1. law, govt and politics
2. law enforcement
3. coast guard

Volume 45, Number 3
March 2015
Pasha Hawaii’s M/V Marjorie C nears delivery
The following article was released
February 18 by Pasha Hawaii.
American Maritime Officers represents
all licensed officers aboard the M/V
Marjorie C and M/V Jean Anne.
Honolulu-based Pasha Hawaii
today announced the M/V Marjorie C has
attained main engine light off while
under final construction at VT Halter
Marine, Pascagoula, MS. This important
step leaves only the final milestone for
the ConRo (combination container/rollon/roll-off) vessel prior to delivery to
Pasha Hawaii.
Main engine light off is a significant achievement with today’s modern
shipbuilding technology as it signals the
complex network of ship systems is com-
New AMO jobs aboard Jones Act ConRo in Hawaii trade
plete and all successfully working together.
Sea trials are now anticipated before the end
of the month, with vessel delivery to follow
in March.
“This critical milestone celebrates the
culmination of three and a half years of hard
work and dedication by the men and women
at the VT Halter Marine shipyard and Pasha
Hawaii,” said George W. Pasha, IV, President
and CEO of The Pasha Group.
The addition of the Marjorie C to the
Mainland/Hawaii trade lane represents a sub-
stantial long-term investment to the
future of serving Hawaii. Pasha Hawaii’s
commitment of over $200 million to the
Hawaii trade is also a large success for
the Jones Act, exemplifying the growing
trend of introducing modern vessels into
See Marjorie C ◆ Page 5
AMO secures 10.75-year agreement with Maersk Line,
Limited covering four Maritime Security Program ships
American Maritime Officers has
secured a 10.75-year agreement with
Maersk Line, Limited covering four containerships operating in the Maritime
Security Program fleet. The agreement
extends through the conclusion of the current authorization of the MSP in 2025.
The new agreement includes annual
across-the-board pay increases in each of the
first five years, and mandated total labor cost
(TLC) increases in each of the following
years on the anniversary date of the agreement each year.
“The gains for the AMO officers
under this new agreement achieve long-term
financial stability and continuity of employment,” said AMO National Executive Vice
President Robert Kiefer. “The AMO members serving on the committee, Shaun
Hughes and Al Stevens, are to be commend-
ed for their hard work, patience and professionalism throughout these lengthy and
challenging negotiations.”
The new agreement also provides for
improvements in crew rotation and travel
allowance. Additionally, all actuarially
required increases in contributions to the
AMO Plans were secured.
The ships covered by the agreement
are the Maersk Pittsburgh, Maersk Chicago,
Maersk Missouri and Maersk Carolina.
AMO-manned LMSR USNS Pililaau
delivers for Cobra Gold 2015
Page 5: In February, the USNS Pililaau delivered equipment and supplies for exercise Cobra Gold 2015 in Thailand. The order to activate
was received on January 24, and seven days later, the ship was underway from Saipan to load cargo in Guam.
At left: AMO members serving on the
negotiating committee with AMO
National Executive Vice President
Robert Kiefer, AMO National Assistant
Vice President Daniel Shea and AMO
Contract Analyst Chris Holmes were
Captain Shaun Hughes and Chief
Engineer Al Stevens.
Maersk Peary serves in Operation
Deep Freeze to resupply McMurdo
Page 7: In February, the Maersk Peary delivered a total of five million
gallons of fuel to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, as part of Operation
Deep Freeze 2015, including 4.5 million gallons of diesel fuel and
500,000 gallons of jet fuel — 100 percent of the fuel needed for the year.
Page 12: Delivering holiday cheer in the Philippines
Copyright © 2015 American Maritime Officers
■
editorial@amo-union.org
AMO exceptionalism and Jones Act fleet expansion
2 • American Maritime Officer
By Paul Doell
National President
In January
2015, the keel was
laid for the first of
two dual fuel combination container/roll-on, roll-off
ships ordered by a
unit of Crowley
Maritime Corp.
from VT Halter
Marine
in
Pascagoula, Miss.
These ships will be fueled by liquefied natural gas.
Next month, TOTE, Inc. will
launch the first of two dual fuel combination container/roll-on, roll-off ships
at the General Dynamics NASSCO
yard in San Diego. This will be the first
ship of its kind to be fueled by liquefied natural gas.
These remarkable developments
March 2015
will result in four unique U.S.-flagged
ships that will ply domestic routes
between Florida and Puerto Rico. They
will result as well in new jobs for
American Maritime Officers — which
will represent the engine and deck officers aboard these unique LNG-powered
vessels — and new employer contributions to the AMO benefit funds.
But the good news does not end
there. By the end of this year, U.S. shipyards will begin turning out at least 20
product tankers for domestic trade —
and each of these vessels will provide
new work for AMO engineers and deck
officers and generate new employer contributions to AMO Plans.
Savvy business decisions, private
investment and market forces — classic supply and demand — are factors
here. But I see AMO exceptionalism
and the Jones Act among the principal
considerations.
Our union is distinguished coastto-coast and worldwide by the quality of
Winter lay up on the Great Lakes
AMO members working aboard the Philip R. Clarke in January as the vessel entered winter lay up included Steward Donald Stowell, Second
Assistant Engineer, Andrew Vervelde, Third A.E. Katrina Walheim, Chief
Engineer Kevin Werda and First A.E. Douglas Sherman. With them are
AMO Senior National Assistant Vice President Brian Krus, Special
Assistant to the National President (Great Lakes) John Clemons and
National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Murdock.
its skilled seagoing members, who bring
professionalism to increasingly higher
levels, no matter what the mission.
Were it not for the Jones Act —
Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of
1920, which holds domestic waterborne
commerce for merchant vessels owned,
flagged, crewed and built in the United
States — overseas interests would monopolize cargo movement between and
among U.S. ports and between the U.S.
mainland and the remote states and territories of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and
Guam. This venerable law is challenged
all the time, but it stands on merit — and
in significant part on the strength of legislative legwork done for generations in
Washington by AMO.
In the context of this enhanced job
and benefit security and its driving
forces, I ask AMO members everywhere to support the AMO Voluntary
Political Action Fund in defense of the
Jones Act and to keep current on membership dues so that they can benefit
fully from the boom …
A reminder: keep dues current
Preliminary cost containment measures adopted by the American Maritime
Officers National Executive Board —
including salary cuts in principal official
positions and savings resulting from payroll attrition — are producing significant
results, and board members are preparing
additional cost control measures for official discussion and review.
Meanwhile, deep-sea, Great Lakes
and inland waters AMO members are
pleased to know that the board voted
unanimously to cancel the membership
dues increase that had been set for
January 2015.
Seagoing AMO members can now
complement these productive initiatives
effectively by keeping current with
their dues payments. Applicants for
AMO membership can do the same with
initiation fee installments and the timely payment of dues (Article V
[Finances] of the AMO National
Constitution requires that membership
dues be paid “in advance quarterly”).
Dues delinquency carries consequences, including loss of membership
in good standing as defined in the AMO
National Constitution. Loss of membership in good standing could, in turn,
result in the loss of permanent jobs, the
inability to vote in AMO elections and
policy referenda, and dismissal from
AMO membership after one year —
which could, in turn, complicate career
planning and put long-term job and benefit security at real risk.
Applicants for AMO membership
are required to pay initiation fees within
five years, in one payment or in five equal
annual installments. Applicants who fail
to meet these terms can be denied membership in AMO and may forfeit money
already paid to AMO as initiation fees.
Chronic dues delinquency and lagging initiation fees could also limit our
union’s ability to function at peak efficiency, undermine service to all AMO members and their families, thwart the executive board’s developing cost containment
strategy and make it difficult for the board
to hold the line on dues increases.
American Maritime Officer (USPS 316-920)
Official Publication of American Maritime Officers
601 S. Federal Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 921-2221
Periodical Postage Paid at
Dania Beach, FL, and Additional Mailing Offices
Published Monthly
AMO members working abord the ATB Ken Boothe Sr./Lakes Contender
in January as the vessel entered winter lay up included Assistant
Engineer Nate Mosley and Chief Engineer Peter Warren. With them are
AMO Special Assistant to the National President (Great Lakes) John
Clemons and Senior National Assistant Vice President Brian Krus.
American Maritime Officers National Executive Board
Paul Doell, National President
Charles Murdock, National Secretary-Treasurer
Robert Kiefer, National Executive Vice President
Joseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea
David Weathers, National Vice President, Inland Waters
Michael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relations
National Assistant Vice Presidents:
Brian Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice President
Daniel Shea, National Assistant Vice President
Daniel Robichaux, National Assistant Vice President
AMO members working aboard the Great Republic in January as the vessel entered winter lay up included First Assistant Engineer John
Brightman, Steward Douglas Rogers, Chief Engineer Matthew Williams,
Second A.E. James Curtis and Third A.E. Michael Hogan. With them are
AMO Senior National Assistant Vice President Brian Krus, National
Secretary-Treasurer Charles Murdock and Special Assistant to the
National President (Great Lakes) John Clemons.
Editor: Matt Burke
Assistant Editor: Todd Wright
POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:
American Maritime Officers
ATTN: Member Services
P.O. Box 66
Dania Beach, FL 33004
March 2015
American Maritime Officer • 3
Bipartisan legislation would provide one-time benefit
for U.S. merchant marine veterans of World War II
Congresswoman Janice Hahn (DCA) and Congressman John Duncan, Jr.
(R-TN) in late January introduced The
Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners
Act of 2015, legislation that would provide surviving U.S. merchant mariners
who served during World War II with a
modest benefit.
The legislation, H.R. 563, was
referred to the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs of the Committee on Veterans’
Affairs, and at press time, had not been
voted on in the House of Representatives.
If approved by both chambers of
Congress and signed by the President,
H.R. 563 would provide a one-time
benefit of $25,000 to each surviving
eligible U.S. merchant marine veteran
of World War II.
“The veterans of the merchant
marine risked their lives in the service of
this nation, but we have never properly
thanked them,” Rep. Hahn said. “Let us
finally right this wrong and repay our debt
of gratitude owed to these heroes.”
Rep. Duncan said: “I have helped
thousands of veterans and those on active
duty and have great respect for them. The
word ‘hero’ is tossed around too lightly
today, but I think anyone who puts their
life on the line for their country deserves
that description. Although the merchant
marines were not formally recognized as
veterans, they are very patriotic and brave
Americans whose sacrifice for our nation
cannot be repaid.”
During World War II, more than
200,000 Americans served in the U.S.
merchant marine and aided our nation’s
military efforts in both the European and
Pacific theatres. U.S. merchant mariners
suffered a casualty rate exceeded only by
the U.S. Marine Corps during World War
II, and those who were not killed, crippled
or taken prisoner returned to sail and serve
in the next convoy.
“So few of these merchant mariners
are with us today,” Rep. Hahn said. “Time
is running out to thank them properly, and
I encourage my colleagues to act quickly
in cosponsoring and passing this important legislation.”
Under H.R. 563, the eligibility
requirements for U.S. merchant marine
veterans include: Being a member of the
U.S. merchant marine (including the
Army Transport Service and the Naval
Transport Service) serving as a
crewmember of a vessel that was (i)
operated by the War Shipping
Administration or the Office of Defense
Transportation (or an agent of the administration or office); (ii) operated in waters
other than inland waters, the Great
Lakes, and other lakes, bays, and harbors
of the United States; (iii) under contract
or charter to, or property of, the government of the United States; and (iv) serving the Armed Forces.
At press time, cosponsors of the
H.R. 563, in addition to Rep. Duncan,
were Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX),
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Jim
McDermott (D-WA) and Rep. Dina
Titus (D-NV).
The following article was released
January 30 by the office of Senator David
Vitter (R-LA).
(Washington, D.C.) — U.S. Senator
David Vitter (R-La.) today released a statement for the Congressional Record defending the Jones Act, a law that protects the
domestic maritime industry. This week
Vitter fought against legislation proposed
by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) to repeal
the Jones Act. The amendment was not
passed by the Senate.
“Any attacks against the Jones Act are
attacks directly on Louisiana’s state economy. The maritime industry creates tens of
thousands of local jobs and supports families
and communities down the Mississippi
River, along all our waterways, and across
our coasts,” Vitter said. “Louisiana’s maritime industry is vital to our national economy and plays an important role in strengthening our homeland security.”
The domestic maritime industry creates 55,000 jobs in Louisiana and contributes $11 billion per year to the state
economy.
Vitter’s
statement
for
the
Congressional Record is below.
I rise today to speak on the Jones Act,
an important law for our nation’s maritime
industry and for our national security.
Senator McCain has filed an amendment to
repeal the Jones Act, and I urge its defeat.
In Louisiana, we know how important the maritime industry and Jones Act
related jobs are to our state and our economy. According to the American Maritime
Partnership, Louisiana leads the nation in
maritime jobs by a number of measurements of the domestic maritime economy.
For domestic maritime employment,
Louisiana has more jobs than any other state
— 55,000 jobs out of close to 500,000
nationwide. Louisiana also leads the nation
in per capita maritime jobs, with one in 83
jobs being tied to our domestic maritime
industries, nearly twice that of any other
state. For total economic output from
domestic maritime activity, Louisiana again
leads the nation with more than $11 billion
per year.
Louisiana’s 2,800 miles of navigable
waterways handle more waterborne commerce than any other state. Tug boats based
in Louisiana facilitate entry of cargo into the
Mississippi River and then up the river and
throughout the nation on our inland waterways. This vast infrastructure and the maritime operators using it directly benefit the
entire nation. For example, 60 percent of
export grain travels to the Gulf of Mexico
through Louisiana. Also, one-fifth of our
domestic energy is produced off the coast of
Louisiana with support from the domestic
fleet of offshore workboats.
The Jones Act helps ensure the
strength and stability of our domestic maritime industry, and it will help ensure that it
continues to flourish. These jobs and the
economic benefits from them would be at
risk if the Jones Act were repealed. I have
no doubt that our industries can and will
compete effectively against their counterparts around the world. However, they cannot compete fairly against the heavy subsidization that foreign governments give to
their industries. Also, there cannot be fair
competition when foreign vessels are not
subjected to the same requirements for safety, fuel containers, labor standards, training,
incidental vessel discharges, other environmental regulations, taxes, and more that our
industries have to follow.
Also, the Jones Act is vital to the mil-
Senator Vitter defends Jones Act, domestic maritime industry
AMO aboard tanker Eagle Ford in Jones Act trades
Members of American Maritime
Officers working aboard the Jones
Act tanker Eagle Ford in January,
here in Corpus Christi, Texas,
included Chief Mate Lee Fraser,
Second Mate Brent Acuff, Second
Assistant Engineer Tom Kraemer,
Chief Engineer Rudy Malick, Chief
Mate Eamonn Bradley and Third
Mate Logan Koltermann.
AMO members working aboard
the Jones Act tanker Eagle Ford in
January, here in Corpus Christi,
Texas, included Captain Mark
Maxim, master, and Third
Assistant Engineer Dustin Meyers.
AMO members working aboard
the Jones Act tanker Eagle Ford in
January, here in Corpus Christi,
Texas, included First Assistant
Engineers Bert Knox and Don
Malozi. With them is AMO
National Vice President, Inland
Waters, David Weathers.
See Jones Act ◆ Page 4
4 • American Maritime Officer
First dedicated LNG bunker barge in North
America will be built to service TOTE ships
The following article was published
on the TOTE, Inc. website. American
Maritime Officers represents all licensed
officers aboard the Orca Class ships and
will represent all licensed officers aboard
the Marlin Class ships.
IRVINE, CA, U.S.A.: WesPac
Midstream LLC (WesPac), a leading
provider of energy infrastructure and liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions, and its
affiliate Clean Marine Energy LLC
(CME), the global facilitator of tailored
solutions for Emission Control Area
(ECA) compliance, announced today a
construction contract with Conrad Orange
Shipyard, Inc., a division of Conrad
Shipyard, LLC, to build the first dedicated
LNG bunker barge for the marine market
in North America. This barge will be a
critical supply chain component in ongo-
ing efforts around the world to reduce the
environmental impact of maritime activity
through the conversion of ships to LNG.
A surface analysis of the Great
Lakes released by the National
Oceanic
and
Atmospheric
Administration recorded total ice
cover of 84.1 percent as of February
26, 2015. This compares to a total ice
cover of 79.8 percent on the Great
Lakes at the same point in 2014.
Extreme ice conditions on the
Lakes delayed the start of the 2014
shipping season and resulted in nearly
$6 million in damage to vessels activated to resupply customers low on
key commodities at the beginning of
the season. The ice conditions on the
Lakes last winter cost the economy more
than $700 million and approximately
3,800 jobs, the Lake Carriers’
Association reported.
The LCA has emphasized the shipping industry’s appreciation for the icebreaking efforts of the U.S. and Canadian
Coast Guards during the 2014 ice season.
“They are the only reason we were
able to move nearly 10 million tons of cargo
under such challenging conditions,” said
LCA President James Weakley. “Still, it is
clear that the ice conditions that prevailed
last winter call for a reassessment of
both nations’ icebreaking fleets.”
The LCA is calling on Congress
to fund the construction of a second
heavy icebreaker to partner with the
U.S. Coast Guard’s Mackinaw, and
conditions on the Lakes this winter are
again demonstrating the need.
Separately, on March 4, the
steamer Arthur M. Anderson arrived
in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. for winter lay
up, completing an epic voyage
through the ice that started at the
beginning of February.
cargoes around the world.
For our homeland security, the Jones
Act helps keep our ports and waterways
safer from attack. Imagine if our inland
waterways and ports were fully open to foreign vessels. The Coast Guard and our other
law enforcement agencies would have no
real, effective way to know if vessels are
safe as they travel through our river communities, if the crews are properly licensed
for the vessel’s operation, or if anyone or
anything on the vessels pose a risk. The
Jones Act helps our first responders and law
enforcement better know any potential
threats and allows them to be better prepared to act in an emergency.
In short, any legislation to repeal or
lessen the protections of the Jones Act
would threaten jobs, economic growth,
military strength, and homeland security. I
will continue working to support the U.S.
maritime industry.
Ice cover on the Lakes exceeds previous
year, presents challenges for shipping
Jones Act
Continued from Page 3
itary as it protects our national security. In
order to ensure our Navy remains the best
equipped and most powerful navy in the
world, we must have a domestic skills base
and shipbuilding capacity. Also, we need to
have an adequate domestic fleet to ensure
the fast and secure delivery of vital military
M/V Roger Blough at winter berth
The M/V Roger Blough entered winter lay-up in Erie, Pa. in January.
American Maritime Officers represents the licensed engineers and stewards
aboard the Key Lakes vessel.
March 2015
The first 2,200 cubic meter (cbm)
barge is expected to be delivered in early
2016 and planned to initially be deployed
in Tacoma, Washington, to service
shipowner Totem Ocean Trailer Express’s
(Totem Ocean) “Orca class” RO/RO vessels, in addition to other LNG-powered
vessels. Subsequently the barge will be
relocated to Jacksonville, Florida to serve
TOTE’s (parent company to Totem
Ocean) newbuild “Marlin class” container
vessels and other LNG-powered vessels in
the Port of Jacksonville.
The LNG barge will feature one
tank equipped with MARK III Flex cargo
containment technology, from the French
engineering and technology company
GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz), to be
constructed by Conrad Orange Shipyard
under GTT license. Bristol Harbor Group,
Inc. will be responsible for the vessel’s
design, with the American Bureau for
Shipping (ABS) acting as the classification society.
This initial bunker barge for TOTE
is part of the WesPac/CME plan to provide
an integrated LNG solution for engine
conversion, infrastructure, supply, and
delivery logistics to the shipping industry.
As more U.S. Jones Act shipowners and
operators seek to meet stringent 0.1 percent sulfur limits within ECAs by converting to LNG as a cleaner bunker fuel,
WesPac/CME plans to exercise its options
with Conrad to construct additional LNG
fueling barges to serve other North
American ports. Pace Ralli, CEO and CoFounder of CME, commented: “A comprehensive LNG supply and distribution
network for the marine market in North
America is critical for the shipping industry. Today’s announcement shows that
WesPac/CME is taking the necessary
steps to complete the LNG supply chain
so ship owners can be assured LNG will
be available when and where it is needed.”
Peter Keller, EVP of TOTE, stated:
“We are pleased to work with our partners
WesPac and CME on these groundbreaking LNG projects. This sophisticated new
barge, constructed by Conrad and utilizing
GTT membrane technology, will serve
both our Orca class vessels as they are
converted to LNG and the Marlins, the
world’s first LNG dual fueled container
vessels. TOTE is committed to caring for
the environment and the communities we
serve and this barge will enable us to supply our ships with LNG, a cleaner alternative fuel.”
Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the M/V Roger
Blough in January as the ship entered winter lay-up in Erie, Pa. included
Third Assistant Engineer James Mayhew, Chief Engineer Eric Wiese and
First A.E. Greg Derry. With them is AMO Senior National Assistant Vice
President Brian Krus.
USNS Pililaau delivers for exercise Cobra Gold ‘15
March 2015
The following article was published on the Defense Video & Imagery
Distribution System website. American
Maritime Officers represents all licensed
officers aboard the USNS Pililaau, which
is operated for Military Sealift Command
by General Dynamics American
Overseas Marine.
USNS Pililaau, At Sea — The maritime prepositioning ship, U.S. Naval Ship
Pililaau, sails across the Pacific Ocean
February 6 with equipment and supplies for
exercise Cobra Gold 2015 in Thailand.
The Pililaau is one of many ships
which make up the Marine Corps’
Maritime Prepositioning Force. The MPF
provides the Marine Air-Ground Task
Force essential equipment and supplies to
support and execute crisis or contingency
responses worldwide.
The need for a Maritime
Prepositioning Force was first noticed by
the nation’s military leaders in the Persian
Gulf and, as a result, the Marine Corps
had equipment and supplies aboard seven
vessels by the 1980s. The MPF became
fully operational between 1984 and 1986
with 13 ships organized into three
squadrons strategically located to support
global coverage. The Marine Corps continues to utilize MPF capabilities for
humanitarian
assistance,
disaster
response, training exercises and, if called
to do so, to support wartime efforts.
The MPF has supported operations
such as Desert Shield, Desert Storm,
Restore Hope and Iraqi Freedom. The most
recent real-world support was in 2010 for
humanitarian operations in response to
damage caused by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti.
“Our main function is supplying
the Marines, but they also do humanitarian aid when possible,” said Captain Don
Pigott, master on the USNS Pililaau.
The prepositioning of equipment and
supplies throughout the globe enhances the
Marine Corps’ ability to be an expeditious
force in readiness. Service members with
different skill sets are formed into an
offload preparation party, which prepares
the equipment and supplies for offload
while the ship is underway.
“[The] MPF is a good asset. In any
instance we’re constantly ready,” said
Marjorie C
American Maritime Officer • 5
U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Mandaline Hatch
Captain Don Pigott, master on the USNS Pililaau, welcomes Brig. Gen. Steven
Rudder, the commanding general for 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, aboard the ship.
The Maritime Prepositioning Force
ship USNS Pililaau loads Marines with
the offload preparation party in order
to support training exercise Cobra
Gold 2015, January 31.
The Maritime Prepositioning Force ship USNS Pililaau is loaded with equipment
to support the various missions of the Marine Corps, such as training exercise
Cobra Gold 2015.
Staff Sgt. Michael Estrada, an embark
specialist with Blount Island Command
supporting the OPP aboard the Pililaau.
“We’re always prepared for any mission,
and that’s what these ships are made for.
We’re a force ready.”
Since the disbanding of Squadron 1
in 2012, the MPF now consists of only two
squadrons. The USNS Pililaau, based out of
Guam, is one of the eleven ships part of
Squadron 3 working for III Marine
Expeditionary Force.
The MPF loads the ships with enough
equipment and supplies to sustain a Marine
Expeditionary Brigade-sized MAGTF —
approximately 14,500 members — for 30
days of operations. Ships like the Pililaau
can hold 11,616 tons of cargo and have the
carrying capacity of 380,000 square feet.
“I found out we were leaving the
day before we left,” said Lance Cpl.
Jackson Chandler, a field radio operator
with the Offload Preparation Party, from
Sneads, Florida. “I’m impressed with
how quickly they were able to put everything together. Everyone was well pre-
pared and had everything they needed to
complete their individual mission.”
The crew of the Pililaau received
the order to activate and support Cobra
Gold 15 January 24. Seven days later
they had left their homeport in Saipan,
the largest of the Marianas Islands, and
arrived in Guam where they fully stocked
the ship with provisions and were standing ready for the OPP Marines coming
aboard. During the voyage from Guam to
Thailand, the OPP worked alongside the
ship’s crew to prepare the equipment and
supplies for the exercise. On the morning
of February 8, the first amphibious
assault vehicle left the lower deck of the
ship and was staged on the pier in Laem
Chebang, Thailand — nearly 3,000 miles
from where they started.
“We show the flag around the world,”
said Pigott. “We’re ready at all times. We
were given very little notice, and we’re on
our way. We’re always ready to go.”
Continued from Page 1
the U.S. shipping industry and strengthening
the economy with domestic maritime jobs.
Bill Skinner, CEO VT Halter Marine,
said, “We are proud to have achieved the last
major milestone for delivery of the Marjorie
C for Pasha. She is a significant Jones Act
ship and we are proud to be associated with
such a great company as Pasha. This Jones
Act qualified ship, along with other ships we
are currently building, are critical to the
future of our shipyard, as (is the case) for
other commercial U.S. yards. Jones Act vessel construction represents over 80 percent of
our business and keeps over 2,000 people
gainfully employed year after year.”
“Hawaii communities are highly
dependent on reliable, efficient, and scheduled ocean transportation services,” added
Pasha. “We are pleased to soon offer weekly
service with Marjorie C, sailing opposite the
Jean Anne, and to provide our customers
with new, complementary capabilities for
containers and a wide variety of fully covered roll-on/roll-off cargo.”
M/V Marjorie C photos by Ray Broussard
March 2015
6 • American Maritime Officer
MTD president: Maritime labor again mounts an
effective defense of crucial U.S. cabotage law
When faced with a direct attack on
the Jones Act sooner than expected in the
114th Congress, maritime labor rallied to
mount a successful defense of the crucial
U.S. cabotage law that is vital to the
nation’s defense, security and economy.
The attack on the Jones Act
launched by Senator John McCain (RAZ), and the subsequent affirmation of
the law’s importance, were among the
topics addressed by Maritime Trades
Department President Michael Sacco in
his opening remarks for the MTD’s
meetings in February in Atlanta, Ga.
“As you all know, our affiliates
and port councils pulled together quickly
and effectively, as did all the other com-
ponents of our industry,” Sacco said. “We
mobilized with a grassroots campaign that
included support from our military and from
congressmen and senators on both sides of
the aisle.
“We gathered so much support that the
amendment never even came up for a vote.”
He continued: “Two of the most
important things that were in the spotlight
during this Jones Act fight were American
jobs and American security. I know I’m
preaching to the choir, but the Jones Act
helps sustain hundreds of thousands of good
jobs in this country.
“And those jobs help support not
only economic security, but also national
security. I was glad to read quotes from
the commandant of the Coast Guard
and from different politicians who
pointed out that, without the Jones Act,
we couldn’t deliver the goods for our
military. The law may only apply to
domestic shipping, but it helps sustain
our shipbuilding capacity; and it helps
sustain our shipboard manpower pool.
“If we lose the Jones Act, it’ll only
be a matter of time before our American
servicemen and servicewomen are
forced to rely on foreign-flagged ships
with foreign crews — and I know we
will never let that happen,” Sacco said.
“Our jobs are too important. Our
troops are too important. Our country is
too important.”
putting downward pressure on the number of
jobs for qualified U.S. mariners. Since
January of 2010, 54 ... U.S.-flagged vessels
have either been scrapped or laid up. And on
the federal side, we have changed the operating condition of some of federal sealift,
reserve sealift, and also some of our prepositioning vessels, that has lost another 150
jobs. The total loss of employment is almost
2,400 jobs in a sailing community with ocean
endorsements of only about 12,000. That is
not sustainable.
“With the drawdown of the troops in
Afghanistan and Iraq, with declines in agricultural and food-aid cargoes, as well as
other military cargoes, the cargoes that U.S.flag operators are relying on are shrinking
and they are shrinking quickly,” he said.
“Over the last three years, the amount of government-impelled preference cargo carried
on liners has declined from 5.6 million tons
to 2.2 million tons. That’s a 61 percent
decrease in three years.
“The Maritime Administration has
been taking steps,” Jaenichen said. “We started in late 2013 and we kicked off our effort
to develop what we refer to as a strategic
framework.”
That framework will inform Congress
and federal agencies of the challenges facing
the industry and will identify actions that can
be taken to sustain and reinvigorate the U.S.flag fleet, he said. “We’re calling this the
National Maritime Strategy.”
Based on feedback from labor and
industry, MARAD has developed a list of
tenents that will comprise the strategy.
During his presentation, he focused on
some of these tenents, adding that the list
Maritime administrator: National Maritime Strategy
can offer options to fight decline in U.S.-flag fleet
The jobs of American mariners and
workers in all of the U.S. maritime trades
face a variety of threats in the current economic environment, and it is imperative we
take serious and comprehensive steps to fortify the U.S. maritime industry and reverse
the decline in the U.S.-flag fleet operating in
international trade.
These were among the points made by
Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip”
Jaenichen in his presentation to the Maritime
Trades Department in February.
“Ninety percent of all of our commerce is transported by ship and we have a
substantial reliance on foreign-flagged vessels and vessels flying flags of convenience,
which places our national sovereignty and
our domestic maritime labor pool in an
extremely vulnerable position,” Jaenichen
said. “Today we are at an inflection point. On
one side, you have real jobs lost, you have
real communities destroyed, you have real
threats to not only our economic future but
also our national security. On the other side,
you have a robust U.S. maritime industry.
“I know which way I want to go, and I
think you do, too,” he said. “Unfortunately,
we have not had a lot of good news lately.
“The number of U.S.-flagged liners
operating in international trade declined from
151 in the year 1990 to 73 at the end of
2014,” he said. “In the last three years alone,
the number of U.S.-flagged vessels of all
types operating in international trade has fallen from 106 on the 1st of January of 2012 to
80 today. So, in three years, that 50 percent
drop that we saw over 24 years ... half of it
has happened in the last three years alone. 60
of those ships ... remaining are in a program
we call the Maritime Security Program.
“That number of U.S.-flagged ships is
AMO National President Paul Doell (left) and National Vice President, Inland
Waters, David Weathers (right) greet Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip”
Jaenichen during the Maritime Trades Department meetings in February.
Retirement ceremony aboard USNS Pathfinder
See MARAD ◆ Page 7
American Maritime Officers member Captain Patrick Murphy, here
aboard the USNS Pathfinder, on
which he sailed as master, retired
in December. Congratulating him
is Captain Melvin Santos, master
on the USNS Pathfinder.
Participating in Captain Murphy’s
retirement ceremony were First
Assistant Engineer Chipper Lee,
Chief Engineer Mike Hadley,
Second Mate Dave Witzke, Third
Mate Chris Hulse, Radio Officer
Eric Bodner and Third Assistant
Engineer David Brewster. The
USNS Pathfinder is operated by
3PSC, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Maersk Line, Limited, and is
manned in all licensed positions
by AMO.
Commander of USTRANSCOM highlights vital roles
of U.S. merchant mariners, MSP, VISA, Jones Act
March 2015
“I want to thank you all for the privilege of standing before you today to talk
about what I believe to be the foundation of
the strength of our nation, which is our maritime trades and the ability to move our
forces to any point on the globe at the time
of our choosing. Without you, without all of
your efforts, that would not be possible.”
These were among the opening
remarks of Gen. Paul Selva, commander of
the U.S. Transportation Command, during
his address to the Maritime Trades
Department in February in Atlanta, Ga.
Gen. Selva followed with a detailed
presentation on the importance of the U.S.
merchant marine and the laws and programs
that support the maritime industry, as well
as challenges facing the U.S.-flag fleet.
“The fact of the matter is our nation
depends on you not only for its economic
security but for its actual physical security,”
he said. “I’m a big fan of saying: If we have
to get into a fight, I want it to be an away
game. You make that possible.
“Whether you’re crewing the ships
MARAD
Continued from Page 6
compiled so far was derived from public
feedback, could be subject to change as the
strategy moves forward, and does not represent a comprehensive index of the National
Maritime Strategy.
“One of the tenents is U.S.-flagged
American Maritime Officer • 7
that are in our surge fleet or our ready
reserve fleet, or whether you’re crewing the
American-flagged international trade vessels that are so important to our national
defense, you make that possible.
“We depend on the ships and the
crews in the Maritime Security Program
and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift
Agreement to be successful,” he said. “You
carry fully two-thirds of all of the cargo that
will ever go to a fight that we send our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines into. You
are the backbone, you are the very backbone, of our national defense, and it is very
important that we protect that relationship.
“... (T)he mission set for transportation has declined from a dollar value of
nearly $12 billion a year in transportation
spent in the Defense Department just two
years ago to the pre-9/11 rate of about $6
billion a year. That’s the real set of numbers,” he said, adding that we are migrating
“to the very set of circumstances the
Maritime Security Program and the
Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement
were designed to sustain. The stipend that
comes to the 60 ships in the Maritime
Security Program — which I value for their
military utility — is a peacetime scheme.
The Voluntary Intermodal Sealift
Agreement, where industry gives the
Defense Department access to both their
over-ocean and inland capacity, is a peacetime readiness scheme designed to make us
ready in crisis. And so you’ll find that I’m
an ardent defender of both.”
Additionally, Gen. Selva highlighted
the importance of the Jones Act to national
defense and sealift operations.
“It’s easy for me to say the economics
favor the Jones Act; national security favors
the Jones Act; and my operational requirements demand access to the labor pool that
is supported by the jobs that are provided by
the Jones Act,” he said.
“I can stand before any group as a
military leader and say: Without the contribution that the Jones Act brings to support
of our industry, there is a direct threat to
national defense.”
Gen. Selva also addressed the need to
recapitalize the aging Ready Reserve Force
fleet, and said USTRANSCOM is working
with the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift
Command on a plan meet this need.
vessels operating in international trade. We
have to sustain and strengthen the Maritime
Security Program, which is a group of 60
commercial vessels, which is the core of our
U.S.-flag international trading fleet, and
they are required by the Department of
Defense to be able to globally project our
Armed Forces,” Jaenichen said. “We want
to reduce the operating and maintenance
costs for U.S.-flagged vessels, shrink the
U.S.-flag cost for compliance, maximize
access to U.S. government preference cargoes and provide monetary and non-monetary incentives for shippers to put cargo on
U.S.-flagged vessels.
“Another of our tenents is the strong
and enduring support of the Merchant
Marine Act of 1920,” he said. “Most of us
here know that as just the Jones Act.
“Other tenents focus on establishing
robust futures for the U.S.-flagged vessels in
domestic trade, and that includes growing
what we refer to as the American marine
highway,” he said. “It’s also engaging in
training and supporting the U.S. mariner pool
and fostering the development of ports, our
inland rivers and waterway system and our
intermodal connectors.”
This is by no means the final list,
Jaenichen said.
Tanker Maersk Peary delivers in Operation Deep Freeze 2015
In February, the Maersk Peary delivered five million gallons of fuel to
McMurdo Station, Antarctica, as part of Operation Deep Freeze 2015. The
ship’s cargo included 4.5 million gallons of diesel fuel and 500,000 gallons of
jet fuel — 100 percent of the fuel needed for the year. The Maersk Peary is
operated by Maersk Line, Limited and is manned in all licensed positions by
American Maritime Officers.
AMO members working aboard the Maersk Peary During Operation Deep
Freeze 2015 included Third Assistant Engineer Hunter Smith, First A.E. James
Cook, Third Mate Greg Trieber, Second Mate Gary Keene, Chief Mate Thua
Pham, Third Mate Richard Darwood, Second A.E. Jason Prete, Captain
Everett Hatton, master on the Maersk Peary, and Chief Engineer Garrett Long.
March 2015
8 • American Maritime Officer
AMO Safety and Education Plan — Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center
(954) 920-3222 / (800) 942-3220 — 2 West Dixie Highway, Dania Beach, FL 33004
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)
Engine Room Resource Management — Classroom (Engineers)
(Required by ALL Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017)
5 days
16, 23 March
5 days
16 March
Leadership & Teamwork (Engineers) (Only required by those Engineers
who completed old ERM class)
1 day
Management of Electrical, Electronic Controllers (Engineers) (Required
by ALL management level Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017)
Basic Training & Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (Required by first
credential renewal AFTER 1 Jan 2017)
23 March
5 days
6, 13, 20, 27
April
6, 20, April
4, 11, 18 May
4, 18 May
13, 27, April
11 May
1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June
6, 13, 20, 27
July
1, 15, 29 June
13, 27 July
8, 22 June
6, 20 July
3, 10, 17, 24
August
10, 24 August
3, 17, 31
August
6, 27 April
8 June
22 October
1 day
8, 29 April
10 June
21 October
ABS NS5 Fleet Management Software
3 days
3 August
9 March
18 May
31 August
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
13 April
4 May
1 June
10, 24 August
14 September
12, 26 October
Basic Safety Training — Refresher
3 days
3 June
26 August
ECDIS
5 days
9 March
20 April
11 May
6 July
10 August
14 September
29 June
13 July
3 August
8 September
5 October
19 October
General Courses
Advanced Fire Fighting
Chemical Safety — Advanced
Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator)
Fast Rescue Boat
5 days
31 August
5 days
3 days
26 May
19 October
9 March
1 June
16 March
4 days
GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework
10 days
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
23 March
26 May
21 September
Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom
5 days
13 April
27 April
20 July
11 May
17 August
15 June
3 August
21 September
17 August
5 October
LNG Tankerman PIC
Safety Officer Course
11 March
8 days
12 March
2 days
24 August
Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator
10 days
Train the Trainer
5 days
23 March
4 May
20 July
3 days
9 March
27 May
27 July
Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program
Train the Trainer — Simulator Instructors
Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy
Deck Courses
Advanced Bridge Resource Management — Meets STCW 2010
Leadership & Management gap closing requirements
Advanced Shiphandling for Masters — (No equivalency) Must have
sailed as Chief Mate Unlimited
10 days TBA
Please call
5 days
5 days
5 days
9 March
17 August
Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rd
Mates
10 days 11 May
Bridge Resource Management Seminar
3 days
Please call
5 days
18 May
3 days
Please call
5 days
23 March
Advanced Emergency Shiphandling — First Class Pilots, Great Lakes
5 days
Dynamic Positioning — Basic
5 days
Integrated Bridge System (IBS) / Prodded Propulsion Training
5 days
Dynamic Positioning — Advanced
STCW Deck Officer Refresher — Great Lakes
TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) — Third Mate (Unlimited or
Great Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required
Tug Training — ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive)
Engineering Courses
Please call
9 March
Please call
5 days 20 April
Advanced Slow Speed Diesel
10 days
16 March
Diesel Crossover
4 weeks
27 July
Basic Electricity
Gas Turbine Endorsement
High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom)
Hydraulics/ Pneumatics
Ocean Ranger Program
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Refrigeration (Operational Level)
Refrigeration (Management Level)
10 days
10 days
3 days
5 days
6 days
Instrumentation (Management) — NEW
10 days
4 May
27 July
1 June
17 August
31 August
22 June
6 July
6 April
23 March
1 week
1, 15, June
27 July
3, 24 August
31 August
5 days
4 weeks
11 May
21 September
14 September
10 August
26 October
26 October
13 April
24 August
5 days
20, 27 April
8 June
5 days
Steam Endorsement
Electronics (Management) — NEW
14, 28 Sep
21 September
12, 26 October
Leadership & Teamworking assessments, in the few cases required, should be completed and signed off onboard.
2 days
EFA (Scheduled with Basic Training Revalidation BUT NOT REQUIRED
FOR STCW 2010)
5, 12, 19, 26
October
14, 21, 28 Sep
16 March
1 June
18 May
Please call
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.
12 October
13 July
20 July
26 October
28 September
2 weeks
4 May
14 September
3, 31 August
14, 28 Sep
5, 19 October
26 October
March 2015
American Maritime Officer • 9
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
6 April
Advanced Stability
5 days
27 April
Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hours homework
Search & Rescue
Management of Medical Care
Leadership & Management
Advanced Cargo — Optional for task sign-off
Marine Propulsion Plants — Optional for task sign-off
Advanced Celestial — Optional for task sign-off
Advanced Navigation — Optional for task sign-off
5 days
2 1/2 days
1/2 day
5 days
5 days
5 days
5 days
5 days
13 July
20 April
27 July
4 May
10 August
6 May
11 May
3 August
12 August
17 August
18 May
24 August
25 May
7 September
1 June
9 March
12 October
26 October
31 August
8 June
14 September
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
25 May
Cargo Operations
9 days
4 May
Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hour homework
Marine Propulsion Plants
Upgrade: Stability
5 days
5 days
7 September
20 April
27 July
1 June
31 August
10 August
26 October
27 April
3 August
17 June
30 September
Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level
5 days
26 March
22 June
5 October
10 days
6 April
13 July
12 October
Shipboard Management
5 days
ECDIS
5 days
Basic CBR Defense
Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat
Watchkeeping 1: BRM
Watchkeeping 2: COLREGS
Search and Rescue
Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (includes Simulator)
5 days
3 days
23 March
2 days
4 May
15 June
10 August
5 days
9 March
8 June
14 September
16 March
15 June
21 September
1 day
17 April
15 May
1 day
Please call
18 May
24 August
28 September
MSC Training Program - ALL MSC COURSE DATES AFTER JUNE 1, 2015 ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED UPON CONFIRMATION.
Damage Control
Helicopter Fire Fighting
1 day
1 day
Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD)
1/2 day
Medical PIC Refresher — Note: MSC approved
3 days
Marine Sanitation Devices
MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once in
career.
MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered
MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members
MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members
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.
Water Sanitation Afloat
Medical Courses
1/2 day
5 days
2 days
16 April
16 April
17 April
29 May
14 May
14 May
15 May
Please call
Please call
26 March
12, 30 March
30 April
29 May
3 days
9, 23 March
13, 27 April
11, 26, May
1/2 day
29 May
1 day
3 days
31 March
Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat
1 day
Please call
Medical Care Provider — Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 12
months. Please fax EFA certificate when registering
7 April
12 May
29 June
28 July
13, 27 October
3 days
8 April
13 May
30 June
29 July
14, 28 October
Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering
Urinalysis Collector Training
5 days
18 May
6 July
3 August
19 October
Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only
1 day
13 April
1 day
10 March
11 August
Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months
Saliva Screening Test — QEDs only
Medical PIC Refresher — Note: MSC approved
Radar Courses
1 day
1/2 day
3 days
9 March
11 March
Please call
Radar Recertification
1 day
30, 31 March
ARPA
1 day
4 days
Please call
Original Radar Observer Unlimited
5 days
5 days
Please call
Radar Recertification at Toledo Maritime Academy — Non-Resident
Training, apply to Student Services, Dania Beach
Radar Recertification & ARPA
11 May
27 July
10 August
23, 24 July
10, 11 Sep
26 October
12 August
28, 29 May
Please call
Please call
Engine STCW / Original Engineer Training Routes — Engine STCW training routes are aimed at Great Lakes members wishing to transition to deep sea.
applicants and sponsored students seeking an original license.
Advanced Fire Fighting
5 days
18 May
Basic Safety Training
5 days
1 June
Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat)
4 days
26 May
EFA/MCP
Basic Electricity (original engineers only)
Original 3 A/E Preparation and Exams
4 days
10 days
A/R
Original engineer training is available to members,
12 May
27 October
8 June
Please call
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 the
school 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 the
American 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.
March 2015
10 • American Maritime Officer
AMO NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
DANIA BEACH, FL 33004
601 S. Federal Highway
(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513
Paul Doell, National President
(pauldoell51@yahoo.com)
Extension 1001 / Mobile: (954) 881-5651
Charles A. Murdock, National Secretary-Treasurer
(cmurdock@amo-union.org)
Mobile: (954) 531-9977
FAX: (954) 367-1025
Jack Branthover, Special Assistant to the National President
(jbranthover@amo-union.org)
FAX: (954) 926-5112
Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea
(jgremelsbacker@amo-union.org)
Mobile: (954) 673-0680
Dispatch: (800) 345-3410 / FAX: (954) 926-5126
Brendan Keller, Dispatcher (bkeller@amo-union.org)
Robert Anderson, Dispatcher (randerson@amo-union.org)
Member Services: Extension 1050 (memberservices@amo-union.org)
OFFICES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024
490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204
(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001
Paul Doell, National President
(pauldoell51@yahoo.com)
Extension 7004 / Mobile: (954) 881-5651
J. Michael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relations
(mmurphy@amo-union.org / mikemurphy68@aol.com)
Mobile: (202) 560-6889
T. Christian Spain, National Assistant Vice President, Government Relations
(cspain@amo-union.org)
Mobile: (202) 658-9635
FAX: (202) 479-1188
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19113
2 International Plaza, Suite 336
Robert J. Kiefer, National Executive Vice President
(rkiefer@amo-union.org)
(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001
Mobile: (215) 859-1059
FAX: (610) 521-1301
Chris Holmes, Contract Analyst
(cholmes@amo‐union.org)
(800) 362‐0513 ext. 4002
Mobile: (856) 693‐0694
UPDATE CREDENTIALS, DOCUMENTS, TRAINING RECORDS
Secure File Upload: https://securetransfer.amo-union.org/
E-mail: memberservices@amo-union.org
Questions: (800) 362-0513 ext. 1050
Guidance from STAR Center
on STCW 2010 gap closing
training requirements
STAR Center has published comprehensive guidance for meeting the requirements of STCW 2010. This information is available on the STAR Center website at:
www.star-center.com/stcw2010.html.
In the STCW 2010 section of the STAR Center website, detailed guidance is available for AMO deck and engineering officers on:
• STCW 2010 gap closing training requirements (deck and engine)
• New STAR Center STCW 2010 management level upgrade programs for chief
mate/master
• New STAR Center STCW 2010 management level upgrade programs for first
assistant engineer/chief engineer
• STCW 2010 renewal requirements for STCW endorsements
STAR Center has posted presentations online describing the gap closing requirements for different ratings.
The presentations are available in a variety of formats on the STAR Center website
at: www.star-center.com/stcw2010presentation.html.
TOLEDO, OH 43604
The Melvin H. Pelfrey Building
One Maritime Plaza, Third Floor
(800) 221-9395 / FAX: (419) 255-2350
John E. Clemons, Special Assistant to the National President (Great Lakes)
(johnclemons@amo-union.org)
Brian D. Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice President
(bkrus@amo-union.org)
Michelle Moffitt, Dispatcher
(mmoffitt@amo-union.org)
GALVESTON, TX 77551
2724 61st Street, Suite B, PMB 192
David M. Weathers, National Vice President, Inland Waters
(dweathers@amo-union.org)
(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001
Mobile: (409) 996-7362
FAX: (409) 737-4454
SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 94607
1121 7th Street, Second Floor
Oakland, CA 94607
Daniel E. Shea, National Assistant Vice President
(dshea@amo-union.org)
(510) 444-5301 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 5001
FAX: (954) 367-1064
NEW ORLEANS / COVINGTON, LA 70434
P.O. Box 5424
Covington, LA 70434
Daniel J. Robichaux, National Assistant Vice President
(drobichaux@amo-union.org)
(954) 367-1036 / Mobile: (985) 201-5462
STAR CENTER
STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING AND COURSE INFORMATION
2 West Dixie Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 920-3222 ext. 201 / (800) 942-3220 ext. 201
Course Attendance Confirmation: (800) 942-3220 ext. 200
24 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
2 West Dixie Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 927-5213
FAX: (954) 929-1415
AMO Coast Guard Legal Aid
Program
Michael Reny
Mobile: (419) 346-1485
(419) 243-1105
(888) 853-4662
MikeReny@BEX.NET
AMO PLANS
2 West Dixie Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(800) 348-6515
FAX: (954) 922-7539
LEGAL
Joel Glanstein, General Counsel
David Glanstein
437 Madison Ave. 35th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 370-5100
(954) 662-9407
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: April 6, May 4
March 2015
American Maritime Officer • 11
AMO members complete STCW 2010 training at STAR Center
AMO members participating in the Leadership and Management course at
STAR Center in February included Nick Colavito, Simo Zatezalo, Rocky Miliano,
Eric Winn, Kevin Lawrence, Ray Chapmann, Stephen Marella, Craig Langford,
Bill Kulka, John Fleming, Patrick Bensman and Alex Osborn.
AMO members participating in the Leadership and Management course at
STAR Center in February with Instructor John Volpe included W. Lloyd Dorricott,
Aaron Tompkins, Paul Smiley, Chipper Lee, Tim Palange, Kirby Stross, Matt
Campbell, Don Deflorio and Grant Thomas.
AMO members participating in the Management of Electrical, Electronic
Controls course at STAR Center in February in Dania Beach, Fla., included
Florin Marinescu, Martin Hughes, John Phillips, Robert Vaughan, Stueart Mill,
Nasser Aljahmi, Hans Hess, Carl Gushee, Jerry Embler, Garvie Crane, Peter
Gold, Robert Bailey and Jeffrey Yarmola.
AMO members participating in the Management of Electrical, Electronic
Controls course at STAR Center in February in Dania Beach, Fla., included
Steve Sylvester, John Becker, John Downey, Mark Nickerson, Jim Bertrand, Jon
Noyes, Mark Booth, Paul Newhouse, Charles Rocles, David Veldkamp and
Brian Kelly.
12 • American Maritime Officer
The crews of the USNS Henson, USNS Bowditch and USNS Mary Sears pose
for a picture with the staff and children of Ninos of Pag-asa Center, an orphanage for disabled and abandoned children in Olongapo City, Philippines.
AMO members deliver
holiday cheer to children
in the Philippines
March 2015
Members of American Maritime
Officers and the vessels they sail aboard
are known for delivering needed cargo
and supplies, as well as life-saving
assistance.
During the month of December,
AMO members working aboard the USNS
Henson, USNS Mary Sears and USNS
Bowditch volunteered to deliver holiday
cheer in the form of toys, clothes, food
and other supplies to orphans and underprivileged children in the Philippines.
The USNS Henson, USNS Bowditch
and USNS Mary Sears are operated for
AMO members Second Assistant Engineer Erik Bergendahl and Radio Operator
Robert Wright pose with GVA Brenda Alexander and staff from Ninos of Pag-asa
Center in Olongapo City, Philippines.
American Maritime Officers member Captain Kristin Mangold, master on the
USNS Henson, poses with children from Ninos of Pag-asa Center after delivering Christmas gifts to the orphanage in December.
AMO member
Captain Myron
Bister, master
on the USNS
Bowditch, and
GVA Brenda
Alexander pose
for a photo while
the ship docked
at Subic Bay,
Philippines in
December.
The USNS Mary Sears, USNS
Henson and USNS Bowditch are
operated for Military Sealift Command
by 3PSC, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Maersk Line, Limited, and are
manned in all licensed positions by
American Maritime Officers and in all
unlicensed positions by the Seafarers
International Union.
Military Sealift Command by 3PSC, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Maersk Line,
Limited. The ships are manned in all
licensed positions by American Maritime
Officers and in all unlicensed positions by
the Seafarers International Union.
Led by Captains Joseph Goodwin,
Kristin Mangold and Myron Bister, the
ships’ crews donated the items to Ninos of
Pag-asa Center, an orphanage located in
the foothills that surround Olongapo City.
The center is managed by
International Children’s Advocate Inc. and
serves children whose disabilities range
from vision and hearing impairment to
mental and physical disabilities.
The three T-AGS vessels routinely
make port in Subic Bay at the end of each
year. Crew members had visited the
orphanage before and offered to lend a
hand this holiday season.
In addition to collecting money
and supplies, the crews may have given
the biggest gift of all by offering their
time and attention to the children of the
orphanage.
The orphanage hosted a holiday
party and pasta fiesta in honor of the helping guests, and crew members were able
to spend valuable time with the children
and watched them play with the new toys.
As a token of their gratitude the
orphanage awarded each vessel a certificate of appreciation.
AMO member Second Assistant
Engineer Terence Newman poses with
children at Ninos of Pag-asa Center in
the Philippines.
AMO members Radio Operator Shawn Bird and First Assistant Engineer Philip
Miceli play with children at Ninos of Pag-asa Center.