AMO negotiating for LNG observation program

Transcription

Volume 38, Number 4
April 2008
AMO negotiating for LNG observation program
Program would ease way to endorsement, enhance LNG opportunities for AMO
American Maritime Officers is now
in negotiations with an international
owner/operator of liquefied natural gas carriers on a unique agreement to establish an
LNG observation program that would allow
AMO officers to earn the necessary sea time
and endorsement to work in the LNG trades
without prior experience.
Currently under negotiation, the
exclusive agreement is expected to establish
observation billets for AMO officers on Qclass LNG vessels, aboard which the officers would be able to observe the liquefied
gas loadings and discharges required to earn
the STCW liquefied gas endorsement.
Sailing as LNG observers, AMO officers
would also earn the necessary sea time to
take seagoing jobs with international
owner/operators in the LNG trades.
“The opportunity to negotiate this
agreement is available to AMO thanks to
the professionalism and outstanding performance of the AMO members who are working and have worked aboard LNG carriers,
as well as our union’s growing reputation in
the industry,” said the AMO national president.
“We expect to finalize an agreement
in the near future and establish a program
that will give AMO the unique ability to
expand our base of LNG officers with
recency and remain at the front of the line to
meet the growing demand for qualified offi-
AMO is negotiating an agreement for AMO officers to sail onboard Q-flex LNG
carriers as observers to earn the STCW liquefied gas endorsement.
Information on LNG training courses
for AMO officers available online
More information on the liquefied natural gas training programs available to
members of American Maritime Officers is available on the union’s Web site at
www.amo-union.org. The direct links to an article on LNG career guidance and an
overview of the LNG courses available at RTM STAR Center are:
www.amo-union.org/Newspaper/stcw/lng.htm
www.amo-union.org/Newspaper/stcw/sigtto.htm
For more information, AMO members can contact Director of Member Training
and Officer Development Jerry Pannell at (800) 445-4522 ext. 7507.
Officers, crew of
USNS Algol
honored for
sealift mission
The officers and crew of the USNS
Algol, one of eight fast sealift ships
manned in all licensed positions by
American Maritime Officers, earned
the Merchant Marine Expeditionary
Medal for their recent mission to
deliver MRAPs and other equipment
to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and
Iraq. STORY ON PAGE 2
AMO Essentials
RTM STAR Center, Florida
schedule: Pages 8-9
RTM STAR Center, Ohio
schedule: Page 9
RTM STAR Center
application: Page 11
AMO directory: Page 10
AMO membership meeting
schedule: Page 10
cers in the LNG trades,” he said.
Over the next three years, 45 Q-class
vessels are scheduled for delivery, including
31 215,000 cubic-meter Q-flex ships and 14
265,000 cubic-meter Q-max ships. Q-class
vessels are the largest and most technologically advanced LNG carriers. They incorporate GTT membrane containment systems
with the advantage of reduced wind resistance and lower fees for transiting the Suez
Canal. Q-class ships are each fitted with a
pair of diesel engines, twin propellers, twin
rudders and an onboard reliquifaction plant.
The size of the ships and their ability to
maximize cargo out-turns can equate to a
cost savings to the charterer of about 30 percent per unit of cargo delivered.
AMO officers who have completed
Tankerman PIC-LNG training at RTM
STAR Center must also meet the following
two requirements to earn the STCW tankerman liquefied gas endorsement in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations:
•Hold a Tankerman PIC-DL endorsement and complete sufficient observation
time onboard an LNG carrier—a minimum
of 45 days
•Participate in three loadings and discharges encompassing at least two commencements (rate up)/completions (rate
down) for both the loading and discharging
operations
Under the terms currently being
negotiated, AMO officers would have three
options for participating in the LNG observation program:
1. Sponsorship program: Qualified
tanker officers could be sponsored by an
AMO-contracted owner/operator at the
benefit rate
2. Internship program: Junior officers could be retained by an AMO-contracted international owner/operator on an interim basis, meaning the participant’s observation sea time would be augmented with a
shoreside assignment
3. Apprenticeship
program:
Depending on availability, non-sponsored
officers could enter the LNG observation
program at per-diem rates
AMO members participating in the
See LNG Observer Page 2
U.S. mariners will
need TWIC cards
by Sept. 25, 2008
Lasik Vision
Correction benefit
added to Plan
Page 11: MARAD has issued a
bulletin reminding all American
mariners they will need a TWIC
card by Sept. 25, 2008, to continue sailing and to maintain
documentation. The processing
time for TWIC applications continues to increase.
Page 4: AMO Plans has added
a Lasik Vision Correction benefit to the Medical Plan, in addition to the current optical benefit, for AMO members and
dependents who are Plans participants. Plans has issued two
other important bulletins.
Great Lakes News
Page 5: Securing funding for
critical dredging operations is a
leading legislative priority.
Copyright © 2008 American Maritime Officers 2 West Dixie Highway Dania Beach, FL 33004 (800) 362-0513 [email protected]
2 • American Maritime Officer
April 2008
Pay gains in new AMO agreement with OSG America
American Maritime Officers has
reached a tentative agreement with OSG
America Inc. on a three-year contract covering all captains, chief engineers, mates
and assistant engineers in the company’s
tug fleet.
In addition to full recognition for all
assistant engineers, AMO has limited recognition for AMO Plans benefits for all other
AMO members employed aboard OSG tugs
and articulated tug/barges (ATBs).
The agreement provides for wage and
overtime increases of 22 percent for assistant engineers over the life of the contract.
The package also provides for additional
bereavement pay and an increase in travel
pay between home and vessel, as well as a
wage differential for assistant engineers
working aboard tugs over 10,000 HP and/or
vessels engaged in lightering operations.
The negotiating committee secured
all actuarially required increases in contributions for all AMO benefit plans for all
AMO members working aboard OSG
America tugs and ATBs.
The negotiations took place the week
of March 17 in Tampa, Fla. The AMO nego-
full recognition for all marine supervisors in
the fleet. Although the company would not
meet that demand, the negotiating committee was successful in establishing a dialogue
with OSG, which will promote better communication on matters related to compensation and other working conditions.
“The AMO members serving on the
bargaining unit committee should be commended for their hard work and perseverance, and for the professionalism with
which they represented their shipmates during the negotiations,” said the AMO national assistant vice president.
AMO members serving on the bargaining unit committee were Assistant
Engineer Ralph Leitner of the OSG Honour, Chief Mate Don Turbeville of the
OSG Independence, Cargo Mate Steve Palmer of the OSG Columbia, Capt. Tim
Reid of the OSG Independence and (not in the picture) the chief engineer of the
M/T Constitution (a current candidate for elective office).
tiating committee consisted of Capt. Tim
Reid of the OSG Independence, the chief
engineer of the M/T Constitution (a current
candidate for elective office), Chief Mate
Don Turbeville of the OSG Independence,
Cargo Mate Steve Palmer of the OSG
Columbia, Assistant Engineer Ralph
Leitner of the OSG Honour, an AMO
national representative, and the AMO
national assistant vice president, at large.
Throughout the week, the AMO
negotiating committee fought hard to obtain
USNS Algol honored for sealift mission
The officers and crew members of
the USNS Algol April 3 received the
Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal
from the Maritime Administration for the
ship’s rapid delivery of Marine Corps
cargo destined for Afghanistan and more
than 50 mine-resistant, ambush-protected
vehicles (MRAPs) destined for U.S.
troops in Iraq.
The USNS Algol returned to the U.S.
this month and offloaded its backhaul
cargo from the theater of operations to San
Diego, Calif., before making port at its
new berth in Alameda.
“It was a little challenging due to the
pace at the beginning,” said Capt. Michael
Ryan, master of the USNS Algol. “It was a
high-profile mission. We were under the
microscope the whole way.”
The ship departed North Carolina
Feb. 2 and completed deliveries within
three weeks.
The Algol is a fast sealift ship capable of a maximum speed of 34 knots.
Crossing the Atlantic en route to the
Persian Gulf, the ship maintained a speed
of about 28 knots, said Third Assistant
Engineer Marvin Redondo.
During the voyage, the alert engineering watchstanders contained and
extinguished one lagging fire on a feed
pump before it got
out of control,
Capt. Ryan said.
As
the
MARAD representatives
prepared to present
the
Merchant
M a r i n e
Expeditionary
Medals onboard
the Algol, Capt.
Ryan presented
Steve Converse
Second Assistant
Engineer Steve Converse and two other
crew members with Maersk safety awards
for their rapid response in extinguishing
the fire and protecting the safety of the
ship. The Maersk safety awards are presented by the company for ideas and
actions to improve and protect shipboard
safety.
Dee Varshney, MARAD Division of
Gulf Operations ship operations & maintenance officer, remarked that the Algol’s
delivery of MRAPs and other cargo will
help save the lives of U.S. troops.
“The customer, TRANSCOM (U.S.
Transportation Command), was watching
this ship, this mission very closely,”
Varshney said. “From day one, the ship
Members of American Maritime Officers and the Seafarers International Union
working aboard the USNS Algol during the ship’s recent mission to the Middle
East to deliver mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles and Marine Corps
equipment received the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal this month when
the ship arrived at its new berth in Alameda. AMO officers sailing aboard the
Algol were (left to right) Vessel Manager Tim Tralongo, Second Assistant
Engineer Steve Converse, Third A.E. David Simmons, Chief Engineer Bob
Cheramie, Third A.E. Marvin Redondo, First A.E. Alex Zarganas, Third Mate Joe
Revell, Capt. Mike Ryan, Chief Mate Gene Brown, Second Mate Philip Hitchens
and Third Mate Philip McFarland. AMO members Third A.E. Mike Watson,
Second A.E. George Ahten, Second A.E. Greg Jones and Second A.E. Steve
McCormick also received the medal but were not at the presentation ceremony.
didn’t miss a beat on the mission.”
The USNS Algol is one of eight fast
sealift ships operated by Maersk Line
Limited for the Maritime Administration
and manned in all licensed positions by
AMO. The other seven ships are the USNS
Altair, USNS Antares, USNS Bellatrix,
USNS Capella, USNS Denebola, USNS
Pollux and USNS Regulus.
LNG Observer
Continued from Page 1
LNG observation program would sign
on as supernumeraries with the intent
of observing LNG operations.
Therefore, they would not work as
watchstanders. LNG observers would
function under the company protocols
and policies for the vessel aboard
which they are sailing, and work under
the direct supervision of the senior officer of the department and the authority
of the master of the vessel.
Per STCW Code Part B – V/1 –
onboard training and experience for liquefied gas tanker personnel should
include supplementary shipboard training covering the ship’s cargo handling
system, instrumentation system, boiloff disposal and use as fuel, auxiliary
systems, and general principles of operating the cargo-handling plant.
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
Daniel Smith, 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
Paul Cates, National Executive Board Member At Large
Daniel Shea, National Executive Board Member At Large
David Weathers, National Executive Board Member At Large
Donald Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep Sea
John Hafner, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters
Representatives: Stan Barnes, Charles Murdock
Editor: Matt Burke
Assistant Editor: Phree Baker
POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:
American Maritime Officers
ATTN: Member Services
P.O. Box 66
April 2008
American Maritime Officer • 3
Congressional leaders support full funding for MSP
A bipartisan group of 46 congressional leaders signed a letter requesting that the
Maritime Security Program be funded at
$174 million in fiscal year 2009, the same
amount sought for the program in the
President’s budget request. A similar letter
at press time was being circulated and
signed in the Senate. The full text of the letter in the House of Representatives is below.
Signing this letter were Representatives Ike
Skelton, Duncan Hunter, Gene Taylor, Jim
Saxton, Gary Ackerman, John Duncan,
Chris Smith, Steve LaTourette, Jim
Oberstar, Nick Rahall, Corrine Brown,
Walter Jones, Bob Filner, Frank LoBiondo,
Ellen Tauscher, Bill Pascrell, Elijah
Cummings, Eliot Engel, William Jefferson,
Don Young, Adam Smith, Brian Baird, Neil
Abercrombie, Michael Michaud, Loretta
Sanchez, Henry Brown, Pat Murphy, Albio
Sires, David Davis, Brian Higgins, John
Sarbanes, Timothy Bishop, Candice Miller,
Rick Larson, Jim Langevin, Phil Hare,
Peter DeFazio, Norm Dicks, John Salazar,
Jim McDermott, Laura Richardson, Dave
Reichert, Howard Coble, Dan Lipinski, Jay
Inslee and John Mica.
We are writing to request that funding for the Maritime Security Program
(MSP) be included in the Fiscal Year 2009
appropriations bill at the baseline level of
$174 million, the same amount authorized
in P.L. 108-136 and included in the
President’s budget request. Each year
since the enactment of the MSP in 1995
and its reauthorization in 2003, the administration has requested and the Congress
has approved funding for the authorized
MSP.
The MSP was enacted to ensure that
the United States has the U.S.-flag commercial sealift capability and trained U.S. citizen merchant mariners it needs in time of
war or other international emergency. Most
importantly, the continued funding and
implementation of the MSP ensures that
America will in fact be able to support and
supply our troops overseas by guaranteeing
that American-flag vessels and American
crews—and not foreign-flag vessels and
foreign crews—will continue to be available to transport the supplies and equipment
our troops need.
Congress reauthorized the MSP on
the recommendation of the Department of
Defense that an expanded 60-ship MSP
fleet represented the most prudent, economical and necessary solution to address current and projected sealift requirements of
the United States. The Department of
Defense further stated that it would need
more than $10 billion in capital costs and $1
billion in annual operations costs to replicate what the commercial maritime industry, through the MSP, provides to our government at a fraction of what it would cost
DOD to do the job itself.
During Congressional consideration
of the reauthorization of the MSP in 2003,
General John W. Handy, Commander in
Chief, United States Transportation
Command, told Congress that: “as we look
at operations on multiple fronts in support
of the War on Terrorism, it is clear that our
limited defense resources will increasingly
rely on partnerships with industry to maintain the needed capability and capacity to
meet our most demanding wartime scenarios ... MSP is a cost-cost-effective program
that assures guaranteed access to required
commercial U.S.-flag shipping and U.S.
merchant mariners when needed ... MSP is
a vital element of our military’s strategic
sealift and global response capability.”
We again ask that your subcommittee
include funding for the MSP at the amount
requested by the President in your FY 2009
Fiscal year 2009 budget request includes full
funding for MSP, none for Title XI loan guarantees
The Bush administration’s $3.1 trillion budget request for fiscal year 2009
would provide full funding for the
Maritime Security Program and its fleet
of 60 U.S.-flagged ships, including the
$18 million increase mandated in the legislation that reauthorized the MSP
through 2014.
Additionally, the 2009 budget
request would provide funding for most
Maritime Administration programs,
including the Ready Reserve Force fleet.
However, no new funding for shipbuilding loan guarantees under the Title XI
program was sought by the administration—a regrettably consistent pattern for
this administration, which places the
responsibility for allocating money for
this crucial U.S. shipbuilding program in
the hands of Congress.
Another notable deficiency in the
administration’s fiscal year 2009 request
was in funding for U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers projects, including badly needed dredging operations to return harbors
and channels in the Great Lakes to project depths. This element of the federal
budget, as well as the ongoing dredging
crisis that is slowly and persistently strangling waterborne transportation of dry
bulk commodities on the lakes, were covered in detail in the March edition of
American Maritime Officer, an archived
edition of which is available on the
American Maritime Officers Web site at
www.amo-union.org.
The 2009 budget request is currently under review in Congress. The final
budget for fiscal year 2009 approved by
Congress will presumably be significantly different than the administration’s proposal, assuming Congressional representatives and the White House are able to
reach an agreement on a budget under the
nation’s prevailing economic circumstances. However, the programs designated
and the levels at which they are funded in
the administration’s request are considered
reasonably secure as Congress begins
debate on the budget, as these line items are
already present and do not typically require
political battles to retain.
Some of the Maritime Administration
programs included in the request and the
levels at which they are funded are summarized below.
appropriations legislation.
In addition, we would appreciate your
consideration of $19.5 million in funding
for a program to facilitate the maintenance
and repair in U.S. shipyards of a limited
number of vessels participating in the mar-
itime security fleet. Such a maintenance and
repair pilot program was established in the
FY 2006 National Defense Authorization
Act amid reports that our U.S. ship repair
base was in decline. According to the
Maritime Administration, the domestic
Maritime Security Program
The administration requested $174
million for the MSP in 2009, which represents full funding for the program and an
increase in the per-ship allotment to $2.9
million, as mandated in the Maritime
Security Act of 2003. That legislation
replaced the Maritime Security Act of 1996
and, within it, the Maritime Security
Program. The reauthorization also increased
the size of the fleet from 47 to 60 U.S.flagged ships.
The amount requested for 2009 is $18
million more than was appropriated for
2008 to account for the increase in the pership allotment.
The ships enrolled in the MSP operate in commercial trades under the management of private ship operating companies,
and are all manned by American merchant
mariners. AMO represents all licensed officers working aboard 13 ships in the MSP
fleet.
Through the MSP, the ships and their
associated intermodal shoreside cargo systems are made available to the Department
of Defense for sealift operations during
times of war and national emergency. The
MSP, along with the Voluntary Intermodal
Sealift Agreement and the Maritime
Administration’s Ready Reserve Force,
ensure the Department of Defense has
access to sufficient seagoing tonnage, as
well as intermodal transportation infrastructure, to maintain the efficient flow of
military cargoes when necessary.
Ready Reserve Force
For the Ready Reserve Force, $277
million was requested for fleet activities
in 2009. In its 2008 budget, the administration had requested $219 million for the
RRF. Although funding for the RRF is
included in the Defense Department’s
budget, the Maritime Administration
manages this fleet of militarily-useful
sealift vessels and maintains them in
reduced operating status until they are
activated for military sealift, national
emergency response or fleet logistics
exercises. AMO represents the licensed
officers working aboard the majority of
vessels in the RRF fleet.
The initial activation of RRF vessels for Iraqi Freedom was the fastest and
most efficient sealift in U.S. history, as
noted by the Congressional Information
Bureau. RRF vessels also served in the
Transportation Department’s emergency
response operations on the U.S. Gulf
Coast following Hurricane Katrina.
Title XI shipbuilding loan guarantee
program
The 2009 budget request includes
$3.5 million in funding for the Maritime
Guaranteed Loan Program under Title XI
of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. That
is enough to cover the administrative
costs of managing the program’s existing
See 2009 Budget Page 4
maintenance and repair pilot program
would “assist in maintaining an effective
ship repair base that is available to support
national defense requirements.”
Thank you for your consideration of
this request.
AMO aboard the
Maersk Georgia
in the MSP fleet
The Maersk Georgia is one of four
U.S.-flagged containerships in the
Maritime Security Program fleet
operated by Maersk Line Limited
and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
AMO members recently working
aboard the Maersk Georgia, here at
the Maersk terminal in Port
Elizabeth, N.J., in December,
included First Assistant Engineer
Jeremy Masse, Second A.E. David
Clifton, Third A.E. Mike Brides, First
A.E. Frank Luke and Chief
Engineer John Brooks.
April 2008
New Medical Plan benefit coverage for Lasik Vision Correction
The Subcommittee of the Board of
Trustees of the AMO Medical Plan
reviewed the Rules and Regulations and
approved the following Plan Benefit
change effective April 1, 2008: The
Optical Benefit was amended to include a
Lasik Vision Correction Benefit. The
Lasik Vision Correction Benefit will be
$600 per person per lifetime.
The Benefit will provide for payment of up to a maximum of $600 for any
combination of treatment or services
relating to Lasik Vision Corrective
Service Procedures.
The Vision Correction Services
Benefit can be used in conjunction with
the Optical Benefit and will be paid in
addition to the annual Optical Benefit.
The participant may assign payment to the provider of service so payment can be made directly to the service
provider. In addition, under the CIGNA
MyCareAllies Healthy Rewards Program,
Optical, Eye Care and Lasik Vision
Correction services are discounted, but
you must follow the rules of that program
to utilize the discount.
The following is an excerpt from
the CIGNA MyCareAllies Web site,
www.mycareallies.com:
CIGNA Vision Care-MyCareAllies-
Healthy Rewards Program
Exams, Eyewear and Contacts:
Healthy Rewards has improved discounts for vision services including
vision exams through the EyeMed Select
Network. Over 14,828 providers are now
available at Sears, JC Penny, Pearle
Vision, Target, LensCrafters, and other
independent provider locations.
Find an eyewear provider and
review vision care discounts.
Lasik Vision Correction — Save up to 15
percent:
A technique that may reduce or
even eliminate the need for glasses or
contact lenses.—initial consultations are
free through participating providers. Call
(800) 870-3470 to find a participating
provider near you.
For more information regarding the
MyCareAllies
Healthy
Rewards®
Member Discounts Program, please log
onto their Web site at this address:
www.mycareallies.com.
The Password for AMO Medical
Plan participants is AMO. If you require
information regarding eligibility for
Optical Benefits, including the Lasik
Vision Correction Benefit, you may contact the Plan office at (800) 348-6515.
Employment recognized under the Seafarers Pension Plan
Reciprocal Agreement may now be used to meet certain
requirements for attaining alternate normal retirement age
under the AMO Pension Plan for lump sum eligibility
The Subcommittee of the Board of
the Trustees has clarified the interpretation
of the provisions of the Rules and
Regulation of the American Maritime
Officers (AMO) Pension Plan relating to
the definition of Alternate Normal
Retirement Age for purposes of a Lump
Sum Distribution.
The AMO Pension Plan Rules and
Regulations provide that 20 years of pension credit must be earned under Covered
Employment with signatory employers to
the AMO Pension Plan to be eligible for a
lump sum distribution under the Plan. In
addition, a participant’s age and service
combined must equal 75.
The Trustees of the AMO Pension
Plan approved that employment under the
Seafarers Pension Plan (SPP) Plan that is
recognized under the Reciprocity
Agreement between the AMO Pension
Plan and the Seafarers Pension Plan may
be included to meet the combined age and
service requirement of 75 for eligibility
for a Lump Sum distribution (including
In-Service Lump Sums) under the AMO
Pension Plan, provided a Participant has at
least 20 years of Covered Employment
under an AMO contract.
Once twenty years of pension credit
has been earned under collective bargaining agreements between the AMO and signatory employers (not including any credit granted for past service), employment
recognized under the AMO/SPP
Reciprocity Agreement for pension eligibility purposes may be considered in order
to meet the Alternate Normal Retirement
Age definition for a Lump Sum distribution.
In addition, in the case of an AMO
participant who meets the Plan’s defini-
tion and eligibility for an In-Service Lump
Sum distribution, section 4 of the
Reciprocity Agreement between the AMO
Pension Plan and SPP, which requires that
the applicant must retire permanently
from the industry, will be waived by the
AMO Pension Plan, subject to the rules of
the AMO Pension Plan relating to InService Lump Sum distributions.
The AMO Pension Plan/SPP
Reciprocity Agreement provides for
recognition of employment under both
Plans for eligibility purposes only; it does
not provide for pension credit or wages.
AMO Medical Plan benefits for Medicare eligible participants,
active participants and their eligible dependents
Active employees and their eligible
dependents who are eligible for Medical
Benefits under the AMO Medical Plan and
also eligible for Medicare will continue to
be covered under the AMO Medical Plan.
You may also be enrolled in Medicare Part
A (hospital coverage, home health coverage) at age 65. While actively employed
and eligible for Medical benefits, the
AMO Medical Plan will be primary
(Medicare secondary).
You may delay or defer enrollment
into Medicare Part B (Medical services) if
you are actively working and you are covered under the AMO Medical Plan as an
active employee. Medicare reports that
you may sign up for Medicare Part B coverage under a Special Enrollment Period
any time while you have group health coverage based on current employment or
during the 8-month period that begins
with the month your employment ends or
the month your group health plan cover-
2009 budget
portfolio of loan guarantees, but provides
no funding for new Title XI loan guarantees.
Title XI is not a subsidy program.
Through it, the Maritime Administration
can guarantee private financing for ship
construction projects in U.S. shipyards at
up to 87.5 percent of a given loan’s value.
The program fosters new construction of
age ends, whichever happens first.
Under the current Plan provisions
the AMO Medical Plan provides participants with Pharmacy and Prescription
Drug Benefits. Therefore you should not
enroll in Medicare Part D Coverage.
Please remember to contact
Medicare as soon as you begin to consider that you will stop working for enrollment
procedures.
Please
follow
Medicare’s rules and guidelines regarding
coverage requirements. In addition, please
contact the AMO Medical Plan at (800)
348-6515 to inquire about any eligibility
for benefits.
Pensioners
and
their
Eligible
Dependents
The American Maritime Officers
(AMO) Medical Plan includes Hospital,
Medical, Optical and Scholarship Benefits
for certain pensioners with 20 or more
years of pension credit and their eligible
Jones Act qualified vessels and eases access
to commercial credit for U.S. ship owners
that qualify for Title XI loan guarantees.
Last year, Congress appropriated an
additional $5 million for the program to
guarantee new shipbuilding loans, despite
the fact that the administration requested no
funding beyond the program’s administrative costs.
Operations and Training
The 2009 request holds $118 million
for MARAD operations and training pro-
dependents. One of the requirements is
that at the effective date of pension under
the American Maritime Officers (AMO)
Pension Plan, the pensioner must be eligible for coverage as an active participant
under the AMO Medical Plan. Pensioner
medical benefits are dependent on both
the level of benefits in effect at the time
the AMO Pension Benefit is effective and
the number of years of pension credit,
unless the Plan specifically provides otherwise. The Trustees reserve the right to
amend, modify or terminate, in whole or
in part, benefits under the Medical Plan,
including pensioner medical benefits.
For those pensioners or pensioners’
dependents eligible for Pensioner Benefits
(Deep Sea/Great Lakes/Inland Waters)
and also eligible for coverage under the
Federal Medicare Program or related programs, the Plan will be secondary and will
supplement Medicare benefits up to the
Medicare allowable rate, subject to Plan
grams, a decrease of a little more than
$4.1 million from the previous year. The
operations and training budget covers
funding for the U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy (an overall decrease of $1.4
million from 2008), the state maritime
academies and MARAD operations.
Ship disposal
The 2009 budget request includes
$18 million for disposal of obsolete ships
from the “ghost fleet,” an increase of $1
million compared with 2008.
limitations and exclusions. Medicare eligible Pensioners are required to enroll in
Medicare. Medical claims will be submitted and processed through Medicare as
primary and the AMO Medical Plan as
secondary. Eligible claims submitted on
behalf of a Medicare eligible Pensioner
who has failed to enroll or rejected
Medicare enrollment will be paid by the
AMO Medical Plan at 20% of the otherwise eligible benefit.
MEDICARE ELIGIBLE PENSIONERS AND THEIR MEDICARE
ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS WILL NOT
REQUIRE ENROLLMENT IN THE
CIGNA PPO. THEREFORE, AMO MEDICAL PLAN PENSIONER PLAN C ID
CARDS ARE UTILIZED FOR COORDINATION WITH MEDICARE COVERAGE.
In the event a Medicare eligible
Pensioner enrolls in any Medicare Part D
prescription drug plan or any other qualified Medicare prescription drug plan in
any year, prescription drug coverage
under the Plan will terminate for that year.
Subsequently, on an annual basis, should
the Medicare eligible Pensioner terminate
enrollment in any Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or any other qualified
Medicare prescription drug plan, he/she
will be permitted to reinstate his/her prescription drug coverage under the Plan.
Please refer to Medicare and their
guidelines for coverage requirements
when Medicare is the primary payer. If
you have any questions you may always
contact the AMO Medical Plan at (800)
348-6515.
April 2008
Great Lakes
Dredging
Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones named
a crucial
Great Lakes Legislator of the Year
investment
in U.S. jobs,
future of
shipping
The money is available to make a
much-needed investment in quality
American jobs and in the most efficient and
environmentally friendly cargo transportation system on the Great Lakes, a representative of the largest U.S. integrated steelmaker told Congressional representatives
this month.
The money resides in the Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund and the investment
of a small portion of it in long-overdue
dredging operations for Great Lakes harbors and channels can restore the efficiency
of Great Lakes shipping and clear the way
for a new generation of Americans to work
in manufacturing jobs at U.S. steel mills.
As a result of the ongoing dredging
crisis, it now takes a Great Lakes bulk carrier six voyages to deliver the same amount
of iron ore the same ship could deliver in
five trips 20 years ago, said Daniel Cornille,
manager of marine and raw materials logistics for ArcelorMittal USA, Indiana Harbor.
Cornille was addressing the 13th
annual informational briefing of the Great
Lakes Congressional delegation, an event in
which American Maritime Officers participates each year as a member of the Great
Lakes Maritime Task Force and the union
representing the officers and stewards
working aboard the vast majority of U.S.flagged Great Lakes vessels.
“This math is being repeated across
the U.S.-flag lakes fleet that delivered more
than 100 million tons last year,” Cornille
said. “The constraint is the draft available
and the culprit is deferred dredging in the
context of low lake levels.”
As a result of a chronic shortfall in
dredging and near to record low water levels on the lakes, bulk carriers are being
forced to load light on every voyage to
account shallow depths in harbors and
channels.
Even with the Great Lakes fleet at full
utilization, the inability of the ships to carry
full loads is forcing cargoes into ground
transportation systems, which consume
more fuel and increase costs throughout the
supply chain.
Although the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 enacted by
Congress authorizes immediate action by
the Army Corps of Engineers to begin
restoring the Great Lakes navigational system to project depths, the fiscal year 2009
budget request from the administration
actually appropriates less funding for these
critical operations than was spent in 2008.
Cornille pointed out that the Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund, which funds
dredging with taxes assessed on waterborne
commerce, has a surplus exceeding $4 billion. The cost of restoring the system to
allow Great Lakes vessels to carry full loads
would be less than the amount spent “reconfiguring one freeway intersection south of
Chicago,” he added.
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs
Jones (D-OH) was named Great Lakes
Legislator of the Year for 2008, honoring
her support of and commitment to Great
Lakes shipping.
The award was presented to Rep.
Tubbs Jones by the Great Lakes
Maritime Task Force in April during the
13th annual informational briefing for
the Great Lakes Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.
“I accept this award with a great
sense of responsibility,” Rep. Tubbs
Jones said. “Not just Cleveland, but
America needs the jobs that depend on
Great Lakes shipping. I remember when
it looked like we would never make steel
in Cleveland again. One of the reasons
those mills came back to life was the
efficient movement of raw materials on
the Great Lakes. But if we don’t dredge
our ports and waterways, if we don’t
renew our Coast Guard’s icebreaking
assets, we put family-sustaining jobs
throughout the Great Lakes basin at risk.
I will champion Great Lakes shipping for
as long as I am in
Congress.”
Rep. Tubbs
Jones represents
Ohio’s 11th district.
“As a native
Clevelander,
Congresswoman
Tubbs Jones has
firsthand knowledge of the benefits of shipping on Rep. Stephanie
the lakes,” said Tubbs Jones
Task
Force
President Patrick O’Hern. “The terminals
along the Cuyahoga River receive raw
materials that drive the city’s steel, manufacturing and construction industries.
“Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has
made keeping those cargoes flowing a priority since being elected to the House of
Representatives in 1998,” O’Hern added.
“Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has
been among the most ardent supporters of
increased funding for dredging Great
Lakes ports and waterways,” said the
AMO national executive vice president,
who serves as first vice president of the
Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. “She
stood with her fellow Great Lakes legislators and approved an increase of more
than $30 million for dredging in 2008.
Those additional funds will allow the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begin to
clear the horrendous backlog of dredging projects. However, Rep. Tubbs
Jones will have to take up the cause
again. The proposed budget for fiscal
year 2009 stripped nearly $50 million
from the lakes dredging appropriation.
The very future of Great Lakes shipping
is at stake.”
Founded in 1992, the Great
Lakes Maritime Task Force promotes a
strong U.S.-flag merchant marine on
the Great Lakes. Its labor/management
membership includes representatives
from various trades and encompasses
ship owners and operators, maritime
unions, longshoremen, shipyards and
terminal operators.
The Army Corps estimates $230 million—less than 1 percent of the surplus—
would be required to restore the harbors and
channels of the Great Lakes navigational
system to project depths.
Approximately 26 million tons of raw
materials—iron ore, stone and coal—per
year are required to sustain ArcelorMittal’s
production and job base at U.S. mills on the
Great Lakes, Cornille said.
“Without Great Lakes shipping to
deliver these materials, these mills would
not be here,” he said.
“The average age of employees in the
mills is in the 50s,” Cornille said. “Over the
next ten years, this workforce will retire,
opening jobs for today’s youth. This
turnover has already started to a significant
degree and will accelerate—if we invest in
the lakes transportation system that enabled
this job creation in the first place.”
The efficiency and environmental
benefits of waterborne transportation on the
Great Lakes were also highlighted in
Cornille’s presentation.
“In the current and future environment of energy conservation and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, the marine mode
stands apart,” he said. “Lakes ships use only
one-third to one-fifth of a horsepower per
ton. If this ratio held true on the highway,
you could move a semi with a lawnmower
engine.”
AMO members train at RTM STAR Center, Toledo
American Maritime Officers members completing the Diesel
Crossover course at RTM STAR
Center in Toledo, Ohio, with
Instructor Joe Moore (back) in
March were (left to right) Jasper
Brown, Al Oswald, Tim Seguin, Bill
Young and Jay Pierce.
American Maritime Officers members completing Bridge Resource
Management training at RTM
STAR Center in Toledo in March
with instructor Capt. Ted Olm (right)
were (left to right) Jered Nowak,
Ken Clemmons, Dan Miller, Don
Dehring, Bob Slight and Ken
LaFrance.
April 2008
MARAD remains aggressive on job,
Maritime
policy initiatives for maritime industry Trades
The Maritime Administration will
remain “aggressive” in pursuit of new opportunities for U.S.-flagged merchant vessel
operators and U.S. merchant mariners in
domestic and international markets,
Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton
vowed recently.
Addressing the Maritime Trades
Department of the American Federation of
Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations
in San Diego, Connaughton said the greatest
promise rests in emerging short sea trades
between U.S. points and in the import of liquefied natural gas.
Congress last year approved
MARAD’s “marine highway” initiative,
which would encourage the use of small-tomid-sized cargo vessels between U.S. ports
along the East, West and Gulf Coasts and the
Great Lakes. Connaughton said such short
sea services would ease chronic congestion
on interstate highways, reduce fuel exhaust
emissions by reducing truck traffic and
accommodate projected demand for U.S.
port-to-port transshipment of surging
imports.
These short sea services would be
governed by the Jones Act, the 1920 law that
reserves all domestic deep-sea, Great Lakes
and inland water commerce for merchant
vessels owned, built, flagged and manned in
the United States.
The 2007 legislation acknowledges
waterways “as part of our national service
transportation system” for the first time,
Connaughton said. “That opens up an enormous amount of possibilities for us,” he
added. “We are actually out there working
with operators, with unions, obviously with
state and local governments to actually make
some of these projects a reality — we’re very
close to several new operations, and I think
that we’re going to be able to make this all
happen.”
Discussing U.S. prospects in LNG
trades, Connaughton said MARAD was
securing “commitments” from LNG interests
to use U.S. merchant marine officers and
crews on LNG tankers and service vessels.
Connaughton said MARAD’s LNG
efforts were “beginning to bear some fruit.”
Energy interests and vessel operators are
offering to use U.S. merchant marine officers
and crew members voluntarily, and some
companies have agreed to build or acquire
Department
president
discusses
progress,
challenges
Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton addresses a meeting of the Maritime
Trades Department in San Diego, Calif.
LNG tankers and support ships for U.S. manning under U.S. registry.
Connaughton also discussed the Jones
Act, the cargo preference laws that set specific share of government-financed imports
and exports aside for U.S.-flagged vessels,
and the Maritime Security Program.
The Jones Act remains “critical for our
national security and critical to our economy,” he said.
But, despite its merit, the Jones Act is
often targeted for amendment or repeal —
threats MARAD takes “very seriously,”
Connaughton added. “We are going to do
everything we can to ensure that the law is
enforced.”
Cargo preference is also subject to
challenge in principle and in practice,
Connaughton continued. He said attempts to
“undermine” cargo preference are too often
traced to other Executive Branch agencies.
“We are the agency that is primarily
charged with making sure the cargo preference (requirements) are met,” Connaughton
said. “This does not necessarily make me
very popular with other members of the federal government.”
He added: “We are very, very aggressive at making sure that every federal cargo
that is subject to the cargo preference laws is
carried on vessels that are American flagged
and crewed.
The Maritime Security Program “has
played an important role in enhancing U.S.
(defense) sealift and preserving a viable
manpower pool of skilled civilian mariners,”
Connaughton noted. The MSP helps sustain
60 U.S.-flagged merchant ships in commercial service in international trade. The ships
and their manpower complements are available to the Department of Defense as needed
for strategic sealift and other military support
services.
Though authorized through 2015, the
MSP must be funded each year through
direct budget appropriation.
“We at the Maritime Administration,
through some creative financing and
accounting, were able to make sure that
every carrier got the authorized levels for the
Maritime Security program,” Connaughton
said. “This is obviously vital to our national
security and obviously a vital source of
jobs.”
Thomas Barrett, deputy secretary in
the Department of Transportation (which
includes MARAD) also spoke to the seagoing unions. He reinforced Connaughton’s
points on securing new business for U.S.flagged vessel operators and new jobs for
licensed and unlicensed U.S. merchant
mariners.
“MARAD is working very hard to
look for ways to provide jobs for American
workers to help transport LNG around the
world,” Barrett said. “What that comes back
to is the skill set, the character and the value
that American workers have.”
Military transportation and logistics leaders:
American mariners are critical to our nation
Top defense logistics planners have
again acknowledged the wartime service of
U.S.-flagged merchant ships and civilian
American merchant mariners.
The praise this time came from
Major Gen. Kathleen Gainey, commander
of the Military Surface Deployment and
Distribution Command, and Vice Adm.
Ann Rondeau, deputy commander of the
U.S. Transportation Command, or
TRANSCOM.
“You are critical to our nation, and
you have always been there for us,” Major
Gen. Gainey said in recent remarks to the
executive board of the Maritime Trades
Department of the American Federation of
Labor-Congress
of
Industrial
Organizations in San Diego.
“You represent the people, men and
women, who are committed to a great
cause, and that is the vitality of this nation
and the economic engine that runs it,” Vice
Adm. Rondeau said at the same gathering.
“We are partners.”
Major Gen. Gainey sounded the partnership theme as well. “There’s no amount
of thanks I can give you,” she told the
seagoing unions.
Major Gen. Gainey said experience
had taught her how “critical” U.S. merchant ships and U.S. mariners are. Defense
equipment and supplies, she explained,
must be delivered “on time, without strings
attached — even to those places where you
go in harm’s way.”
The Military Surface Deployment
and Distribution Command — formerly the
Military Traffic Management Command —
arranges the shipment of military supplies
within the United States and overseas. The
agency relies heavily on privately owned,
operated and crewed U.S.-flagged merchant vessels.
“All of us in uniform appreciate you
in the maritime trades,” Major Gen.
Gainey said. “The merchant marine has
always been there beside us, always been
there when we needed you. You have
always delivered. It doesn’t matter
whether or not in harm’s way or in peace.
Your partnership has never faltered — you
were always there for our service members around the world, no matter what we
asked you to do.”
Major Gen. Gainey said she wants to
broaden her agency’s partnership with the
private sector in such areas as strategic
sealift, port development and security and
Naval capability.
“We know we can count on you,” she
said. “And we don’t even think about it. It’s
embarrassing. We take it for granted that
you will be there.”
Vice Adm. Rondeau noted that U.S.
merchant vessel operators and maritime
labor have worked closely with
Maritime
T r a d e s
Department
President
Michael Sacco
reported
on
developments
within the maritime industry
and the accomplishments of
maritime labor
over the past MTD President
year
during Michael Sacco
meetings held
in San Diego, Calif., Feb. 28 and 29.
The president of the Seafarers
International Union, Sacco serves as the
president of the MTD, as well as the
Seafarers International Union of North
America, of which AMO is an affiliate.
Sacco addressed several topics in
his remarks at the meeting, including
developments with the National
Security Personnel System, U.S. shipbuilding and the sealift support provided by U.S. merchant mariners for U.S.
forces in Operations Enduring Freedom
and Iraqi Freedom.
In January, “blue-collar workers were exempted from the National
Security Personnel System, better
known as NSPS” and “other workers
who are covered by NSPS retained certain rights that had previously been
threatened,” Sacco said. “This was a
four-year fight, brothers and sisters.
And it’s no exaggeration to say it was
life-and-death in the long run.”
Progress continued on construction of new Jones Act tankers at
both NASSCO and Kvaerner
Philadelphia shipyards for different
shipowners.
Maritime labor has established
a dialogue with the Coast Guard regarding the concerns that labor has raised
since the last MTD meeting.
Many American mariners continue to serve in military sealift operations supporting Operations Enduring
Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. “We’ve
literally been there since the beginning
and we will continue support our troops
wherever and whenever needed, for as
long as it takes,” Sacco said, highlighting the recent deliveries of mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to U.S.
troops by Military Sealift Command
and Maritime Administration vessels
manned by American merchant
mariners.
TRANSCOM to apply efficient private
sector business practices to military transportation policy and planning.
“The men and women of the U.S.
military are worth what you give them,
worth your investment — and you give
them a lot,” she said. “Together, we’re not
just involved — we’re committed.”
April 2008
USNS Gilliland loads cargo for Army combat team
The USNS Gilliland in March
loaded more than 150,000 square feet of
U.S. Army equipment in Antwerp,
Belgium, to be used in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom by U.S. troops in
the Middle East, Military Sealift
Command reported.
The cargo loaded by the USNS
Gilliland for the U.S. Army’s 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division,
includes trucks, trailers, tanks and other
combat support equipment, MSC reported.
The USNS Gilliland is one of two
large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships
operated for MSC by 3PSC LLC and
American Maritime Officers. In all, the
MSC fleet includes 19 LMSRs, all
manned by AMO in all licensed positions.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, MSC ships
have delivered more than 101 million
square feet of equipment in support of
Photo: Capt. Lee McDonough
The USNS Gilliland, manned in all licensed positions by AMO, loaded cargo in
Belgium for the U.S. Army’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom,
MSC reported. That is enough cargo to fill
a line of railroad cars stretching more than
2,400 miles from Washington, D.C., to
Las Vegas, Nev.
“Serving the men and women
deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan by getting their equipment to them on time is
one of our key missions here at Sealift
Logistics Command Europe,” said Capt.
Nicholas Holman, SEALOGEUR commander. “These soldiers, sailors, Marines
and airmen depend on MSC to deliver the
tools they need to do their job promoting
freedom and democracy in the Middle
East and around the globe.”
The USNS Gilliland is named for
Korean War Medal of Honor winner Cpl.
Charles L. Gilliland, who sacrificed his
life to cover the withdrawal of his unit
from enemy fire on April 25, 1951, near
Tongmang-ni, Korea.
USNS Bobo participates in seabasing exercise, aid mission
The USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo was
one of two Maritime Prepositioning Ship
Squadron One ships participating in a
seabasing exercise and humanitarian aid distribution operation off the coast of Liberia,
Military Sealift Command reported.
The MPSRON One ships worked with
the U.S. Marine Corps and two Africa
Partnership Station ships, the USS Fort
McHenry and HSV-2 Swift. Africa
Partnership Station is a U.S. Naval Forces
Europe initiative providing maritime training
to partner nations in West and Central Africa
aboard U.S. Navy ships in the region, MSC
reported.
During the exercise, the ships congregated off the coast of Monrovia, Liberia.
Sailors embarked aboard the MPSRON One
ships assembled the MPSRON’s improved
Navy lighterage system (INLS), which is a
roll-on/roll-off discharge platform comprised
of barges and ferries that allow ships to
offload cargo at sea and deliver it ashore
when traditional harbor facilities are unavailable, MSC reported.
Once the INLS was assembled,
cargo—including equipment and humanitarian aid supplies—was transferred at sea from
the USNS Bobo to HSV-2 Swift while the
high-speed vessel was docked on the discharge platform. Swift then ferried these supplies to Monrovia, where they were delivered
to a number of schools and medical clinics in
Liberia, MSC reported.
The USNS Bobo is operated for MSC
by American Overseas Marine Corp. and
American Maritime Officers.
The exercise, which showcased the
application of the Navy’s seabasing concept,
also gave the ships, sailors and Marines
involved the opportunity to train alongside
Liberian military personnel who participated
in the operation.
“We are excited to be able to participate in APS,” said Capt. Clay Saunders,
commander of MPSRON One. “The opportunity to validate our seabase concept and
exercise our ship-to-shore capabilities while
supporting a non-exercise humanitarian aid
operation really demonstrates the broad
capabilities of our prepositioned force.”
S/S Cleveland delivers humanitarian aid equipment to Liberia
The S/S Cleveland in March delivered a cargo of U.S. Navy Seabee equipment and supplies for a Seabee contingent
conducting humanitarian aid projects,
Military Sealift Command reported.
The equipment delivered by the
Cleveland—including a dump truck, bulldozers and generators—will be used by
members of Naval Mobile Construction
Battalion 74 Detachment Africa Partnership
Station (APS) on four construction sites.
APS is a U.S. Naval Forces Europe initiative that provides maritime training and
humanitarian assistance to West and Central
African nations, MSC reported.
The Cleveland is being operated
under MSC charter by Sealift Inc. and is
In Liberia, the Seabees will renovate
two medical clinics, giving them electricity and running water, and make structural
improvements and roof repairs. The
detachment will also repair a road that
leads to one of the medical clinics. One of
the largest high schools in Monrovia will
also receive a new electrical system, new
windows and doors, new roofing and a
paint job courtesy of the Seabees, MSC
reported.
“Military Sealift Command is proud
to be supporting APS and all of the great
work the U.S. Navy and our multinational
and non-governmental organization partners are doing on the continent of Africa,”
said Capt. Nicholas Holman, commander,
Sealift Logistics Command Europe.
“Whether we’re delivering aid supplies
ashore or refueling APS platform ships like
USS Fort McHenry, MSC’s efforts contribute to the goal of building regional maritime security which, in turn, promotes economic prosperity and stability in Africa and
around the globe.”
USNS Lummus serves key role in combat readiness exercise
The USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus
served a key role last month in Key Resolve
2008, one of two major South Korean
defense exercises held each year to improve
U.S. and Republic of Korea combat readiness and interoperability.
The USNS Lummus was one of two
Military Sealift Command vessels participating in Key Resolve. The exercise has
been held under other names in previous
years and the new title reflects the shift to a
program led by the Republic of Korea, MSC
reported.
The USNS Lummus is operated by
American Overseas Marine Corp. for MSC
and is manned in all licensed positions by
The ships were on-scene before the
exercise officially began on March 2, delivering vital equipment and supplies to the
coalition forces. The Lummus offloaded
nearly 200 vehicles, including M1-A1 tanks,
Humvees, trucks and armored personnel
carriers for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary
Force Feb. 19 to 20 at port in Chinhae. The
Lummus also offloaded one container of
equipment using shipboard cranes.
The other MSC ship in the exercise,
M/V Vice Adm. K.R. Wheeler, deployed
about 2,600 feet of pipe. This pipe was then
connected to a hose from the amphibious
bulk liquid transfer system on the Lummus,
which is designed to transfer liquid to shore.
Combining the eight-mile pipe from
Wheeler and two-mile hose from Lummus
gave the ships’ fuel distribution system a
reach of 10 miles, MSC reported.
In Busan, more than 40 Navy
reservists assigned to MSC, along with
active duty and civilian counterparts from
MSC Office Korea, trained in the management of a massive influx of cargo ships in
See USNS Lummus Page 12
MSC helicopter fire
fighting training for
AMO members at
RTM STAR Center
Photos: Todd Christensen
American Maritime Officers members completing the RTM
STAR Center one-day Military Sealift Command Helicopter Fire
Fighting course in South Florida March 3 were (left to right)
Joseph Gelhaus, Chris Von Hohenleiten and Robert Groom.
The Helicopter Fire Fighting course is one of several Military
Sealift Command courses available to AMO members through
RTM STAR Center.
April 2008
The Raymond T. McKay Center For Advanced Maritime Officers Training
2 West Dixie Highway • Dania Beach, FL 33004 • (954) 920-3222
GENERAL COURSES
ISO 9001:2000 Lead Auditor Training
5 days
28 April
ABS NS5 (“Safe Net” update)
3 days
30 June
17 November
Advanced Fire Fighting
5 days
12 May
16 June
Advanced Shiphandling for Masters—(No equivalency)
Must have sailed as Chief Mate Unlimited
5 days
28 July
20 October
12 May
18 August
23 June
22 September
23 June
22 September
Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (Tuesday p.m.) 1/2 day
24 June
23 September
Elementary First Aid (Wednesday)
Advanced Shiphandling for Third Mates—(60 days
10 days
seatime equivalency for Third Mates)
Basic Safety Training—All 4 modules MUST be completed
5 days
within 12 months
Personal Survival Techniques (Monday-Tuesday a.m.)
1 1/2 days
25 June
24 September
Fire Fighting & Fire Prevention (Thursday-Friday)—Not
required if “Combined Basic & Advanced Fire Fighting” com- 2 days
pleted within 12 months
1 day
26 June
25 September
Basic Safety Training -Refresher
3 days
25 June
24 September
Bridge Resource Management Seminar
3 days
28 May
Fast Rescue Boat
4 days
5 May
GMDSS
10 days
2-Jun
Integrated Bridge System/Podded Propulsion
5 days
Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat)
14 July
18 August
14 July
29 September
2 June
22 September
17 November
4 days
28 April
25 August
3 November
Tankerman PIC DL - Classroom
5 days
16 June
25 August
17 November
Tankerman PIC DL - Simulator
10 days
28 April
Tankerman PIC LNG
8 days
2 June
21 July
15 September
20 October
LNG Simulator Training
5 days
12 May
7 July
11 August
6 October
LNG Addendum to SIGTTO Standards
1 day
12 June
1 August
25 September
30 October
Train The Trainer—Requires after hours homework
5 days
28 April
28 July
27 October
Vessel/Company/Port Facility Security Officer
3 days
27 May
23 July
3 September
Visual Communications (Flashing Light)—test only
1 days
Please call
Electrical, Electronic, Control Engineering
4 weeks
9 June
8 September
Engine Room Resource Management
5 days
2 June
6 October
17 November
Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator)
3 days
19 May
25 June
13 August
Gas Turbine Endorsement
10 days
5 May
18 August
27 October
High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom)
3 days
12 May
28 July
15 October
Steam Crossover
4 weeks
7 July
15 September
13 October
10 November
3 November
15 October
ENGINEERING COURSES
20 October
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
22 May
24 July
25 September
Damage Control
2 days
26 June
28 August
23 October
Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat
1 day
27 May
16 June
14 July
Helicopter Fire Fighting
1 day
22 May
11 August
ICODES Training—For Masters/Chief Mates aboard MARAD
ships and others chartered by MSC. Follows deck upgrade
1 day
cargo class
Please call
Medical PIC Refresher—Note: Not MSC approved.
3 days
19 May
27 August
19 November
Small Arms - Initial & Refresher Training
3 days
19 May
23 June
21 July
20 November
1 October
25 August
22 September
6 October
20 October
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
5 May
9 June
7 July
11 August
8 September
Elementary First Aid
1 day
8 May
12 June
10 July
14 August
11 September
Drug Collector Training
1 day
9 May
13 June
11 July
15 August
12 September
Breath Alcohol Test Collector
1 day
10 May
14 June
12 July
16 August
13 September
Advanced Fire Fighting
5 days
12 May
16 June
14 July
18 August
15 September
Elementary First Aid—Note: Prerequisite for Medical Care
1 day
Provider within preceding 12 months
17 June
15 July
16 September
14 October
Medical Care Provider—Note: Prerequisite for Medical
Person In Charge within preceding 12 months. Please fax
EFA certificate when registering
3 days
18 June
16 July
17 September
15 October
Medical Person In Charge—Note: Please FAX Medical
Care Provider certificate when registering
5 days
23 June
21 July
22 September
20 October
Urinalysis Collector Training
1 day
5 May
25 August
29 September
27 October
17 November
Breath Alcohol Test
1 day
6 May
26 August
30 September
28 October
18 November
Radar Recertification
1 day
19 May
12 June
3 July
11 August
15 September
ARPA
4 days
2 September
Radar Recertification & ARPA
5 days
Please Call
ECDIS
5 days
5 May
Original Radar Observer Unlimited
5 days
25 August
MEDICAL COURSES
RADAR COURSES
29 September
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) Prudent Mariner’s Guide to Right Whale Protection (CD)
Crew Endurance Management (CD)
10 October
17 November
April 2008
The Raymond T. McKay Center For Advanced Maritime Officers Training
2 West Dixie Highway • Dania Beach, FL 33004 • (954) 920-3222
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
16 June
15 September
Celestial Navigation—Note: A thorough review and
understanding of the topics covered in Parts 4 & 5 of
Pub. Number 9, The American Practical Navigator
(Bowditch), is a prerequisite.
5 days
19 May
28 July
3 November
Marine Propulsion Plants
5 days
28 April
4 August
11 August
15 September
20 October
Shipboard Management
5 days
12 May
23 June
18 August
25 August
27 October
Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology
5 days
5 May
7 July
29 September
27 October
Upgrade: Navigation — Note: From July 21, upgrade
navigation will split into two separate weeks. Week one:
ECDIS / week two: upgrade navigation. Both weeks
must be completed within 12 months.
10 days
12 May
9 June
21 July
Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level
10 days
28 April
14 July
1 September
6 October
Upgrade: Stability—Note: It is recommended that chap5 days
ters 1-13 in the book Stability and Trim for the Ship’s
Officer be reviewed prior to attending this course
2 June
25 August
6 October
17 November
Watchkeeping 1 (Bridge Resource Management)—
Note: Watchkeeping Weeks 1 and 2 MUST be completed 3 days
within 12 months of each other.
4 June
6 August
24 September
Watchkeeping 2 (COLREGS)—Note: Watchkeeping
Weeks 1 and 2 MUST be completed within 12 months of 5 days
each other.
9 June
11August
29 September
3 November
The Raymond T. McKay Center For Advanced Maritime Officers’ Training
One Maritime Plaza • Toledo, Ohio 43604 • (419) 255-3940
ARPA CERTIFICATION
DIESEL ENDORSEMENT
FIRE PREVENTION & FIRE FIGHTING
Course Length—Four Days (Monday-Thursday
May 20
June 30
August 12
Course Length—23 Days
September 8
Course Length—Two Days
June 19, 26
August 21, 28
ORIGINAL RADAR CERTIFICATION
BASIC SAFETY TRAINING
BASIC WELDING
Course Length—Five Days
May 12
June 23
Course Length—One Week
June 16, 23
August 18, 25
August 4
October 20, 27
RADAR RECERTIFICATION
PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT
Course Length—One Day
May 2, 5, 9, 16, 19, 30
July 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
Course Length—Four Days
May 27
July 21
June 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 27
August 1, 8, 11, 18, 22, 25, 29
RECERT & ARPA
May 19
August 11
September 2
Three-Day Course—Open To All Deck Officers
June 16
August 4
October 14
June 2
July 28
ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION
July 7
8.5-HOUR ELEMENTARY FIRST AID/CPR
BASIC SHIPHANDLING AT OPERATIONAL LEVEL
Course Length—One Day (prerequisite for 24-hour MCP)
April 28
June 30
September 2
July 21
Course Length—Three Days
April 29
July 1
September 3
September 8
April 28
July 7
May 5
July 7
September 8
November 10
Course Length—Two Weeks
June 9
October 27
40-HOUR ABLE SEAMAN
May 19
July 14
August 25
October 24
TERRESTRIAL NAVIGATION
METEOROLOGY
June 2
September 8
June 9
September 15
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND SAR
December 8
May 27
September 2
WATCHKEEPING
October 22, 29
ELEMENTARY FIRST AID/CPR
RFPNW (Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch)
June 16, 23
August 18, 25
Call for scheduled courses
October 20, 27
July 28
VESSEL/COMPANY/PORT SECURITY OFFICER
Course Length—4 Hours
June 18, 25
August 20, 27
July 25
PERSONAL SAFETY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
MARLIN SPIKE
July 14
April 28
August 4
CBRD
ADVANCED SHIPHANDLING FOR THIRD MATES
CARGO HANDLING AND STOWAGE
SHIP CONSTRUCTION AND STABILITY
40-HOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER
GMDSS
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)
Course Length—Three Days (Monday-Wednesday)
24-HOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER
FAST RESCUE BOAT
July 7
December 1
ECDIS/ECPINS
October 6
BRIDGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
May 12
August 18
CELESTIAL NAVIGATION
June 9
September 15
PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES
STCW DECK OFFICER REFRESHER
MAGNETIC & GYRO COMPASS
Course Length—12 Hours
June 17, 24
August 19, 26
September 29
June 23
September 29
October 21, 28
October 23, 30
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.
April 2008
GALVESTON, TX 77554
13730 FM 3005, SUITE 170
David Weathers, National Executive Board Member At Large
([email protected])
(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001 / Mobile: (409) 996-7362
HEADQUARTERS
DANIA BEACH, FL 33004
(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513
Tom Bethel, National President ([email protected])
José E. Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer ([email protected])
Jack Branthover, Special Assistant to the National President
([email protected])
FAX: (954) 926-5112
Joseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea
([email protected])
Paul Cates, National Executive Board Member At Large
([email protected])
John Hafner, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters
([email protected])
Charles Murdock, National Representative ([email protected])
FAX: (954) 920-3257
Dispatch: (800) 345-3410
FAX: (954) 926-5126
Brendan Keller ([email protected])
Robert Anderson ([email protected])
Member Services: Extension 1050 ([email protected])
PORTS
BROOKLYN, NY 11232
652 Fourth Avenue
(800) 545-9589
Don Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep Sea
([email protected])
FAX: (718) 965-1766
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
([email protected])
FAX: (510) 444-5165
TOLEDO, OH 43604
The Melvin H. Pelfrey Building
One Maritime Plaza
(419) 255-3940 / (800) 221-9395
FAX: (419) 255-2350
Daniel Smith, National Executive Vice President ([email protected])
Donald Cree, National Vice President Great Lakes ([email protected])
Brian Krus, National Assistant Vice President Great Lakes
([email protected])
Stan Barnes, National Representative ([email protected])
Phillip Kelley, Dispatcher ([email protected])
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19148
2604 S. 4th Street
(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001
Robert Kiefer, National Assistant Vice President At Large
([email protected])
FAX: (215) 755-2574
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 ([email protected])
Charles Crangle, Director of Congressional and Legislative Affairs
([email protected])
Paul Doell, Special Assistant to the National President
([email protected])
Michael Murphy, Director of Government Relations
([email protected])
FAX: (202) 479-1188
RTM CAMOT/STAR CENTERS
STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING AND COURSE INFORMATION
(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
(954) 927-5213
FAX: (954) 929-1415
AMO PLANS
(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
[email protected]
Ballots mailed to all AMO book members March 24
Ballots for the American Maritime
Officers 2008 limited rerun election were
mailed to all AMO book members
Monday, March 24.
Independent firm TrueBallot Inc.
has been retained by the union to administer this election and all future elections
and referendums for AMO. TrueBallot
has established a Web site with a link to a
list of all AMO members to whom ballots
were sent. The list also indicates whether
each member’s ballot was mailed to a
home address or to a vessel address.
The address for the TrueBallot Web
site is: www.electionadmin.com/amo.htm.
AMO will also provide a link to the
TrueBallot site on the AMO home page at
www.amo-union.org throughout the election.
A sample copy of a printed ballot, complete
with the instructions printed on the reverse
side, is available on the AMO Currents Web
site at www.amo-union.net/sampleballot.pdf.
Ballots were mailed to all AMO
book members regardless of dues status
pursuant to a recent amendment to the
AMO National Constitution.
In order for an AMO member’s ballot to be counted when the ballots are tallied on June 24, 2008, that member’s dues
must be paid in full through the end of the
second quarter of 2008.
The second quarter ends June 30,
2008, and each AMO member will be
responsible for ensuring his or her dues
are paid in full through the end of the second quarter prior to the tallying of ballots,
which will take place June 24, 2008.
As stated in the instructions printed
on the reverse side of each ballot, any
member who wishes to request a duplicate ballot for any reason can do so by
contacting the DOL election supervisor. It
is preferred that you make this request by
e-mail at [email protected]. If e-mail
is not available, you can request a duplicate ballot by telephone or FAX to Robert
Hayes, election supervisor, at (704) 8452775 or by FAX, also at (704) 845-2775,
or by mail at P.O. Box 79255 Charlotte,
NC 28271. The deadline for requesting
duplicate ballots is June 10, 2008. All
ballots must be returned to Post Office
Box 188, Dania Beach, FL 33004 by
June 24, 2008.
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), on Wednesday in Toledo, and on Friday in Brooklyn. The
next meetings will take place on the following dates:
DANIA BEACH:
TOLEDO:
NEW YORK:
May 5, June 2
May 7, June 4
May 9, June 6
April 2008
MARAD issues TWIC advisory to U.S. merchant mariners
U.S. mariners must have Transportation Worker Identification Credential by Sept. 25
The Maritime Administration
March 27 issued an advisory to U.S. merchant
mariners
addressing
the
Transportation Worker Identification
Credential (TWIC) requirement.
As stated in the advisory:
By Sept. 25, 2008, all U.S. Coast
Guard credentialed mariners will be
required to hold a TWIC in order for their
license, MMD, COR or STCW endorsement to remain valid. Until then, if a vessel or facility has started TWIC compliance and enforcement, mariners may present an alternate identification (MMD or
Coast Guard license and valid photo identification, or Coast Guard COR and valid
photo identification) to be eligible for
unescorted access to secure areas of the
vessel or facility. Failure to obtain a TWIC
may result in suspension or revocation of
a mariner’s credential under 46 U.S.C.
7702 and 7703.
To obtain a TWIC, an individual
must visit an enrollment center and pay
the enrollment fee, complete a TWIC
application disclosure form, provide biographical information and a complete set
of fingerprints, and sit for a digital photograph. Pre-enrollment is recommended as
it is designed to save the applicant time by
enabling him or her to provide biographical information and make an appointment
for in-person enrollment. The cost for a
TWIC is $132.50 and it is valid for five
years. Mariners who already hold a Coast
Guard credential (MMD) may pay a
reduced fee of $105.25; however, their
Check expiration date when
applying for, receiving TWIC
It was reported at a meeting of the
Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory
Committee that at least one TWIC card
has been issued by the Transportation
Security Administration that had expired
prior to the date it was issued.
If any mariner is using the
Merchant Mariner Document as identification when applying for a TWIC card,
the TSA system may use the expiration
date of the MMD for the expiration date
of the new TWIC, even if the full application fee of $132.50 is paid—which should
make the TWIC card valid for five years.
Maersk Line Ltd. reimbursing
mariners for cost of TWIC
under DRIVE TO ZERO
As part of the company’s DRIVE TO ZERO (injuries) safety program, Maersk
Line Limited will reimburse mariners working aboard its vessels for the cost of their
Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards, subject to the following conditions: Any crew member who completes a minimum of 30 days onboard without a lost
time injury between April 1 and June 30, 2008, and their vessel remains lost time accident free for this quarter, will be eligible for reimbursement for the cost of obtaining
their TWIC card.
To receive payment, the eligible crew member must present the original TWIC
receipt to the master of the vessel, who will exchange it for cash reimbursement.
Maersk Line Limited hopes this program encourages all mariners to apply for
their TWIC cards as soon as possible while also promoting personal safety and teamwork. This program will run from April 1 through June 30, 2008, after which the company will reevaluate its effectiveness.
TWIC will then expire when their Coast
Guard credential (MMD) expires.
As reported by MARAD, all of the
information needed to obtain a TWIC is
available on TSA Web sites:
TSA TWIC deployment Web site—
twicinformation.com/twicinfo/index.jsp:
•Schedule of when each enrollment
center will commence operations
•Enrollment center addresses,
including maps, directions and hours of
operation
•Frequently
asked
questions
(including the TWIC application disclosure form)
•Link to the pre-enrollment Web
site (Pre-enrollment is strongly recommended)
•Check card status / schedule pickup
TSA TWIC home page Web site—
www.tsa.gov/twic:
•Small entity guide for applicants
•U.S. Coast Guard Navigation and
Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 03-07
•Link to the pre-enrollment Web site
(Pre-enrollment is strongly recommended)
Both TSA and the Coast Guard have
established help desks to address questions and concerns:
•TSA: (866) DHS-TWIC / e-mail:
[email protected]
•Coast Guard: (877) MTSA-AID /
e-mail: [email protected]
April 2008
Seabulk squad assists in operation to refloat tug/barge
The Seabulk Towing tugs Buccaneer
and Gasparilla provided critical support
April 2 through 4 in the lightering and
refloating of a K-Sea tug/barge unit that ran
aground outside Egmont Channel as the unit
approached Tampa Bay.
The K-Sea tug Yankee was pushing KSea Barge 151 inbound to Tampa from
Houston when the vessel went hard aground
on the south side of the channel. The barge
was carrying about 119,000 barrels of heavy
fuel oil.
Early efforts to refloat the barge, in
which the Buccaneer, Gasparilla and the
Seabulk ship docking module Suwannee
River participated, were unsuccessful, as the
barge was too hard aground.
Another tug/barge was brought in to
transfer cargo off the grounded vessel. The
Buccaneer and Gasparilla tended both vessels during the lightering operations.
“We helped with refloating it, but in
fact the lightering is what freed them,” said
Laura Nelson, the mate aboard the
Buccaneer. “We helped control both
tug/barge units while they were lightering
and when they came free.”
No cargo or fuel was spilled, no water
was found in the barge’s ballast tanks and the
K-Sea barge appeared undamaged, Nelson
said.
No injuries were reported in the incident and the Coast Guard launched an HC130 search plane from Air Station Clearwater
to check for pollution, of which none was
apparent, according to a local media report.
In addition to Nelson, American
Maritime Officers members working aboard
the Buccaneer included Capt. Keith “Scoot”
Photo: Laura Nelson
The Gasparilla holds a Bouchard tug/barge unit in place during lightering operations with the K-Sea tug/barge, as seen from the wheelhouse of the Buccaneer.
Tyoe, Chief Engineer Heath Scott and ABDeckhand Travis Muse.
AMO members working aboard the
Gasparilla included Capt. Preston Barco,
Chief Engineer Dan Seluk, Mate Doug
Ramey and Deckhand Tony Rosario. Capt.
Jerry Borden joined the operation on Friday.
The K-Sea barge was to have been
inspected by surveyors from the American
Bureau of Shipping and Coast Guard personnel before being allowed to continue to
the Weeden Island Power Plant in St.
Petersburg, Fla., where divers were to
have conducted further inspections of the
hull, the Coast Guard reported.
Main engine repair keeps APL Balboa from missing a beat
The engine department of the APL
Balboa recently replaced the main
engine number 1 cylinder liner and
piston in Kuwait without any problems or delays. Department members involved in the repair included
Third Assistant Engineer Victor
Bungart, Chief Engineer Roy
Graham, First A.E. Drew Hopkins,
Second A.E. Mike Whytock, Third
A.E. Chris Blouch, OMU John
McLane, OMU Francis Brown and
OMU Victorina Labrilla.
Photo: courtesy of Roy Graham
USNS Lummus
the event a conflict should break out on the
Korean peninsula.
The Lummus remained pierside to
reload Marine Corps cargo used during the
exercise. Both ships are assigned to
Maritime Prepositioning Squadron Three,
operating near Guam and Saipan. The
squadron includes 10 ships that carry equip-
ment, fuel and supplies for the U.S. Marine
Corps. Sixteen prepositioning ships like the
Lummus are strategically positioned at sea,
laden with a variety of Marine Corps equipment and supplies ready for rapid delivery
ashore when needed.
AMO members pursue taboo topic, dangerous subjects
After screening Porampo: Pirates of
the Malacca Straits, a new documentary produced and directed by American Maritime
Officers member Michael Rawlins and featuring AMO member Bob Duke Jr.,
American Maritime Officer had a few questions for the director and logistical coordinator of the film.
The Green Ray Films documentary
was filmed entirely on location in Southeast
Asia and follows Rawlins and Duke as they
search for answers about both the rise of
modern piracy and those who participate in
it. An overview of Porampo was published
in the March edition of American Maritime
Officer, an archived edition of which is available online at www.amo-union.org.
AMO: How did the two of you come
to work together on this project?
Michael Rawlins: Bob and I have
known each other for several years. We
first met on the car carriers. I was third
mate and he was my chief mate. We have
since sailed together on quite a few occasions. Just before I was to leave for filming
in Southeast Asia, I halfway jokingly said
to him: “You know, I could use a guy who
can get in the trenches and make contacts to
lead us to piracy.” He immediately replied,
“I’m there, brother.” So, he became the
project’s logistical coordinator.
AMO: What was your starting point
in making the contacts that led you to the former pirate and the pirate camp?
MR: The journey began at the
International Maritime Bureau Piracy
Reporting Center in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. At first we mainly did a lot of talking-head interviews with maritime officials.
We traveled by train down the Malay
Peninsula and in our rail car Bob lucked onto
a man who, coincidentally, had some kind of
regional piracy knowledge. In Singapore, we
picked up more information in one of that
American
Maritime
Officers members Michael
Rawlins (left)
and Bob Duke
Jr. are en route
to Singapore
for the filming
of the documentary in this
image from the
Green Ray
Films Web site.
city’s seedier districts. All indications were
that the heavy-duty area for piracy was in
Aceh, across the Malacca Straits, on the
north end of Sumatra. After flying to Medan
in Indonesia, I cut Bob loose to the port of
Belawan—a place that has appeared in many
piracy reports—where his contacts confirmed that we should drive several hours up
the coast in Aceh. In the city of
Lhoksumawe, Bob made contact with a
young man who had formerly been a rebel
fighter with the GAM (Free Aceh
Movement) in the recent Aceh civil war. The
young man knew a couple of groups that had
been involved in piracy. From there we went
up a remote river into the rain forest.
AMO: How did the pirates on the
attempted raid come to agree to be filmed
and interviewed?
MR: At first, we were to be granted
access to a GAM rebel arms camp. This
group, we were told, was heavily involved in
piracy and would allow us to film their camp,
for a steep price. I immediately said “no,”
because in no way did I want to make a quidpro-quo money exchange to film them. But a
couple of days later, our contact, the exGAM fighter, convinced members of another pirate group to allow us to film them. The
idea of telling their story, stressing how they
were only in it for the money and were not
cold blooded murderers while keeping their
identities hidden—and this was key—somehow this catered to their egos, I think. In a
way it reminds me of how the assassin Carlos
“The Jackal” once allowed a reporter personal access so long as his whereabouts
remained hidden. This porampo group wanted to stress how they were not to be lumped
in with other “evil” porampo, as they put it-a
twisted bit of logic, perhaps.
AMO: As mariners, how did you feel
about documenting and interviewing people
who rob and victimize other mariners?
MR: I put my mind in neutral and didn’t give it a second thought—let the chips fall
where they may. My biggest concern was
having our equipment ripped off, that and the
safety of my guys, of course.
Bob Duke: Most of these pirates were
numb to guilt while so poverty stricken that
money captured their body and soul. As a
mariner, understanding the strategy first hand
made me realize why these pirates would
scale 20 to 40 feet of freeboard without hesitation.
AMO: With what you’ve learned,
how does the group of pirates you encoun-
tered fit into the larger picture of modern
piracy—do you think they are representative
in terms of motive and method of other piracy operations in the region?
MR: The moral of the story is: there
ain’t no pirate brethren; it’s every group and
pirate for himself. There is so much disparity. Some consider themselves freedom fighters. Some are in it for the money, to feed their
village. Some use AK-47s and RPGs. Some
use machetes. Some come to that region
from hundreds of miles away to hide the trail.
The one thing most if not all have in common
is that they rationalize their crimes as though
it’s just a business and not really a crime.
BD: Different regions equal different
motives equal different technology and
equipment. What corrupt government and/or
underground cell is supporting each region?
This crime will continue to escalate as long
as the shipping industry remains passive. The
seriousness of implementing international
defensive measures will eventually lead to
bigger losses for owners, operators and
mariners.
AMO: What questions about piracy
remain that you would like answered?
MR: The big question is one I don’t
imagine will ever be answered: How many
pirate attacks really take place? The reports
are just that—reports. They are whatever the
ships and their companies want to tell. An
IMB official said he believes less than 10
percent is reported. There’s also a lack of uniformity among the world’s flag states—particularly with the FOCs—about shipboard
policies for self-defense strategies and allowing the use of arms for self-defense.
BD: What advanced and more
meaningful solutions are marine regulatory bodies and shipping companies doing
to further cherish the life of the mariner
with regards to piracy and its life-anddeath business motives?

AMO negotiating for LNG observation program

Transcription

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