembership Assistance Program is available online:www.amo-union.org/PDFs/mapapplication.pdf.

The MAP is a permanent, independent, tax-exemptand voluntary disaster relief fund established by the AMONational Executive Board. The fund is now sustained byindividual voluntary tax-deductible contributions.

AMO members can make tax-deductible voluntarycontributions to the AMO Membership AssistanceProgram by sending checks or money orders, as well asthrough authorized vacation deductions.

Unions confront bizarre threat to U.S. merchant fleetBy Paul DoellNational President

Ame r i c a nMaritime Officers,the Seafarers Inter-national Union, theMarine Engineers’Beneficial Asso-ciation and theInternational Org-anization ofMasters, Matesand Pilots are tak-ing on a peculiarthreat to the privately owned and operatedU.S.-flag merchant fleet in commercialdeep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waterstrades — the official response to reports ofsexual assault and sexual harassment at theU.S. Merchant Marine Academy at KingsPoint, N.Y.

A survey submitted to Congress inJanuary 2015 by the Manpower DataCenter in the Department of Defense found“weighted” estimates that up to 28 womenand up to 24 men “were sexually assaultedand an estimated 63 percent of women and11 percent of men experienced sexualharassment” at Kings Point during the2013-2014 academic year. This survey wasrequired under a fiscal 2009 defense budgetbill, and comparable analyses must be con-ducted every other year.

“These results are unsatisfactory tome, to the leadership of the academy, theMaritime Administration and the U.S.Department of Transportation,” DOTSecretary Anthony Foxx said of the sur-vey’s findings. “We will take every neces-sary measure to put a stop to this egregiousbehavior and to ensure that (Kings Point)midshipmen have a safe and supportiveenvironment on campus and during theirSea Year training.”

‘Smokescreen strategy’Our four unions agree completely

with Secretary Foxx. Sexual assault, abuseand harassment in all its forms are unac-ceptable, whether at USMMA or at one or

all of the six state-operated academies. Butwe disagree completely with the Secretaryand the smokescreen strategy DOT andMARAD have adopted to address this insti-tutional crisis.

Last June, DOT and MARADannounced what they said would be a tem-porary suspension of Sea Year, the timewhen Kings Point midshipmen train at seaon U.S.-flag deep-sea, Great Lakes andinland waters cargo vessels. In July, thissuspension was lifted — but only for ves-sels in the Military Sealift Command andMARAD fleets. At the Labor Day break,vessels operating in commercial markets —including ships participating in theMaritime Security Program — remained offlimits to Kings Point midshipmen.

“Protecting the safety of the youngwomen and men at the United StatesMerchant Marine Academy is our top pri-ority at Department of Transportation,”DOT said in a policy update August 22.“Secretary Foxx directed the Sea Yearstand-down in response to reported inci-dents of bullying, coercion, sexual harass-ment and assault involving midshipmenduring their time at sea. DOT, theMaritime Administration and theUSMMA have made consistent efforts toaddress these issues over the last fewyears, but we have not solved the problemwith inappropriate behavior during SeaYear, and behavior issues that are affect-ing the campus culture. We are looking atadditional steps we can take to ensure thesafety of our students at sea and on cam-pus, and also to promote a culture of trans-parency and respect for everyone.”

As you can glean from the addedemphasis, DOT and MARAD contend thatsexual misconduct and inappropriate behav-ior are common on U.S. merchant vesselsproviding commercial services in domesticwaters and overseas.

An ‘offensive notion’Are you insulted by the official

assertion that sexual assault and harass-ment are preferred pastimes for Americanmerchant mariners? Are you offended by

the notion that you as seagoing profes-sionals can’t distinguish between right andwrong, and that you’re incapable of self-control and mutual respect? Are you trou-bled by the counterintuitive exemptionfrom ugly imagery made by DOT andMARAD for private sector and civil ser-vice mariners on government vessels?You should be. But you should also beaware of the disturbing implications foryour long-term job and benefit security.

The hasty, senseless DOT-MARADstrategy on this front could cause the loss ofgovernment shipping contracts awarded tocommercial U.S. fleets through competitivebidding and the loss of licensed and unli-censed jobs in Military Sealift Commandsupport services and in MARAD’s ReadyReserve Force sealift fleet.

This haphazard strategy could alsocause young people at USMMA — and, intime, at the state maritime academies — toabandon their plans for careers at sea, whichwould in turn aggravate a persistent short-age of qualified officers and crews fordefense shipping billets in national securityemergencies.

In addition, the Kings Point scandaland the reckless DOT-MARAD responsecould cost our industry a lot of the broad,bipartisan Congressional support it hasearned over many years on such matters asannual funding of the Maritime SecurityProgram, defense of the Jones Act andcargo preference law enforcement. The U.S.merchant fleet has powerful, determinedcritics who smell blood here — and theycould exploit an indefinite Sea Year stand-down to our lasting disadvantage.

AMO, the SIU, MEBA and theMM&P have no tolerance for illegal orinappropriate sexual behavior within ourrespective ranks. The unions’ records indi-cate few cases of assault, abuse or harass-ment over many years — with offenderspunished appropriately each time. But wealso have no tolerance for the scapegoatingof American merchant mariners in whatmay be an attempt by DOT and MARAD todraw political and public attention fromproblems festering at the U.S. Merchant

Marine Academy they oversee.“The American people entrust the

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy withdeveloping some of America’s bestyoung men and women into leaders ofexemplary character who proudly serveas officers in the U.S. merchant marineand our Armed Forces,” Secretary Foxxwrote in his comments on the ManpowerData Center survey report.

‘Standards of honor’AMO, the SIU, MEBA and the

MM&P share that trust in USMMA. But wealso trust our seagoing memberships asresponsible men and women, professionalswho measure up to the standards of honorand “exemplary character” that have distin-guished American merchant mariners ineconomic and defense service to the U.S.since the American Revolution.

Our four unions are circulating a col-laborative position statement on this bud-ding controversy. This statement isaddressed to Secretary Foxx, but it’s mak-ing the rounds at MARAD and on CapitolHill. The statement elaborates on pointsmade here, and it urges two specific policyrecommendations: the assignment of KingsPoint midshipmen to commercial vesselswithin 60 days, and the addition of at leasttwo commercial mariners — one ChiefEngineer and one Captain, each with signif-icant experience — to a panel of what DOThas called “independent outside experts” to“attempt to identify root causes and theirimpacts to the academy culture and offerpossible short term and long term correctiveactions to address the issues.”

We’ll make this statement avail-able to all AMO members — a largeKings Point alumni bloc among them —through Currents, this publication, andthe AMO website, and we’ll let youknow the outcome.

Meanwhile, I welcome the input ofAMO members everywhere on this orany other subject. I can be reached byphone at 954-921-2221, extension 1001,on my cell at 954-881-5651 or by emailat pauldoell51@yahoo.com.

American Maritime Officer • 3September 2016

Congressional transportation and seapowerleaders emphasize economic and national securitybenefits of sustaining Jones Act jurisdiction forU.S. domestic and non-contiguous shipping trades

The following letter dated August 15and signed by Congressmen DuncanHunter (R-CA), chairman of theSubcommittee on Coast Guard andMaritime Transportation, JohnGaramendi (D-CA), ranking member onthe subcommittee, J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), chairman of the Subcommittee onSeapower and Projection Forces, and JoeCourtney (D-CT), ranking member on thesubcommittee, was sent to RepresentativesSean Duffy (R-WI), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) and PedroPierluisi (D-PR).

We look forward to seeing the reportof the Congressional Task Force onEconomic Growth in Puerto Rico (TaskForce), and we hope you are successful infinding ways to create jobs in theCommonwealth. However, based on ourreview over many years of issues related tothe U.S. maritime industry, national sealiftneeds and port security initiatives, we donot believe a review of the Jones Act by theTask Force, on which neither ourCommittees nor our Subcommittees arerepresented, is necessary.

The House Committee onTransportation and Infrastructure has juris-diction over the United States’ domesticcabotage law, popularly known as the JonesAct. The House Committee on ArmedServices has jurisdiction over the merchantmarine as it relates to national defense.Those Committees and particularly the sub-committees on which we serve as Chairmenand Ranking Members support the JonesAct, which protects good U.S. jobs, pro-vides jobs and industrial skills needed tosupport U.S. defense sealift, and provides anetwork of U.S. mariners who are on thewater and provide a knowledgeable firstline of defense in our efforts to keep ourtrade ports and harbors secure. If questionsarise about the Jones Act as the Task Force

carries out its work, and since misinforma-tion about the Jones Act is being dissemi-nated, the following information may beuseful to you and we are glad to discussthese issues further.

The U.S. GovernmentAccountability Office (GAO) saidchanges to the Jones Act in Puerto Ricocould be destabilizing to theCommonwealth. Congress’s first missionis “do no harm” by not making the situationin Puerto Rico worse. At the request ofCongress, the GAO recently completedwhat has been described as the mostdetailed study of the Jones Act in PuertoRico ever. It also is the rare study thatcomes from a non-partisan, unbiased party.A principal finding of that study was thatthe impacts of changes to the Jones Act inPuerto Rico were “highly uncertain.” Thestudy found that the domestic maritimeindustry provides “reliable, on-time ser-vice” and “just in time” delivery to theisland. Many Puerto Rican importers relyon this “prompt and regular shipping” toavoid warehousing and inventory costs,which are particularly high in Puerto Rico,according to the GAO. The agency furtheropined that changes to the Jones Act inPuerto Rico could undermine the crucialnorthbound service from Puerto Rico to themainland. And, of course, the last thingPuerto Rico needs now is the disruption ofits shipping or the outsourcing of its ship-ping jobs to other nations.

Shipping rates to Puerto Rico onJones Act vessels from the mainland arethe lowest in the region. You will hearmany “facts” about the cost impact of theJones Act in Puerto Rico and most have nobasis. We do know that actual shipping ratesfrom the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico onJones Act vessels are the lowest in theCaribbean — lower than rates on non-JonesAct vessels from the U.S. mainland to loca-

tions like the Dominican Republic.Allegations by some that shipping to theVirgin Islands is cheaper than Puerto Ricoare flatly wrong. In fact, one analysis showsit is 40 percent more expensive to shipgoods from the U.S. mainland on foreignvessels to the U.S. Virgin Islands (not sub-ject to the Jones Act) than on Jones Act ves-sels to Puerto Rico. Similarly, the GAOasserted that it is impossible to accuratelyassess the “cost” of the Jones Act, if any,because it is impossible to know what addi-tional American laws would be applied toforeign shipping companies were they everallowed to engage in the U.S. domestictrades, and too many factors impact freightrates to assess a “cost” of the Jones Act.

Changes to the Jones Act in PuertoRico could undermine national security,according to the GAO. The GAO specifi-cally noted that the “military strategy of theUnited States relies on the use of commer-cial U.S.-flag ships and crews and the avail-ability of a shipyard industrial base to sup-port national defense needs.” Leading rep-resentatives of the U.S. Department ofDefense, Navy, and Coast Guard have allspoken about the military importance of theJones Act, as has Congress, in a clear andunambiguous way. In its study, the GAOdiscussed the possible negative conse-quences of changes to the Jones Act inPuerto Rico on military readiness. We urgeyou to keep the national security benefits ofthe Jones Act front of mind. Also be awarethat changes to the Jones Act in one part ofthe country would have important implica-tions in other parts of our nation, undermin-ing future investment in every segment ofthe Jones Act industry from the Great Lakesto the U.S. inland waters to the Gulf ofMexico to coastal waterways.

The Jones Act is important toAmerican homeland security. Withinthe last several months, numerous

experts and commentators have empha-sized the importance of the Jones Act tohomeland security. Recent reports likethose from the Lexington Institute (e.g.,Venerable Jones Act Provides AnImportant Barrier To Terrorist Infiltrationof the Homeland) emphasize the impor-tance of this law to keeping our nationsecure. One expert and former 9/11Commission member said, “helping pluga porous border is a benefit of the JonesAct that is far too often overlooked.”

The Jones Act creates Americanjobs. The last thing Puerto Rico needstoday is the outsourcing of American ship-ping jobs. Many of these jobs relate direct-ly to the nearly $1 billion in Jones Act-related private sector investments current-ly underway to renew the vessels, equip-ment, and infrastructure serving PuertoRico’s trade. Changes to the Jones Act inPuerto Rico would undermine theseinvestments in modern, state-of-the-artAmerican vessels operating between theU.S. mainland and Puerto Rico.Moreover, changing the Jones Act inPuerto Rico will have negative impacts onother parts of the domestic maritimeindustry not directly serving the PuertoRican trades, such as the nation’s criticallyimportant shipbuilding industrial base andthe pool of qualified mariners needed intime of war or national emergency.

We have spent years studying andunderstanding the implications of the JonesAct both from commercial and military per-spectives. Our subcommittees have heardfrom numerous executive branch officials(including defense officials) and industryrepresentatives about the important benefitsof the Jones Act. We do not believe the TaskForce needs to address this issue. However,if issues related to the Jones Act arise duringTask Force discussions, we urge you toreach out to us.

AMO aboard tanker PelicanState in Jones Act trade

Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the Jones Acttanker Pelican State in July, here in Orange, Texas, included Third MatePaige Queen, Chief Mate Cole Davis, Captain Peter Whiting and ThirdMate Kevin Grove. With them is AMO National Vice President, InlandWaters, David Weathers.

AMO members working aboard the Jones Act tanker Pelican State in July,here in Orange, Texas, included Chief Engineer Jon Noyes, Third AssistantEngineer Gavin Cote, First A.E. Fred Loewen and Second A.E. John Gray.With them is Massachusetts Maritime Academy Engine Cadet Myat Smith.The Pelican State is operated for American Petroleum Tankers by IntrepidPersonnel and Provisioning and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.

4 • American Maritime Officer September 2016

NTSB: 26 hours of information recoveredfrom El Faro voyage data recorder

The following article dated August 24was released by the NationalTransportation Safety Board.

WASHINGTON — The NationalTransportation Safety Board (has)announced the convening of a voyage datarecorder group, Monday, to develop adetailed transcript of the sounds and dis-cernible words captured on the El Faro’sbridge audio, following the audition of theship’s VDR.

The voyage data recorder from ElFaro, a U.S.-flagged cargo ship that sankduring Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015,was successfully recovered from the oceanfloor Aug. 8, 2016, and transported to theNTSB’s laboratory here Aug. 12.Information from the El Faro’s VDR wassuccessfully recovered Aug. 15.

About 26 hours of information wasrecovered from the VDR, includingbridge audio, weather data and naviga-tional data. Investigators examined theVDR, found it to be in good condition,and downloaded the memory moduledata in accordance with the manufactur-er’s recommended procedures.

Numerous events leading up to theloss of the El Faro are heard on the VDR’saudio, recorded from microphones on theship’s bridge. The quality of the recordingis degraded because of high levels ofbackground noise. There are times duringthe recording when the content of crewdiscussion is difficult to determine, atother times the content can be determinedusing audio filtering.

The recording began about 5:37 a.m.,Sept. 30, 2015 — about 8 hours after the ElFaro departed Jacksonville, Florida, withthe ship about 150 nautical miles southeastof the city. The bridge audio from the morn-ing of Oct. 1 captured the master and crewdiscussing their actions regarding flooding

and the vessel’s list. The vessel’s loss ofpropulsion was mentioned on the bridgeaudio about 6:13 a.m. Also captured was themaster speaking on the telephone, notifyingshoreside personnel of the vessel’s criticalsituation, and preparing to abandon ship ifnecessary. The master ordered abandon shipand sounded the alarm about 7:30 a.m., Oct.1, 2015. The recording ended about 10 min-utes later when the El Faro was about 39nautical miles northeast of Crooked Island,Bahamas. These times are preliminary andsubject to change and final validation by thevoyage data recorder group.

The VDR group’s technical expertswill continue reviewing the entire record-ing, including crew discussions regardingthe weather situation and the operation andcondition of the ship.

Families of the El Faro’s crewwere briefed about the results of theaudition Wednesday prior to the NTSB’spublic release of the characterization ofthe audition.

It remains unknown how long it willtake to develop the final transcript of the ElFaro’s VDR. The length of the recordingand high levels of background noise willmake transcript development a time con-suming process. An update will be providedwhen warranted.

NTSB releases photos, video of El Farovoyage data recorder recovery

The following article was releasedAugust 12 by the National TransportationSafety Board.

The National Transportation SafetyBoard has released video and photos of theretrieval and preliminary inspection of ElFaro’s voyage data recorder.

The voyage data recorder from ElFaro, a U.S.-flagged cargo ship that sankduring Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015,

was successfully recovered from the oceanfloor late Monday evening.

The recovery of the capsule caps a10-month-long, multi-agency effort toretrieve the recorder, which was designed torecord navigational data and communica-tions between crewmembers on the ship’sbridge. Investigators hope the recorder willreveal information about the final hours ofEl Faro’s voyage and the circumstancesleading up to the sinking.

The third mission to the El Farobegan Aug. 5, 2016, and the vessel arrivedon scene August 8, and later that sameevening the El Faro’s voyage data recorderwas safely brought aboard the USNSApache by the Navy’s CURV-21 remotelyoperated vehicle, operated by PhoenixInternational.

The VDR was placed in fresh waterto help prevent corrosion of the electroniccomponents. U.S. Coast Guard and NTSBpersonnel decided to disassemble and visu-ally examine the VDR while at sea to gain abetter understanding of the condition of thememory unit and to identify what steps areneeded to recover the data. All of the com-ponents of the El Faro’s VDR were trans-ported to the NTSB’s laboratory inWashington, D.C., Aug. 12, 2016.

The examination of the data thatmay be contained on the El Faro’s datarecorder is set to begin Monday, Aug. 15,2016. The examination, called an audi-tion, will happen in two rounds. The initialround only includes the NTSB Office ofMarine Safety Acting Director, the NTSBResearch and Engineering Director, theNTSB’s Investigator in Charge, and theU.S. Coast Guard’s Chief ofInvestigations and Casualty Analysis. Thisaudition is of the raw audio without anyclean up or filtering and helps to deter-mine the future scope of work.

From the first audition, the NTSBResearch and Engineering team will pro-duce a general characterization of the datathat details the number of hours, quality ofdata, quality of audio, presence of GPS,radar, and any other data captured.

The NTSB’s next step is to convenethe VDR investigative group. Much like theother groups within the investigation, thisgroup may consist of a member of each ofthe parties — NTSB, U.S. Coast Guard,American Bureau of Shipping and TOTEServices. These parties are requested to par-ticipate as subject matter experts becausethey can provide expertise in analyzing theVDR information and creating a transcript.

The NTSB forbids lawyers, companyexecutives, or media representatives fromparticipating as members of the VDR inves-tigative group. Group members must sign astrict non-disclosure agreement that pro-hibits them from releasing any informationfrom the audition to their organizations or toanyone outside of the VDR group. Becausethe VDR audition happens within the NTSBinvestigation party process, it is not consid-ered a public disclosure.

The NTSB is prohibited by federallaw from publicly releasing any audio cap-tured from a VDR. Even within the agency,and the team working on the investigation,there are strict limitations on who is able tolisten to the audio.

The VDR group will work together tocreate a transcript of any audio recoveredfrom the VDR. The transcript will be usedto inform the future activities related to theEl Faro investigation, and any part of thetranscript that is considered relevant to theinvestigation will be released in the publicdocket. The NTSB will not publicly releasethe audio at any time.

To view or download video ofFriday’s media briefing go to:https://youtu.be/_U4Uq5fYXzw.

To view or download photos of theVDR recovery go to:https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntsb/.

To view or download video of theVDR recovery go to:https://youtu.be/juA8RdYS8-k.

Engineering officers — Security endorsement on MerchantMariner Credential required for deep-sea employment

All licensed engineering and deck officers who sail in trades subject to STCW juris-diction are required to have a Merchant Mariner Credential endorsed with either STCWVI/6 — VPDSD (Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties) or STCW VI/5 (VesselSecurity Officer).

Any officer who does not have the required security endorsement may be inel-igible for employment in deep-sea trades, and can be relieved of duty by port-statecontrol authorities.

The requirement for a security endorsement entered into effect in 2013. This require-ment is separate from and in addition to the STCW 2010 gap closing training requirements,which all STCW-qualified officers must be in compliance with by December 31, 2016.

The specific U.S. Coast Guard requirements are found in 46 CFR 12.625 and NVIC21-14, and include completing the required course, filling out and submitting a USCG 719Bapplication, and obtaining the required MMC endorsement.

STAR Center provides both the Vessel/Company Security Officer and the VesselPersonnel with Designated Security Duties courses.

American Maritime Officers members and applicants can contact STAR CenterDirector of Member Training and Officer Development Jerry Pannell with questions regard-ing U.S. Coast Guard training requirements, required endorsements and submitting anapplication for a security endorsement on an MMC. He can be reached at (800) 942-3220Ext. 7507 or via e-mail: jpannell@star-center.com.

U.S. Coast Guard requirementsfor electronic TWIC inspectionswill take effect in two years

The U.S. Coast Guard on August 23 published its final rule on requirements for theelectronic inspection of Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) cards bycertain waterfront facilities and vessels.

The final rule takes effect August 23, 2018, and will require owners and operators ofcertain vessels and facilities regulated by the Coast Guard to provide for the electronicinspection of TWIC cards as an access-control measure, in addition to visual inspection ofTWIC cards. Many mariners are almost certain to begin encountering electronic TWICinspection measures prior to the effective date of the final rule.

In the final rule published in the Federal Register, which includes supplementaryinformation and responses to comments, the Coast Guard noted the requirements will affect525 facilities and one vessel.

USCG publishes updatedguidance regarding Zika virus

In August, the U.S. Coast Guard published a bulletin containing updatedguidance regarding preventing the contraction and spread of the Zika virus. The bul-letin begins as follows:

Widespread local transmission of Zika continues on the island of Puerto Ricoand in the U.S. Virgin Islands. To date, 5,460 and 22 locally transmitted cases havebeen reported in those locations, respectively. A full list of affected countries can befound here: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html.

As of 05 Aug 16, 15 likely locally transmitted cases of Zika virus infectionhave been found in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

The complete bulletin released by the Coast Guard is available online at:https://www.uscg.mil/announcements/ALCOAST/293-16_ALCOAST.txt.

American Maritime Officer • 5September 2016

American maritime losesa friend and tirelessadvocate with the deathof Helen Bentley

Retired CongressmanSteven LaTourette — astrong supporter ofGreat Lakes shipping,U.S. maritime industry

In this filephoto, HelenBentley con-

gratulatesCongressman

ElijahCummings

(D-MD) on hisreceipt of the

MaritimeIndustry

Salute toCongressAward in

2013. Bentleyreceived theaward from

the PropellerClub in 1987. In this file photo, then-Congressman Steven LaTourette speaks at the cer-

emony during which Congressman Bob Gibbs (R-OH) was presented withthe Great Lakes Legislator of the Year Award in 2012. LaTourette receivedthe award from the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force in 2000.

Retired Republican Congressman Steven LaTourette, who most recentlyserved as the U.S. representative for Ohio’s 14th District and stood as a staunchsupporter of Great Lakes shipping and the U.S. maritime industry as a wholethroughout his nine terms in office, died August 3 following a battle with pan-creatic cancer. He was 62.

“Steve LaTourette was a reliable advocate of a strong U.S. merchant fleetand a faithful friend to American merchant mariners,” said American MaritimeOfficers National President Paul Doell. “He saw Congressional support of theAmerican merchant marine as a matter of common sense. We will miss hisassistance and his counsel.”

He was first elected to Congress in 1994 as the representative for what was atthe time Ohio’s 19th Congressional District. During his tenure, LaTourette served onthe House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the HouseAppropriations Committee.

He was a strong supporter of the Jones Act, the Maritime SecurityProgram and U.S. cargo preference laws. He was a co-sponsor of the SavingEssential American Sailors Act of 2012, a bill that sought to rescind the 25 per-cent reduction in the statutory U.S.-flag share of food-aid shipments, which wasenacted earlier that year.

LaTourette was an active advocate for the U.S.-flag Great Lakes shippingindustry. He took a leading role in the fight to secure needed U.S. Coast Guard ice-breaking assets for the Great Lakes Navigation System, as well as in the effort toensure environmental regulations imposed on Great Lakes shipping were reasonableand uniform in accordance with the domestic industry’s vital role as an artery of com-merce and the most efficient and environmentally friendly form of cargo transporta-tion available.

In 2000, he received the Great Lakes Legislator of the Year Award from theGreat Lakes Maritime Task Force for his consistent and effective support on issuescritical to maritime industry and labor on the Lakes.

Frustrated by increasing partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill, and known for hissense of duty in public service, LaTourette announced he would be retiring fromCongress in 2012 after serving in office for 18 years.

A former U.S. congressional repre-sentative, chair of the Federal MaritimeCommission, journalist and author,Helen Delich Bentley was well known inmaritime circles as a tireless advocateand a lifelong friend whose passionatesupport for promoting American jobs andindustry on the waterfront and at seamade a lasting and positive impact on theU.S. merchant marine.

Bentley died August 6 inTimonium, Md. at the age of 92, suc-cumbing to brain cancer.

“Throughout decades of public ser-vice, her straight talk and strong convic-tion left no doubt as to where she stood onwhat the proper course for our nationshould be on maritime matters,” saidAmerican Maritime Officers NationalPresident Paul Doell.

“She stood on the side of the peopleworking in the U.S.-flag merchant fleet, inAmerican shipyards, at our nation’s portsand in the U.S. manufacturing sector,”Doell said. “She knew the importance ofthe maritime trades to America’s strengthand success on both the local and nationallevels, and she believed in the potential ofa properly supported U.S. maritime indus-try to do even more good.

“She made a diverse and fearlesscareer of applying her knowledge and pas-sion to the education of the public and thecreation of public policy,” Doell said.“She celebrated the gains of the U.S.-flagfleet, fought the setbacks dealt to ourindustry and way of life, and pushedeveryone involved to always do more anddo better.”

Bentley was born in Nevada. Afterearning a journalism degree from theUniversity of Missouri in 1944 and work-ing briefly for a wire service, she washired by The Baltimore Sun, and coveredlabor issues and the Port of Baltimore for

the newspaper. As reported by theMaritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO,she became the first woman to cover anAmerican Federation of Labor conven-tion in 1947.

While working at The BaltimoreSun, she undertook a second job because“at that time they would not pay me whatthey were paying the men and I had to goout and earn extra bucks,” according toWBAL radio. She created and produced atelevision series about the Port ofBaltimore, which ran on WMAR-TV for15 years.

In 1969, she was appointed chair ofthe Federal Maritime Commission byPresident Richard Nixon. She was at thattime one of the highest-ranking women inthe executive branch of the federal gov-ernment, where she served until 1975.

Following two previous unsuccessfulcampaigns, Bentley won election to theU.S. Congress in 1984. A Republican whodefied simple definition, she served on theMerchant Marine and Fisheries Committeeand the Appropriations Committee in theHouse of Representatives, where shefought for trade policies that would seek toprotect American maritime and manufac-turing jobs.

A classic exchange involving then-Representative Bentley and an admiralregarding the purchase of foreign-madeequipment for Navy vessels was relayedby the Washington Post.

“It’s like this, Mrs. Bentley — theymake these parts cheaper in Korea,” theadmiral said.

“Well, admiral, they make admiralscheaper in Korea, too, and maybe weshould buy some!” Bentley replied.

Bentley left her congressional seatin 1994 to run for governor of Maryland,but was defeated in the primary race. In2002, she launched an unsuccessful bid

for her old seat in Congress.She co-authored a book, The Great

Port of Baltimore: Its First 300 Years. In2006, Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlichrenamed the port the Helen DelichBentley Port of Baltimore in honor of hermany years of service.

“There will never be another like

her,” said Maritime Trades DepartmentPresident Michael Sacco. “She was afighter for what she believed in — and shebelieved in our industry and the men andwomen who work in it. No one could topher dedication and devotion to the U.S.-flag merchant marine. All of us will missher tremendously.”

6 • American Maritime Officer September 2016

West VirginiaContinued from Page 1

Anne Swearingen, wife of JohnSwearingen, senior vice president,Marathon Petroleum Corporation, per-formed the time-honored tradition of chris-tening the vessel by breaking a ceremonialbottle of champagne across the WestVirginia’s hull at Philly Shipyard.

American Maritime Officers repre-sents all licensed officers aboard the newCrowley tankers.

The West Virginia is 50,000 dead-weight-tons (dwt) and capable of carrying330,000 barrels of product. The new tankersare based on a proven Hyundai MipoDockyards (HMD) design that incorporatesnumerous fuel efficiency features, flexiblecargo capability and the latest regulatoryrequirements. The vessel is 600 feet longand is capable of carrying crude oil orrefined petroleum products, as well as vari-ous chemical cargoes.

The West Virginia was delivered toCrowley on August 12.

“The delivery of the West Virginiarepresents our total commitment at

Members of American Maritime Officers and the Seafarers International Union comprising the crew of the West Virginiawere honored on stage during the ship’s christening ceremony.

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the West Virginia, here inthe ship’s engine room in Philadelphia on August 16, included (in no particularorder) Chief Engineers Daniel Savoie and Evan Park, First Assistant EngineerDaniel Figge, Second A.E. James Brown and Third A.E. Thomas Millett.

Crowley to providing the best perfor-mance for our customers with efficiencyand innovative solutions,” said Crowley’sRob Grune, senior vice president and gen-eral manager, petroleum services. “Thecompletion of West Virginia and its sisterships demonstrates our belief in the JonesAct trade, and our commitment to sup-porting our economy through U.S. ship-

building and crewing. We congratulatePhilly Shipyard for reaching this mile-stone, as well as the dedicated, hard-work-ing men and women who build and crewthese ships.”

Said Philly Shipyard’s President andCEO Steinar Nerbovik: “Today’s deliverymarks the successful completion of a fourtanker series for Crowley. We have appre-

ciated a strong partnership with Crowley,stemming from the previous two Crowleytankers delivered in both 2012 and 2013,and today we are proud to add these foursafe and quality vessels to its growingfleet. On behalf of the men and women atthe shipyard, we send our well wishes tothe dedicated crew that will operate theWest Virginia.”

Anne Swearingen, the sponsor of the West Virginia, christens the ship inPhiladelphia on August 16. Anne is the wife of John Swearingen, senior vicepresident, Marathon Petroleum Corporation. The new tanker is operating undera long-term charter to Marathon.

Ocean Glory rescues distressed fishermanThe following is excerpted from an

article by Grady Fontana, which was pub-lished August 18 by the U.S. Navy.American Maritime Officers represents alllicensed officers aboard the Ocean Glory.

M/V OCEAN GLORY, At Sea(NNS) — Military Sealift Command’s(MSC) voyage-charter M/V Ocean Gloryrescued an Indonesian fisherman in thevicinity of the Bali Strait while en route toBanyuwangi, Indonesia, Aug. 14.

“I stepped onto the bridge fullyexpecting to take a routine arrival a fewhours later into the Port of Tanjungwangi,Indonesia,” said Capt. Christopher Hill,merchant mariner and master of OceanGlory. “Instead, the officer of the watchreported a man standing atop an over-turned, outrigger fishing boat.”

The fisherman and the remains ofhis boat were caught in a strong currentand were quickly being swept out of theBali Strait and into the open, unfrequentedIndian Ocean.

“Later, I would learn that the smallboat had capsized the previous day in asquall and that the lone fisherman hadbeen adrift in very rough seas for about 20hours before Ocean Glory’s arrival onscene,” said Hill.

Ocean Glory notified the Indonesiancoast guard, and attempted to pass a life-jacket via ship’s heaving line to the dis-tressed fisherman while waiting on station

for confirmation of coast guard assistance.In the process of passing the heav-

ing line and while waiting for local coastguard to arrive, it became apparent thefisherman could not wait to be rescued,according to Hill.

“He lost his footing on the upside-down boat and took to the water holdingonly the bitter end of the ship’s heavingline,” said Hill. “The ship’s pilot ladderwas quickly rigged and all hands on deckworked together and with quick precisionto drag the fisherman at the end of the

heaving line alongside the ship’s hull,thence to the ladder.”

Upon reaching the ladder, the manin the water let go of the heaving line andbegan to climb. After hours stranded at seaand as soon as he was on the decks ofOcean Glory, he collapsed and was quick-ly taken to medical.

“While being treated for exhaustionand dehydration by the ship’s medicalofficer, he tearfully thanked everyonearound him without knowing or needing aword of English and insisted, even in his

weakened condition, on shaking every-one’s hands ... he was so thankful to bealive,” said Hill.

An Indonesian ambulance andmedical team came aboard as soon as thegangway was down in Tanjungwangi.The shoreside medical team transportedthe survivor to the hospital for furthermedical treatment.

“But not before the ship’s crew andon-board members of the U.S. Armypassed the hat,” said Hill.

Through donations, they providedthe unexpected shipmate with shoes,clothes and money to help speed hisrecovery and his return home.

Ocean Glory, a commercial multi-purpose, heavy-lift ship from Intermarine,had been sailing under an MSC charter forthe previous few months in support ofPacific Pathways 16-2 (PP16-2), a U.S.Army Pacific (USARPAC) mobility oper-ation that supports three USARPAC exer-cises and links them into a single opera-tion by using a single MSC commercialvessel to carry a designated task force andtheir force package equipment for theentire duration. PP16-2 was supportingexercises Hanuman Guardian in Thailand,Keris Strike in Malaysia, and GarudaShield in Indonesia.

PP16-2 was a combined operationbetween the U.S. Army and each of thearmed forces of Thailand, Malaysia, andIndonesia — where the last of the U.S.Army’s equipment was backloaded forreturn to Pearl Harbor and Tacoma,Washington.

American Maritime Officer • 7September 2016

Maritime Academy Recruiting Assistance Programhelping to build next generation of AMO officers

Above right: MARAP participantsTheodore Grammatico and KemptonBaldridge, both deck cadets at GreatLakes Maritime Academy, visited AMOHeadquarters and STAR Center inDania Beach, Fla. in March.

Above: Cadets participating in theAmerican Maritime Officers andSTAR Center Maritime AcademyRecruiting Assistance Program whovisited American Maritime OfficersHeadquarters in Dania Beach, Fla.in August included Luke Kurelja(Massachusetts Maritime Academy),Thomas Knizewski (State Universityof New York Maritime College), JohnMarchione (Mass Maritime), EricMurphy (Mass Maritime), SummerCawley (Mass Maritime), andCaroline Curtis (Maine MaritimeAcademy). With them is AMONational Executive Vice PresidentDaniel Shea.

As the American Maritime Officersjob base expands with newly built ships anddiverse job opportunities, the union is ush-ering in the next generation of licensedmariners through its unique recruiting pro-grams aimed at attracting engineers fromoutside the industry, military veterans, andtalented maritime academy cadets.

The Maritime Academy RecruitingAssistance Program (MARAP) was initiat-ed just a few years ago but has alreadyattracted dozens of motivated academycadets prepared to build the next generationof AMO officers.

Since its inception in 2014, MARAPhas produced 15 engine and deck maritimeacademy graduates qualified to sail as AMOmembers. Some have already started theircareers at sea. Another 15 are currently pro-gressing through the program and some willbe joining the AMO ranks as early as thesummer of 2017.

“MARAP is an outstanding program,both for the cadets participating and forAMO,” said AMO National Executive VicePresident Daniel Shea, who has been at theforefront of recruiting for MARAP. “I’mreally proud of the cadets participating inthe program for their work and dedication,and those who have graduated and are nowsailing with AMO.”

One of the goals of MARAP is toinvest in cadets who might not otherwisehave considered committing to member-ship in any particular union. So far thestrategy has paid off, thanks in part toAMO sailing members who identify tal-

ented cadets while they are at sea. Manyof MARAP’s graduates were recommend-ed for the program while they were com-pleting sea time requirements for theirrespective academies.

MARAP has also given AMO mem-bers a chance for their relatives to continuein the AMO tradition.

MARAP contributes a $150 monthlystipend to as many as three cadets from eachmaritime academy after their sophomoreyear. The stipend increases to $200 the fol-lowing year and includes a week-long ori-entation at STAR Center and AMOHeadquarters in Dania Beach, Fla.

“MARAP is a chance to rewardcadets who members run into and see doinga good job, as well as those on campus.When they get here, they are already moti-vated,” said Graeme Holman, head ofschool operations at STAR Center, who alsocoordinates site visits for MARAP cadets.“These candidates are already pro-AMOand ready to become that next wave oflicensed mariners.”

After graduation, MARAP cadetsreceive priority hiring status with AMO.In return, each cadet pledges to a spe-cific sea service commitment followinggraduation, which will hopefully trans-late to a complete sailing career as anAMO member.

MARAP also comes at very littleexpense to the union. Recognizing the needfor talented officers, several AMO–con-tracted companies have opted to sponsorcadets and pick up the tab on the stipends.Often, that has led to cadets being hired towork on ships owned and/or operated by thesponsor companies.

“MARAP is a winner for everyoneinvolved and we’ll be building on the pro-gram’s success as the AMO-contracted fleetcontinues to grow,” Shea said.

At right: MARAP cadets visitingSTAR Center and AMO Headquartersin March included Ryan Malamphy,Austin Neuman and Boren ChambersJr. With them is STAR Center Directorof Member Training and OfficerDevelopment Jerry Pannell.

First class completes TECH Program

The first class of apprentice engineers to complete The Engineering Candidate Hawsepipe Program receivedtheir completion certificates at the AMO monthly membership meeting in August. Joseph Parsons III, BrandonMackie, John Peterson and Cameron Siele will sit for the U.S. Coast Guard third assistant engineer licenseexams this fall. With them are STAR Center Director of Training Phil Shullo and Head of the STAR CenterEngineering Department Matt Grose.

8 • American Maritime Officer September 2016

AMO Safety and Education Plan — Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center(954) 920-3222 / (800) 942-3220 — 2 West Dixie Highway, Dania Beach, FL 33004

General Courses

IGF Code Training 5 days 3 October 28 November 9 January 24 April

Confined Space Entry 3 days 31 October 5 December 6 March

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 28 November 13 February 17 April

Basic Safety Training — All 4 modules must be completed within 12 months: Personal SafetyTechniques (Mon/Tues — 1.5 days), Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (Tues pm — .5 days),Elementary First Aid (Wed — 1 day), Fire Fighting & Fire Prevention (Thurs/Fri — 2 days) — not required.if Combined Basic & Adv. Fire Fighting completed within 12 months.

5 days 19 September 24 October 12 December 30 January

Basic Safety Training — Refresher 3 days 21 September 26 October 14 December 1 February

Chemical Safety — Advanced 5 days 13 February

ECDIS 5 days 12, 19 Sept. 31 October 5 December 23 January 27 February 17 April

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 12 December 27 March

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 11 October 17 January 13 March

GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework 10 days 24 October 30 January 27 March

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 days 17 October 22 February

LNG Simulator Training — Enrollment priority in the LNG simulator course is given to qualified membercandidates for employment and/or observation opportunities with AMO contracted LNG companies. In allcases successful completion of the LNG PNC classroom course is prerequisite.

5 days 31 October 6 March

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 17 October 6 February 10 April

Safety Officer Course 2 days 2 March

Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom 5 days 7 November 20 March

Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator 10 days 19 September 5 December 23 January 27 March

Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program 10 days Please call

Train the Trainer 5 days 3 October 14 November 5 December 9 January 6 March

Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties — VPDSD 2 days 26 January 27 April

Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy 3 days 8 November 27 February

Deck CoursesAdvanced Bridge Resource Management — Meets STCW 2010Leadership & Management gap closing requirements 5 days 12 September 10 October 28 November

Advanced Shiphandling for Masters — (No equivalency) Must havesailed as Chief Mate Unlimited 5 days 3 October 5 December 27 March

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rdMates 10 days 19 September 17, 31 October 23 January 6 March

Advanced & Emergency Shiphandling — First Class Pilots, Great Lakes 5 days 6 February

Bridge Resource Management Seminar 3 days Please call

Dynamic Positioning — Basic 5 days 31 October 30 January

Dynamic Positioning — Advanced 5 days 5 December 20 March

Navigation & Watchkeeping Standardization & Assessment Program 5 days 31 October 30 January 6 March

STCW Deck Officer Refresher — Great Lakes 3 days Please call

TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) — Third Mate (Unlimited orGreat Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required 5 days 7 November 23 January

Tug Training — ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 5 days 12 September 12 December 27 March

Engineering Courses

Basic Electricity 10 days 7 November

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks 12 September

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 7 November 6 March

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 12 October 13 February

Hydraulics/ Pneumatics 5 days 26 September 12 December

Ocean Ranger Program 6 days 3 April

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 5 days 6 February

Refrigeration (Operational Level) 5 days 24 October 27 February

Refrigeration (Management Level) 5 days 31 October 6 March

Steam Endorsement 4 weeks 23 January 17 April

Electronics (Management) — NEW 1 week Please call

Instrumentation (Management) — NEW 10 days Please call

Welding & Metallurgy Skills & Practices — Open to eligible Chief Mates and Masters on a space availablebasis. Interested participants should apply online and will be confirmed 2 weeks prior to start date. 2 weeks 12 September 5 December 23 January 27 February

STCW 2010 Gap Closing Courses — Required by all existing STCW credentialed officers by 1 January 2017

Leadership & Management (required by ALL management level Deckand Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 12, 19, 26 Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24,

31 October 7, 14, 28 Nov. 5, 12 December 16 January 6, 27 February 20 March 17 April

Engine Room Resource Management — Classroom (Engineers)(Required by ALL Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 12, 26 Sept. 10, 24 October 7, 28 November 12 December 9 January 20 February 13 March 24 April

Management of Electrical, Electronic Controllers (Engineers) (Requiredby ALL management level Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 19 September 3, 17, 31 Oct. 14 November 5 December 23 January 13 February 6 March

Leadership & Teamwork (Engineers) (Only required by those Engineerswho completed old ERM class) 1 day Leadership & Teamworking assessments, in the few cases required, should be completed and signed off onboard.

Basic Training & Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (Required by firstcredential renewal AFTER 1 Jan 2017) 2 days 12, 13 Sept. 7 November 9 January 23 February 20 March 3 April

EFA (Scheduled with Basic Training Revalidation BUT NOT REQUIREDFOR STCW 2010) 1 day 14 September 9 November 11 January 22 February 22 March 5 April

American Maritime Officer • 9September 2016

Engine Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 15-14) — If sea service ortraining towards management level (1A/E-Chief Eng.) upgrade started ON OR AFTER 24 March 2014, you mustadhere to this new program of training. Completion of both required and optional courses listed below will includeall Task Assessments required by NVIC 15-14. By completing the series, no expiration limitation will be placed onyour STCW credential. See STAR Center’s website for full details: https://www.star-center.com/stcw2010-engine.upgrade.html

Leadership & Managerial Skills (G500 as amended) —REQUIRED 5 days 16 January

ERM (E050 as amended) — REQUIRED (unlesspreviously taken for gap closing or original license) 5 days 9 January

Upgrade: Electrical, Electronics & Control Engineering(Management Level) (E133 as amended) (UPGRADE withtasks)

10 days 23 January

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — General Engineering& Procedure (E135 as amended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks canbe signed off onboard

5 days 6 February

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Motor (E120 asamended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 3 days 13 February

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Steam (E121 asamended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 20 February

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Gas Turbine (E122 asamended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 27 February

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 7, 8 Nov. 20 Jan. 20 Feb. 14, 16 March 10, 25, 27 April

ARPA 4 days 21 February

Radar Recertification &ARPA 5 days 20 February

Original Radar ObserverUnlimited 5 days 13 February

MSC Training ProgramBasic CBR Defense 1 day 4 November 9, 12 December 3 February 10, 31 March 7 April

Damage Control 1 day 3 November 8, 13 December 2 February 9, 30 March 6 April

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 13, 27 March

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 20 September 25 October 31 January 10 February

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 4 November 9 December 3 February 10, 31 March 7 April

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day 14 March

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: MSC approved 3 days Please call

MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once incareer. 2 days 19 September 24 October 30 January

MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 20 October 19 January 23 March

MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members 1 day 16 September 14, 28 October 18 November 2, 16 December 13, 27 January 17 February 3, 31 March 28 April

MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 31 October 5 December 30 January 6 March 3 April

Small Arms — Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training — Open tomembers & applicants eligible for employment through AMO (w/in 1 year) orMSC on MARAD contracted vessels.

4 days 12, 26 Sept. 10, 24 October 14, 28 Nov. 12 December 9, 23 January 13, 27 February 13, 27 March 10, 24 April

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 7 March

Engine STCW / Original Engineer Training Routes — Engine STCW training routes are aimedat Great Lakes members wishing to transition to deep sea. Original engineer training is available to members,applicants and sponsored students seeking an original license.

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 31 October

Basic Safety Training 5 days 24 October

EFA/MCP 4 days 11 October

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 17 October

Basic Electricity (original engineers only) 10 days 7 November

Original 3 A/E Preparation and Exams A/R 28 November

NOTICE: AMO members planning to attend the union’s Center for Advanced Maritime Officers’ Training/STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida—either to prepare for license upgrading or to undergo specialty training—are asked to call theschool to confirm course schedule and space availability in advance.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: The Center For Advanced Maritime Officers Training (CAMOT) and Simulation Training Assessment and Research Center (STAR), established under the auspices of theAmerican Maritime Officers Safety and Education Plan, admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin or sex to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Center.It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sex in administration of its educational policies, admission policies and other programs administered by the Center.

Deck Upgrade at the Management Level (Policy Letter 04-02) — This upgrade program is for those who started sea service or training towards management level (Chief Mate/Master) upgrade BEFORE 24March 2014. Failure to complete by 31 December 2016 will most likely result in significant delays and additional training or assessment requirements. Successful completion of this program will satisfy the training requirements forSTCW certification as Master or Chief Mate on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC) under previous. This program will complete ALL 53 Control Sheet assessments of the training requirements for STCW under policy letter04-02. Course completion certificates and control sheets expire 12/31/16. Anyone using the previous regulations to upgrade in this manner must complete all requirements ,including USCG testing, by 12/31/16. Deck ManagementLevel gap closing training must also be completed by 12/31/16 in order for the new credential to valid after this date. SPECIFIC GUIDANCE CAN BE FOUND ON THE STAR CENTER WEBSITE AT https://www.star-center.com

Celestial Navigation — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 5 September 5 December

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 31 October

Cargo Operations 9 days Please call

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 12 September 28 November

Upgrade: Stability 5 days 7 November

Watchkeeping 1: BRM 3 days 5 October 30 November

Watchkeeping 2: COLREGS 5 days 10 October 5 December

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 17 October

Search and Rescue 2 days 3 October 28 November

Shipboard Management 5 days 14 November

Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (includes Simulator) 5 days 19 September 12 December

ECDIS 5 days 12 September 5 December

Deck Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 10-14)— If sea service or training towards management level (Chief Mate/Master) upgrade started ON OR AFTER 24 March 2014 you must adhereto this new program of training. Completion of both required and optional courses listed below will include all Task Assessments required by NVIC 10-14 , providing ECDIS, GMDSS and ARPA have been previously completed.

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 17 October 9 January 17 April

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hours homework 5 days 31 October 23 January

Advanced Stability 5 days 7 November 30 January

Search & Rescue 2 1/2 days 14 November 13 February

Management of Medical Care 1/2 day 16 November 15 February

Leadership & Management 5 days 10 October 6 February

Advanced Cargo — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 28 November 20 February

Marine Propulsion Plants — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 12 September 28 November 27 February

Advanced Celestial — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 5 December 6 March

Advanced Navigation — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 19 September 12 December 13 March

Medical Courses

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 13 March 3 April

Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months 1 day 11 October 6 December 17 January 14 March 4 April

Medical Care Provider — Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 12months. Please fax EFA certificate when registering 3 days 12 October 7 December 18 January 15 March 5 April

Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 12 September 17 October 12 December 23 January 20 March

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 14 November 5 December 30 January 27 March

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only 1 day 15 November 31 January 28 March

Saliva Screening Test — QEDs only 1/2 day 16 November 1 February 29 March

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: MSC approved 3 days Please call

10 • American Maritime Officer September 2016

AMO NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 33004-4109601 S. Federal Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Paul Doell, National President pauldoell51@yahoo.comExtension 1001Mobile: (954) 881-5651FAX: (954) 926-5112 Charles A. Murdock, National Secretary-Treasurercmurdock@amo-union.orgExtension 1004 / Mobile: (954) 531-9977 / FAX: (954) 367-1025Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Seajgremelsbacker@amo-union.orgExtension 1009 / Mobile: (954) 673-0680 / FAX: (954) 367-1029Todd Christensen, East Coast Representative tchristensen@amo-union.org / Mobile: (561) 806-3768Marie Doruth, Executive Assistant to the National Presidentmdoruth@amo-union.orgExtension 1017 / Mobile: (954) 290-8109FAX: (954) 926-5112Dispatch: (800) 345-3410 / FAX: (954) 926-5126Brendan Keller, Dispatcher (bkeller@amo-union.org)Extension 1061 / Mobile: (954) 817-4000Robert Anderson, Dispatcher (randerson@amo-union.org)Extension 1060 / Mobile: (954) 599-9771Member Services:Extension 1050 / FAX: (954) 367-1066 / memberservices@amo-union.org

OFFICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001Paul Doell, National President pauldoell51@yahoo.comExtension 7004Mobile: (954) 881-5651J. Michael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relationsmmurphy@amo-union.org / mikemurphy68@aol.comExtension 7013 / Mobile: (202) 560-6889T. Christian Spain, National Assistant Vice President, Government Relationscspain@amo-union.orgExtension 7010Mobile: (202) 658-8887FAX: (202) 479-1188

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191131 International Plaza, Suite 550Chris Holmes, Contract Analyst (cholmes@amo‐union.org)(800) 362‐0513 ext. 4002Mobile: (856) 693‐0694

UPDATE CREDENTIALS, DOCUMENTS, TRAINING RECORDSSecure File Upload: https://securetransfer.amo-union.org/E-mail: memberservices@amo-union.orgQuestions: (800) 362-0513 ext. 1050

TOLEDO, OH 43604The Melvin H. Pelfrey BuildingOne Maritime Plaza, Third Floor(800) 221-9395 / FAX: (419) 255-2350John E. Clemons, National Vice President, Great Lakesjohnclemons@amo-union.orgMobile: (419) 205-3509Brian D. Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice Presidentbkrus@amo-union.orgMobile: (216) 571-9666Michelle Moffitt, Dispatchermmoffitt@amo-union.orgMobile: (419) 481-3470

GALVESTON, TX 775512724 61st Street, Suite B, PMB 192David M. Weathers, National Vice President, Inland Watersdweathers@amo-union.org(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001Mobile: (409) 996-7362FAX: (409) 737-4454

SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 946071121 7th Street, Second FloorOakland, CA 94607Daniel E. Shea, National Executive Vice President (dshea@amo-union.org)(510) 444-5301 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 5001Mobile: (415) 269-5795FAX: (954) 367-1064

NEW ORLEANS / COVINGTON, LA 70434P.O. Box 5424Covington, LA 70434Daniel J. Robichaux, National Assistant Vice Presidentdrobichaux@amo-union.org(954) 367-1036 / Mobile: (985) 201-5462 / FAX: (954) 367-1062

STAR CENTER

STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING AND COURSE INFORMATION2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004-4312(954) 920-3222 ext. 201 / (800) 942-3220 ext. 201Course Attendance Confirmation: (800) 942-3220 ext. 20024 Hours: (954) 920-3222 ext.7999 / FAX: (954) 920-3140

SERVICES

FINANCIAL ADVISERS: THE ATLANTIC GROUP AT MORGAN STANLEY(800) 975-7061 / www.morganstanleyfa.com/theatlanticgroup

MEDICAL CLINIC AMO PLANS2 West Dixie Highway 2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004-4312 Dania Beach, FL 33004-4312(954) 927-5213 (800) 348-6515FAX: (954) 929-1415 FAX: (954) 922-7539

LEGAL

AMO Coast Guard Legal Aid General CounselProgram Glanstein LLPMichael Reny 711 Third Ave., 17th FloorMobile: (419) 346-1485 New York, NY 10017(419) 243-1105 (212) 370-5100(888) 853-4662 (954) 662-9407MikeReny@BEX.NET FAX: (212) 697-6299

USCG now using new marine casualty reporting forms;previous edition of CG-2692 can be utilized until Jan. 1, 2017

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced it is utilizing new marine casualty reportingforms and that the previous edition of CG-2692 can be utilized until January 1, 2017.Any member or applicant of American Maritime Officers should contact AMO Coast

Guard Legal Aid Attorney Mike Reny before filling out any U.S. Coast Guard formsregarding a marine casualty. An article with important information about the new formsis available on the AMO Currents website: http://amo-union.net/article.php?a=2910.

American Maritime Officer(USPS 316-920)

Official Publication of American Maritime Officers601 S. Federal HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004

(954) 921-2221

Periodical Postage Paid atDania Beach, FL and Additional Mailing Offices

Published Monthly

POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:American Maritime Officers — ATTENTION: Member Services

P.O. Box 66Dania Beach, FL 33004

ISO 9001:2008Certificate #33975

American Maritime Officer • 11September 2016

Harewood earns original engineeringlicense after preparing at STAR Center

Head of the STARCenter Engineering

Department MattGrose and InstructorShawn Cannon con-

gratulate LisaHarewood, who

earned her originalthird assistant engi-

neer’s license inAugust after prepar-ing at STAR Center

and successfullycompleting all theU.S. Coast Guard

license exams.

Barnes earns endorsement as firstclass pilot for key Great Lakes regions

Raina Barnes, a licensed unlimited third mate, in August successfully completed allU.S. Coast Guard exams to earn the first class pilot endorsement for the key regionsin the Great Lakes system. She completed her sea time through a pilotage programestablished by American Maritime Officers and the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

AMO on the Lakes aboard the H. Lee WhiteAMO members

working aboard theH. Lee White in

May, here in Toledo,Ohio, included Chief

Engineer DarrylBertrand and

Captain PatrickBensman. AMO

represents alllicensed officers

aboard theAmerican

SteamshipCompany vessel.

AMO members working aboard the H. Lee White in July, here inToledo, Ohio, included First Mate Todd Tittel, Third Mate Ross Waisanen,Chief Engineer Samuel Beland and First Assistant Engineer Craig Detlefsen.With them are Great Lakes Maritime Academy Deck Cadet Jerry Jordan (left)and AMO National Vice President, Great Lakes, John Clemons.

12 • American Maritime Officer September 2016

Military Sealift Command hosts change of command The following is excerpted from an

article published August 26 by the U.S.Navy. Attending the change of commandfor American Maritime Officers wereAMO National President Paul Doell andAMO National Assistant Vice President,Government Relations, Christian Spain.

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) — RearAdm. Dee Mewbourne relieved Rear Adm.T. K. Shannon as commander, MilitarySealift Command, during a change of com-mand ceremony aboard USNS Lewis B.Puller (T-ESB 3).

Gen. Darren W. McDew, comman-der, U.S. Transportation Command, andAdm. Philip S. Davidson, commander,U.S. Fleet Forces Command, were theguest speakers.

Shannon, a native of Calais, Maine,assumed command of MSC May 10, 2013,and ensured ready logistics support for car-rier strike groups, expeditionary strikegroups and ground force commandersoperating forward every day.

While under Shannon’s command,MSC ships delivered services, suppliesand equipment to all branches of the U.S.military and their combatant commandersaround the world.

During his tenure, Shannon expandedthe Expeditionary Fast Transport (T-EPF)class from two ships in the delivery and ini-tial operations stage to seven ships with fourof them forward deployed. His foresightand leadership expanded the platform mis-sion from a fast-transport cargo ship to amulti-mission Theater Security Cooperationand Intelligence, Surveillance, andReconnaissance platform conductingnational-level strategic missions around the

Sea Base (T-ESB) and ExpeditionaryTransfer Dock (T-ESD) platforms into themaritime seabasing concept.

“Serving as the commander of MSCand working with our team of Mariners,Sailors and shore-based civil servants hastruly been an honor,” said Shannon. “Ilook forward to seeing our talented team ofprofessionals continue to do our nation’simportant work providing sealift and mar-itime transportation.”

A graduate of the United StatesNaval Academy and native of OrmondBeach, Florida, Mewbourne assumed com-mand of MSC today following his latesttour of duty as the director of maritimeoperations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command,in Norfolk, Virginia.

“Building on the legacy of AdmiralShannon, Military Sealift Command will

ensure the Navy is ready to fight and winanywhere in the maritime domain, makingAmerica safer for our families today andfor future generations,” said Mewbourne.

His previous command toursinclude: Electronic Attack Squadron(VAQ) 139 embarked in USS AbrahamLincoln (CVN 72), USS Nashville (LPD13), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN69), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS HarryS. Truman (CVN 75), Naval ServiceTraining Command, and Carrier StrikeGroups THREE and ELEVEN.

Mewbourne’s completed sea assign-ments include flying the A-6E Intruder air-craft in Attack Squadron (VA) 34embarked in USS America (CV 66); VA-75embarked in USS John F. Kennedy (CV67); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Threeembarked in Eisenhower; and as the exec-utive officer of VA-196 embarked in USSCarl Vinson (CVN 70). After transitioningto the EA-6B Prowler aircraft, he served asthe executive officer of VAQ-139embarked in Lincoln. He also served as theexecutive officer in USS GeorgeWashington (CVN 73).

Ashore, Mewbourne served as aflight instructor in VA-42, the East CoastA-6E Fleet Replacement Squadron, andproject officer at the Strike Aircraft TestDirectorate. Later, he served as militaryassistant and trip coordinator for the sec-retary and deputy secretary of defense;chief of staff for Navy Cyber Forces andon the staff of Commander, Naval AirForce Atlantic.

Following the change of commandceremony, Shannon retired after 34 yearsof faithful service to our Navy and nation.

world. Additionally, he oversaw the intro-duction of our Navy’s first Expeditionary

Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne

USNS Montford Point serves in CARAT ‘16

Photo: U.S. NavyShips participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training(CARAT) Indonesia 2016 steam in formation August 6. CARAT is a seriesof annual maritime exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corpsand the armed forces of nine partner nations.

Lexington Institute study calls Jones Act essential forsecuring U.S. borders from international terrorism

The following article was released bythe American Maritime Partnership, acoalition of which American MaritimeOfficers Service is a member and whichAmerican Maritime Officers supports.

WASHINGTON — The LexingtonInstitute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit thinktank, has released a study stressing the crit-ical role that the American maritime indus-try and the Jones Act play in strengtheningU.S. border security and helping to preventinternational terrorism.

The study notes that, since 9/11, theJones Act has taken on new significance fornational security, with the law playing a crit-ical role in helping to secure the homeland

from the threat of international terrorism.“Were the Jones Act not in exis-

tence, the Department of HomelandSecurity would be confronted by the dif-ficult and costly requirement of monitor-ing, regulating, and overseeing foreign-controlled, foreign crewed vessels incoastal and internal U.S. waters.”

The study highlights the “impossibletask” of guarding the U.S. against threatsfrom foreign ships and foreign crews oper-ating in the heartland of the U.S.

“The prospect of terrorists on theinland waterways system is a particu-larly daunting challenge to homelandsecurity. Via the inland waterways, a

terrorist could reach America’s heart-land and many of its largest and mostimportant urban centers. [These water-ways] carry an enormous weight of thenation’s internal commerce ...Guarding every potential target alongthe inland waterways against terroristattack is an impossible task.”

In addition, the study reinforces theimportance of skilled American mariners toprotect the U.S. marine transportation sys-tem, which encompasses 361 ports, over3,000 facilities and more than 14,000 regu-lated domestic vessels.

“The requirement that all the offi-cers and fully 75 percent of the crews of

vessels engaged in cabotage be U.S. citi-zens goes a long way to reducing the riskthat terrorists could get onboard or exe-cute an attack on a U.S. target.”

The study also notes the continuedimportance of a U.S. shipbuilding, mainte-nance and repair industrial base to U.S.national defense.

“Today, the Jones Act remainscritical to the maintenance of a U.S.shipbuilding and repair industry andassociated skilled workforce to supportthe Navy.”

In case you missed it, view the studyhere: http://lexingtoninstitute.org/jones-act-homeland-security-21st-century/.

Merchant Mariner Credentials lost due to Louisiana floodingThe following article was released

August 31 by the U.S. Coast Guard’sNational Maritime Center.

In accordance with FederalRegulations, duplicate Merchant MarinerCredentials (MMCs) may be issued free ofcharge to mariners whose credentials werelost or destroyed as a result of recent flood-ing in Louisiana and neighboring states.Mariners should follow the steps below toobtain an expedited replacement credential.

Fax (1-304-433-3412) or e-mail(IASKNMC@uscg.mil) a statement of lossto the National Maritime Center (NMC).The statement should contain the following:

•Mariner’s full name•Mariner’s date of birth•Mariner’s Reference Number (If you

don’t know the reference number, includethe Social Security number.)

•The mailing address that the replace-ment credential should be sent to

•Current phone number and/or e-mailaddress that we can use to contact themariner in the event of questions

•Description of the circumstancessurrounding the loss/destruction of thecredential.

We will make every effort to haveduplicate credentials mailed out the nextbusiness day. Alternatively, mariners maysubmit a CG-719B application to one of theRegional Exam Centers (RECs) with theinformation above. If your credential isunserviceable due to damage, or your lostcredential is subsequently found, that cre-

dential should be returned to:

Commanding OfficerU.S. Coast Guard

National Maritime Center100 Forbes Drive

Martinsburg, WV 25404

If you have questions or feedbackregarding duplicate credentials, please con-tact the NMC by using our Online Chat orTicketing System on the NMC website(http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/), by e-mailingIASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will be held during the week fol-lowing the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. local time. Meetings will be heldon Monday at AMO National Headquarters (on Tuesday when Monday is a con-tract holiday). The next meetings will take place on the following dates:

AMO National Headquarters: October 3, November 7

AMO Monthly Membership Meeting Schedule