Copyright © 2017 American Maritime Officers ■ editorial@amo-union.org

Page 5: Underway aboard LNG-powered Perla Del Caribe

Page 2: The Trump administration in May released its budget proposalfor fiscal year 2018, a spending plan that, if enacted as written, wouldhave a devastating impact on the U.S. merchant marine and nationaldefense sealift capabilities.

Administration seeks to eliminate Foodfor Peace Title II, reduce MSP funding

Pages 6-7: In ceremonies across the nation, the service and sacrifice ofU.S. merchant mariners and the role of the U.S. merchant marine insustaining our Armed Forces was recognized and remembered.National Maritime Day is observed each year on May 22.

National Maritime Day honors service,sacrifice of U.S. merchant mariners

Volume 47, Number 6 June 2017

Photo: American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier

Consolidated Appropriations Act fully funds MSP,sustains programs key to U.S.-flag merchant fleet

President Trump in May signed theConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 —legislation that fully funds the MaritimeSecurity Program at the authorized levelfor fiscal year 2017 and sustains other pro-grams crucial to the U.S.-flag maritimeindustry and merchant fleet.

Congressional leaders reached abipartisan deal on a comprehensiveappropriations bill after passing a tempo-rary spending measure to prevent a shut-down of the federal government. Theomnibus appropriations bill to fund thegovernment through the end ofSeptember 2017 moved quickly toapproval in the House of Representativesand Senate.

The Maritime Security Program isnow fully funded at $300 million for fis-cal year 2017, bringing it to the levelauthorized in the National DefenseAuthorization Act of 2017. This amountis an increase from the authorized andappropriated level of $210 million in fis-cal year 2016.

The funding increase amounts to astipend of $5 million per ship for each ofthe 60 U.S.-flagged commercial ships inthe Maritime Security Program fleet. Thestipend for fiscal year 2016 was $3.5 mil-lion per ship.

The MSP supports a fleet of militar-ily-useful U.S.-flagged ships, which arecrewed by U.S. merchant mariners andoperate in international commercialtrades. The ships and their correspondingprivately-owned intermodal cargo sys-tems and networks are available to theDepartment of Defense for military sealiftoperations and in national security emer-gencies. The cost of the MSP amounts toa small fraction of the projected $65 bil-lion it would cost the government to repli-cate this sealift capacity and the inter-modal infrastructure provided to the DODby private-sector MSP participants.

The appropriations act also pro-vides funding for U.S. food-aid programs,including Food for Peace Title II, for fis-cal year 2017.

The House AppropriationsCommittee, led by Chairman RodneyFrelinghuysen (R-NJ), released the fol-lowing statement regarding the $2 billion

in funding for overseas food aid con-tained in the omnibus bill: “This includes$1.466 billion in base funding for theFood for Peace program and a one-time,

$134 million increase to address faminecrises around the world. It also includes$202 million for the McGovern-DoleInternational Food for Education and

Child Nutrition programs. Both of theseprograms deliver food to those in needaround the world and are flagship exam-ples of the Administration’s goal to ‘BuyAmerican, Hire American’ by sendingdomestically-produced food on U.S.-flagged ships around the world.”

The base funding level of $1.466billion for Food for Peace Title II is thesame amount appropriated for fiscal year2016, supporting the shipment of U.S.-sourced commodities to nations in need.Under U.S. cargo preference require-ments, at least 50 percent of U.S. govern-ment impelled food-aid shipments mustbe carried by U.S.-flagged vessels.

American Maritime Officers andAmerican Maritime Officers Servicemaintain leading roles on Capitol Hill inadvocating full funding for the MaritimeSecurity Program fleet and Food forPeace Title II, as well as keeping thefunding in the Title II program dedicatedto providing U.S.-sourced food aid tonations in need, as opposed to cash trans-fers and vouchers.

The appropriations act includesapproximately $274.5 million in fundingfor the National Defense Reserve Fleet,including expenses related to the MaritimeAdministration’s Ready Reserve Force. Infiscal year 2016, the appropriation wasapproximately $273 million.

The legislation appropriates $6 mil-lion for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Program to continue withthe design and construction of a vesseltype that can be used to produce multi-purpose training ships for the state mar-itime academies and the U.S. MerchantMarine Academy — ships that could alsobe used in defense sealift and humanitari-an crisis missions domestically andabroad. In fiscal year 2016, $5 millionwas appropriated for this program.

The appropriations act also pro-vides $3 million for the administrativeand operational expenses of the MaritimeAdministration’s Title XI shipbuildingloan guarantee program, which providesloan guarantees to support private-sectorfinancing of, among other things, theconstruction of merchant vessels atAmerican shipyards.

Photo: Maersk Line, Limited

The M/V Freedom is one of eight ships operated for American Roll-on Roll-offCarrier by TOTE Services, Inc. in the Maritime Security Program fleet. AmericanMaritime Officers represents all licensed officers aboard the eight ships.

The Maersk Chicago is one of four containerships operated by Maersk Line,Limited in the Maritime Security Program fleet. American Maritime Officers rep-resents all licensed officers aboard the four ships.

2 • American Maritime Officer June 2017

Administration seeks to eliminate Food for PeaceTitle II, roll back MSP funding in FY 2018 budget

AMO conducts shipboard informational meetings on the West Coast

In May, American Maritime Officersconducted a series of shipboardinformational meetings on the WestCoast. AMO members aboard theUSNS Bob Hope participating in ameeting May 18 in Everett, Wash.included (in no particular order) FirstAssistant Engineer Walter Yagen,Captain Bob Silva, Russell Horton(on Navy Reserve duty), ChiefEngineer Jack Schneider, Third MateWayne Summers, Third A.E. DonaldYoung and Second A.E. JamesTyson. With them are AMO PlansExecutive Director Steve Nickerson,AMO National Executive VicePresident Danny Shea, AMO WestCoast Representative Willie Barrere,AMO National Assistant VicePresident Christian Spain and AMONational President Paul Doell.

The Trump administration in Mayreleased its budget proposal for fiscal year2018, a spending plan that, if enacted aswritten, would have a devastating impacton the U.S. merchant marine and nationaldefense sealift capabilities.

Although alarming, the administra-tion’s budget proposal is just that — a pro-posal. Congress writes the budget, andrecent discussions and developments pro-vide sources of hope as lawmakers onCapitol Hill review the administration’srequest and develop the nation’s spendingblueprint for the next fiscal year.

Line items in the administration’sbudget proposal would result in severereductions in cargo for U.S.-flagged shipsoperating in international trade and would,if enacted, undoubtedly prompt an exodusof ships from U.S. registry and anothercrippling contraction in the job base forAmerican merchant mariners. Fundingreductions, or outright elimination, pro-posed in the administration’s budgetinclude Food for Peace Title II, theMaritime Security Program and the U.S.Export-Import Bank.

American Maritime Officers andAmerican Maritime Officers Service con-tinue working on Capitol Hill to secure theauthorization and funding for the programsand institutions critical to the U.S. mer-chant fleet and the job base for U.S. mer-chant mariners, who are needed to providesurge and sustainment sealift for theAmerican Armed Forces during times ofwar and conflict.

Food for Peace Title IIThe most damaging element of the

administration’s budget proposal is thecomplete elimination of Food for PeaceTitle II, a program that provides for thepurchase of domestically-sourced com-modities for shipment to nations in need.Under U.S. cargo preference require-ments, 50 percent of government-impelled food aid must be carried byU.S.-flagged vessels.

Following the release of the budgetproposal, a discussion involvingCongressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL),chairman of the House Appropriations

Committee’s Subcommittee onAgriculture, and Secretary of AgricultureSonny Perdue on May 24 provided a morehopeful outlook for U.S. food-aid pro-grams in fiscal year 2018.

The administration has endorsed theconcept of ‘Buy American, HireAmerican’ in executive orders during theprocurement process. The Food for Peaceprogram is a flagship example, in my opin-ion, of this idea, Rep. Aderholt said. I havebeen saying this for years — there is noth-ing to be ashamed of by using Americantaxpayer dollars to buy American food andsend it overseas on American ships, espe-cially when we are trying to help thosewho are literally starving to death.

However, the budget proposal runsentirely counter to the idea of buyAmerican and hire American by proposingto move the Food for Peace program fund-ing, which requires buying and hiring ofAmerican goods and people, to the interna-tional disaster account, he said. This trans-fer will convert this program to an all cashprogram. This is a repeat of the Obamaadministration process proposal in 2014that went nowhere.

I think there are lot of us who aredisappointed and we would like to seemore of this administration support thenation’s farmers, ranchers and maritimecommunity, while also lending a hand tothose who are truly needy, Rep. Aderholtsaid. So can you tell me what the reason-ing behind the proposal is and why a 60-year tradition involving American farm-ers and freighting to those overseas isbeing abandoned?

Secretary Perdue responded: Mr.Chairman, I think your comments areessentially irrefutable, and I think again, Iwould agree with you that we would loveto have U.S.-produced commodities, U.S.processed commodities to provide jobshere, in order to fulfill our humanitarianmissions, so again as we go forward in rec-ognizing how we do that best and how wecan use the bountiful resources of the U.S.to promote peace through food, hopefullywe will be able to accomplish that.

The Consolidated AppropriationsAct, 2017, which was signed into law in

May, directly funds Food for Peace Title IIat $1.466 billion for the current fiscal year.

Maritime Security ProgramThe administration’s budget propos-

al for 2018 would roll back funding for theMaritime Security Program and its fleet of60 U.S.-flagged vessels to the fiscal year2016 level of $210 million, despite the factthat the program is authorized at $300 mil-lion and is funded at that level in the cur-rent fiscal year. If enacted, the stipend pership would be reduced from the current $5million to $3.5 million.

The MSP supports a fleet of militar-ily-useful U.S.-flagged ships, which arecrewed by U.S. merchant mariners andoperate in international commercialtrades. The ships and their correspondingprivately-owned intermodal cargo systemsand networks are available to theDepartment of Defense for military sealiftoperations and in national security emer-gencies. The cost of the MSP amounts to asmall fraction of the projected $65 billionit would cost the government to replicatethis sealift capacity and the intermodalinfrastructure provided to the DOD by pri-vate-sector MSP participants.

In drafting the ConsolidatedAppropriations Act, 2017, Congressincluded full funding at the $300 millionlevel for the MSP in the current fiscal year,an appropriation that was signed into lawin May. Congressional and military leaderscontinue to voice strong support for andrecognition of the MSP’s critical role inU.S. defense sealift capabilities.

U.S. Export-Import BankThe inactivity of the U.S. Export-

Import Bank due to the lack of a quorumcontinues to be a problem for the U.S. mer-chant marine, as the bank’s ongoing inabil-ity to engage in financing activities greaterthan $10 million without a quorum hashalted the flow of U.S. manufactured pro-ject cargoes for export that would be car-ried by U.S.-flagged vessels.

The administration’s budget propos-al could diminish future prospects for thebank’s active participation in supportingU.S. businesses manufacturing goods for

export overseas by eliminating $165 mil-lion from the Export-Import Bank’s TiedAid Fund, as well as eliminating fundingfor the bank’s administrative and opera-tional costs.

In broad strokes, the Tied Aid Fundis a tool that could under certain circum-stances be used by the Ex-Im Bank to levelthe playing field by providing financialbacking required by a nation sponsoring aproject so that U.S. companies can com-petitively bid on capital projects in devel-oping nations when the governments ofcompeting industrial nations are also inter-vening to allow their companies to bidcompetitively on such projects.

In fiscal year 2016, capital projectsaccounted for none of Ex-Im Bank’s activ-ities, as there was a lapse in the bank’sauthorization from October 1 to December4 that fiscal year, and a lack of a quorumon the Ex-Im Bank board for the remainderof the fiscal year, according to an analysisconducted by Captain William Schubert,International Trade & Transportation, Inc.As recently as 2012, capital projects haveaccounted for as much as 35 percent of thebank’s activities. In the last fiscal year inwhich the bank was fully operational(2015), capital projects accounted for 14percent of the bank’s activity.

U.S. manufactured goods for capitalprojects comprise the vast majority ofcargo for U.S.-flagged commercial vesselsgenerated through the activities of the U.S.Ex-Im Bank.

The Ex-Im Bank is self-sustaining, itdoes not cost U.S. taxpayers any moneyand it returns money to the U.S. treasuryeach year. According to the administra-tion’s budget proposal, the bank’s exportcredit support will generate estimated netrevenue of $587.7 million in fiscal year2018 by assisting private-sector U.S. man-ufacturers competing in the global market.

The President has nominated twocandidates for the board of the Export-Import Bank. If they are confirmed, a quo-rum on the institution’s board will berestored and the Ex-Im Bank will be ableto return to full operation. In December2015, the Ex-Im Bank was reauthorizedthrough fiscal year 2019.

American Maritime Officer • 3June 2017

U.S. Customs and Border Protection withdrawsproposal that would have correctly applied andenforced the Jones Act in the Gulf of Mexico

U.S. Customs and Border Protection(CBP), in a May 10, 2017 publication,announced its withdrawal of a proposal tomodify or revoke several ruling letterspertaining to the application of the JonesAct — a proposal that would have correct-ed the agency’s existing position, whichessentially deems certain commercialmerchandise transported in the Gulf ofMexico to be equipment used by the ves-sels carrying it, rather than cargo.

The CBP’s proposal, originally pub-lished on January 18, 2017, was widelywelcomed by the U.S. maritime industryand members of Congress as an action toright a decades-old wrong, create thou-sands of American jobs in the domesticmaritime sector, and strengthen U.S.homeland security. American MaritimeOfficers was among those submittingcomments for the record in strong supportof the CBP proposal.

The CBP’s decision to withdraw theproposal and to subject the modificationor revocation of the agency’s ruling letterspertaining to the Jones Act to a lengthyregulatory process drew a strong rebukefrom the maritime industry and frommembers of Congress who supported themove to correctly apply the Jones Act inthe Gulf of Mexico energy trades.

“The Administration’s decisiontoday to delay the revocation of letter rul-ings impacting the lawful enforcement ofthe Jones Act in the Gulf of Mexico isextremely disappointing,” said TomAllegretti, chairman of the AmericanMaritime Partnership, a coalition of whichAmerican Maritime Officers Service is amember and which AMO supports. “Thisdelay and move to a regulatory reviewprocess will damage our Americanmariners and domestic maritime industry,which is essential for U.S. economic secu-rity and job creation. The domestic mar-itime industry calls on President Trump andhis Administration to take immediateaction to return these jobs to our Americanmariners.”

Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA),majority whip in the House ofRepresentatives, released the followingstatement on CBP’s decision to withdrawits proposal:

“I am very disappointed in theannouncement today by U.S. Customs andBorder Protection regarding the Jones Act.

“CBP’s action taken earlier this yeartook positive steps to finally enforce ournation’s maritime border law, and correctdecades of faulty private letter rulings thatput foreign interests above those of American

workers and American national security. InJanuary, CBP was correct in announcingtheir view that many of these letter rulingswere not consistent with or legal under theJones Act. Unfortunately, it is mind-bogglingwhy a new cumbersome regulatory processis necessary or even appropriate when theissue at hand simply involves the properenforcement of existing law.

“While some foreign interests maytake issue with the Jones Act, it is the lawof the land and is in place to ensure thatAmerica can protect our borders whilealso ensuring that only U.S.-flagged andcrewed vessels can have access to ourinland waterways so we can protect ournational security. And to be clear, this isnot just a coastal issue — if the Jones Actis undermined, foreign vessels and crews,even those who come from places thatdon’t share our American values, couldhave access to the deepest interior of ourcountry via our waterways.

“I urge the Administration to treadcarefully in this process and to thoroughlyconsider its implications on our nationalsecurity, and I am committed to doingeverything I can to make sure that the JonesAct isn’t undermined in this process.”

Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC)released the following statement regarding

CBP’s decision:“It is disappointing to see that U.S.

Customs and Border Protection hasreversed a ruling to enforce the Jones Actfor foreign-flagged vessels operating inthe Gulf of Mexico. By bringing foreign-flagged vessels with cheap labor to workin our nation’s oil and gas fields inAmerican territorial waters, U.S. law isbeing violated. This puts our domesticmariners at a direct disadvantage, hurtingAmerican jobs and American shipping.The claim that there just isn’t enough U.S.shipping to provide for offshore energyoperations ignores the fact that the reasonthese domestic mariners aren’t competi-tive is directly due to the non-enforcementof the Jones Act. In addition to operatingin ways contradictory to U.S. law, the ves-sels operated by foreign companies do notpay U.S. taxes, nor do their workers. Thisputs the American vessel owners and theircrews at a disadvantage when competingfor these contracts, as well as resulting inlost tax revenues for the U.S. government.It’s long past time that we reverse theseexceptions to the Jones Act, supportAmerican jobs and help Make AmericanEnergy Great Again.”

AMO aboard tanker Garden State in Jones Act trade

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Jones Act tanker Garden State in January, here inBeaumont, Texas, included Chief Mate Frank Westgate, Third Assistant Engineer Jordan Harmon, ChiefEngineer Andrew Gray, Captain Jarrod Cavicchi, Third Mate Rhiannon Galletta, AMO Tankerman Person-in-Charge Observer Ed Kern Jr., and Third Mate Joel Kinkel.

American Maritime Officers mem-bers working aboard the Jones Act

tanker Garden State in January,here in Beaumont, Texas, included

Third Assistant Engineer JordanHarmon and First A.E. Chris Gay.

With them is Mass MaritimeEngine Cadet Nick Hammel (cen-ter). AMO represents all licensedofficers aboard the ship, which isoperated for American Petroleum

Tankers by Intrepid Personnel andProvisioning.

President ofNavy Leaguehighlights U.S.nationaldefense role ofFood for Peace

The following letter by NationalPresident of the Navy League of the UnitedStates Skip Witunski was published April 28by The Washington Post in response to edi-torial board commentary critical of U.S.-flag cargo preference relating to food-aid.

The U.S. Merchant Marine is a valu-able national asset that has always beenthere for the United States in times of warand national emergency. The U.S.-flagcommercial fleet carried more than 90 per-cent of the materiel to Iraq and Afghanistan,and the Defense Department has repeatedlystated that its reliance on this public-privatepartnership saves American taxpayers bil-lions of dollars.

Our nation’s cargo-preference pro-grams, including the Food for Peace pro-gram, are instrumental to sustaining theU.S. Merchant Marine and maintaining ournational defense sealift capability, with theattendant billions saved. The minor savingsfrom cutting cargo preference must beviewed with the huge cost of acquiringsealift capability by other means and thedamage to our U.S. Merchant Marine thatwould occur.

The U.S.-flag international fleet hasdeclined steadily in recent years because ofa 2012 reduction in cargo preference forFood for Peace. We should reinstate the 75percent preference for international foodaid, reversing the damage to a nationalcapability through shortsighted savings.

4 • American Maritime Officer June 2017

Three ships recognized for service in CJLOTS 2017

Military Sealift Command recognized three ships manned in all licensed positions by members of AmericanMaritime Officers for their recent service in CJLOTS 2017. The USNS Pililaau is operated by General DynamicsAmerican Overseas Marine, the USNS Bobo is operated by Crowley Liner Services and the USNS Wheeler isoperated by TOTE Services, Inc. The following was posted on the MSC Facebook page: USNS Pililaau (T-AKR304), USNS 2nd Lt John P. Bobo (T-AK 3008), and USNS VADM K.R. Wheeler (T-AG 5001) recently participatedin Combined Joint Logistics Over The Shore (CJLOTS) 2017 in South Korea. CJLOTS is a biennial exercise con-ducted by military and civilian personnel as a part of Operation Pacific Reach Exercise (OPRex) 2017.

Commander of USTRANSCOM emphasizes needto reverse falling number of U.S. merchant mariners

Commander of U.S. TransportationCommand Gen. Darren McDew in Aprilexpressed his concern that the number ofactive U.S. merchant mariners and shipsavailable for defense sealift operationswill be insufficient for TRANSCOM tofulfill its mission.

Speaking at the Navy League ofthe United States Sea-Air-SpaceExposition in Washington, D.C., Gen.McDew said addressing the shortage ofU.S. merchant mariners is a top priorityfor him as he discusses military logisticsneeds with lawmakers.

“The merchant mariner shortage iscritical,” McDew said. “We can deployright now with the mariners that we have,but our ability to sustain that fight overtime is coming into jeopardy. We needanother couple thousand mariners to sus-tain the fight.

“Nothing happens [in nationaldefense] unless something moves, andI’m concerned about our ability to makethat happen.”

The laws and programs that sup-port the U.S. maritime industry need tobe enforced and bolstered in order toremedy the current mariner shortage andlack of assets under the U.S. flag,McDew said, and Congress will continueto be informed of the importance of theJones Act, cargo preference and theMaritime Security Program to U.S.strategic sealift capabilities.

“We can deliver an immediateforce but it’s the decisive force that’s themaritime force,” McDew said. “Althoughwe are a maritime nation, sometimes ourlaws and policies don’t support the powerand influence that we exercise in the mar-itime domain.”

He also discussed the military’sneed to replace aging ships with new-

builds or used commercial ships to helpmodernize the sealift fleet. McDew saidthe average age of the U.S. MaritimeAdministration’s Ready Reserve Forcefleet is 39 years old, with some ships hav-

ing been in service for 54 years.With worldwide threats becoming

more prevalent, McDew said the militaryand lawmakers must began acting now tosolve the mariner shortage for the sake of

national security.“I need you and our nation needs

you more than ever,” he said. “I must usecommercial mariners and commercial ves-sels to move this nation to war.”

Governor of Michiganpushes for constructionof second Poe-sized lock

A recent article circulated via Twitterby Michigan Governor Rick Snyder clearlyand concisely explained the crucial impor-tance of building a second Poe-sized lock atSault Ste. Marie, Mich.

The Poe Lock, which is the onlylock big enough to allow large vessels car-rying 70 percent of all cargo through theSoo, is a major contributor to the nation’seconomy. But its future — and ours — isin jeopardy, wrote Tanya Baker, deputypress secretary for Governor Synder. ThePoe Lock is in need of major upgrades dueto ongoing maintenance, redundancy andcapacity issues. If an unexpected closurewere to occur, the production of industrialmetals and other important commoditieswould cease, sending the Great Lakesregion and the nation into recession withinternational ramifications.

Millions of tons of iron ore that couldno longer be carried through the Poe Lockwould gravely affect some of our nation’sbiggest industries, including automotive,appliances, construction, farming, miningequipment and railcars, Baker wrote.

“Michigan Governor Rick Snyder ispushing for the construction of a secondPoe-sized lock on the Great Lakes and he

believes the time to act is now for the eco-nomic security of the region.”

According to a study by the U.S.Department of Homeland Security, 75 per-cent of the U.S. steel production would endwithin two weeks of a closure of the SooLocks. Additionally, 100 percent of theNorth American automobile productionwould stop; 78 percent of mining operationswould be forced to shut down within weeks;87 percent of the North American capacityto make tin cans, jar or bottle tops andpaints would cease; and, if a closure lastedmore than six months, unemployment in theGreat Lakes region would rise to as high as18 to 22 percent, leaving 4 millionAmericans out of work, Baker wrote.

“As we help set Michigan’s founda-tion for the next 50 years, infrastructurewill continue to be a critical component,”Governor Snyder said. “Ensuring the SooLocks remain safe and efficient, now andinto the future, is paramount. The longerwe delay on preemptive measures to miti-gate lock closures, the more real a com-plete shutdown of Great Lakes steel pro-duction becomes.”

We can’t afford to wait any longer.The time to act is now, Baker wrote.

American Maritime Officer • 5June 2017

AMO aboard LNG-powered Perla Del Caribe in Jones Act tradeThe Perla Del Caribe, operated by

TOTE Services, Inc., and manned in alllicensed positions by American MaritimeOfficers, is one of the first LNG-poweredcontainerships in the world and recentlycompleted her first year in service. The

second in TOTE’s Marlin Class, the 764-foot Perla Del Caribe serves in the

Jones Act trade between Jacksonville,Fla. and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Photo: Jaime Baretty-Torres

The crew of the Perla Del Caribe cel-ebrated the LNG-powered ship’s firstanniversary in service in February.Members of AMO working aboard theship at the time included (in no partic-ular order) Captain Trevor Gill, ChiefMate Nicholas St. Jean, Second MateAlejandro Jose Berrios, Third MateKruger Donald, Chief EngineerMichael Green, First AssistantEngineer James Robinson, SecondA.E. Michael Crissinger, Second A.E.Andrew Davis, Third A.E. Eric VonHohenleiten and Third A.E. KristenO’Brien.

Chief Mate Nicholas St. Jean, Third Assistant Engineer Eric Von Hohenleiten,and Second Mate Alejandro Berrios hold a Weems and Plath Porthole WeatherCenter, which was presented to the ship on the one-year anniversary.

AMO members working aboard the Perla Del Caribe in February, here inJacksonville, Fla., included Captain Kevin Stith and Chief Engineer BenRancourt.

AMO members working aboard the Perla Del Caribe in February in Jacksonville,Fla. included Chief Mate Russell Horton and Second Mate Jaime Baretty-Torres.

AMO members working aboard the Perla Del Caribe in February in Jacksonville,Fla. included Third Assistant Engineers George Billing and Garrett Watson.

6 • American Maritime Officer June 2017

Service, sacrifice of U.S. merchant mariners pastand present honored on National Maritime Day 2017

The U.S. merchant marine has madea critical difference in America’s militaryand economic strength and will continue tobe a key factor in the future, said nationaltransportation and military leaders during aNational Maritime Day ceremony inWashington, D.C.

Speaking at an event May 22 atDepartment of Transportation headquarters,U.S. Secretary of Transportation ElaineChao and Commander of U.S.Transportation Command Gen. DarrenMcDew cited the service and sacrifice ofU.S. merchant mariners throughout ournation’s history, particularly in World WarII, and commended American mariners oftoday who continue to serve major roles innational defense, security and commerce.

“Throughout our history, theAmerican merchant marine has contributedsignificantly to our country’s economicstrength and national security,” Chao said.“Merchant mariners have played a vital rolein commerce by ensuring the safe and effi-cient waterborne delivery of commercial car-gos here at home and across the globe. Andthey are a key factor in our country’s militaryreadiness. They transport supplies and equip-ment during times of conflict to our militaryforces abroad. And the maritime industry hasbeen a steady and important influencenationally for more than 240 years.

“We will never, never forget thatAmerica’s merchant mariners are alwaysamong the first to be called to action tohelp those in need, both at home andabroad,” Chao said. “Whether it’s rushingaid to hurricane victims on the Gulf orEast Coast of the United States, or ship-ping food, water and medicine to victimsof the earthquake in Haiti, U.S.-flag ves-

U.S. Secretary of TransportationElaine Chao

Commander of U.S. TransportationCommand Gen. Darren McDew

sels bring hope and critical supplies to thevictims of natural disasters. And, inwartime, the U.S. merchant marine hasserved heroically, from the RevolutionaryWar to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,and every conflict in between.

“Never has this been more evidentand costly than during the Second WorldWar,” she said. “A total of 5,638 merchantmarine seamen and officers were lost atsea, and 581 were made prisoners of war.In fact, through the first part of 1943,casualties among the seagoing forces weregreater proportionally than in all theArmed Forces combined.

“So in celebrating National MaritimeDay, we pay homage to this proud legacy ofservice and sacrifice,” she said. “It is a his-tory of heroism that continues today asmany new challenges confront our country.

“The Department of Defense stillrelies on U.S.-flag ships, crewed by

American civilian mariners, to move ourwar fighters’ equipment and supplies when-ever and wherever they need to go,” Chaosaid. “By answering the call in peace timeand at war, by providing humanitarian assis-tance around the globe, and by safeguardingour economic and national security, the U.S.merchant marine plays a key role in defend-ing our country and in making the world abetter place.

“Thank you for everything thatyou are doing to keep our countrystrong and free.”

Gen. McDew said the resolve of U.S.mariners demonstrated in World War II car-ries on in the U.S. maritime force of today,in which the merchant fleet remains crucialto the mission of USTRANSCOM and thedeciding factor in the status of the UnitedStates as a super power.

“In the fall of 1940, German U-boatswere sinking British merchant ships faster

than they could be built,” he said. “Ourallies called for help, and the American mar-itime industry answered, producing andmanning Liberty Ships at an unbelievablerate. In a matter of years, the emergencyshipbuilding program put more than 6,000ships in the water. Now, that is resolve.

“Americans’ resolve isn’t limited toour history,” he said. “You can also find evi-dence in our present, and I believe today’smariners will forge our future. Tomorrow’swars are today’s problems.

“In the future, our merchant marinersmay face some of the most contested sealanes the world has seen, and their resolve— our resolve — may determine our fate asa world superpower, and may preservedemocracy as the world knows it,” he said.

“You are the decisive force, the deci-sive advantage,” McDew said. “There aremany who believe our mariners just deliverthings. You and I know they do much morethan that. Really, you deliver one thing:options — options for our President and forAmerica, options for our decision makersand our allies, options that no other nationcan match.

“I thank you for what you do. I thankyou for who you are, and I thank you forwhat you represent to this nation. It is myhonor to be part of a team that makesAmerica’s resolve a reality.”

Also speaking at the ceremony inWashington, D.C. were SeafarersInternational Union President MichaelSacco; Lisa Wieland, director of theMassachusetts Port Authority, and U.S.Coast Guard Vice Adm. Charles Ray.Maritime Administration ExecutiveDirector Joel Szabat served as master ofceremonies.

Presidential Proclamation:National Maritime Day 2017 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THEUNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On National Maritime Day, werecognize the important role the UnitedStates Merchant Marine plays in support-ing our commerce and national security.We honor the proud history of our mer-chant mariners and their important con-tributions in strengthening our economy.

Americans have long looked tothe sea as a source of safety and well-being. Bounded by two oceans and theGulf of Mexico, and crisscrossed byinland waterways, America was des-tined to be a maritime nation. Our fledg-ling Republic expanded and becamestronger, as our Nation’s growingMerchant Marine connected the Statesand cemented ties among our new allies.

Today, the men and women whocrew ships remain essential to ourNation’s prosperity and security. Thosein the maritime industry, including mer-chant mariners, promote our economicgrowth, facilitating the export of morethan $475 billion in goods just last yearand sustaining our critical defenseindustrial base. Merchant mariners alsoactively protect our homeland, serving

as our eyes and ears on the seas. Theyserve with distinction and courage, head-ing into war zones, and too often sacri-ficing their own lives for our protection.

The Congress, by a joint resolu-tion approved May 20, 1933, has desig-nated May 22 of each year as “NationalMaritime Day,” to commemorate thefirst transoceanic voyage by a steamship,in 1819 by the S.S. Savannah. By thisresolution, the Congress has authorizedand requested the President to issueannually a proclamation calling for itsappropriate observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DON-ALD J. TRUMP, President of the UnitedStates of America, do hereby proclaimMay 22, 2017, as National MaritimeDay. I call upon the people of the UnitedStates to mark this observance and todisplay the flag of the United States attheir homes and in their communities. Ialso request that all ships sailing underthe American flag dress ship on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I havehereunto set my hand this nineteenth dayof May, in the year of our Lord two thou-sand seventeen, and of the Independenceof the United States of America the twohundred and forty-first.

DONALD J. TRUMP

American Maritime Officers and STAR Center hosted members of the AmericanMerchant Marine Veterans Gulfstream Chapter and their families during aNational Maritime Day ceremony on the STAR Center campus May 22. The cer-emony was attended by AMO members, officials and staff, and AMO Plansdirectors and staff.

American Maritime Officers member Ed O’Shea read the PresidentialProclamation of National Maritime Day during a ceremony at the AmericanMerchant Marine Veterans Memorial and Walls of Honor in San Pedro, Calif.AMO West Coast Representative Willie Barrere was one of the speakers at theevent on May 22.

American Maritime Officer • 7June 2017

Merchant marine veteransurge approval of HonoringOur World War II MerchantMariners Act of 2017

Attending a National Maritime Day ceremony at the U.S. Department ofTransportation on May 22 were Morris Harvey (American MerchantMarine Veterans national vice president — Ocala, Fla. Chapter), RobertWeagant (Chicago Midwest Chapter), Sheila Sova (member-at-large —St. Louis), Charles Mills (AMMV Government Affairs Committee — TexasLone Star Chapter), Laura Johnson Riddle (member-at-large — Arizona),and Eugene Barner (member-at-large — Kansas). On May 19, U.S. mer-chant marine veterans and family members met with members ofCongress in a ‘storm the hill’ event sponsored by the Navy League of theUnited States and USA Maritime. The event was attended by Rep. AlGreen (D-TX) the principal sponsor of H.R. 154, the Honoring Our WorldWar II Merchant Mariners Act of 2017, which would provide a one-timebenefit of $25,000 to eligible members of the U.S. merchant marine(including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service)serving between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, and Rep.Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), a cosponsor of the bill. The event also served asa book launch for The Mathews Men: Seven Brothers and the War AgainstHitler’s U-Boats by William Geroux.

National Maritime Day aboardthe M/V Freedom, S/S Altair

The officers and crew of the M/V Freedom observed National Maritime Daywhile underway to Baltimore from Southampton, United Kingdom. All officersand crew mustered on the bridge at 1400 UTC to discuss the history of NationalMaritime Day and for the reading of this year’s Presidential Proclamation. TheFreedom is operated for American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (ARC) by TOTEServices, Inc. in the Maritime Security Program and is manned in all licensedpositions by American Maritime Officers and in all unlicensed positions by theSeafarers International Union. AMO members working aboard the Freedomincluded Captain Scott Wiegand, Chief Mate Patrick Showell, Second MateJonathan Beil, Third Mate Brian Liamos, Chief Engineer Benjamin McKay, FirstAssistant Engineer Brian Barnes, Second A.E. Erik Osinski and Third A.E.Zachary Newman.

Photo: Aidan Hall

The S/S Altair, operated in the Maritime Administration’s Ready Reserve Forceby TOTE Services, Inc., dressed ship in observance of National Maritime Day inNew Orleans, La.

AMO National Vice President, Inland Waters, David Weathers and Kevin Sykesof the Seafarers International Union presented the memorial wreath at theNational Maritime Day ceremony at the Port of Galveston, Texas on May 22.

Congressman Kelly honorsU.S. merchant marine veterans

U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA)made the following statement May 17.

IN RECOGNITION OF THE UNIT-ED STATES MERCHANT MARINERSAND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO VIC-TORY IN WORLD WAR II

Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr.Speaker, today I recognize the United StatesMerchant Mariners and their vital contribu-tions to the victory of the Allies in WorldWar II. This year, 72 years after our victoryin that war, is a fitting time to recognize thecontributions of our merchant mariners tothe war effort.

There were more than 250,000 menserving in the Merchant Marine duringWWII, all volunteers. They had the distinc-tion of being the only non-segregated ser-vice. The Merchant Marine was critical tothe mission of our military service membersaround the world during the war.

Many of the important contributionsof the Merchant Marine are not well known,including the fact that they had the highestrate of casualties in the Armed Services.More than 700 merchant ships were sunkand more than 8,000 U.S. MerchantMariners were killed during the war. The

losses suffered are even more remarkablegiven that the U.S. Merchant Marine wasnot considered a military branch and wascomposed of volunteers classified by thegovernment as civilians. Every invasionduring the war involved the MerchantMarine. They suffered tremendous casual-ties during the Battle of the Atlantic, theMurmansk Run, D-Day, and as an integralpart of every island invasion in the PacificTheater. As we come close to MemorialDay, it is fitting to pause and remembertheir heroism and sacrifice.

The United States built nearly 6,000merchant vessels and naval auxiliaries in16 shipyards with over 650,000 workers.This was an economic and military feat ofenormous scale. As part of a governmenteffort to encourage more American partic-ipation in the war effort, ships were namedafter famous American counties and cities.150 colleges and universities also hadVictory-class merchant ships named forthem. Many of these institutions of highereducation supported important militarytraining programs on their campuses. I amproud that 13 of these Victory-class shipswere named for institutions in

Pennsylvania, including three in the thirddistrict: Allegheny College, Grove CityCollege, and Westminster College.

I am sure all my colleagues join me intaking great pride in the history of the

United States Merchant Marine and the spe-cial place in our nation’s history associatedwith their ships and the men who sailedthem. They have helped preserve our free-dom and they deserve our gratitude.

8 • American Maritime Officer June 2017

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 20, 21, 22 June 11, 12, 13 July 1, 2, 3, 15, 17 Aug 13, 26, 28 Sept 17, 18, 19, 31 Oct 1,2, 14, 16 Nov 9, 31 January

ARPA 4 days Please Call

Radar Recertification & ARPA 5 days Please Call

Original Radar Observer Unlimited 5 days Please Call

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

Combined Basic & Advanced Low Flash Point Fuel Operations (IGFCode/LNG Fuel) Course 5 days 17 July 18 September 11 December

Confined Space Entry 3 days 17 July 25 September 30 October 8 January

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 27 November

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 7 August 9 October 13 November

Basic Safety Training — Refresher 3 days 9 August 11 October 15 November

Chemical Safety — Advanced 5 days 11 September

ECDIS 5 days 12 June 7 August 6 November 11 December 22 January

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 2 October 27 November

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 24 July 5 September 6 November 5 December 16 January

GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework 10 days 7 August

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 days 14 June 18 October

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 26 June 30 October

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 12 December

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) — Assessments Only 1 day Please Call

Safety Officer Course 2 days 15 June 26 October

Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom 5 days 10 July 13 November 8 January

Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator 10 days 24 July 14 August 2 October 27 November 22 January

Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program 10 days Please Call

Train the Trainer 5 days 26 June 21 August 18 September 23 October 27 November 8 January

Train the Trainer — Simulator Instructors (Requires after hours work) 5 days Please Call

Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties — VPDSD 2 days 5 October

Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy 3 days 12 June 23 October

Crowd Management 1 day Please Call

Crisis Management & Human Behavior 1 day Please Call

Basic Training & Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (Required by firstcredential renewal AFTER 1 Jan 2017) 2 days 22 June 10 July 3 August 11 September 16 October 2 November 11 December 11, 29 January

EFA (Scheduled with Basic Training Revalidation BUT NOT REQUIREDFOR STCW 2010) 1 day 12 July 2 August 13 September 18 October 1 November 13 December 10, 31 January

Leadership & Management (required by ALL management level Deckand Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 14 August 25 September 6 November 15 January

Maritime Security Awareness 1/2 day Please Call

Deck CoursesAdvanced Bridge Resource Management — Meets STCW 2010Leadership & Management gap closing requirements 5 days 31 July

Advanced Shiphandling for Masters — (No equivalency) Must havesailed as Chief Mate Unlimited 5 days 11 September 6, 27 November

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rdMates 10 days 7, 21 August 18 September 16 October 6 November 4 December

Advanced & Emergency Shiphandling — First Class Pilots, Great Lakes 5 days Please Call

Dynamic Positioning — Basic 5 days 24 July 30 October 29 January

Dynamic Positioning — Advanced 5 days 28 August 4 December

Navigational Watchkeeping Standardization & Assessment Program 5 days 12 June 31 July 28 August 11 September 16, 30 October 27 November

TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) — Third Mate (Unlimited orGreat Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required 5 days 21 August 25 September 23 October

Tug Training — ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 5 days December 11

Visual Communications (Flashing Light) — Test only 1 day Please Call

Medical Courses

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day Please Call

Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months 1 day 25 July 17 October 14, 28 Nov 16 January

Medical Care Provider — Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 12months. Please fax EFA certificate when registering 3 days 26 July 18 October 15, 29 Nov 17 January

Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 12 June 31 July 23 October 4 December 22 January

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 19 June 24 July 7 August 30 October 11 December 29 January

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only 1 day 20 June 8 August 31 October 12 December 30 January

Screening Test Technician — QEDs a.m./Alco Mate 7000 p.m. 1 day 21 June 9 August 1 November 13 December 31 January

Medical PIC Refresher — MSC approved 3 days Please Call

American Maritime Officer • 9June 2017Deck 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 July 2 October 22 January

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hours homework 5 days 10 July 16 October 15 January

Advanced Stability 5 days 31 July 23 October 8 January

Search & Rescue 2 days 19 June 7 August 30 October

Management of Medical Care 1/2 day 21 June 13 July 9 August 29 September 1 November

Leadership & Management 5 days 14 August 25 September 6 November 15 January

Advanced Cargo — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 21 August 13 November

Marine Propulsion Plants — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 19 June 28 August 11 December

Advanced Celestial — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 12 June 11 September 4 December

Advanced Navigation — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 26 June 18 September 27 November

MSC Training Program

Basic CBR Defense 1 day 30 June 21 July 4, 19 October 11 December 25 January

Damage Control 1 day 29 June 20 July 5, 20 October 30 November 12 December 24 January

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 13 November

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 28 June 19 July 3 October 1 December 23 January

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 30 June 21 July 4, 19 October 11 December 25 January

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day 14 November

MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once incareer. 2 days 18 July 2 October 30 November 22 January

MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 6 October 4 December

MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members 1 day 16 June 14, 28 July 1, 15 Sept. 13, 27 October 17 November 1, 5, 15 Dec. 15 January

MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 19 June 31 July 16 October 6 December

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 June 10, 24 July 14, 28 August 11, 25 Sep 9, 23, 30 Oct 13, 27 Nov 11 December 16, 29 January

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 14 November

NOTICE: AMO members planning to attend STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida — either to prepare for license upgrading or to undergo specialty training—are asked to call the school to confirm course schedule and space availabilityin advance.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: The Simulation, Training, Assessment and Research Center (STAR), established under the auspices of the American Maritime Officers Safety and Education Plan, admitsstudents 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 orethnic origin or sex in administration of its educational policies, admission policies and other programs administered by the Center.

Engineering Courses

Basic Electricity 10 days 2 October 29 January

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks 9 October

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 30 October

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 13 November

Hydraulics/ Pneumatics 5 days 18 September 11 December 22 January

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 5 days 6 November

Refrigeration (Operational Level) 5 days Please Call

Refrigeration (Management Level) 5 days 4 December

Steam Endorsement 4 weeks 18 September 15 January

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 June 14 August 4 December

Self-Study, CDs and Online Courses

Afloat Environmental Protection Coordinator CD

Anti-Terrorism Level 1 Online

Crew Endurance Management CD

DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Training CD

EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification Examination Self Study

Prudent Mariner’s Guide to Right Whale Protection CD

Qualified Assessor Online

Vessel General Permit — EPA CD

Engine Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 15-14) — If sea service or training 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 include all 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 14 August 25 September 6 November 15 January

ERM (E050 as amended) — REQUIRED (unless previously takenfor gap closing or original license) 5 days 12 June 31 July 2 October 13 November 8 January

Upgrade: Electrical, Electronics & Control Engineering(Management Level) (E133 as amended) (UPGRADE with tasks)Required unless previously taken for gap closing or original license

5 days 19 June 7 August 16 October 22 January

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

5 days 10 July 30 October 29 January

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — MEECE — OPTIONAL:Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 26 June 16 October

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Motor (E120 as amended) —OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 3 days 5 July 10 October

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Steam (E121 as amended) —OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 17 July 6 November

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Gas Turbine (E122 asamended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 24 July 13 November

10 • American Maritime Officer June 2017

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) 367-1066memberservices@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 7010 / Mobile: (202) 658-8887 / FAX: (202) 479-1188

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191131 International Plaza, Suite 550Chris Holmes, Contract Analyst (cholmes@amo‐union.org)(800) 362‐0513 ext. 4002 / Mobile: (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 FloorFAX: (419) 255-2350John E. Clemons, National Vice President, Great Lakesjohnclemons@amo-union.org(800) 221-9395 ext. 6003 / Mobile: (419) 205-3509Brian D. Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice Presidentbkrus@amo-union.org(800) 221-9395 ext. 6007 / Mobile: (216) 571-9666Michelle Moffitt, Dispatcher (mmoffitt@amo-union.org)(800) 221-9395 ext. 6005 / Mobile: (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. 2001 / Mobile: (409) 996-7362FAX: (409) 737-4454

SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 946071121 7th Street, Second FloorOakland, CA 94607FAX: (954) 367-1064Daniel E. Shea, National Executive Vice President (dshea@amo-union.org)Mobile: (415) 269-5795 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 5001William Barrere, West Coast Representative (wbarrere@amo-union.org)Mobile: (415) 654-2671

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/ (888) 853-4662 (212) 370-5100 / (954) 662-9407MikeReny@BEX.NET FAX: (212) 697-6299

USCG: Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and Rating (ETR) Endorsements The following Marine Safety

Information Bulletin was released May12 by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Recently, the Coast Guard has beeninformed of multiple instances whereU.S.-flag vessels have received PortState Control (PSC) deficiencies as aresult of the port state’s misinterpretationof requirements related to the carriage ofETO/ETRs endorsed under regulationsIII/6 and III/7 of the InternationalConvention on Standards of Training,Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW),1978, as amended.

On February 6, 2017, theInternational Maritime Organization(IMO) published STCW.7/Circ.24,“Interim Guidance for Parties,Administrations, Port State Controlauthorities, recognized organizations and

other relevant parties on the requirementsof the STCW Convention, 1978, asamended.” In paragraph 15 of the circu-lar, the following guidance was provided:

Misinterpretation of the applicableprovision of regulations II/5, III/5, III/6and III/7 has been reported. In particu-lar, Port State Control officers haverequired personnel on board to possessan applicable Certificate of Competencyor Certificate of Proficiency, when suchpersonnel are not included in theMinimum Safe Manning Document(MSMD) of the ship. (1)

In 2013, the Coast Guard amendedthe regulations (2) to facilitate theissuance of ETO/ETR endorsements inaccordance with STCW Regulations III/6and III/7, respectively. However, thereare currently no corresponding regula-

tions to require an ETO/ETR on theMinimum Safe Manning Document forany U.S.-flag vessel.

The Coast Guard has become awareof instances where U.S.-flag vessels havereceived PSC deficiencies due to the portstate’s confusion between the STCW rat-ings of ETO/ETR and the domesticQualified Member of the EngineDepartment (QMED) rating with a corre-sponding “electrician/refrigeration engi-neer” endorsement. Specifically, the con-fusion arises when a QMED “electri-cian/refrigeration engineer” is recordedas an “electrician” on the vessel’s crewlist. To avoid this confusion, it is recom-mended that vessel owner/operatorsrecord all persons serving as part of thecrew complement by their applicableSTCW capacity (e.g. able seafarer-engine

or Rating Forming Part of an EngineeringWatch (RFPEW)) on the crew list.

Vessel owner/operators are remind-ed that, in accordance with 46 CFR15.404(d)(3), persons serving on vesselssubject to STCW as junior engineer,pumpman/machinist and/or electricianrefrigeration engineer must hold anSTCW endorsement as able seafarer-engine (STCW III/5). All other QMEDendorsements, such as QMED-Oiler,must hold an STCW endorsement asRFPEW; STCW III/4).----

(1) Emphasis added(2) For requirements to qualify for anSTCW endorsement as ETO/ETR, see46 CFR 11.335 and 46 CFR 12.611,respectively

American Maritime Officer • 11June 2017

Regular monthly membership meetings for American MaritimeOfficers will be held during the week following the first Sunday ofevery month at 1 p.m. local time. Meetings will be held on Mondayat AMO National Headquarters (on Tuesday when Monday is a hol-iday). The next meetings will take place on the following dates:

AMO National Headquarters: July 3, August 7

Monthly Membership Meetings

USCG: Guidance for credentialingofficers of towing vessels

The following bulletin was released April 20 by the National Maritime Center.Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 03-16 provides Coast Guard

guidelines for credentialing officers of towing vessels. Its Enclosure (1), Frequently AskedQuestions (10 & 11) and enclosure (6) created a narrow window for transitioning from pre-vious versions of the Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR) contained in NVIC 04-10 to those provided in NVIC 03-16. The policy provided in the NVIC indicates that, afterJanuary 1, 2016, mariners should have begun using the new TOAR, however, the NVICitself was not published until June 23, 2016. Therefore:

• Mariners commencing training and assessment toward an officer of towing vesselsendorsement should use the TOARs contained in NVIC 03-16.

• The National Maritime Center (NMC) will continue to accept previous versions ofTOARs contained in NVIC 04-01 until March 24, 2019, regardless of the date started.

• Mariners should plan accordingly to ensure that previous versions of TOARs arecompleted and application for endorsement is made prior to March 24, 2019.

The appropriate TOAR can be found on the NMC website(www.uscg.mil/nmc/professional_qualifications/) or in the enclosures to NVIC 03-16(www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/pdf/2016/NVIC_3-16_towing_endorsements.pdf).

For questions, please see the NMC Website or contact the Customer Service Centerby e-mail at IASKNMC@uscg.mil, by chat, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

AMO aboard the Edwin H. Gott

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Key Lakes vesselEdwin H. Gott in March, here in Duluth, Minn., as the ship prepared to enter ser-vice included First Assistant Engineer Travis Irwin, Chief Engineer MichaelKolenda, Second Assistant Engineer Dave Clifford, and Third AssistantEngineers Thomas Bayer and Jeremy Baldwin. With them is AMO SeniorNational Assistant Vice President Brian Krus.

Above right: The Edwin H. Gott is moored next to the American SteamshipCompany vessel Walter J. McCarthy Jr. in March in Duluth, Minn.

12 • American Maritime Officer June 2017

Seafarers International House honors AMO President

American Maritime OfficersNational President Paul Doellwas honored by SeafarersInternational House during theLutheran mission’s annual Settingthe Course Awards Banquet inNew York City on April 27.Presenting the award to Doell forlifetime achievement in support-ing mariners is SeafarersInternational House ExecutiveDirector and Pastor Rev. MarshLuther Drege.

American Maritime Officer(USPS 316-920)

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

(954) 921-2221Periodical Postage Paid at

Dania Beach, FL and Additional Mailing OfficesPublished Monthly

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

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Senator Hirono receives Salute to Congress AwardOn May 2, members of U.S. mar-

itime labor and industry gathered to honorSenator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), who waspresented with the 2017 Salute toCongress Award by the InternationalPropeller Club of the United States.

“Serving the state of Hawaii, wheremaritime is so important and the Jones Actis so important for practically 90 percentof the goods delivered to Hawaii, I under-stand the importance of the Jones Act,”Sen. Hirono said. “But the Jones Act isimportant not just for the kind of reliableservice for the people of the state ofHawaii but for the role the Jones Act playsin national security.”

The Salute to Congress Award rec-ognizes a member of Congress each yearfor supporting the maritime industry andmerchant marine.

“We are so pleased to be able tohonor Senator Hirono with the Salute toCongress,” said Propeller ClubInternational President RickSchiappacasse. “We are grateful for herleadership as ranking member of theSenate Armed Services Committee’sSubcommittee on Seapower and her advo-cacy for the merchant marine and theJones Act.”

Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), the 2015 recipient of the Salute toCongress Award, introduced Sen. Hironoat the ceremony.

Sen. Hirono is the 33rd recipient ofthe Salute to Congress Award and is a stal-wart advocate for the Jones Act, theMaritime Security Program, cargo prefer-

ence, and other laws and programs essen-tial to the U.S. merchant marine.

“Our country is really a maritime-based country and I am here for you,” shesaid. “Know that I am on your side.”

At left: Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI)accepts the 2017 Salute to CongressAward from Rick Schiappacasse,president of the InternationalPropeller Club of the United States,during the award dinner in Arlington,Va. on May 2. With them here areU.S. Coast Guard CommandantAdm. Paul Zukunft (right) and RearAdm. Joel Whitehead (left), U.S.Coast Guard retired.

Rep. Garamendi addresses dangerous stateof decline faced by U.S. merchant fleet

In a column published May 4 by TheMaritime Executive, Congressman JohnGaramendi (D-CA) addressed the danger-ous state of decline faced by the U.S. mer-chant fleet and maritime industry, anddescribed legislative measures that can helpremedy the situation.

“The average American may notspend a lot of time thinking about theimportance of our domestic maritime indus-try, but it’s crucial to our economic fortunesand our national security,” Rep. Garamendiwrote. “In Congress, I serve as the RankingMember of the Subcommittee on CoastGuard and Maritime Transportation. In thatrole, my duty is to ensure that America’smaritime sector is not just robust and eco-nomically vibrant, but that it can also pro-vide adequate sealift support to our militaryin times of crisis. Unfortunately, our mar-itime industry is in a state of alarmingdecline, and it’s time to sound an SOS.”

In the column, Rep. Garamenditouched upon the historical status of theU.S. merchant fleet as it compares to today,and highlighted the economic and nationalsecurity implications of the drastic declinein U.S.-flag shipping.

“In the years following the Second

World War, our country had 1,200 ocean-going ships,” he wrote. “During the ReaganAdministration, we still had hundreds. Butright now, fewer than 80 ocean-going ves-sels fly under an American flag, and lessthan one percent of American exports arecarried on American ships.

“Some might wonder why it matterswhat ships carry our exports,” he wrote.“After all, the argument goes, if it’s cheaperto carry American exports on foreign ships

with foreign crews, it will lower costs andincrease profits for American companies.While relying exclusively on foreign shipsand labor may save a few pennies, it hasheavy long-term consequences for oureconomy and national security.

“Consider the current tensions in theKorean peninsula. Imagine now that the sit-uation escalates and our military needs tomobilize to defend our allies in the region.Our armed forces depend on civilian vessels

— the Ready Reserve Fleet — to providesealift capacity and move the troops andequipment we need to project hard poweroverseas. Could the United States rely onvessels flagged in China for this? We shouldnever put ourselves in a position where weneed to ask this question.”

Rep. Garamendi then described twolegislative measures that would help to haltthe decline, bolster the U.S. maritime indus-try and strengthen national security.

“I’ve already introduced H.R. 1240,the Energizing American Maritime Act,” hewrote. “This law would capitalize on therobust growth in America’s Liquid NaturalGas (LNG) and crude oil exports by requir-ing 30 percent of all such exports to be car-ried on U.S.-flagged ships by the year 2025.These exports will require hundreds oftankers and tens of thousands of mariners,and all of those will be foreign-flagged andcrewed by foreign mariners unless we inCongress do something. Even a modest car-riage requirement will revitalize our mar-itime industry and guarantee the creation ofthousands of jobs in the sector.”

He also reported plans to add a U.S.-build component in companion legislationto support American shipbuilding.

Rep. Garamendi concluded: “Ourmaritime and shipbuilding industries havebeen ignored for too long. Bordered by twooceans, America is a maritime nation, andCongress needs to give our seafaring indus-tries the support they deserve.”

AMO National Vice President, Government Relations, Mike Murphy (left) andNational Assistant Vice President Christian Spain (right) greet CongressmanJohn Garamendi (D-CA) at the Salute to Congress dinner in May.