AMO onboard as four ships provide platform for JLOTS 2008

Volume 38, Number 8
August 2008
AMO onboard as four ships provide
platform for JLOTS 2008
The large medium-speed roll-on/rolloff ship USNS Pililaau departed the area of
Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 28 after offloading more than 210,000 square feet of Army
cargo from an anchorage two miles offshore
as part of the joint logistics over the shore
exercise Pacific Strike 2008, Military Sealift
Command reported.
Joint logistics over the shore (JLOTS)
is the U.S. military method for transporting
military and humanitarian cargo to shore
from ships at sea, allowing the Department of
Defense to deliver needed cargo and supplies
in locations where port facilities are nonexistent, damaged or inadequate.
In addition to the Pililaau, the heavylift ship S/S Cape Mohican, the offshore
petroleum discharge ship S/S Chesapeake
and crane ship S/S Flickertail State provided
the platform for Pacific Strike 2008. All four
ships are manned in all licensed positions by
American Maritime Officers. The Pililaau is
operated by American Overseas Marine Corp.,
the Cape Mohican is operated by Ocean
Duchess Inc. and the Chesapeake and
Flickertail State are operated by Interocean
The crane ship S/S Flickertail State delivered the components for the
temporary pier used in the 2008 joint logistics over the shore
exercise Pacific Strike off the coast of California. The
Flickertail State, operated by Interocean American
Shipping, was one of four ships manned in all
licensed positions by American Maritime
Officers to serve in key roles during this
year’s exercise, including the LMSR
USNS Pililaau, S/S Chesapeake
and the S/S Cape Mohican.
JLOTS is the military
method for transporting cargo to
shore from
ships at
sea.
See JLOTS 2008 Page 6
Far
left photo:
powered and
non-powered INLS
sections on approach to
the elevator well of the S/S
Cape Mohican in San Diego, Calif.
Left photo: the S/S Chesapeake
fueled 39 military watercraft.
AMO Essentials
STAR Center course sched-
ule: Pages 8-9
STAR Center registration
application: Page 11
AMO directory: Page 10
AMO membership meeting
schedule: Page 10
Analysis of future
effects of Pension
Protection Act
In memory of
Charles Crangle:
1937-2008
Page 7: AMO Plans Executive
Director Steve Nickerson provides a comprehensive analysis
of the potential impact of the
Pension Protection Act on
AMO members and various
retirement options under the
AMO Pension Plan.
Page 2: AMO Director of
Congressional and Legislative
Affairs Charles Crangle died
Friday, Aug. 1 in his home in
Washington, D.C. Charles
worked for AMO for 17 years,
lobbying Congress on issues
vital to our union and industry.
Great Lakes News
Page 4: The AFL-CIO has
imposed sanctions on MEBA for
manning the M/V Stewart J. Cort.
Copyright © 2008 American Maritime Officers 2 West Dixie Highway Dania Beach, FL 33004 (800) 362-0513 editorial@amo-union.org
2 • American Maritime Officer
August 2008
Charles T. Crangle, American Maritime Officers
director of Congressional and legislative affairs
American Maritime Officers lost its
principal political advocate Aug. 1 when
Charles T. Crangle died at his home in
Washington, D.C.
Crangle, 71, was AMO’s director of
Congressional and legislative affairs in the
capital since 1991.
An attorney and a former member of
the Seafarers International Union on the
Great Lakes, Crangle was a familiar figure
on Capitol Hill, where he called daily upon
U.S. Senators, members of the U.S. House of
Representatives and Congressional aides.
Crangle also attended and participated in legislative and regulatory hearings in
both Congressional chambers, making the
case for the U.S.-flagged merchant fleet
and civilian American merchant mariners
before the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee, the House
Armed Services Committee, the Senate
Armed Services and Commerce, Science
and Transportation Committees, and the
House
and
Senate
Agriculture
Committees.
“Charlie Crangle knew the issues
inside and out,” said AMO National
President Tom Bethel. “No one was more
articulate, more persuasive, more credible or
more respected than Charlie Crangle in
Charles Crangle with Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN)
American Maritime Officer (USPS 316-920)
Official Publication of American Maritime Officers
2 West Dixie Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 921-2221
Periodical Postage Paid at
Brooklyn, NY, and Additional Mailing Offices
Published Monthly
American Maritime Officers National Executive Board
Thomas Bethel, National President
José Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer
Christopher Bartlett, National Executive Vice President
Joseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea
Donald Cree, National Vice President, Great Lakes
Brian Krus, National Assistant Vice President, Great Lakes
Edward Kelly, National Vice President At Large
Robert Kiefer, National Assistant Vice President At Large
Daniel Shea, National Executive Board Member At Large
David Weathers, National Executive Board Member At Large
John Hafner, National Executive Board Member At Large
Donald Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep Sea
Charles Murdock, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters
Representative: Stan Barnes
Editor: Matt Burke
Assistant Editor: Phree Baker
Contributing Editor: Paul Doell
POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:
American Maritime Officers
ATTN: Member Services
P.O. Box 66
Dania Beach, FL 33004
defense of the legitimate interests of seagoing labor.
“Charlie Crangle was instrumental in
beating back the five-year effort to amend or
repeal the Jones Act a decade ago, and he
helped steer the Maritime Security Act of
1996 and reauthorization of the Maritime
Security Program in 2003 through the House
and the Senate,” Bethel added. “Charlie
hammered home the critical need for sealift
funding and for enforcement of U.S.-flagged
cargo preference laws.
“Charlie Crangle was a true friend to
all AMO members and their families,”
Bethel continued. “We will miss him, and we
will remember him always.”
Minnesota Democratic Rep. James
Oberstar, chairman of the House Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure, said he
was “shocked” and “heartbroken” by news
of Crangle’s passing.
“It’s as if I had lost a brother,” Rep.
Oberstar said. “So alive, so vibrant — so
dedicated to the cause of maritime labor.” He
said Crangle would be remembered for his
“good and generous heart.”
“The world is a lesser place” without
Charles Crangle, said James Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association and
2nd vice president of the Great Lakes
Maritime Task Force.
“Charlie was great champion of our
cause on the Hill,” Weakley said. “He truly
believed in marine transportation, Great
Lakes issues and jobs for Americans.”
Weakley continued: “Charlie was one
of the most recognized faces and effective
lobbyists in D.C. His keen wit, intellect and
ability to focus on core issues and build
coalitions made him the spokesman and
statesman for Great Lakes shipping and
American mariners.
“Charlie was a grandfather, father,
brother, public servant, teacher, union member, attorney, lobbyist, mentor and friend. He
could be counted on when you needed help
or advice and was always willing to give you
his best. We are all better people for having
known him. He will be missed.”
Jim Patti, executive director of the
Maritime Institute for Research and
Industrial Development, said no one in the
Capital was “more interesting and enjoyable” than Charlie Crangle. “No one fought
harder and with more conviction for what is
right than Charlie,” Patti added. “In the best
sense, he was truly one of a kind.”
Before joining the AMO Washington
staff, Crangle served for four years as counsel to the Congressional Maritime Caucus
under the now-deceased Rep. Walter B.
Jones (D-NC), chairman of the House
Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee.
Crangle earned a Doctor of
Jurisprudence degree from Akron University
School of Law in Akron, Ohio, in 1973.
He had earned a Master of Arts degree
from the university’s College of Education in
1970 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the
Charles Crangle with Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (DOH) in 2007
university’s College of Liberal Arts in 1968.
Crangle taught at Central High School
in Akron for two years before being named
industrial and community development
director of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He also
served as city prosecutor in Cuyahoga Falls.
In 1980, Crangle opened a law practice in Akron. Four years later, he was named
director of public safety and personnel director of the city of Barberton, Ohio.
Crangle is survived by three siblings,
Tom, Marikay and Mike; his daughters, Patty
Duncan, Susan Faretta and Ann Rossi; by his
sons, Tom and Daniel, his daughter-in-law,
Angela; his 10 grandchildren, Jeremy, Sam,
Joe, Mattie, Samantha, Sarah, Jacob, Ana,
Jonah and Eann; and his two great-grandchildren, Audrey and Grace.
The Crangle angle
As editor of our union’s newspaper
until April 2007, I traveled often to
Washington to cover a Congressional hearing or a U.S. maritime industry function, and
I always made it a point to spend time with
Charlie Crangle, AMO’s Congressional and
legislative affairs director.
Charlie, who died in his sleep on
August 1, was among the brightest and most
interesting people I had ever known, and he
had the tightest grip on the issues I had to
understand completely if I was to do my job
properly. I had learned a lot about maritime
policy and the way things work in
Washington over the years, but the picture
was never complete without “the Crangle
angle.”
Charlie spoke with me at whatever
length was necessary about the topic at hand,
working in some funny but pertinent anecdotes along the way, dissecting complex legislation as easily as most people cut cake,
explaining the motives of the powerful individuals and institutions on the opposite side
of the issue, putting matters into the appro-
priate historical contexts, taking my questions patiently and then thanking me for asking them.
Our sessions ended routinely with
Charlie leaning back in his chair, folding his
hands across his lap and declaring: “That’s
all I know, kiddo.” Our conversations were
always meaningful to me, but they were
most gratifying when I parted Charlie’s company knowing I had had it right in the first
place.
Now that I am working full time on the
Washington staff of American Maritime
Officers, “the Crangle angle” is more important to me than ever. Charlie taught me to
read between lines, to think critically and to
avoid hasty conclusions.
I will always value these lessons. I will
always appreciate my time with Charlie
Crangle. I will always be grateful for his
enduring service to the deep-sea, Great
Lakes and inland waters members of
American Maritime Officers.
— Paul Doell
August 2008
American Maritime Officer • 3
Coast Guard NMC using new medical guidelines,
hearing and vision standards for U.S. mariners
The U.S. Coast Guard’s National
Maritime Center (NMC) has started using
new medical guidelines to evaluate applications for original and renewal merchant
mariner documents and licenses. The new
guidelines will have a significant impact
on mariners applying for the renewal of
their documents, particularly if they have
any health-related issues.
The guidelines have been under
review by a Merchant Marine Personnel
Advisory Committee working group for
the past three years. The final draft recommendations were forwarded to the Coast
Guard in the spring of 2008.
While the NVIC, along with
MERPAC’s recommendations, are reportedly being reviewed by senior Coast
Guard officials, a policy decision was
made to begin using the new medical
guidelines and hearing and vision standards at the NMC, NMC personnel have
stated. There is currently no projection as
to when the Coast Guard will publish the
final document or whether they will incorporate any of MERPAC’s recommendations.
There is no definitive document to
reference yet. However, AMO National
President Tom Bethel is working with
AMO staff and officials to ensure that any
reliable information available about the
medical standards is provided to the membership. Mike Murphy, AMO director of
government relations, has begun an outreach program to the membership incorporating key elements of the latest draft
medical NVIC.
“The new guidelines are considerably more rigid than the old ones,”
Murphy said. “But, with knowledge and
time, they can be managed.”
Murphy is working with AMO representatives on all coasts and the Great
Lakes to provide members onboard ships
with selected excerpts of the standards. He
will also be attending the membership
meetings in Dania Beach and the area
meetings as they are scheduled around the
country in an effort to reach as many
AMO members as possible.
Murphy’s presentations include a
discussion of hearing and vision standards; medications; body mass index;
alcohol and drug dependency/abuse definitions; and the 201 defined medical condi-
NVIC listing of medical conditions
requiring a waiver available online
An alphabetical list of the medical conditions that would require a waiver is
available on the AMO Currents Web site at www.amo-union.net/7-08-medical.pdf.
The waiver requirements for these conditions will be available from AMO union representatives and officials.
American Maritime Officers members Chief Engineer Chris Owen and Capt. Jim
Wait, master of the ITB Philadelphia, with AMO Director of Government Relations
Mike Murphy, who is bringing the discussion of the new medical guidelines and
hearing and vision standards to AMO-manned vessels as part of the union’s outreach to provide all reliable information available to AMO members.
tions that will require a waiver. Many of
the conditions listed in the new guidelines
could require considerable time to meet
the requirements for a waiver.
Murphy recommends that members
with known medical problems use the
handouts he provides and work with their
doctors and the medical staff at NMC up
to a year prior to their document’s expiration date to ensure they obtain the waivers
needed for renewal. An alphabetical list of
referenced medical conditions that would
require a waiver is available on the AMO
Currents Web site at www.amo-union.net.
Waiver requirements for these conditions
will be available from AMO union representatives.
To obtain a list of these conditions
by e-mail, AMO members can contact an
AMO union official or Murphy directly.
Concurrent with the outreach, AMO
Plans has developed a Wellness Program
that would assist AMO members who may
be affected to meet the new guidelines and
standards. This forward-looking program
is part of the larger plan to minimize the
impact of the new medical standards.
More information on the Wellness
Program will be provided to the membership as it develops.
The keys to managing the new medical guidelines and hearing and vision
standards include: knowledge of the
requirements, starting the renewal process
early and seeking early assistance from
the Wellness Program coordinator for
potentially disqualifying medical conditions, Murphy said. AMO and AMO Plans
are working together to ensure that AMO
members are prepared.
Congress takes a look at U.S. icebreaking needs
Three influential Congressmen called
for improvement of the U.S. Coast Guard’s
icebreaking program during a Capitol Hill
hearing July 16.
Members of the House Subcommittee
on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation met at the Rayburn House
Office Building to receive testimony from
panelists and shape a decision on how to
meet forecasted icebreaking mission needs.
“An important element of domestic
icebreaking is the demanding requirements
for ice operations in the Great Lakes,” said
Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of
the full Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee. “Compared to domestic icebreaking operations along the East Coast,
operations on the Great Lakes cover a large
surface area. In the Great Lakes, as much as
200 million tons of cargo is moved on the
marine highway. Approximately 63 U.S.flagged vessels transport over 115 million
tons of cargo each year to include iron ore,
limestone and coal. The Coast Guard provides icebreaking services to the Great
Lakes. Last year, due to the lack of Coast
Guard resources and capability to break ice
in the region, three vessels in the Great
Lakes sustained $1.3 million in damages.
This is an issue that needs to be discussed
and explored so events like this do not happen in the future.”
Rep. Oberstar continued: “There are
several issues regarding icebreaking—
domestic and polar—that the subcommittee
may want to consider including: defining
domestic and polar icebreaking missions;
determining what resources are needed to
accomplish the identified missions; and
determining how to best provide the
The Wilfred Sykes navigates through the ice on Lake Michigan.
resources to carry out the missions.”
Great Lakes icebreaking is currently
conducted by the Mackinaw, a 240-foot dual
purpose buoy tender, two 225-foot buoy tenders, and five 140-foot icebreaking tug
boats.
Ice season can range from Dec. 15 to
April 15, during which time 20 percent of
the iron ore needed for the U.S. manufacturing heartland is carried by Great Lakes vessels — most of which are operated under
American Maritime Officers contract.
Additionally, 10 percent of the Great Lakes
coal load is carried during ice season.
Hundreds of thousands of jobs depend on
the materials and goods delivered across the
Great Lakes.
“Coast Guard icebreakers allow the
winter movement of maritime commerce
through the Great Lakes and into ports in the
Northeast,” said Rep. Steven LaTourette (ROH), ranking Republican on the subcommittee, in his opening statement. “I am concerned, however, that the current icebreaking fleet is unable to carry out the full mission load in heavy ice years, like we experienced this year in the Great Lakes. Several
members, including Chairman Oberstar,
have requested the Coast Guard to consider
transferring an additional icebreaking tug to
the lakes; however, that request has been
refused. I would urge the service to conduct
a review of icebreaking needs to determine
how the Coast Guard can best carry out ice-
breaking missions nationwide.”
“The Coast Guard’s icebreaking
responsibilities can be divided into two categories: polar icebreaking and icebreaking
along domestic waterways, particularly on
the Great Lakes and along the East Coast,”
said Rep. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the
subcommittee, in his written remarks.
Congress has set aside an estimated
$116 million for domestic icebreaking programs in fiscal 2008 and an estimated $102
million in fiscal 2009.
The panel of witnesses included Adm.
Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG); James Weakley, president
of the Lake Carriers’ Association, who
spoke about icebreaking needs on the Great
Lakes; Dr. Arden Bement Jr., director of the
National Science Foundation (NSF); and
Mead Treadwell, chair of the U.S. Arctic
Research Commission.
“The Great Lakes iron ore, steel and
freight transportation industries constitute a
considerable economic force, employing
some 500,000 people in the region,” said
Adm. Allen in his testimony. “An economic analysis of the Coast Guard’s domestic
icebreaking mission ... concluded that the
benefit-cost ratio of the Great Lakes icebreaking mission ranges from 2-to-1 to 4-to1. During the 2006-2007 ice season, the
U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Coast
Guard partnered to facilitate movement of
more than $334 million of cargo on the
Great Lakes.
“The Coast Guard icebreaking mission, our cutters, and the men and women
who operate them are national assets providSee Icebreaking Page 4
August 2008
4 • American Maritime Officer
MEBA hit with sanctions for violating AFL-CIO
Constitution on Interlake’s M/V Stewart J. Cort
The AFL-CIO has again imposed
sanctions on the Marine Engineers’
Beneficial Association (MEBA), this time
for manning the Interlake-operated vessel
M/V Stewart J. Cort in violation of Article
XX of the AFL-CIO Constitution.
In a letter dated July 9 and sent to all
presidents of national and international
unions, all presidents of trade and industrial departments, all AFL-CIO regional
directors and others, AFL-CIO President
John Sweeney notified MEBA President
Don Keefe that sanctions had been
imposed on MEBA for his union’s failure
to either “terminate its representation” of
the officers on the M/V Cort or to reach
“an agreement with SIUNA to take alternative action.”
The SIUNA (Seafarers International
Union of North America), of which
American Maritime Officers is an affiliate, filed the Article XX complaint for the
M/V Cort on behalf of AMO with the
AFL-CIO.
The AFL-CIO has already imposed
sanctions on MEBA for its ongoing violation on the Interlake tug/barge Dorothy
Ann/Pathfinder. Now under additional
sanctions from the AFL-CIO, MEBA does
not have protection or recourse under
Article XX if its fleets are “raided” by
rival unions.
“MEBA is sinking deeper into its
collusive quagmire with Interlake and we
are holding the high ground for the AMO
membership,” said AMO National Great
Lakes Vice President Don Cree. “MEBA’s
conduct with the company is an affront to
the standards AMO fought for decades to
achieve on the lakes and has cost the
MEBA its reputation in the House of Labor.
“The process of obtaining justice for
the AMO members from the Cort, and for
all the AMO members from the Interlake
fleet, has been very long and involved,”
Cree said. “We will see this battle through
to the end, and I am confident AMO will
prevail and that justice will be served.”
In his letter, AFL-CIO President
Sweeney notified MEBA’s Keefe, and all
leading figures of American organized
labor, that MEBA will be subject to the
following provisions of Article XX of the
AFL-CIO Constitution:
•The non-complying affiliate
(MEBA) shall not be entitled to file any
complaint or appear in a complaining
capacity in any proceeding under Article
XX
•The Federation shall, upon request,
supply every appropriate assistance and
aid to any organization resisting the action
determined to be in violation of Article
XX
•The Federation shall appropriately
publicize the fact that the affiliate is not in
compliance
with
the
AFL-CIO
Constitution
•No affiliate shall support or render
assistance to the action determined to be
in violation of Article XX
AMO represented the officers and
stewards aboard the M/V Cort under a
full-bodied agreement with Interlake
Leasing III. The agreement expired in
2006 and was extended indefinitely while
a successor agreement was negotiated. In
February 2007, Interlake and AMO
reached an oral agreement on a contract
covering the M/V Cort.
Early in March of 2007, Interlake
held a company meeting at a resort in
Florida and had senior officers of the M/V
Cort and their families attend. At the
resort, Interlake executives told AMO
members they would have to sever ties
with AMO and join MEBA to keep their
jobs on the ship. Interlake offered $10,000
bonuses to some AMO members to switch
unions, and offered others more. In the
end, all except one refused and were fired
by Interlake.
In a letter dated March 5, 2007,
Interlake notified AMO that it would not
sign the agreed-upon contract.
AMO went on strike against
Interlake Leasing III March 10, 2007, and
MEBA sent its members to work on the
M/V Cort behind the AMO and
International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers picket line.
In a report dated Jan. 7, 2008,
Impartial Umpire Howard Lesnick determined MEBA had violated Article XX by
manning the M/V Cort for Interlake
Leasing III.
Lesnick cited MEBA’s claim that
“AMO could have made a different offer
than the one it made” and “Interlake chose
to go another route.” Lesnick pointed out
that “Section 2 (of Article XX) seeks to
prevent a rival affiliate from making it
possible for an employer to ‘go another
route’ while remaining a union shop.”
Separately, AMO has filed a lawsuit
in the Lucas County (Ohio) Court of
Common Pleas charging MEBA and the
MEBA benefit funds with unlawfully
interfering with a valid collective bargaining agreement between AMO and
Interlake Steamship Company—tortious
interference.
In the complaint, AMO is seeking
$60 million in “direct and consequential”
damages, $280 million in punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and court costs and
“any further relief in law or equity to
which plaintiff (AMO) is entitled.”
MEBA has sought repeatedly but
unsuccessfully to delay the case or shift it
from the Ohio court to federal court. The
trial on the tortious interference complaint
is scheduled for this month. Named as
defendants in the lawsuit are MEBA, former MEBA President Ron Davis, current
MEBA President Keefe, the MEBA
Medical and Benefits Plan, the MEBA
Vacation Plan, the MEBA Training Plan,
the MEBA 401(k) Plan and the MEBA
Pension Trust.
Lakes interests urge approval of ballast water measure
Representatives of a broad range of
Great Lakes interests are urging senators of
the region to take the lead in enactment of
legislation that would require vessels entering U.S. waters to comply with the most
stringent federal ballast water standards in
the world.
The measure is contained in the Coast
Guard authorization bill, H.R. 2830, and is
sponsored by Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN),
chairman of the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee, and supported by
Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH), the ranking
Republican on the House Subcommittee on
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
The legislation was approved by the the
House of Representatives and by the Senate
Commerce, Science and Transportation
Committee.
“For more than a decade, Congress
has wrestled with this issue, but this year we
have seen a number of breakthroughs,” said
Patrick O’Hern, president of the Great
Lakes Maritime Task Force. “The ballast
water title from the House’s Coast Guard
authorization bill is supported by both commercial maritime interests and the vast
ronments at home and abroad.”
The Coast Guard announced in June
that it planned a series of exercises “to build
a requirements list for what we might need
in the future” according to Coast Guard Lt.
Cmdr. Michelle Webber.
“Every day the 2,500 professional
American mariners sailing on the Great
Lakes risk their lives and their livelihoods to
feed the economic engine that drives the
North American Heartland,” stated James
Weakley. “They deserve the respect and the
resources needed to ensure safe and efficient
passage. Without adequate U.S. Coast
Guard resources, particularly icebreaking
capacity, the gears of this economic engine
could come to a grinding halt.
“Providing the Great Lakes with one
additional 140-foot-long icebreaking tug
and one additional 225-foot-long seagoing
buoy tender would have a tremendous
impact on the Great Lakes shipping industry’s ability to meet the needs of commerce
and would not hinder the U.S. Coast Guard’s
ability to perform its mission in the rest of
the United States. Let me emphasize again, I
am not asking for parity, but believe there
should be more equity. There needs to be a
better geographical distribution of icebreakers and a better allocation of vessels, based
on mission requirements and vessel performance parameters,” Weakley concluded.
AMO aboard the
H. Lee White
AMO members working aboard
American Steamship’s M/V H. Lee
White in July, here in Cleveland,
Ohio, included Capt. Carlos Fossati,
Chief Engineer Neil Wonderchek,
First Assistant Engineer Jason
Furtah, Second Mate Matthew
Bassett and Steward Larry Paskvan.
With them here is AMO National
Assistant Vice President for the
Great Lakes Brian Krus.
Icebreaking
Continued from Page 3
ing a significant service and return on investment for the American public. Coast Guard
cutters Mackinaw and Healy are two of the
most technologically-advanced cutters in the
Coast Guard and continue to surpass every
expectation. Despite these successes, many
challenges remain, including several of our
icebreaking assets reaching their designed
service life. I am committed to ensuring the
Coast Guard can meet America’s icebreaking needs through use of a modern fleet
capable of mission success in harsh ice envi-
majority of environmental interests. The
legislation is tough. An official from the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has declared that the pending legislation is
‘much more stringent’ than any standards
the EPA could apply under current law.”
The legislation has been endorsed by
the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, an
association of shipping companies, labor
organizations, shipyards and ports, as well
as a wide-ranging coalition of environmental groups, including the Great Lakes
United, National Wildlife Federation,
Healing Our Waters Coalition, Defenders of
Wildlife, the National Audubon Society and
the Nature Conservancy.
“It is deeply regrettable we lost what
may have been the best chance for enactment of ballast water legislation ever,” said
Daniel Smith, 1st vice president of the
Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. “While
we understand that ballast water and invasive species is a national issue, we are convinced that nothing will get done unless
Great lakes legislators—who have been the
catalysts for the current legislation—make
enactment of legislation this year their priority.”
“Passage of this legislation is critically important to the health of the Great
Lakes,” said James Weakley, 2nd vice president of the Task Force. “We need a strong
federal solution with clear regulatory
authority. Multiple, conflicting requirements for mobile sources, such as vessels,
are not in the best interest of the Great
Lakes environment or the economy.”
“With strong leadership by many
Great Lakes legislators in both the House
and Senate, we stand on the verge of an
effective solution to the problem of ballast
water introductions of non-indigenous
species,” said John Baker, 3rd vice president of the Task Force. “We urge our Great
Lakes senators to enact this legislation.”
August 2008
American Maritime Officer • 5
Great Lakes
U.S.-flag cargo float increases slightly in June
The U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet
shipped 11.4 million net tons of cargo in
June, an increase of about 80,000 tons compared with June of last year, but 220,000
tons below the five-year average mark for
the month.
The impact of the dredging crisis
throughout the Great Lakes navigational
system continued to register in light loads
for U.S.-flagged vessels in June, the Lake
Carriers’ Association reported.
For the month of June, iron ore shipments were up compared with the same
period last year, while coal, limestone and
cement shipments decreased.
Season-to-date totals have followed
the same pattern, with gains in the ore trades
and declines in coal, stone and cement.
For the year, the U.S.-flag float stood
at 39.1 million net tons at the end of June, a
slight decrease compared with the previous
year and about 2 percent below the fiveyear average mark.
Army Corps
reopens
process for
construction
of new large
Soo Lock
In a notice published in the Federal
Register July 25, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers announced the availability of
an informational bulletin on a proposed
replacement lock in Sault Ste. Marie,
Mich., and solicited comments on the
project.
The bulletin covers the completed
environmental reviews for construction of
a new large lock to replace the smaller
Davis and Sabin Locks at the Sault Locks
Complex. The planned construction of a
second large lock “has been adequately
assessed in accordance with NEPA (the
National Environmental Policy Act) and a
record of decision should be signed to
allow construction to begin,” the Army
Corps stated.
The bulletin will be available for
review through Aug. 25, 2008, and comments must be received by Sept. 2, 2008.
Only the Poe Lock is capable of
accommodating the thousand-footers in
the U.S. Great Lakes fleet. The Davis and
Sabin Locks were built during World War
I and the proposed large lock would
replace them.
“The proposed lock would be capable of handling the Great Lakes system’s
largest vessels, which account for more
than half of the potential carrying capacity of the Great Lakes fleet and currently
are limited to lockage through the Poe
Lock,” the Army Corps stated. “A disruption of the Poe Lock would result in significant national economic consequences.
Therefore a second lock of the Poe Lock
dimensions is needed.
“Congress has provided, in the
Water Resources Development Act of
2007, that such a lock be constructed at
federal expense and funding has been
appropriated to initiate construction,” the
Army Corps stated.
U.S.-flag dry bulk carriage on the Great Lakes: June 2003-2008 — net tons
Commodity
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Average
Iron Ore
4,400,608
5,408,752
4,651,105
4,952,916
4,694,655
5,023,801
4,821,607
Coal
2,757,781
2,320,659
3,256,641
2,775,904
2,834,688
2,666,806
2,789,135
Limestone
3,011,175
3,503,374
3,472,528
3,381,277
3,125,349
3,113,166
3,298,741
Cement
452,801
500,081
417,276
481,941
391,019
384,756
448,624
Salt
85,500
149,402
130,820
181,011
150,526
146,943
139,452
Sand
91,677
76,762
90,425
52,208
50,063
32,246
72,227
Grain
43,366
45,531
14,519
28,772
61,214
20,392
38,680
Total
10,842,908
12,004,561
12,033,314
11,854,029
11,307,514
11,388,110
11,608,465
Season-to-date totals: June 2003-2008 — net tons
Commodity
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Average
Iron Ore
17,095,845
20,737,083
19,164,140
19,850,334
18,985,229
20,324,072
19,166,526
Coal
6,810,698
8,751,991
10,015,337
9,355,485
9,112,297
8,583,899
8,809,162
Limestone
7,567,249
10,633,109
10,360,068
10,566,444
9,133,056
8,434,648
9,651,985
Cement
1,482,274
1,624,673
1,409,312
1,593,280
1,490,521
1,202,350
1,520,012
Salt
407,739
313,809
377,160
492,045
394,600
443,238
397,071
Sand
179,060
164,000
145,168
142,916
126,759
66,638
151,581
Grain
102,296
103,541
135,230
104,723
152,818
60,235
119,722
Total
33,645,161
42,328,206
41,606,415
42,105,227
39,395,280
39,115,080
39,816,058
Source: Lake Carriers’ Association
AMO aboard the
S/S Anderson
American Maritime Officers members working aboard the steamer
Arthur M. Anderson in July included
Third Assistant Engineer Jesse
Lyman and First A.E. David
Keppard. With them here are AMO
Representative Stan Barnes, AMO
National Assistant Vice President
for the Great Lakes Brian Krus and
Texas A & M Engine Cadet Richard
Campise.
American Maritime Officers member
Steward Carl Jamison in the galley
onboard the Arthur M. Anderson.
AMO represents the licensed officers and stewards aboard the
Anderson, which is operated by Key
Lakes.
August 2008
6 • American Maritime Officer
AMO jobs secure as Maersk
Line completes purchase of
M/V Phillips, M/V Baugh
American Maritime Officers will
continue to represent the licensed personnel
aboard two general cargo and roll-on/rolloff combination ships purchased July 15 by
Maersk Line Limited.
The ships are the former PFC
William Baugh and PVT Franklin J.
Phillips, now named Maersk Texas and
Maersk Tennessee, respectively. Maersk
Line had operated the ships for the U.S.
Navy’s Military Sealift Command for 24
years.
“Both ships will continue to be
crewed in all licensed and unlicensed positions by U.S. mariners from American
Maritime
Officers
and
Seafarers
International Union,” Maersk Line said in a
press release.
The Maersk Texas and Maersk
Tennessee will provide U.S.-flagged service
in commercial trade and cargo preference
spot markets, the company added.
The PFC William Baugh and PVT
Franklin Phillips entered service in 1984 as
part of a privately owned 13-ship fleet built
or converted for pre-positioning and the carriage of U.S. Marine Corps cargoes under
MSC charter. The remaining ships are
approaching the end of their fifth five-year
MSC charters. Earlier this year, MSC chose
not to buy the Baugh and Phillips.
“Together, we can keep these vessels
sailing to serve our nation in the U.S.-flag
impelled markets, protect jobs for our U.S.
merchant mariners and maintain sealift
capacity for the Department of Defense,”
said John Reinhart, president of Maersk
Line Limited. “We appreciate the opportunity to serve, and we value the partnership
we have with the Department of Defense,
the Maritime Administration and U.S. maritime labor.
“Maersk Line Limited was the only
bidder who wanted to keep these ships
working once MSC passed up the opportunity to buy them,” said AMO National
President Tom Bethel. “Others wanted to
acquire the vessels and scrap them. This
would have resulted in the loss of 32 AMO
jobs and the loss of two U.S.-flagged ships
that have some sealift service life left in
them.
“Now, because of the confidence
Maersk has in our union, and because of the
long-term cooperative relationship AMO
has with the company, the Baugh and the
Phillips will continue to operate,” Bethel
continued.
Each of the 755-foot ships is fitted
with six cargo cranes, two side ports and a
stern ramp which allow handling of a wide
variety of cargo.
“The ships’ design makes them suitable for many trades,” Bethel noted. “I’m
sure Maersk will market them aggressively
for commercial business and compete effectively for PL-480 and other preference cargoes.”
JLOTS 2008
MSC’s fleet of LMSRs, all of which are
manned in all licensed positions by AMO.
The Cape Mohican, Chesapeake and
Flickertail State are Ready Reserve Force
ships managed by private-sector ship
operators for the Maritime Administration
when not deployed on a mission.
Continued from Page 1
American Shipping.
“It’s both a pleasure and a privilege
to work with professional crewmen like
the officers at AMO and the other maritime unions involved in these exercises,”
said Peter Petrelis, DOD liaison officer for
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Maritime Administration. “It’s takes a
team effort to reach the desired results.”
The Pililaau arrived off the coast of
Camp Pendleton July 21, carrying nearly
1,000 wheeled and tracked vehicles and
more than 500 containers of equipment
belonging to the 3rd Brigade of the 25th
Infantry Division and the 45th
Sustainment Brigade. Offload operations
began the next morning and continued
around-the-clock until just before midnight July 27, MSC reported.
At the beach, military personnel
transferred the cargo to shore via a temporary pier that Navy Seabees built in the
weeks leading up to the offload. Once
ashore, soldiers staged the equipment,
which traveled via local roads to the
Army’s National Training Center in Ft.
Irwin, Calif., MSC reported.
Additionally, the Cape Mohican
delivered the Navy barges, the Flickertail
State delivered the components of the
temporary pier and the Chesapeake
pumped more than 200,000 gallons water
to shore, demonstrating the ship’s ability
to transfer fuel. The Chesapeake also supplied fuel to the 39 Navy and Army watercraft operating as part of the exercise.
“We like performing these exercises
and are used to working with the military
to get the job done,” said AMO member
Capt. Bill Bartlett, master of the
Chesapeake.
The Pililaau is one of 19 ships in
Baltimore completes first lift
of food-aid to North Korea
Photo and text: Capt. Peter Whiting
The integrated tug/barge Baltimore approaches the Port of Chongjin in North
Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK). This was the second
of three ports the Baltimore called at while delivering 37,270 metric tons of wheat
for distribution by the World Food Program to the people of DPRK. The
Baltimore’s was the first cargo in a total of 500,000 tons of U.S. food-aid being
delivered by several ships, including Sealift’s M/V Marilyn. “The people of DPRK
were very appreciative to be receiving the aid from the USA,” said Capt. Peter
Whiting, master of the Baltimore. “We found the people to be very friendly, hard
working and also very interested in western culture. All officers and SIU crew
worked very hard during the port stays to complete this voyage and all are now
looking forward to return to the USA.” The U.S. Shipping Partners ITB is manned
in all licensed positions by AMO. AMO members aboard the Baltimore included
Chief Mate Greg Maxwell, Second Mate Tim Baker, Third Mate Kyle Hickey,
Chief Engineer Jack Mahoney, First Assistant Engineer Albert “Bubba” Bowley,
Second A.E. Warren Nugent and Third A.E. Nicolas Littlepage.
Kings Point midshipman
completes AMO internship
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Midshipman Samuel Lane recently completed
a summer internship with American Maritime Officers and STAR Center. With
him here are STAR Center Director of Training Phil Shullo, Engineering
Instructor Andrew Davis and AMO National Secretary-Treasurer José Leonard.
U.S. Navy photo: Mass Communication
Specialist 2nd Class Brian P. Caracci
Page 1: The LMSR USNS Pililaau
anchored two miles off the coast of
Camp Pendleton, Calif. A platform
of floating Navy barges called a
roll-on/roll-off discharge facility is
attached to the ship’s stern ramp
and a motorized Navy causeway
ferry approaches.
AMO members working aboard the Chesapeake during Pacific Strike 2008
included REO Mike Stone, Third Mate Morgan Dailey, Capt. Bill Bartlett, Chief
Mate Tom Shattuck, Second Mate Jerry Smith and Third Mate Jon Phillips. Here
with them are AMO National Executive Board Member at Large John Hafner (on
Naval Reserve duty), AMO National Executive Board Member at Large Danny
Shea and AMO Director of Government Relations Mike Murphy.
AMO members working aboard the Chesapeake included
Chief Engineer Jason Masse and First A.E. Rocky Miliano.
Murphy discusses the new medical guidelines being used by
the Coast Guard NMC with the officers of the Chesapeake.
August 2008
American Maritime Officer • 7
Analysis of future effects of Pension Protection Act
The following article was provided
AMO Plans Executive Director Steve
Nickerson.
The AMO Pension Plan and the
AMO 401(k) Plan continue to review the
requirements for implementing changes
required under the Pension Protection Act
(PPA), while the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) continues to issue guidance
and some temporary relief. Below is a
discussion of some of the changes, and
the interim relief provided by the IRS.
DISTRIBUTION CHANGES
Many of the PPA changes are beneficial.
Non-spouse beneficiaries will
now be able to rollover distributions into
an IRA money purchase benefit and
401(k) account. Participants and other
beneficiaries will be able to rollover distributions into a Roth IRA. Participants
in the 401(k) Plan will be able to take
hardship distributions for medical,
tuition, and other permitted expenses of
their designated beneficiary, even if that
beneficiary is not their dependent spouse
or child. And in light of certain PPA
changes, the Trustees have decided to
amend the Pension Plan to provide a 100
percent joint and survivor annuity and
100 percent pre-retirement survivor annuity for all married participants.
NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE
The PPA also amends the Internal
Revenue Code to specifically allow for
payment of pension benefits upon attainment of age 62 even if the participant
does not retire. While this is a positive
change for many whose plans do not currently allow for in-service distributions, it
may not be a positive one for our Plan.
The reason for this is that the implementing regulations provide that the normal
retirement age under a plan must not be
earlier than the earliest age that is reasonably representative of the typical retirement age for the particular industry. A
normal retirement age of 62 or above is
deemed to be reasonable; a good faith
determination by Plan Trustees that a normal retirement age between 55 and 62 is
reasonable will be given deference; but a
normal retirement age below age 55 is
presumed to be earlier than the earliest
age that is reasonably representative
absent approval by the IRS. Since a participant in the AMO Pension Plan could
retire prior to age 55, and could receive an
in-service lump sum distribution prior to
age 55, it will be necessary to either limit
in-service distributions to participants
who are at least age 55, or seek an IRS
determination that the current retirement
age under the Plan is reasonably representative of the typical retirement age for the
maritime industry. The consensus of the
Trustees is that “if a valid position can be
stated, the Trustees will seek an IRS
determination that our current retirement
age (age + years of service equals 75) is
reasonably representative of the typical
retirement age for the maritime industry.”
If the IRS agrees with the Plan’s position,
the In Service Lump Sum distribution
will continue to be available when a participant’s age plus their years of service
equal 75. If the IRS does not agree, the
Plan will be forced to limit In Service
Lump Sum distributions to participants
who are at least age 55 or older.
Delayed
Effective
Date:
Fortunately, we have some time to make
this determination. The change made by
the PPA in the definition of normal retirement age is not effective for the AMO
Pension Plan until the plan year beginning October 1, 2010. The IRS has issued
various guidance that gives the Trustees
at least until that time to amend the Plan
or make a good faith determination that
no amendment is required. If no amendment is made and the IRS ultimately
determines that the Plan’s definition is not
reasonably representative, an amendment
increasing the retirement age will need to
be made, but any change will not be
effective prior to October 1, 2010, and
possibly later.
LUMP SUM BENEFIT
The other PPA change of critical
concern to participants is the change in
the assumptions to be utilized in calculating lump sum benefits. The AMO
Pension Plan has allowed for lump sum
payments since 1988. Since that time,
there have been numerous changes in the
laws governing lump sum payments.
Initially, Plans had a great deal of flexibility in setting and changing the factors
used to calculate lump sum amounts.
(The lump sum is determined by converting a life annuity to a single payment, taking into account the expected future
investment return on the money and the
participant’s life expectancy). Later, the
IRS restricted the ability of Plans to
change the lump sum factors, and eventually Congress legislated specific factors
to be used. The Pension Plan was
required to adopt the statutory lump sum
factors, and has consistently done so,
although the latest factors have resulted in
the Plan paying higher lump sum amounts
than was originally contemplated.
Congress recognized that the use of
the statutory 30-year Treasury Rate was
resulting in inflated lump sum amounts,
and a corresponding drain on plan assets,
and tried to address this problem in the
PPA by modifying the applicable interest
rate and mortality table. Since the effect
of the interest rate change will generally
be a reduction in lump sum payments,
Congress provided for implementation of
the change over a five-year period. The
new basis will reduce the inflation of the
lump sum amounts produced by the current methodology and subsequently
reduce the drain on plan assets. As participants accrue additional credit and the
Plan is sufficiently funded to move forward the wage freeze, which benefits all
participants, the impact will be less.
While there has been discussion
over the need to use the new PPA factors,
the AMO Pension Plan has consistently
utilized the legislatively mandated factors, and to do otherwise would result in
the Plan subsidizing the lump sum benefit. In addition, there are a number of
other, interrelated regulatory requirements that need to be considered. For
example, the law requires that the joint
and survivor benefit be the most valuable
benefit under the Plan. If assumptions
other than those required under the PPA
were used, the Plan would be required to
perform multiple calculations to ensure
that the joint and survivor benefit continues to be the most valuable and could
potentially be required to increase the
amount of that benefit, further impacting
the funded status of the Plan, and its ability to offer lump sum payments. This is
one of the reasons the Plan has consistently utilized the statutory factors. A
current estimate of cost to subsidize the
lump sum is in excess of $30 million dollars. The actuary estimates that the subsidy would be significantly higher
because the Plan will be required to
increase the joint and survivor benefit.
The increase in cost to utilize the mortality table required by law will be approximately $12 million dollars.
Relief until October 2010: Once
again the AMO Pension Plan has caught a
bit of a break. Because the Plan has an
October 1 thru September 30 plan year,
implementation of the change in lump
sum factors does not begin until October
1, 2008, and the change will not be fully
effective until the plan year beginning
October 1, 2012. Moreover, the IRS has
now announced interim relief that will
allow the Trustees to amend the Plan to
AMO S&E Plan to move STAR Center
Toledo courses to Dania Beach site
The trustees of the AMO Safety
and Education Plan have decided to shift
the courses provided at STAR Center in
Toledo, Ohio, to the STAR Center site in
Dania Beach , Fla., later this year, consolidating training for American Maritime
Officers members in one location.
The trustees’ decision was made following a thorough review of the operating
costs of STAR Center in Toledo, the training requirements on the Great Lakes and
the availability of space at STAR Center
in Dania Beach. Among other things, it
was determined the necessary capacity is
available at the Dania Beach site to
accommodate the curriculum now being
provided at the Toledo site. The last class
at STAR Center in Toledo is scheduled for
completion Oct. 3.
The training needs of AMO Great
Lakes and inland waters members, as well
as the training requirements of AMO contracted companies, were reviewed by representatives of participating operating
companies, AMO Great Lakes officials
and staff from the STAR Center sites in
Toledo and Dania Beach during the annual Training Needs Conference held last
week.
All of the AMO Plans remain financially sound and stable due in part to the
perpetual review and oversight of operations by the directors and Board of
Trustees. The consolidation of the two
schools at the site in Dania Beach will
provide a significant savings in operating
costs to the Safety and Education Plan and
maximize efficiency in operations while
affording AMO members and contracted
companies the benefits of sharing best
practices and access to broader training
opportunities.
A new schedule for STAR Center
Dania Beach, incorporating Great Lakes
and inland waters training courses, is
available on Page 10 of this edition of
American Maritime Officer and is available on the Web sites for AMO, AMO
Plans and STAR Center. More information
on the transition will be published as it
becomes available.
provide that until October 1, 2010, lump
sum benefits will be calculated at the more
favorable of the amount calculated using
the pre-PPA applicable interest rate and
mortality factors, or the amount calculated
using the post-PPA applicable interest rate
and mortality table. Under the IRS ruling,
the Plan will not fail to satisfy the most
valuable benefit requirement discussed
above during this interim period, but the
special treatment will not apply after
September 30, 2010. This means that our
Plan will be required to utilize 60 percent
of the new factors and 40 percent of the
30-year Treasury Rate as of October 1,
2010. As of October 1, 2011, the Plan will
be required to utilize 80 percent of the
new factors and by October 1, 2012, 100
percent of the new factors.
The Pension Plan will continue to
track developments as the various
changes under the PPA become effective,
and will keep participants advised of any
changes.
AMO Plans
adds new
mutual fund
to retirement
plan
AMO Plans has announced the
addition of a new mutual fund, the
Blackrock Global Resources Fund
(ticker: SGLSX), to the AMO retirement plan’s investment menus effective
July 25, 2008.
Blackrock Global Resources
Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
The fund invests at least 80 percent of
total assets in securities of global energy and natural resources companies and
companies in associated businesses, as
well as utilities. It may invest without
limit in companies located anywhere in
the world and will generally invest in at
least three countries and in companies
tied economically to a number of countries. The fund invests primarily in
developed markets, but may also invest
in emerging markets. It invests up to 20
percent of total assets in other U.S. and
foreign investments. The fund is nondiversified.
For additional information on this
mutual fund, please visit the Newport
Group’s Web site at https://www.plandestination.com after July 25 to view
the fund’s fact sheet and prospectus, or
contact your Smith Barney Financial
Advisors at (800) 975-7061.
AMO Plans
information
available online
www.amoplans.com: Information
about all AMO Plans, forms for all
AMO Plans, contact information for
Plans’ departments
www.star-center.com: Information
about STAR Center courses, training
programs, facilities, and contact and
registration information
8 • American Maritime Officer
August 2008
The Raymond T. McKay Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center
2 West Dixie Highway • Dania Beach, FL 33004 • (954) 920-3222
GENERAL COURSES
ISO 9001:2000 Lead Auditor Training
5 days
Please Call
ABS NS5 (“Safe Net” update)
3 days
17 November
Advanced Fire Fighting
5 days
15 September
13 October
10 November
8 December
Basic Safety Training—All 4 modules MUST be
5 days
completed within 12 months
22 September
15 December
26 January
23 March
Personal Survival Techniques (MondayTuesday)
22 September
17 December
28 January
25 March
1 1/2 days
19 January
Personal Safety & Social Responsibility
1/2 day
(Tuesday p.m.)
23 September
Elementary First Aid (Wednesday)
1 day
24 September
Fire Fighting & Fire Prevention (ThursdayFriday)—Not required if “Combined Basic &
Advanced Fire Fighting” completed within 12
months
2 days
25 September
Basic Safety Training -Refresher
3 days
24 September
Crowd Management
1 day
29 September
Crisis Management & Human Behavior
1 day
30 September
Effective Supervision
2 1/2 days
26 January
2 February
Fast Rescue Boat
4 days
29 September
11 November
8 December
6 January
GMDSS
10 days
6 October
20 October
1 December
20 April
Tankerman PIC LNG
8 days
15 September
20 October
8 December
9 March
LNG Simulator Training
5 days
6 October
3 November
1 December
16 February
23 March
LNG Addendum to SIGTTO Standards
1 day
25 September
30 October
18 December
26 February
2 April
Ocean Ranger Program
6 days
Please Call
Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat)
4 days
3 November
30 March
Tankerman PIC DL - Classroom
5 days
17 November
30 March
Tankerman PIC DL - Simulator
10 days
5 January
26 January
Train The Trainer—Requires after hours
homework
5 days
22 September
27 October
1 December
12 January
16 March
Train The Trainer—Simulator Instructors
5 days
Please Call
Vessel/Company/Port Facility Security
Officer
2 days
3 September
15 October
7 January
Advanced Bridge Resource Management
5 days
16 March
Advanced Shiphandling for Masters—(No
equivalency) Must have sailed as Chief Mate
Unlimited
5 days
20 October
15 December
26 January
Advanced Shiphandling for Third Mates—
10 days
(60 days seatime equivalency for Third Mates)
27 October
1 December
9 February
Advanced (or emergency) Shiphandling for
5 days
First Class Pilots
12 January
2 March
Bridge Resource Management Seminar
3 days
9 February
Integrated Bridge System/Podded
Propulsion
5 days
22 September
17 November
Locking & Docking—First Class Pilots
5 days
5 January
26 January
STCW Deck Officer Refresher
3 days
18 February
Towing Officer Record Assessment
5 days
15 September
Visual Communications (Flashing Light)—
test only
1 days
Please call
10 days
8 December
9 February
16 March
23 February
DECK COURSES
13 October
9 March
9 March
ENGINEERING COURSES
Advanced Slow Speed Diesel
Basic Electricity
23 February
Please Call
Electrical, Electronic, Control Engineering
4 weeks
8 September
9 March
Engine Room Resource Management
5 days
6 October
17 November
19 January
Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water
3 days
Separator)
22 September
20 October
15 December
Gas Turbine Endorsement
10 days
27 October
High Voltage Safety Course
3 days
15 October
8 December
30 March
Steam Crossover
4 weeks
23 February
Welding & Metallurgy
2 weeks
Please Call
21 January
MSC TRAINING PROGRAM—includes self-study courses Afloat Environmental Protection Coordinator, Anti-Terrorism Level 1 and Crew Endurance Management (see below). Additional courses,
including Marine Sanitation Devices and Water Sanitation Afloat will be included soon.
CBRD Orientation
1 day
25 September
20 November
29 January
Damage Control
2 days
23 October
18 December
26 February
Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation
Afloat
1 day
1 October
1 December
23 March
Helicopter Fire Fighting
1 day
2 March
ICODES Training—For Masters/Chief Mates
aboard MARAD ships and others chartered by
MSC. Follows deck upgrade cargo class
1 day
Please call
Medical PIC Refresher—Note: Not MSC
approved.
3 days
19 November
11 February
Small Arms - Initial & Refresher Training
3 days
8, 22 September
6, 20 October
3, 17 November
26 March
1, 15 December
12, 26 January
9, 23 February
9, 23 March
MARAD TRAINING PROGRAM—(11 day package composed of the courses below) Students will be nominated and assigned by their contracted company and shall attend all 11 days. Any places not
taken by the contracted companies shall be made available to the membership on a chronological order basis.
Small Arms Training (Initial & Refresher)
3 days
8 September
12 January
Elementary First Aid
1 day
11 September
15 January
Drug Collector Training
1 day
12 September
16 January
Breath Alcohol Test Collector
1 day
13 September
17 January
Advanced Fire Fighting
5 days
15 September
19 January
August 2008
American Maritime Officer • 9
MEDICAL COURSES
Elementary First Aid—Note: Prerequisite for
Medical Care Provider within preceding 12 months
1 day
16 September
14 October
2 December
20 January
17 February
24 March
Medical Care Provider—Note: Prerequisite for
Medical Person In Charge within preceding 12
3 days
months. Please fax EFA certificate when registering
17 September
15 October
3 December
21 January
18 February
25 March
Medical Person In Charge—Note: Please FAX
Medical Care Provider certificate when registering
22 September
20 October
8 December
26 January
23 February
30 March
Medical PIC Refresher—Note: Not MSC approved. 3 days
19 November
11 February
Urinalysis Collector Training
1 day
29 September
27 October
17 November
15 December
9 February
Breath Alcohol Test
1 day
30 September
28 October
18 November
16 December
10 February
Radar Recertification
1 day
6 October
7 November
23 January
2, 20 February
ARPA
4 days
2 September
7 October
3 February
Radar Recertification & ARPA
5 days
6 October
2 February
ECDIS
5 days
29 September
15 December
Original Radar Observer Unlimited
5 days
5 January
30 March
5 days
RADAR COURSES
9 February
16 March
SELF-STUDY CD & ONLINE PROGRAMS—Available for use when attending other approved classroom courses
Afloat Environmental Protection Coordinator (CD)
Anti-Terrorism Level 1 (Online)
DoT - Hazardous Materials Transportation Training (CD)
Crew Endurance Management (CD)
Prudent Mariner’s Guide to Right Whale Protection (CD)
ORIGINAL LICENSE COURSES / GALLEY COURSES
Original License (Great Lakes) Courses (Deck &
Engine)
As Required
5 January
RFPNW Assessments
1 day
25 October 2009
Marlin Spike
1 day
26 October 2009
40-Hour Able Seaman
5 days
2 November 2009
Food Safety, Sanitation & Nutrition (ServSafe)
5 days
26 January
Culinary Fundamentals
10 days
2 February
Advanced Steward Course
5 days
16 February
OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH—Successful completion of this program will satisfy the training requirements for STCW certification as third mate and second mate on vessels of
500 or more gross tonnage (ITC)
Terrestrial Navigation
10 days
27 July 09
Ship Construction & Stability
5 days
10 August 09
Electronic Navigation
5 days
17 August 09
Meteorology
5 days
24 August 09
Watchkeeping
10 days
31 August 09
Cargo Handling & Stowage
5 days
14 September 09
Basic Shiphandling at the Operational Level
5 days
21 September 09
Emergency Procedures and SAR
4 days
28 September 09
Celestial Navigation
15 days
5 October 09
Magnetic & Gyro Compass
3 days
19 October 09
DECK LICENSE UPGRADE: SECOND OFFICER TO CHIEF MATE / MASTER—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). This program will complete ALL 53 Control Sheet assessments.
Cargo Operations
9 days
15 September
13 October
1 December
23 March
Celestial Navigation—Note: A thorough review and understanding of the topics covered in Parts 4 & 5 of Pub.
5 days
Number 9, The American Practical Navigator (Bowditch), is
a prerequisite.
3 November
5 January
Marine Propulsion Plants
5 days
20 October
1 December
5, 12 January
30 March
Shipboard Management
5 days
27 October
15 December
19 January
9, 16 February
Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology
5 days
29 September
27 October
8 December
9 February
Upgrade: Advanced Navigation ECDIS
5 days
8 September
13 October
10 November
26 January
9 March
Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (Includes Simulator)
5 days
15 September
20 October
17 November
19 January
2 March
Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level
10 days
1 September
6 October
3 November
5 January
23 February
Upgrade: Stability—Note: It is recommended that chapters
1-13 in the book Stability and Trim for the Ship’s Officer be 5 days
reviewed prior to attending this course
6 October
17 November
2 February
Watchkeeping 1 (Bridge Resource Management)—Note:
Watchkeeping Weeks 1 and 2 MUST be completed within
3 days
12 months of each other.
24 September
3 December
28 January
18 March
Watchkeeping 2 (COLREGS)—Note: Watchkeeping
Weeks 1 and 2 MUST be completed within 12 months of
each other.
29 September
8 December
2 February
23 March
5 days
30 March
NOTICE: AMO members planning to attend the union’s RTM 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 Raymond T. McKay Centers For Advanced Maritime Officers Training (CAMOT) and Simulation Training
Assessment and Research Centers (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 Centers. 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 Centers.
August 2008
10 • American Maritime Officer
GALVESTON, TX 77554
13730 FM 3005, Suite 170
David Weathers, National Executive Board Member At Large
(dweathers@amo-union.org)
(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001
Mobile: (409) 996-7362
HEADQUARTERS
DANIA BEACH, FL 33004
2 West Dixie Highway
(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513
Tom Bethel, National President (tbethel@amo-union.org)
José E. Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer (jleonard@amo-union.org)
Jack Branthover, Special Assistant to the National President
(jbranthover@amo-union.org)
FAX: (954) 926-5112
Joseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea
(jgremelsbacker@amo-union.org)
John Hafner, National Executive Board Member At Large
(jhafner@amo-union.org)
Charles Murdock, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters
(cmurdock@amo-union.org)
FAX: (954) 920-3257
Dispatch: (800) 345-3410
FAX: (954) 926-5126
Brendan Keller (bkeller@amo-union.org)
Robert Anderson (randerson@amo-union.org)
Member Services: Extension 1050 (memberservices@amo-union.org)
PORTS
TOLEDO, OH 43604
The Melvin H. Pelfrey Building
One Maritime Plaza
(419) 255-3940 / (800) 221-9395
FAX: (419) 255-2350
Christopher Bartlett, National Executive Vice President
(cbartlett@amo-union.org)
Donald Cree, National Vice President Great Lakes (dcree@amo-union.org)
Brian Krus, National Assistant Vice President Great Lakes
(bkrus@amo-union.org)
Stan Barnes, National Representative (wbarnes@amo-union.org)
Bruce DeWerth, Dispatcher (bdewerth@amo-union.org)
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19148
2604 S. 4th Street
(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001
Robert Kiefer, National Assistant Vice President At Large
(rkiefer@amo-union.org)
FAX: (215) 755-2574
SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 94607
1121 7th Street, Second Floor
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 444-5301 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 5001
Daniel Shea, National Executive Board Member At Large
(dshea@amo-union.org)
FAX: (510) 444-5165
NORWOOD, NJ 07648
463 Livingston Street, Suite 102-60
Don Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep Sea
(dnilsson@amo-union.org)
(800) 362-0513 ext. 3004
Mobile: (201) 913-2209
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024
490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204
(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001
Edward Kelly, National Vice President At Large (evkamo@erols.com)
Paul Doell, Special Assistant to the National President
(pauldoell51@yahoo.com)
Michael Murphy, Director of Government Relations
(mmurphy@amo-union.org)
FAX: (202) 479-1188
RTM CAMOT/STAR CENTERS
STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING AND COURSE INFORMATION
2 West Dixie Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 920-3222 ext.7109 and ext. 7112
(800) 942-3220 ext.7109 and ext. 7112
FAX: (954) 920-3140
24 Hours: (954) 920-3222 ext.7999
CAMOT/STAR TOLEDO
One Maritime Plaza
Toledo, Ohio 43604
(419) 255-3940
FAX: (419) 255-8833
TRAINING RECORDS
SYSTEM MANAGER:
Lisa Marra
(954) 920-3222 ext. 7118
FAX: (954) 925-5681
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
MARITIME MEDICAL CENTER
2 West Dixie Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 927-5213
FAX: (954) 929-1415
AMO PLANS
2 West Dixie Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(800) 348-6515
FAX: (954) 922-7539
LEGAL
Joel Glanstein, General Counsel
305 Madison Ave. Suite 2240
New York, NY 10165
(212) 370-5100
FAX: (212) 697-6299
Michael Reny
AMO Coast Guard Legal
Aid Program
(419) 243-1105 / (888) 853-4662
Mobile: (419) 346-1485
MikeReny@BEX.NET
Department of Labor final disposition on AMO election
The following letter, dated July 31,
2008, was sent to American Maritime
Officers National President Tom Bethel.
The enclosed Determination represents the Department’s final disposition of
the matter mentioned therein.
Sincerely,
(s) Patricia Fox
Acting Chief, Division of Enforcement
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OFFICE OF LABOR-MANAGEMENT
STANDARDS
WASHINGTON, DC 20210
DETERMINATION
Determination of Complaints Filed
under Title IV of the Labor-Management
Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959
On March 22, 2007, the Secretary of
Labor received complaints alleging violations of Section 401 of the LaborManagement Reporting and Disclosure
Act of 1959 (LMRDA), in the regularly
scheduled election of officers conducted
on December 6, 2006, by American
Maritime Officers Union in Dania Beach,
Florida.
Pursuant to Sections 402 and 601 of
the LMRDA, the Department of Labor
conducted an investigation. The investigation disclosed that violations occurred in
connection with the mailing of campaign
literature.
Apprised of these findings,
American Maritime Officers Union agreed
to conduct new nominations and a new
election for National President, National
Secretary-Treasurer, National Executive
Vice President, National Vice President Deep Sea, National Assistant Vice
President - at Large, National Executive
Board - Inland Waters under the supervision of the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with Title IV of the LMRDA. The
agreed upon remedial election was concluded on June 24, 2008. It is, therefore,
DETERMINED, that there is probable cause to believe that violations of Title
IV of the LMRDA occurred which may
have affected the outcome of the election
conducted by American Maritime Officers
Union on December 6, 2006, but that these
violations have been remedied by the new
election, conducted in accordance with
Title IV of the LMRDA, under the supervision of the Secretary of Labor, on June
24, 2008.
Therefore, civil action under Section
402(b) of the LMRDA to set aside the election conducted on December 6, 2006 is not
warranted.
Signed this 31st day of July, 2008.
(s) Patricia Fox
Acting Chief, Division of Enforcement
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 Headquarters in Dania (on Tuesday when Monday is a
contract holiday) and on Wednesday in Toledo. The next meetings will take
place on the following dates:
DANIA BEACH:
TOLEDO:
September 8, October 6
September 10, October 8
August 2008
American Maritime Officer • 11
Simulation upgrades
completed at STAR Center
AMO members
train, upgrade at
STAR Center
AMO member Owen Duffy recently
upgraded to first assistant engineer
steam and motor after preparing at
STAR Center. With him here is
Engineering Instructor and Course
Developer Rosemary Mackay.
STAR Center has replaced all desktop engineering and liquid cargo simulators
with the latest technology available from Kongsberg Maritime. Here with two of
the upgraded workstations in July at STAR Center are Jeremiah Sheahen,
Darren Watson, Kongsberg Maritime Product Support Supervisor Alan
McGowan, Brian Long, Phil Shullo, Graeme Holman, Joseph Lee, Todd
Christensen, Andrew Davis and Rosemary Mackay (left to right).
The American Maritime Officers
Safety & Education Plan’s STAR Center
has replaced all desktop-based engineering
and liquid cargo simulators with the latest
technology available from Kongsberg
Maritime.
These new Windows-based workstations benefit from all the enhancements
made over the past 14 years and display the
upgraded mimic diagrams on dual 19-inch
LCD monitors. The new systems also give
the instructors expanded capabilities to
improve the learning experience for AMO
members.
The following models have been
installed at STAR Center in Dania Beach:
•Steam turbine
•Diesel electric
•Gas turbine
•Slow-speed diesel
•Medium-speed diesel
•Product carrier
The following courses will benefit
from these enhancements:
•Steam Crossover
•Engineroom Resource Management
•Marine Propulsion Plants
•Advanced Slow-Speed Diesel
•Gas Turbine Endorsement
•Simulation-Based Dangerous
Liquid Person-in-Charge
AMO members completing ECDIS training at STAR Center in June included
Ross Mollnow, Eamonn Bradley, Dave Bartlett, Matt Glass, Paul Schwartz,
Nick Colavito, John Dunaway, Scott Johnson and Nick Moore. The U.S.
Coast Guard approved course is taught by Instructor Peter Hyams.
AMO members Robert Rudd, Ben Rancourt, Kris Dridge and Brendan
McCauley recently completed Steam Crossover training with Instructor
Rosemary Mackay at STAR Center. Also in the course was Larry Hearn.
August 2008
12 • American Maritime Officer
Construction
begins on
new U.S.
Shipping
tanker at
NASSCO
Construction began July 24 on the
third in a series of nine product carriers
being built for U.S. Shipping Partners at
NASSCO in San Diego, Calif. The shipyard is scheduled to lay the ship’s keel in
November.
The 600-foot, 49,000-deadweightton product carrier is due to be delivered
in the fourth quarter of 2009. The ships in
the series will have a cargo capacity of
331,000 barrels each, and are designed to
carry petroleum and chemical products in
the Jones Act trades. The first is slated for
delivery in early 2009.
The third ship will be named
‘Sunshine State,’ in honor of the state
AMO aboard the
USNS Paul Buck
in Operation
Pacer Goose ‘08
American Maritime Officers members working aboard the USNS
Paul Buck during Operation Pacer
Goose 2008 included (left to right)
Third Mate Matt Bigson, Chief Mate
Mike Sands, Capt. Wayne
Keinanen, Third Mate Seth Baker
and Second Mate Bill Buhrig. The
USNS Buck was one of the AMOmanned ships that resupplied Thule
Air Force Base in Northern
Greenland in the operation.
Photo: Deck Cadet Duane Vlaco, courtesy of Mike Sands
nickname of Florida.
American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers working in the
U.S. Shipping fleet.
In addition to the new tankers, U.S.
Shipping is also building a series of new
articulated tug/barges. The first ATB in the
series, Freeport/Chemical Transporter, is
currently operating in the Jones Act trades.
U.S. Shipping has secured charters
for four of the nine new tankers being
built. Two of the charters are with major
oil companies and the other two are with
Military Sealift Command. The MSC time
charters cover petroleum product transportation in support of the U.S. military,
replacing two T-5 tankers expected to
reach the end of their service life in 2010.
AMO aboard the
Seabulk Arctic
The Seabulk Arctic underwent its
special 10-year survey in Jurong
Shipyard in Singapore. American
Maritime Officers working aboard
the Arctic included (left to right)
Second Assistant Engineer Eric
Ketteringham, First A.E. Andy
Scheuchzer, Chief Engineer Andy
Brown, Third Mate Drew Parker,
Capt. Eleish Higgins, Chief
Engineer Jason Kast, Second Mate
Butch Bremner, Third A.E. Andy
Korney, Chief Mate Chris Mann
and Third Mate Louis Barbieri. The
Seabulk Arctic is operated by
Seabulk Tankers and manned in all
licensed positions by AMO.
Photo: courtesy of Chris Mann
Crowley Maritime, Maersk Line, Ocean
Shipholdings selected for safety awards
The Safety Advisory Committee of
American Maritime Safety (AMS) has
selected eight AMS member companies to
receive Maritime Safety Awards, including Crowley Maritime Corporation,
Maersk Line Limited and Ocean
Shipholdings Inc. The awards will be presented at the AMS membership dinner
Oct. 16, 2008.
AMS, a trade association that facilitates maritime industry compliance with
U.S. Coast Guard regulations and international protocols, administers safety programs for U.S. and international vessels,
representing the interests of more than 400
marine employers in the U.S. and abroad.
All AMS member companies are
eligible for annual maritime safety awards
and are encouraged to submit comprehensive documentation to the AMS Safety
Advisory Committee for consideration.
The committee annually selects 25 semifinalists eligible for the awards and, after
consultation with federal and state regulatory agencies, designates eight of the 25
companies as award recipients.
Among the eight companies chosen
this year, Crowley Maritime Corporation
was selected for the Tanker Vessel Safety
Award, Maersk Line Limited was selected
for the Responsible Vessel Carrier Award
and Ocean Shipholdings Inc. was selected
for the American Maritime Safety Award.
“Dedicated to preserving the marine
environment and to promoting safe vessel
navigation and operation, the award winners
exemplify the qualities AMS constantly
looks for in its members,” AMS stated.
Union
members
encouraged
to support
mobilization
for Employee
Free Choice
legislation
Members of American Maritime
Officers are encouraged to support the
AFL-CIO Million-Member Mobilization
in support of the Employee Free Choice
Act. The Federation is working to gather 1
million signatures in support of the
Employee Free Choice Act to present to
the next President and Congress.
The Employee Free Choice Act
would ensure workers can form unions
and bargain by:
•Strengthening penalties for companies that coerce or intimidate employees
trying to form unions and bargain
•Establishing mediation and binding
arbitration when the employer and workers cannot agree on a first contract
•Enabling employees to form unions
when a majority signs authorization cards
To obtain a signature card for supporting the Million-Member Mobilization,
contact your American Maritime Officers
official or representative.
Maritime
Administration
officials visit
USNS Algol
Photo: courtesy of Mike Ryan
Acting Deputy Maritime
Administrator Elizabeth Megginson
and Director of the MARAD Office
of Ship Operations Bill Cahill, here
with Capt. Mike Ryan, visited the
fast sealift ship USNS Algol in
Alameda, Calif., in June. The
USNS Algol is manned in all
licensed positions by American
Maritime Officers.