Volume 44, Number 8 August 2014

Copyright © 2014 American Maritime Officers ■ editorial@amo-union.org

Pages 6-7: During a series of at-sea operations conducted in June, theUSNS Montford Point (MLP 1) was moored alongside the LMSRUSNS Bob Hope. The operations demonstrated the MLP’s ability toperform skin-to-skin operations.

Two ships, two unions, twooperating companies — one team

Page 3: Steven Nickerson, executive director of the American MaritimeOfficers Plans, in July provided a status update on all AMO Plans benefitsfor AMO Plans participants and announced an increase in the AMODefined Contribution Plan benefit scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

AMO Plans: Status update on all AMO Plans benefits

Page 12: USNS Mendonca serves in JLOTS

Construction of LNG-powered MarlinClass vessels enters next phase

Engine and LNGtanks delivered toGeneral DynamicsNASSCO

regulations and restrictions. TOTE is thelaunch customer of the ME-GI engine, asignificant advancement in propulsion tech-nology.

“The Marlin Class vessels, poweredby Doosan’s dual-fuel engine, will providethe most modern and reliable service avail-able,” stated Anthony Chiarello, Presidentand CEO of TOTE. “These ships willincrease shipping capacity, reduce air emis-sions, and ensure a cleaner environment forour workers and port communities.”

In addition to the engines, two 900cubic meter tanks, manufactured by Cryos,were delivered. These massive stainlesssteel cryogenic tanks weigh 380 tons eachand will store liquefied natural gas aboardthe Marlin ships.

“The arrival of the dual-fuel mainengine and LNG tanks at the NASSCOshipyard marks a milestone in the lead shipconstruction as well as a landmark in the eraof green ship technology,” said NASSCOProgram Manager for the TOTE MarlinClass, Eric Icke. The first vessel is nearly 40percent complete and the start of construc-tion on the second Marlin vessel in late Maymeans the shipyard and its more than 3,000skilled workers will be in full swing toensure delivery of the Marlins in late 2015and early 2016.

The following article was released by

TOTE, Inc. Members of American Maritime

Officers will man the Marlin Class ships in

all licensed positions.

San Diego — July 15, 2014: Thearrival of the world’s first dual-fuel slow-speed engine to the General DynamicsNASSCO shipyard marks the next phase ofconstruction for TOTE’s Marlin Class ves-sels, projected to be the world’s safest andcleanest containerships.

Doosan Engine, under license fromMAN Diesel and Turbo, delivered the first8L70ME-GI engine. Earlier this year,Doosan completed the engine’s FactoryAcceptance Tests, a culmination of monthsof testing to ensure compliance with U.S. See Marlin Class ◆ Page 11Photo: TOTE, Inc.

Image: General Dynamics NASSCO

2 • American Maritime Officer August 2014

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USNS Montford Point

exercises capabilitiesduring Rim of the Pacific2014 operations

As Rim of the Pacific 2014 (RIM-PAC), a multinational maritime exercisethat takes place in the vicinity of theHawaiian Islands, headed into its under-way phase off the coast of Hawaii, theUSNS Montford Point (MLP 1) testedstate-of-the-art sea basing capabilities

2,500 miles away near San Diego as partof RIMPAC’s Southern California ele-ment, wrote James Marconi, MilitarySealift Command Public Affairs, in a blogpost on the MSC website.

The USNS Montford Point is operat-ed for MSC by Ocean Ships, Inc. and is

manned in all licensed positions byAmerican Maritime Officers.

From July 8 to 10, the USNS

Montford Point participated in testingexercises with Marine AmphibiousAssault Vehicles (AAV) and the LandingCraft Air Cushion (LCAC) from AssaultCraft Unit Five based at Camp Pendleton.Working off the coast of Camp Pendleton,just north of San Diego, the ship conduct-ed timed docking and launching exerciseswith the Marine crafts, Marconi wrote.

The exercise is part of a series oftests being conducted with the MLPuntil the ship becomes fully opera-tional, he wrote.

“Being included in RIMPAC 2014is a great opportunity for Military SealiftCommand and the relatively new capabil-ities of the Mobile Landing Platform,”

said Cmdr. Ray Franklin, operations offi-cer for Military Sealift Command Pacific.“Exercises like RIMPAC give us theopportunity to demonstrate our support tothe fleet and the Navy’s missions that areon the horizon.”

This year marks the 24th Rim of thePacific exercise, which began in 1971.

Twenty-three nations, 49 surfaceships, 6 submarines, more than 200 air-craft and 25,000 personnel participated,including units from the United States,Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile,Colombia, France, India, Indonesia,Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands,New Zealand, Norway, the People’sRepublic of China, Peru, the Republic ofKorea, the Republic of the Philippines,Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and theUnited Kingdom.

Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles aboard the USNS Montford Pointprepare to deploy.

A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5transports Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles to the mobile landing plat-form USNS Montford Point (MLP 1) as part of an amphibious operations demon-stration during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014 off the coast ofCamp Pendleton, California.

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Joshua Scott/Released

A Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicle launches from the USNS MontfordPoint.

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Joshua Scott/Released

U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Donnell Evans/ReleasedMarine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles disembark from a Landing Craft AirCushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 onto the USNSMontford Point.

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Joshua Scott/Released

American Maritime Officer • 3August 2014

AMO Plans: Status update on all AMO Plans benefits

Increase in Defined Contribution Plan benefit scheduled for January 1, 2015

As Executive Director of the American Maritime Officers (AMO) Plans, I amaddressing the status of the AMO Plans. A Board of Trustees comprised of an equalnumber of employer trustees and union trustees administers the Plans. My primaryfunction as the Executive Director is to act in the best interest of the participants. Itis also my privilege to announce a benefit change, which will be introduced later inthis document.

There are no impending actions that include benefits cuts for AMO memberparticipants being considered by the Board of Trustees. AMO member participants inthe AMO Medical, Pension, Money Purchase Benefit, 401(k), Defined Contribution,Vacation, and Safety and Education Plans will not be experiencing cuts in their ben-efits. The AMO Plans are in a good financial position to address the future.

As the Executive Director of the AMO Plans, I made a statement to the staff ofthe AMO Plans that man-days would decline in the last half of the year due to the lossof the Watson Class vessels. Faced with the opening of the collective bargainingagreement covering the AMO Plans staff, I wanted to remind the staff that we are notthe members of AMO, but that we are here to serve the membership of AMO. I want-ed to make sure our staff was aware that the membership is at sea, away from fami-ly and friends, and our job is to provide service to those members and their families.We go home to our families and friends each night and we have our weekends free tospend with our families and friends.

While I, as the Executive Director, imposed a wage freeze and lowered the PaidTime Off of AMO Plans employees by 5 days, I did not have the power to implementthe action unless I received approval through the collective bargaining process. Aftersending the memo to the staff, the union and I met to negotiate.

I am proud to say that the staff recognized the ebb and flow of man-days andalso recognized that the future was bringing new vessels and that there will be newgrowth. The staff recognized that the downturn of man-days is NOW, and with a fewAbstained Votes, there was unanimous acceptance of the cuts. The decision was madeby the staff to make sacrifices to reduce the impact of the downturn of man-days onthe AMO Plans. We as a staff are shore-side. Most of us have always been shore-sideand never faced the rigors and hardships faced by our sailing members. This was amoment to show respect for that fact.

The staff looks forward to the 25 ships scheduled for delivery over the next fewyears. While we focused on the immediate, the year has progressed. The Great Lakessector has two additional vessels operating and a third is scheduled to start inSeptember. The Deep Sea sector has increased its fleet by seven vessels. Three addi-tional vessels should be entering the fleet around November. One of the vessels isunder protest; however, when it joins the fleet, the compliment will number up to 19officers.

The staff of AMO Plans was proactive and accepted a freeze while maintainingfull service with no interruption (no strike, no slow-down) for our membership. Weas a shore-side staff recognize we have a job because of the AMO membership.

The loss of the eight Watson Class vessels was a blow. The other six vessels lostthis year were due to lack of cargo and age. The reduction in man-days equals 20.3million dollars for a 12-month period. It is important to know that the majority of thedollar amount consists of PASS THROUGH contributions. Contributions that wouldhave been paid out in Vacation Pay to the affected AMO member participants, 401(k)contributions that would have gone into the accounts of the affected AMO memberparticipants, DC Contributions that would have gone into the accounts of the affect-ed AMO member participants, and Money Purchase Benefit contributions that wouldhave gone into the accounts of the affected AMO member participants. In otherwords, those are losses to the AMO member participants who are not working in cov-ered employment, not losses to the AMO Plans.

AMO Plans

All Plans assets are at 880 million dollars, as opposed to the all time high of889.9 million dollars prior to 2008. Further, the Plans have no debt.

AMO Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Plan)

The assets of the AMO Pension Plan are at 400 million dollars, while paying2.6 million dollars a month to 2,194 pensioners.

Since the Plan was declared a Red Zone Plan and became a frozen plan, theassets have earned annually as follows:

2010 10%2011 0%2012 23.5%2013 10.9%07/2014 12%

The Plan has been declared a Yellow Zone Plan and continues to move towardthe Green Zone, which is 80% to 100% Funded. The return on the assets has beenpositive and the credit balance is no longer negative but positive. The fact that the ‘20and out’ was preserved by the Trustees was costly. If the ‘20 and out’ was eliminat-ed, the Plan would have been over funded. The cost to preserve the ‘20 and out’ wasover 250 million dollars. The Trustees maintain the Plan’s ‘20 and out’ provision andremoving this provision is not under consideration.

Two things impede our progress toward being 100% funded. The first is that interest rates have continued to decline since 2009. There has

been a 40% decline in interest rates. The Plan year ending 9/2014 will be the firstyear that interest rates will rise, thereby decreasing the liability.

The second is that a greater number of participants than was assumed by theactuary have exercised the option of the ‘20 and out’, left the industry and retired.

The actuary is studying the adverse effects of this trend, but those effectswill not be known until the completion of the valuation that will not happen untilthe October Board Meeting. Any actions taken by the Board of Trustees will bepublished.

There is no crystal ball to determine what the interest rates will be, or todetermine interest earned. What is known is that we continue on the path to theGreen Zone, and when the Green Zone is reached, the Trustees have options thatcan be considered.

The Trustees are well aware that this is an arduous process and continue towork to improve the Defined Contribution Plan while we move toward full fundingof the Defined Benefit Plan.

The AMO Defined Contribution Plan (The DC Plan)

The assets in our members’ DC Plan accounts exceed 56 million dollars. The Defined Contribution Plan is funded out of the Master Operating Trust.

This is possible because of numerous actions taken over the past years. The MasterOperating Trust must first pay all Vacation Benefits, Medical Benefits, Safety andEducation Plan benefits, the Joint Employment Committee and American MaritimeOfficers Service. Any savings generated are then used to fund the DefinedContribution Plan.

Savings are generated as follows:

• UMR pays our Medical Claims, and because they do, we receive approxi-mately 2.5 million dollars more in discounts.

• There are zero operating costs in Toledo and this equates to approximately 1.5million per year.

• STAR Center Commercial Training offsets contributions required for operat-ing expenses.

• Staff has been reduced over the past years. We now operate with 140 staff ver-sus the past high of 202 people.

All savings generate contributions for the DC Plan. Last year, the actions of the Trustees led to establishing a minimum contribu-

tion of 6%. Also, it equated to a minimum 25% increase for all participants.

Effective January 1, 2015, the charts will again be increased by 10% and

establish a minimum contribution of 6.6%.

The AMO 401(k) Plan

The assets held in our members’ 401(k) accounts exceed 330 million dollars.

The AMO Money Purchase Benefit Plan

The assets held in our members’ MPB accounts exceed 72 million dollars.

The AMO Medical Plan

The AMO Medical Plan maintains a reserve of 20 million dollars. The Medical Plan provides benefits to 8,746 members, retirees, spouses, and

dependents. Over the last two years, the Affordable Care Act has been implemented. Over

five hundred dependents previously not eligible for coverage are enrolled becausethey are under the age of 26.

Even with all of these changes, the medical costs have maintained stable levels.Costs in 2013 compared to 2012 were negative 1% (-1%). The 2014 cost comparedto 2013 is also trending lower. The annual cost for medical runs at approximately 45million dollars.

If we were not receiving the discounts through UMR and secondary networkdiscounts, that figure would be 67 million dollars.

The AMO Vacation Plan

The AMO Vacation Plan continues to pay vacation benefits at 75 million dol-lars a year.

The Safety and Education Plan

STAR Center continues to operate at the highest standards and is prepared tohandle all training requirements of the STCW imposed by the Coast Guard final rule-making.

The facilities have implemented a preventative maintenance schedule andupgrades to make the compound more accessible and enjoyable for all members andtheir families.

The staff of the AMO Plans remains committed to the purpose of serving allAMO members and their families.

Steven Nickerson

Executive Director

AMO Plans

4 • American Maritime Officer August 2014

Navy League urges reauthorization of Ex-Im Bank

Export-Import Bank sustains U.S. jobs, supports U.S.-flag sealift capabilities

The current charter for the U.S.

Export-Import Bank is due to expire at the

end of September. Under U.S. cargo prefer-

ence laws, U.S.-flagged vessels transport

manufactured U.S. goods purchased with

financing assistance from the Export-

Import Bank. In the following letter dated

July 2, National Executive Director of the

Navy League of the United States Bruce

Butler urged Speaker of the House of

Representatives John Boehner, House

Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House

Minority Whip Steny Hoyer to support reau-

thorization of the Export-Import Bank.

American Maritime Officers and American

Maritime Officers Service actively support

reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank.

On behalf of our 43,000 members,the Navy League of the United Statesstrongly urges you to support the reautho-rization of the Export-Import Bank. TheNavy League of the United States is acivilian nonprofit, nonpartisan organiza-tion dedicated to informing the Americanpeople and their government that the

United States of America is a maritimenation, and that its national defense andeconomic well being are dependent uponstrong sea services — U.S. Navy, U.S.Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard andU.S.-flag merchant marine. The strengthof the U.S.-flag merchant marine dependson the Export-Import Bank and we urgeCongress to reauthorize it.

The Export-Import Bank has promot-ed economic growth, created and sustainedU.S. jobs, including mariner jobs and thosetied to our national and economic security.

The Department of Defense depends on themerchant marine for over 95 percent of ournational defense sealift needs in times ofwar or national emergency, and Export-Import Bank financed project cargoes areregularly carried on the most militarily use-ful vessels. Replacing this sealift capacitywould cost the Department of Defense tensof billions of dollars.

The Navy League urges you to reau-thorize the bank and preserve our nationalsealift capability, necessary for our nationalsecurity and defense.

Meeting with apprentice engineer onboard ATB Corpus

Christi; recruiting for third TECH Program class beginsSTAR Center Director of TrainingPhil Shullo and STAR CenterEngineering Instructor AndrewDavis visited the U.S. ShippingCorp. ATB Corpus Christi during acall at Port Everglades, Fla. totalk with Apprentice EngineerCameron Siele about his experi-ence in the TECH Program todate. Both Siele and the officerson the Corpus Christi said theprogram is working as intended,providing the training and hands-on experience needed to advancemotivated high school graduateswith mechanical aptitude to quali-

fy to test for a U.S. Coast Guardunlimited third assistant engi-neer’s license, Shullo reported. Inthis photo taken by Davis are FirstAssistant Engineer MichaelFahey, Siele, Captain Bob Corbettand Chief Engineer Brian Kelly.The second installment of theTECH Program begins August 11and recruiting has commenced forthe third TECH Program class,scheduled to begin in early 2015.Program details and instructionsfor applying are available onlineon the STAR Center website:www.star-center.com.

Legislation seeks to provide veterans’ benefits to U.S.merchant mariners who served during the Vietnam Era

Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) has introduced a bill in the House ofRepresentatives that, if approved by theHouse and Senate and signed into law,would provide eligibility for veterans’ ben-efits to U.S. merchant mariners who servedin the Southeast Asia theater of operationsduring the Vietnam Era.

The legislation, H.R. 5112, was intro-duced on July 15 and has been referred tothe House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Rep. Bishop is a member of theHouse Appropriations Committee and is theranking member on the MilitaryConstruction, Veterans Affairs and RelatedAgencies Subcommittee.

H.R. 5112 would apply to U.S. mer-chant mariners who were crewmembers ofvessels in oceangoing service in theSoutheast Asia theater of operations duringthe Vietnam Era and receive a certificate ofhonorable discharge.

The legislation specifies: “TheSecretary of Defense shall, upon applica-tion, issue a certificate of honorable dis-charge to an individual in the United Statesmerchant marine who served as acrewmember of a vessel that was in ocean-going service during the Vietnam Era in theSoutheast Asia theater of operations who, asdetermined by the Secretary, engaged inservice of a nature and duration that war-rants issuance of the certificate.”

The legislation defines the VietnamEra as “(A) the period beginning onFebruary 28, 1961, and ending on May 7,1975, in the case of an individual in theUnited States merchant marine who servedin the Republic of Vietnam during that peri-od; and (B) the period beginning on August5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975, in allother cases.”

The legislation has not yet been votedon in the House or considered in the Senate.

U.S.-Flag Carriage: Month of June 2009-2014 — net tons

Commodity 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Average

2009-2013

Iron Ore 2,178,200 4,301,637 4,827,555 4,676,553 4,584,791 4,903,895 4,597,634

Coal 2,547,003 2,683,792 2,005,543 1,684,252 1,988,141 2,145,980 2,090,432

Limestone 1,903,468 2,853,041 2,648,015 2,996,550 2,982,838 2,745,301 2,870,111

Cement 315,770 263,842 301,352 359,542 324,306 405,723 312,261

Salt 166,761 169,378 196,074 128,472 141,478 170,610 158,851

Sand 27,888 17,403 15,908 30,374 28,915 65,046 23,150

Grain 57,914 67,505 22,500 13,311 63,998 24,900 41,829

Total 7,197,004 10,356,598 10,016,947 9,889,054 10,114,467 10,461,455 10,094,267

Source: Lake Carriers’ Association

U.S.-flag Lakes cargo total trails 2013 by 17 percent at mid-yearU.S.-flag cargo movement on the

Great Lakes stood at 27 million tons atthe end of June, a decrease of 17.4 per-cent compared with the same point in2013.

The brutal winter of 2013/2014 wasthe overriding factor behind the decrease,the Lake Carriers’ Association reported.Vessels lost significant time due to theheavy ice formations, and then some ves-sels had to be removed from service torepair damage suffered in the ice.

Shipments of iron ore for the steelindustry totaled 14 million tons at the endof the second quarter, a decrease of 21.4percent, or 3,816,000 tons. The 3.8 mil-lion ton shortfall is more than a season’swork for a 1,000-foot-long vessel, theLCA reported.

Coal cargos stood at 5.1 milliontons through June, a decrease of 9.4 per-cent, or 532,000 tons.

Limestone loadings totaled 6.2 mil-

lion tons at the end of the first half of2014, a decrease of 16.6 percent, or

1,231,000 tons. Winter’s grip on thestone trade was so tight that only one

limestone cargo had moved by mid-April, the LCA reported.

American Maritime Officer • 5August 2014

Lawmakers act to provide funding fordredging, prioritize Great Lakes projects

Members of the House ofRepresentatives acted to ensure dredgingprojects in the Great Lakes NavigationSystem receive the funding and attentionthey are due under the law with twoamendments to the 2015 Energy andWater Development and Related AgenciesAppropriations Act, which was approvedin the House July 10 by a bipartisan voteof 253-170.

The legislation, which among otherthings would provide funding for theArmy Corps of Engineers in fiscal year2015, was referred to the SenateCommittee on Appropriations on July 14.

An amendment to the appropria-tions bill authored by Rep. BillHuizenga (R-MI) and Rep. Janice Hahn

(D-CA) to increase the Army Corps bud-get by $57.6 million was approved andincluded in the legislation. The addition-al funding would bring the Corps’dredging budget to the level specified inthe recently enacted Water ResourcesReform and Development Act, andshould result in more dredging dollarsfor Great Lakes Navigation System pro-jects if the legislation with this languageis enacted, the Great Lakes MaritimeTask Force reported.

“Properly dredged harbors along theGreat Lakes are critical to Michigan’seconomy and vital to job creation through-out West Michigan,” said Rep. Huizenga,who received the Great Lakes Legislatorof the Year Award from the task force in

May. “Passage of this amendment demon-strates that harbors, including those in theGreat Lakes, are a priority.”

Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Dan Benishek (R-MI) and RickNolan (D-MN) spoke in support of themeasure during floor debate.

An amendment authored byRepresentatives Sean Duffy (R-WI) andMike Kelly (R-PA) to ensure 10 percent ofthe allocation from the HarborMaintenance Trust Fund is applied todredging projects in the Great LakesNavigation System, as mandated by theWater Resources Reform andDevelopment Act, was also approved andincluded in the appropriations bill passedby the House.

Rep. Duffy’s district includes thePort of Superior and Rep. Kelly’s districtincludes the Port of Erie. Ships servicingSuperior and Erie have not been able tocarry full loads for decades. Inadequatefunding for dredging has left more than 18million cubic yards of sediment cloggingthe Great Lakes Navigation System, thetask force reported.

“This amendment leaves no doubtthat Congress fully intends for the Corpsto allocate 10 percent of harbor mainte-nance funding provided above the 2012baseline,” said Glen Nekvasil, secretary ofthe Great Lakes Maritime Task Force.“This, plus the increase in Corps fundingnationwide, keeps us moving steadilytoward our goal of vessels once again car-rying full loads.”

The Great Lakes Maritime TaskForce, of which American MaritimeOfficers is a member, is the largest coali-tion to ever speak for the Great Lakesshipping community, and draws its mem-bership from both labor and management.

Additional Great Lakes vessels activated for service,openings for AMO deep-sea engineers available

So far this season, two additionalships operated under contract withAmerican Maritime Officers — the John

G. Munson and the John J. Boland —have been activated for service on theGreat Lakes, and the Adam E. Cornelius isscheduled for activation in September.

The increase in the number of ves-sels operating on the Lakes has generatedopenings for AMO engineers. Five of the

ships in operation on the Lakes havesteam plants and provide opportunities forAMO engineers with steam licenses.

AMO members who typically saildeep sea are encouraged to contact the GreatLakes Dispatching Department if they areinterested. AMO deep-sea engineers withunlimited licenses will be eligible for avail-able positions and would primarily be sail-ing as third assistant engineers.

“We would like to identify openwater engineers who are interested in thesejobs,” said AMO Senior National AssistantVice President Brian Krus. “Also, we’realways interested in Great Lakes pilots. Atthis time, we’ve met the demand for mates,but if additional openings become available,we’ll put out a notice.”

Officers will be required to have acurrent U.S. Coast Guard physical com-

pleted on the Merchant Mariner PhysicalExam Form (CG-719K), as well as a cur-rent drug-free certification, to be eligibleto sail on the Great Lakes. Standard phys-icals administered by Anderson-Kelly willnot be accepted.

Interested AMO members shouldcontact the Great Lakes DispatchingDepartment by phone at (800) 221-9395or via e-mail: mmoffitt@amo-union.org.

AMO aboard the American Mariner

AMO members working aboard the American Mariner in July, here at theTORCO ore transfer facility in Toledo, Ohio, included Second AssistantEngineer Adam Saile and First A.E. Richey Duncan. With them are AMONational Representative Stan Barnes and AMO Senior National AssistantVice President Brian Krus.

AMO members working aboard theAmerican Mariner in July, here at theTORCO ore transfer facility in Toledo,Ohio, included Third Mate LauraBasile.

The American Mariner unloads ironore at the TORCO ore transfer facilityin Toledo, Ohio. American MaritimeOfficers represents all licensed offi-cers aboard the American SteamshipCompany vessel.

Great Lakes water levels coming back, but not full cargo loads

The rise in Great Lakes water levelshas yet to translate into full loads for U.S.-flagged freighters moving iron ore, coal,limestone, cement and other cargoes, theLake Carriers’ Association (LCA) reportedin July. Vessels continue to leave port withless than a full load onboard and the needfor dredging in the Great Lakes NavigationSystem remains dire.

The largest iron ore cargo moved by aU.S.-flag laker through the Soo Locks inJune totaled 69,576 tons. The record ironore cargo for the “Head-of-the-Lakes

Trade” is 72,300 tons and was carried in1997, a period of near record-high waterlevels, the LCA reported.

The deepest draft ever recorded for atransit of the Poe Lock is 29’ 03” in 1986. Ifa 1,000-foot-long U.S.-flag laker couldtransit the lock that deep today, the vesselwould be carrying 72,727 tons. Yet vesselsin the coal trade continued to depart loadingdocks with capacity to spare. The largestcoal cargo through the Soo Locks totaled67,992 tons, nearly 5 percent less than therecord of 70,903 tons, the LCA reported.

Vessels in the short-haul trades below theSoo Locks likewise are still unable to max-imize their carrying capacity.

“The rise in water levels has allowedvessels to carry larger cargos than a yearago,” said LCA President James Weakley.“However, water levels will begin their sea-sonal decline in the fall, so the fact that evenmore carrying capacity will be unusablemakes the recent passage of the WaterResources Reform and Development Acteven more important to the Great LakesNavigation System. That legislation desig-

nates the Lakes as a system in terms ofdredging and increases spending from theHarbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Passagecould not have come at a better time, for itis clear higher water levels cannot them-selves restore the Great Lakes NavigationSystem to even functional, let alone projectdimensions. Only increased funding willend the dredging crisis on the Great Lakes.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineersestimates approximately 18 million cubicyards of sediment clog Great Lakes portsand waterways.

6 • American Maritime Officer August 2014

Two ships, two unions, two operating companies

ONE TEAM

During a series of at-sea operations conducted near Long Beach, Calif. in June, the Navy’s first mobile landing platform, USNS Montford

Point (MLP 1), was moored alongside the LMSR USNS Bob Hope. The MLP’s vehicle transfer ramp was deployed, attached to the LMSR,and then recovered, demonstrating the capabilities of the vehicle transfer ramp and the vessel’s ability to perform skin-to-skin operations.The USNS Montford Point is operated for MSC by Ocean Ships, Inc. The USNS Bob Hope is operated for MSC by General DynamicsAmerican Overseas Marine Corp. Both ships are manned in all licensed positions by AMO and in all unlicensed positions by the SIU.

During a series of at-sea operationsconducted near Long Beach, Calif. in June,the Navy’s first mobile landing platform,USNS Montford Point (MLP 1), successful-ly demonstrated key technologies that willprovide improved capabilities for large-scale logistics movements, such as thetransfer of vehicles and equipment at sea.

During the at-sea testing, the USNS

Montford Point was moored alongside thelarge medium-speed roll-on/roll-off(LMSR) USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300).The USNS Montford Point’s vehicle transferramp was deployed, attached to the LMSR,and then recovered, demonstrating the capa-bilities of the vehicle transfer ramp and thevessel’s ability to perform skin-to-skinoperations.

The MLP with core capability set(CCS) was developed primarily to provide asurface interface between MaritimePrepositioning Ship Squadron vessels andconnectors. The platform’s unique CCSmakes it possible for the ship to easily trans-fer vehicles, personnel and equipment fromother vessels, such as an LMSR, onto land-ing craft, air cushioned (LCAC) vehicles fortransportation to shore.

The MLP class of modular, flexibleships belongs to Military SealiftCommand’s Maritime PrepositioningForce as a mobile sea-base option that

provides the fleet with critical afloatcapabilities, supporting the flexibledeployment of forces and supplies.Contract civilian mariners operate andnavigate two MLPs on behalf of theNavy and Marine Corps.

The USNS Montford Point is operat-ed for MSC by Ocean Ships, Inc. The USNS

Bob Hope is operated for MSC by GeneralDynamics American Overseas MarineCorp. Both ships are manned in all licensedpositions by American Maritime Officersand in all unlicensed positions by theSeafarers International Union.

“The officers and crew of USNS

Montford Point are dedicated to providingMSC and the U.S. Marine Corps with a reli-able platform for conducting transfers atsea,” said Captain Michael Sands, masteron MLP 1. “USNS Montford Point andUSNS Bob Hope have excelled in all areasof testing to date. We especially would liketo thank the crew of the USNS Bob Hope fortheir professionalism and support duringthis testing evolution and look forward toworking with them in the future.”

The USNS Montford Point had thecore capability set installed in April. Aseries of robust test and evaluation events inJune served as preparation for InitialOperational Test and Evaluation eventsscheduled to take place later this year.

At-sea operation successfully demonstrates core capabilities of MLP 1

The officers and crews of the USNS Montford Point and USNS Bob Hope inJune served in a series of robust test and evaluation events near Long Beach,Calif. The USNS Montford Point is operated for MSC by Ocean Ships, Inc. TheUSNS Bob Hope is operated for MSC by General Dynamics AmericanOverseas Marine Corp. Both ships are manned in all licensed positions byAmerican Maritime Officers and in all unlicensed positions by the SeafarersInternational Union.

American Maritime Officer • 7August 2014

National Maritime Center policy on postdatingfor Merchant Mariner Credential renewals

As a reminder to AMO members, theU.S. Coast Guard’s National MaritimeCenter has implemented a policy on thedelayed issuance of Merchant MarinerCredentials (MMCs). Applications forMMC renewal that are submitted withineight months of the expiration date of a cur-rent MMC will result in a new MMC being

issued postdated to the day following theexpiration of the current MMC.

This policy applies only to applica-tions for MMC renewal, and it does notapply if there is any other credentialactivity requested during the renewalprocess, such as the addition of endorse-ments to an MMC.

The National Maritime Center willnot hold renewed documents until theissuance date. Applications for renewal willcontinue to be processed, and renewed doc-uments printed and mailed to mariners.

“For many years, I had been advisingAMO members to include a letter request-ing delayed issuance of a new credential

with their MMC renewal application,” saidAMO National Vice President, GovernmentRelations, Mike Murphy. “With this NMCpolicy, it is no longer necessary to send thisrequest with the application for renewal.”

Under this policy, mariners mustcarry both the old and new MMC whilesigned aboard a vessel until the older docu-ment’s expiration date.

The NMC bulletin pertaining to thispolicy, which was circulated via AMOCurrents in March, is available online atwww.uscg.mil/nmc/announcements/pdfs/postdating_mmcs.pdf.

Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the USNS Montford Point in June during operations with the USNS Bob Hope included Third MateTom Kozarski, Third Mate Gene Brown, Second Mate Joshua Jordan, Captain Michael Sands, Chief Engineer Joseph Gelhaus, First Assistant EngineerMichael Long, Third A.E. Chris Beaton, Second A.E. Joe Moore and Electronics Officer Timmy Cannon. The USNS Montford Point is operated for MSC byOcean Ships, Inc.

Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the USNS Bob Hope in June duringoperations with the USNS Montford Point included Third Mate William Spooner, CaptainRobert Silva, Chief Mate John Nowak, Chief Engineer Frank Coe, First Assistant EngineerJohn Towles, Second A.E. Paul Lindholm, Second Mate Michael Thomas and Chief Mate ScottKreger. With them is AMO National Assistant Vice President Daniel Shea. The USNS BobHope is operated for MSC by General Dynamics American Overseas Marine Corp.

At right: USNS Montford Point Chief Mate Douglas Garee and USNS Bob Hope Chief MateScott Kreger shake hands as the MLP’s vehicle transfer ramp is connected to the LMSR.

AMO audited financial statements, LM-2 available onlineThe audited financial statements of

American Maritime Officers for the fiscalyears ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 areavailable for AMO membership review inthe secure section of the AMO website:www.amo-union.org.

The audited financial statementsinclude a side-by-side comparison of theunion’s operating income and expensesfor each of the last two fiscal years.AMO’s fiscal year begins on April 1 andends on March 31.

Also available for AMO member-ship review in the secure section of theAMO website is the American MaritimeOfficers LM-2 report for the fiscal yearended March 31, 2014.

AMO files the LM-2 financial dis-closure report each year with the U.S.Department of Labor, and the public doc-ument is also available through theDepartment of Labor.

The financial statements differ fromthe LM-2 financial disclosure report in the

way data is reported. The financial state-ments report AMO’s revenue earned andexpenses incurred during the fiscal year,regardless of when revenue is received orwhen expenses are paid. The LM-2 reportsthe amount of cash collected and cash dis-bursed for the fiscal year.

The secure section of the AMOwebsite is accessible to active AMO mem-bers and applicants. AMO members willneed to click on the “Member Log In” tabon the AMO home page and log into the

secure section of the AMO website withtheir user ID and password for the AMODispatching website.

Once logged in, AMO members canclick on the link at the top of the page,“View AMO Financial Reports,” to accessthe documents.

Links are available on the log-inpage for AMO members who need to reg-ister for an online account with AMODispatching, and for retrieving a lost orforgotten password.

Photo: Military SealiftCommand

8 • American Maritime Officer August 2014

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

ABS NS5 Fleet Management Software 3 days Please call

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 18 August 15 September 20 October 17 November 12 January 9 February 9 March

Basic Safety Training — All 4 modules must be completed within 12 months:

Personal Safety Techniques (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 11 August 8 September 13, 27 October 8 December 26 January 2 March

Basic Safety Training — Refresher 3 days 13 August 10 September 15, 29 October 12 November 10 December 28 January 4 March

Chemical Safety — Advanced 5 days 8 September 9 February

ECDIS 5 days 8 September 20 October 10 November 8 December January 5 9 February 9 March

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 29 September 5 January

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 2 September 6 October 2 December 5 January 17 February 16 March

GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework 10 days 9 February

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 days 11 March

LNG Simulator Training — Enrollment priority in the LNG simulator course is given

to qualified member candidates for employment and/or observation opportunities with

AMO contracted LNG companies. In all cases successful completion of the LNG PNC

classroom course is prerequisite.

5 days 23 March

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 22 September 20 January 23 February 23 March

Safety Officer Course 2 days 18 September 12 March

Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom 5 days 29 September 12 January

Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator 10 days 7 July 11 August 20 October 8 December 26 January 23 February

Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program 10 days TBA

Train the Trainer 5 days 22 September 27 October 15 December 12 January 9 March

Train the Trainer — Simulator Instructors 5 days Please call

Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy 3 days 15 September 3 December 9 March

Deck Courses

Advanced Bridge Resource Management 5 days 25 Aug. (PM) 8, 15 Sept. (PM) 27 October 3, 17 Nov. 15 December 19, 26 January 9, 23 Feb. (PM) 9 March

Advanced Shiphandling for Masters — (No equivalency) Must have sailed as

Chief Mate Unlimited5 days 25 August 29 September 13 October 10 November 2 March

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rd Mates 10 days 11 August 1 September 13 Oct (PM) 1 December 5 January 2 March

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

Bridge Resource Management Seminar 3 days Please call

Dynamic Positioning — Basic 5 days 3 November 2 February

Dynamic Positioning — Advanced 5 days 15 September 1 December 23 March

Integrated Bridge System (IBS) / Prodded Propulsion Training 5 days Please call

STCW Deck Officer Refresher — Great Lakes 3 days Please call

TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) — Third Mate (Unlimited or Great

Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required5 days 25 August 22 September 15 December 19 January

Tug Training — ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 5 days 29 September 23 March

Visual Communications (Flashing Light) — Test only! 1 day Scheduled as required

Engineering Courses

Advanced Slow Speed Diesel 10 days 29 September 16 March

Basic Electricity 10 days 6 October 2 February

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks 9 February

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 8 December

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 27 October 23 February

Hydraulics/ Pneumatics 10 days 20 October

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 5 days 20 October 18 February

Refrigeration (Operational Level) 5 days 18 August 10 November 16 March

Refrigeration (Management Level) 5 days 25 August 17 November 23 March

Steam Endorsement 4 weeks 12 January

Electronics (Management) — NEW 1 week 3 November

Instrumentation (Management) — NEW 10 days 18 August 5 January

Welding & Metallurgy Skills & Practices — Open to eligible Chief Mates and Masters on a space available basis.

Interested participants should apply and will be confirmed 2 weeks prior to start date.2 weeks 8 September 27 October 9 February

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

Leadership & Management (required by ALL management level Deck and

Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 17 November 1, 8, 15 Dec

5, 12, 19, 26January

2, 9, 16, 23February

2, 9, 16, 23March

Leadership & Teamwork (Mates) (Operational Level Mates only by 1 Jan 2017) 1 day 13 November 14 November

Engine Room Resource Management — Classroom (Engineers)

(Required by ALL Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017)5 days 11 August 8 September 27 October 3 November 1, 15 Dec. 5, 19 January 2, 16 February 2, 16 March

Management of Electrical, Electronic Controllers (Engineers) (Required

by ALL management level Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017)5 days 10 November 8 December 12, 26 January 9, 23 February 9, 23 March

Leadership & Teamwork (Engineers) (Only required by those Engineers who

completed old ERM class)1 day 22, 23 January March 30, 31

Basic Training & Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (Required by first

credential renewal AFTER 1 Jan 2017)2 days 1 December 4 December 15 December 18 December 12, 15, January 2, 5 February

EFA (Scheduled with Basic Training Revalidation BUT NOT REQUIRED

FOR STCW 2010)1 day 3, 17 December 14 January 4 February

American Maritime Officer • 9August 2014

MSC Training Program

CMEO for Junior Engineers 5 days Please call

Basic CBR Defense 1 day 29 August 31 October 19 December 27 February

Damage Control 1 day 28 August 30 October 18 December 26 February

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day Please call

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 9 September 11 November 9 December 27 January 3 March

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 29 August 31 October 19 December 27 February

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day 2 October

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: Not MSC approved 3 days 3 September

MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once in career. 5 days 8 September 10 November 26 January 2 March

MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 25 September 4 December 12 February 26 March

MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members 1 day 11, 29 Sept. 17 October 20 November 8 December 15 January 16 February 12, 30 March

MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 30 September 9 December 17 February 31 March

Small Arms — Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training — Open to

members & applicants eligible for employment through AMO (w/in 1 year) or MSC on

MARAD contracted vessels. Remedial shoot will be afforded on Day 4 for at least 1

weapon if passing score not attained. STCW Endorsement required.

3 days 11, 25 August 8, 22 Sep 14, 27 October 17 November 1, 15 Dec. 12, 26 January 9, 23 February 9, 23 March

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 2 October

Engine STCW / Original Engineer Training Routes — Engine STCW training routes are aimed at 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 15 September 12 January

Basic Safety Training 5 days 8 September 26 January

EFA/MCP 4 days 30 September 6 January

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 22 September 20 January

Basic Electricity (original engineers only) 10 days 6 October 2 February

Original 3 A/E Preparation and Exams A/R 20 October

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.

Medical Courses

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day Please call

Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months 1 day 30 September 21 October 2 December 6 January 24 February

Medical Care Provider — Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 12 months.

Please fax EFA certificate when registering3 days 1, 22 October 3 December 7 January 25 February

Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 6, 27 October 8 December 12 January 2 March

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 20 October 3 November 1 December 23 February 9 March

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only 1 day 4 November 10 March

Saliva Screening Test — QEDs only 1/2 day 5 November 11 March

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: Not MSC approved 3 days 3 September

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 2 September 13 November 14 November 22, 23 January 30, 31 March

Radar Recertification at Toledo Maritime Academy — Non-Resident

Training, apply to Student Services, Dania Beach1 day Please call

ARPA 4 days Please call

Radar Recertification & ARPA 5 days Please call

Original Radar Observer Unlimited 5 days Please call

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 24

March 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 for

STCW 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 letter

04-02. 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 Management

Level gap closing training must also be completed by 12/31/16 in order for the new credential to valid after this date.

Celestial Navigation — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 13 October 1 December 2 March

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 1 September 27 October 15 December 19 January

Cargo Operations 9 days 22 September 11 November 2 February

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 15 September 3 November 15 December 23 February

Upgrade: Stability 5 days 8 September 20 October 8 December 26 January

Watchkeeping 1: BRM 3 days 6 August 3 September 15 October 3 December 23 March

Watchkeeping 2: COLREGS — Watchkeeping 1 & 2 must be completed within 12

months of each other5 days 11 August 8 September 20 October 8 December 26 March

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 15 September 27 October 8 Dec. (P.M) 5 January

Shipboard Management 5 days 18 August 6 October 17 November 16 February

Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (includes Simulator) 5 days 18 August 29 September 10 November 9 March

ECDIS — Advanced Navigation and the USCG approved ECDIS to be completed within

12 months of each other. Suggested dates follow. See also deck courses above.5 days 25 August 6 October 17 November 16 March

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 adhere

to 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 5 January

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology 5 days 19 January

Advanced Stability 5 days 26 January

Search & Rescue 2 1/2 days 2 February

Management of Medical Care 1/2 day 4 February

Leadership & Management 5 days 9 February

Advanced Cargo 5 days 16 February

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 23 February

Advanced Celestial 5 days 2 March

Advanced Navigation 5 days 9 March

10 • American Maritime Officer August 2014

AMO NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 33004601 S. Federal Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Thomas J. Bethel, National President tommybethel@aol.comtbethel@amo-union.orgJosé E. Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer(jleonard@amo-union.org)Jack Branthover, Special Assistant to the National President(jbranthover@amo-union.org)FAX: (954) 926-5112Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea(jgremelsbacker@amo-union.org)Charles A. Murdock, National Vice President, Inland Waters (cmurdock@amo-union.org)Mobile: (954) 531-9977FAX: (954) 367-1025Dispatch: (800) 345-3410 / FAX: (954) 926-5126Brendan Keller, Dispatcher (bkeller@amo-union.org)Robert Anderson, Dispatcher (randerson@amo-union.org)Member Services: Extension 1050 (memberservices@amo-union.org)

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001Thomas J. Bethel, National President tommybethel@aol.comtbethel@amo-union.orgJ. Michael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relationsmmurphy@amo-union.orgMobile: (202) 560-6889T. Christian Spain, National Assistant Vice President, Government Relationscspain@amo-union.orgMobile: (202) 658-9635John K. DeCrosta, Director of Political Affairs jdecrosta@amo-union.orgMobile: (202) 557-9190FAX: (202) 479-1188

PORTS

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191132 International Plaza, Suite 422Robert J. Kiefer, National Executive Vice President (rkiefer@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001Mobile: (215) 859-1059FAX: (610) 521-1301

Chris Holmes, Contract Analyst (cholmes@amo‐union.org)(800) 362‐0513 ext. 4002Mobile: (856) 693‐0694

TOLEDO, OH 43604The Melvin H. Pelfrey BuildingOne Maritime Plaza, Third Floor(419) 255-3940(800) 221-9395FAX: (419) 255-2350John E. Clemons, National Vice President, Great Lakes (johnclemons@amo-union.org)Brian D. Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice President(bkrus@amo-union.org)Stan Barnes, National Representative(wbarnes@amo-union.org)Michelle Moffitt, Dispatcher(mmoffitt@amo-union.org)

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

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

STAR CENTER

STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING AND COURSE INFORMATION2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004(954) 920-3222 ext. 201(800) 942-3220 ext. 201Course Attendance Confirmation: (800) 942-3220 ext. 200FAX: (954) 920-314024 Hours: (954) 920-3222 ext.7999

TRAINING RECORDS SYSTEMLisa Marra(954) 920-3222 ext. 7118 / FAX: (954) 925-5681TRS@star-center.com

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

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

LEGAL

AMO Coast Guard Legal Aid Joel Glanstein, General CounselProgram 437 Madison AveMichael Reny 35th FloorMobile: (419) 346-1485 New York, NY 10022(419) 243-1105 / (888) 853-4662 (212) 370-5100MikeReny@BEX.NET FAX: (212) 697-6299

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will be

held during the week following the first Sunday of every

month at 1 p.m. local time. Meetings will be held on

Monday at AMO National Headquarters (on Tuesday when

Monday is a contract holiday). The next meetings will take

place on the following dates:

AMO National Headquarters: September 8, October 6

Maersk Arkansas — final U.S. crew

Captain Mark Rhodes submitted this photo of the final U.S. crew of the MaerskArkansas. The ship’s last day under U.S. registry was July 19. In the photo areFirst Assistant Engineer Alexander Koroteyev, Chief Mate Dan Healey, CaptainRhodes, Third Mate Linsey Knight, Chief Engineer Werner Kraemer, ElectricianLinarys Castillo-Ortiz, Deck Cadet Max Chase, Second Mate Henry Matthew, SADenis Cossio, AB/DM Rotillio Moreira-Alvarez, AB Miguel Matos, Chief StewardGlenn Taan, Third A.E. Timothy Schneider, Second A.E. Robert Atkinson andChief Cook David Moses. Not in the picture are Bosun Charles Mul, AB/DMLouis Indelicato, AB Sean Jones, AB Kaamil Gray and QMED Jeffery Bull.

American Maritime Officer • 11August 2014

“These vessels are the largest invest-ment in our company’s history,” said DeniseTabbutt, one of the three sisters who are pri-mary shareholders in TOTE’s parent com-pany, Saltchuk Resources. “We have atremendous amount of confidence in theNASSCO team ... and we are lucky to havesuch incredible partners.”

Marlin ClassContinued from Page 1

AMO members encouraged to complete STCW 2010gap closing training as soon as possible

Enrollment at STAR Center isunderway for courses to meet the require-ments of the U.S. Coast Guard’s imple-mentation of STCW 2010. Members ofAmerican Maritime Officers are encour-aged to register for the training they willneed to meet these requirements as soonas possible, and well before the Jan. 1,2017 implementation date.

Merchant Mariner Credentials(MMCs) can be renewed between nowand the implementation date with no newrequirements. However, MMCs that arerenewed without the gap closing trainingrequirements having being met will havean STCW endorsement expiration date ofDec. 31, 2016.

The expiration date limitation can beavoided by submitting a renewal applica-tion with documentation showing gap clos-ing training has been completed. TheSTCW expiration limitation can also be lift-ed at a later date by submitting a separate

application with documentation showinggap closing training has been completed.

Planning to complete required train-ing well ahead of the deadline, and if pos-sible, ahead of the renewal of a currentMMC will help prevent the need for sub-mitting additional documentation to theU.S. Coast Guard.

STAR Center has posted presenta-tions online describing the gap closingrequirements for different ratings. The pre-

sentations are available in a variety of for-mats on the STAR Center website(www.star-center.com). STAR Center hasalso prepared a guidance sheet, which listsSTCW 2010 gap closing requirements andcompliance dates for existing mariners whoalready hold the required credentials to sail.

The U.S. Coast Guard has so farreleased 19 of the 26 NVICs related to thefinal rule, and STAR Center has been ableto use the information to plan and sched-

ule the necessary courses to accommodateAMO members. STAR Center hasreleased the set schedule for all gap clos-ing courses for STCW through 2015.AMO members are encouraged to enrollin the courses they will individually needas soon as possible. AMO members canregister online for courses.

STAR Center will be releasing addi-tional information as it becomes availableon gap closing and upgrading programs.

Upgrading to master after preparing at STAR Center

American Maritime Officersmember Richard Benish in Junesuccessfully completed allexams at REC Miami toupgrade to master, GreatLakes, any gross tons, afterpreparing at STAR Center.

12 • American Maritime Officer August 2014

Reps. Garamendi, Hunter co-sponsorGrowing American Shipping Act

The following article was released

July 30 by the office of Congressman John

Garamendi (D-CA).

WASHINGTON, DC — Today,Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03), Ranking Member of the HouseTransportation and Infrastructure’sCoast Guard and MaritimeTransportation Subcommittee, intro-duced H.R. 5270, the Growing AmericanShipping Act, to strengthen the U.S.

maritime industry. The Subcommittee’sChairman, Congressman Duncan Hunter(R-CA-50), joined the legislation as anoriginal cosponsor.

Existing law, written before thenatural gas boom when we thoughtAmerica would be a liquefied natural gas(LNG) importer, authorizes theSecretary of Transportation to developand implement a program to promote thetransportation of imported LNG on U.S.-

flag vessels. Under the Deepwater PortsAct, the Secretary is also required togive top priority to the processing oflicenses for LNG import facilities thatwill utilize U.S.-flag vessels.

This bill would modernize theselaws, ensuring that our commitment toU.S. maritime is maintained as we consid-er export opportunities. It would:

•Authorize the Secretary ofTransportation to develop and implement

a program to promote the export of LNGon U.S.-flag vessels, and

•Require the Secretary to give prior-ity processing of export applications fordeepwater port terminals that would uti-lize U.S.-flag vessels.

Ranking Member Garamendi said,“In order for businesses to grow, theymust identify new opportunities and seizethem. The export market for LNG, astrategic national asset, is ready to takeoff. At the same time, our nation’s mar-itime industry has been declining foryears. Our nation must take the bull by thehorns. When it is deemed appropriate toexport LNG, it should be on American-flagged vessels.”

Chairman Hunter said, “A strongU.S. maritime industry is essential to thenational economy and global security.This legislation will help strengthen thisindustry by promoting LNG export oppor-tunities on U.S. flag vessels — which ismost certainly in the national interest.”

Legislation promotes revitalization of the industrythrough the export of liquefied natural gas

Senate confirms Jaenichen as maritime administratorThe Senate has confirmed Paul

“Chip” Jaenichen as U.S. maritimeadministrator.

“Chip is working hard on behalfof our industry and his confirmation isvery positive for MARAD and for U.S.merchant mariners,” said AmericanMaritime Officers National Vice

President, Government Relations, MikeMurphy. “He has developed good relation-ships with the stakeholders of the U.S. mar-itime industry and we’re optimistic aboutwhat MARAD can accomplish under hisleadership.”

Chairman of the American MaritimePartnership (AMP) Thomas Allegretti

said: “AMP members appreciateAdministrator Jaenichen’s understandingthat a strong domestic maritime industry iscritical for U.S. economic, national, andhomeland security and that this essentialindustry is best supported by maintainingthe Jones Act, which serves as the founda-tion of the nation’s vibrant domestic mar-

itime policy. We look forward to work-ing with him to ensure that theAmerican maritime sector can growand thrive as we proudly continue ourservice to the nation.” AMP is a coali-tion of which American MaritimeOfficers Service is a member andwhich AMO supports.

USNS Mendonca serves in JLOTS 2014Members of American Maritime

Officers aboard the USNS Mendonca

remained cool under pressure as theytook part in Military Sealift Command’sannual Joint Logistics Over-the-Shoreexercise, held in Alaska from March 27to April 2.

The exercise, sponsored by theU.S. Transportation Command, isdesigned to move military and disaster

relief supplies from ships at sea to shore inareas where port infrastructure is notavailable. The USNS Mendonca, a largemedium-speed roll-on/roll-off ship, is ide-ally suited for such maneuvers, particular-ly in icy conditions due to the vessel’sunique onboard systems.

Still, the climate proved to be achallenge during the military exercise.

“The extreme tides, strong currents

and floating ice made a big challenge evenbigger,” said AMO member CaptainMichael Wachter, master on the USNS

Mendonca. “The key players from all theservices pulled together and made thenear-impossible [seem] routine.”

The USNS Mendonca is operatedfor Military Sealift Command by GeneralDynamics American Overseas MarineCorp. and is manned in all licensed posi-

tions by American Maritime Officers.During the seven-day exercise,

the USNS Mendonca and its crew sup-ported MSC’s Expeditionary Port Units116 and 117 and the Army’s 7thTransportation Brigade, as reported inSealift, the official publication of MSC.This year’s JLOTS operation included14 linked disaster-response scenariosthat might arise if a major earthquakewere to strike in Alaska. MSC based themagnitude of the natural disaster on thereal-life event of 1964.

Above: The USNS Mendoncaparticipated in the annual JointLogistics Over-the-Shore exer-cise, held this year in Alaskafrom March 27 to April 2.

At right: The USNS Mendoncaoffloaded disaster relief cargo

and military vehicles that couldbe used in relief efforts, includ-

ing amphibious vehicles andwatercraft.

Above: AMO officers aboardthe USNS Mendonca workedwith MSC’s Expeditionary PortUnits 116 and 117 and theArmy’s 7th TransportationBrigade during the seven-dayJLOTS exercise in Alaska.

At left: The USNS Mendoncaworked successfully with othermilitary vessels to completeship-to-shore exercises duringMSC’s annual JLOTS event inAlaska.