Volume 37, Number 6 June 2007

Copyright © 2007 American Maritime Officers � 2 West Dixie Highway � Dania Beach, FL 33004 � (800) 362-0513 � editorial@amo-union.org

In this issueRTM STAR Center, Floridaschedule: Page 8

RTM STAR Center, Ohioschedule: Page 9

RTM STAR Centerapplication: Page 9

AMO directory: Page 10

AMO membership meetingschedule: Page 10

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USNS Antaresrescues marinerin Gulf of MexicoPage 3: The officers and crewof the Military SealiftCommand fast sealift shipUSNS Antares were instrumen-tal in rescuing a mariner inmedical distress from a fishingboat in the Gulf of MexicoMay 14 off the coast of Florida.

Great Lakes NewsPlans officialsdiscuss 401(k)Plan, MPB

Page 5: The Senate overwhelm-ingly approved legislation criti-cal to Great Lakes shipping.

Page 11: AMO PlansExecutive Director SteveNickerson, Director of BenefitsMike Naftaniel and LarryGoldstock, who manages theAMO 401(k) Plan and MPB,provide answers to some com-monly asked benefit questions.

AMO strikesWisconsin &MichiganSteamshipCompanyThree vessels idledafter negotiationsreach impasse

Three Wisconsin & MichiganSteamship Company vessels at press timeremained idle in Sarnia, Ontario, as theAmerican Maritime Officers strike againstthe company continued into its fourthweek.

AMO represents the licensed officersand stewards working aboard the M/VDavid Z, the M/V Earl W and the M/VWolverine and has a collective bargainingagreement in place covering the vessels.

AMO went on strike May 9 after thecompany, during economic-reopener nego-tiations, refused to sign a pattern agreementalready accepted by three other GreatLakes operators. The Wolverine wasdelayed in making port after the strikebegan and all AMO members workingaboard the vessels had walked off as ofMay 10.

AMO’s contract with Wisconsin &Michigan Steamship provides the union theright to strike if an agreement cannot bereached on an economic re-opener, whichgoverns wages and benefits for a set periodof time under the contract.

“We’ve reached a frustrating impassein our negotiations,” said AMO NationalGreat Lakes Vice President Don Cree.“There are vessels of similar capacity tothese three being operated by other compa-nies under the same pattern agreement.

“Our membership is in full supportof this strike,” Cree said. “The company ismistaken if they don’t believe we will gothe distance to defend the rights of mariners

A grateful nation pauses to remember

Please see Page 7 for additional coverage of these events

The officers and crew of the ReadyReserve Force ship Cape Island

observe a Moment of Rembranceon Memorial Day in Tacoma, Wash.The Cape Island is managed for the

U.S. Maritime Administration byCrowley Liner Services and mannedin all licensed positions by American

Maritime Officers. See Strike � Page 4

New AMO jobs aboard M/V MarilynSealift acquires bulk carrier from Overseas Shipholding Group

Sealift Inc. recently completed a deal to acquire theM/V Overseas Marilyn from Overseas ShipholdingGroup (OSG). The ship will be renamed the M/V Marilynand will be manned in all licensed positions by AmericanMaritime Officers.

Sealift expects to take possession of the ship at theend of this month. The M/V Marilyn is the sister ship ofthe M/V Harriette, which Sealift purchased from OSGlate last year.

“They told us, if we like the Harriette, we’re goingto love the Marilyn,” said John Raggio, president ofSealift Inc.

When the M/V Marilyn joins the Sealift fleet, it willbe the twelfth ship operated by the company under con-tract with AMO.

The M/V Marilyn is a 25,541 dead-weight-ton bulkcarrier and will operate in the PL-480 grain trade carry-ing U.S. food-aid cargoes.

The nation honored the serviceand sacrifice of members of all branch-es of the U.S. armed forces during themonth of May. American merchantmariners were recognized and remem-bered in these tributes.

Time of Remembrance: A tributeheld May 20 in Washington, D.C., hon-oring the fallen and remembering theirsacrifice in defense of freedom.

National Maritime Day: The ser-vice and sacrifice of U.S. merchantmariners were honored at ceremoniesacross the nation May 22.

Moment of Remembrance: U.S.vessels dressed ship and observed aNational Moment of Remembrance onMemorial Day for those who lost theirlives in service to the nation.

2 • American Maritime Officer June 2007

American Maritime Officer (USPS 316-920)Official Publication of American Maritime Officers

2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004

(954) 921-2221Periodical Postage Paid at

Brooklyn, NY, and Additional Mailing OfficesPublished Monthly

American Maritime Officers National Executive Board

Thomas Bethel, National PresidentJosé Leonard, National Secretary-TreasurerDaniel Smith, National Executive Vice PresidentJoseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep SeaDonald Cree, National Vice President, Great LakesBrian Krus, National Assistant Vice President, Great LakesEdward Kelly, National Vice President At LargeRobert Kiefer, National Assistant Vice President At LargePaul Cates, National Executive Board Member At LargeDaniel Shea, National Executive Board Member At LargeDavid Weathers, National Executive Board Member At LargeDonald Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep SeaEric Norton, National Executive Board Member, Great LakesJohn Hafner, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters

Representatives: Stan Barnes, Charles Murdock

Editor: Matt BurkeAssistant Editor: Phree Baker

POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:American Maritime Officers

ATTN: Karla O’DeaP.O. Box 66

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Area meetings foster open lines of communicationBy Tom BethelNational President

Participat-ing in anA m e r i c a nMaritime Officersm e m b e r s h i pmeeting is diffi-cult for many ofthe men andwomen our unionrepresents. Themeetings arescheduled duringone week each month in Dania Beach,Toledo and Brooklyn, but these meetingsare not at all convenient for AMO mem-bers who live great distances from theseports, or who work typically for months ata stretch aboard vessels that do not call ator near these locations.

To help overcome this obstacle tobroader, better communication betweenunion officials and the seagoing member-ship, I have launched what I expect will bean important new tradition in AMO —informal but informative membershipmeetings held periodically in ports whereactive vessels call frequently, wherereserve sealift ships are berthed, andwhere ships under Military SealiftCommand charter are moored in reducedoperating status.

The first meetings were inBaltimore on May 14 and in Portsmouth(Va.), just outside of Norfolk, a day later.In both ports, I briefed AMO members ondevelopments in our union since January2007 and reported on continuing efforts tomake the AMO administration more trans-parent and more accessible. AMONational Secretary-Treasurer JoséLeonard reported on finances, union-owned real estate and other assets, and aforthcoming policy compliance initiativeintended to make AMO officials, repre-sentatives and employees more account-able. AMO National Assistant VicePresident At Large Bob Kiefer discussedcollective bargaining with deep-sea vesseloperators.

AMO Plans Executive DirectorSteve Nickerson and Smith Barney VicePresident Larry Goldstock were also onhand in Baltimore and Portsmouth.Nickerson reported on the sound state ofthe AMO Medical, Pension, Vacation andSafety and Education Plans and summa-rized steps he and Plans personnel are tak-ing to increase day-to-day operating effi-ciency in AMO Plans and enhance serviceto AMO members and their families.Goldstock explained his firm’s successfulmanagement strategy for the AMO 401(k)Plan and the AMO Pension Plan MoneyPurchase Benefit and outlined options

American Maritime Officers members attending the area meetings in Portsmouth(above) and Baltimore received thorough briefings on union business and AMObenefit plans, asked questions and addressed concerns with union officials.

AMO National Assistant Vice President At Large Bob Kiefer, Larry Goldstock, aSmith Barney Vice President who manages the AMO 401(k) Plan and MPB,AMO National Secretary-Treasurer José Leonard, AMO Plans Executive DirectorSteve Nickerson and AMO National President Tom Bethel (left to right) provideddetailed information to and answered questions from AMO members during areameetings in Baltimore, Md., and Portsmouth, Va., in May.

AMO members have to monitor and guidetheir individual 401(k) and MPBaccounts.

Leonard, Kiefer, Nickerson,Goldstock and I fielded questions from thefloor. After each meeting, we met individ-ually with AMO members who had spe-cific additional questions or comments.No topic was off limits.

There was healthy dialogue in bothports. AMO members demonstrated activeand productive interest in union affairs.They offered opinions and made policyrecommendations.

There was also healthy disagree-ment. But, more significantly, AMO mem-bers who spoke out critically did so with-out fear of administrative reprisal — thisalone was indicative of the new atmos-phere in our union.

Some AMO members welcomed theopportunity to grill me face-to-face. Thiswas their chance to vent on such issues asthe six-year criminal case that led to thefelony convictions of four former AMOofficials and two former AMO and AMO

Plans employees and the way in whichthis administration emerged through thefallout in January 2007. Questions wereasked freely, and they were answeredtruthfully and completely. And some per-spectives may even have changed as aresult of the honest exchange.

Many AMO members were relievedby the end of the difficulties our union hadbeen through since June 2000 and buoyedby the strong prospect of AMO’s swift andlasting recovery. Many were content toknow that AMO was emerging —tenta-tively, at times — from the turmoil with itsreputation, its credibility and its status asthe nation’s largest, strongest and mostprosperous union of merchant marine offi-cers intact.

The Baltimore and Portsmouthmeetings convinced me that the policy ofbringing meetings to the membership isworthwhile. The more we in the adminis-tration can get together with seagoingAMO members for open discussion, thebetter off we all are as a union. Two-wayconversation can only be helpful to every-one in AMO.

Additional membership meetingsoutside of Dania Beach, Toledo andBrooklyn will be scheduled when possibleand practical. We at AMO headquartersare considering locations along the Gulfand West Coasts, and we will return to themid-Atlantic and hold meetings in otherEast Coast ports as circumstances warrantand allow. We will also make every rea-sonable effort to increase direct contactwith AMO members stationed abroadunder government charter.

See you on the road.

Plans participant commendscustomer service representative

American Maritime Officers Plansparticipant Linda Boluk recently sent aletter to AMO National President TomBethel commending AMO Medical PlanCustomer Service Representative MartiMcKee. The Customer Service departmentis a division of the AMO Medical Plan.Boluk’s comments included:

“Marti always promptly returnscalls when I have left messages on hervoice-mail. She always takes the time toexplain how the medical plan coverage isapplied to any specific claim. She isalways cheerful and caring. She never acts

as if she is rushed and she makes sure shehas answered all my questions before wehang up. I always know when I get off thephone any matters that she tells you willbe taken care of for you will be.

“I know some people might sayMarti is only doing the job she was hiredto do. There is a big difference between‘just doing a job’ and the way Marti doesher job. You are very lucky to have some-one so outstanding working for you inwhat must be a very stressful position,dealing with people who want their med-ical bills paid now!”

American Maritime Officer • 3June 2007

AMO aboard fast sealift ships USNS Bellatrix, USNS AlgolAmerican Maritime Officers mem-bers working aboard the fast sealiftships USNS Bellatrix and USNSAlgol, here with AMO NationalExecutive Board Member DaveWeathers (left), in March were FirstAssistant Engineer Steve Converse,Third A.E. Greg Jones, Second A.E.George Ahten, Capt. Chris Spain,Chief Mate Kevin Stith, Capt. MikeRyan, Chief Engineer JosephKibodeaux, First A.E. Alex Zarganas,Chief Engineer Bob Cheramie, ThirdA.E. David Schutte and Chief MateE.B. Davis. The ships are operatedby Maersk Line Limited for MilitarySealift Command and manned in alllicensed positions by AMO.

USNS Antares rescues mariner inmedical distress in Gulf of Mexico

The officers and crew of the USNS Antares were instru-mental in rescuing a mariner in serious medical distress May14 about 150 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

That day, the Antares was en route to New Orleans, La.,from Jacksonville, Fla., performing Military SealiftCommand sealift surge detachment sea trials. Around 1800 (6p.m.), a distress call was received from the fishing boatMichelle Marie. The call indicated a crewmember may havesuffered a heart attack and the vessel was having trouble con-tacting the Coast Guard.

Capt. Tim Anderson, master of the Antares, called theCoast Guard on the ship’s satellite phone and relayed the dis-tress call. The Coast Guard dispatched a rescue helicopterfrom Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and requested theAntares stand by to assist, if needed. Antares Chief EngineerGary Longmire and First Assistant Engineer Mike Caronmade the engine room ready for immediate maneuvering.

The Antares arrived on scene at 1955 (7:55 p.m.), fol-lowed minutes later by the Coast Guard H-60 helicopter. TheCoast Guard lowered a rescue swimmer to the fishing boat infour to six-foot seas. However, the swimmer struck the side ofthe boat and broke his arm while attempting to board, haltingthe operation.

The Coast Guard requested the Antares bring themariner from the Michelle Marie onboard while the rescueswimmer was returned to shore for medical treatment.

At 2102 (9:02 p.m.), the Antares came along the portside of the Michelle Marie. Chief Mate Kruger Donald andThird Mate Tom Pearse-Drance climbed down the Jacob’sLadder to the fishing boat. The distressed mariner—Dan

Jensen, 37, from Pinellas Park, Fla.—was placed in a StokesLitter and hoisted onboard the Antares using one of the ship'sstores cranes.

“He was in really bad shape,” Capt. Anderson said. “Hedisplayed symptoms of shock and had extreme chest pain andhe was severely dehydrated. When we got him onboard, hestarted improving right away. I think it was just being on a sta-ble platform, rather than that rocky fishing boat.”

Second Mate Ed Davis, Third Mate John Taylor,Bosun Robert Arneel, AB Brian Kimbrough, AB WalterHolton and MSC Port Engineer Tom Cisewski tended toJensen and transported him to the ship's hospital. Jensenreceived first-aid—including oxygen, aspirin and nitroglyc-erin—and his heart was monitored using the ship's automat-ed external defibrillator.

At 0100 (1 a.m.) May 15, the second Coast Guard heli-copter arrived on scene. The Coast Guard rescue swimmerwas lowered to the flight deck of the Antares and Jensen wasbrought out and placed in the Coast Guard’s Stokes Litter. Heand the rescue swimmer were hoisted onto the helicopter andJensen was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital.

“Master Tim Anderson and the crew of the USNSAntares and the Coast Guard deserve credit for their out-standing professionalism and dedication,” Cisewski said.“Their rescue mission was to the highest standards of inter-national maritime laws of the seas.”

The USNS Antares is one of eight fast sealift shipsoperated for MSC by Maersk Line Limited and manned in alllicensed positions by American Maritime Officers and in allunlicensed positions by the Seafarers International Union.

Above: The Coast Guard prepares to hoist DanJensen in a Stokes Litter onto the H-60 heli-copter from the flight deck of the USNS Antares.

Below: Officers and crewmembers provide med-ical attention to Jensen aboard the Antares.

Logistics exercise includes humanitarian aid missionS/S Cape Mohican, S/S Flickertail State, USNS Soderman serve in Central America

The Ready Reserve Force vessels SSCape Mohican and SS Flickertail State, andthe large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ves-sel USNS Soderman, served as the center-pieces in a Joint Logistics Over the Sea(JLOTS) exercise and humanitarian aidmission conducted earlier this year..

JLOTS exercises drill U.S. sealiftvessels and military personnel in offloadingand deploying cargo in areas where portfacilities do not exist or are inadequate to

accommodate ships. These exercises helpdevelop and perfect valuable procedures fordelivery in war torn nations, undevelopedlocales and shallow ports. During the exer-cises, ships anchor offshore and areunloaded by lightering barges or smallervessels, which deliver the cargo to shore.

JLOTS capabilities were the initialfocus of this year’s exercise, which evolvedinto a mission for delivering humanitarianaid cargoes. The operation took on the name

Humanitarian Support Over the Shore 2007(HSOTS) and was detailed in the May edi-tion of Sealift.

The Cape Mohican is operated for theMaritime Administration by OceanDuchess Inc. and Interocean AmericanShipping operates the Flickertail State forMARAD. The USNS Soderman is operatedfor Military Sealift Command by MaerskLine Limited. All three ships are manned inall licensed positions by AmericanMaritime Officers. All three were under theoperational control of MSC during theJLOTS exercise and HSOTS operationfrom January to March.

“The HSOTS ‘07 exercise provedto be a great training opportunity forCape Mohican, as the crew once againdemonstrated its ability to bring her spe-cial cargo loading capabilities to a majorexercise when called upon,” AMO mem-ber Capt. Jack Cunningham, master of theCape Mohican, told Sealift LogisticsCommand Pacific Public Affairs

Representative James Jackson.The exercise provided a successful

test of the Cape Mohican’s ability to trans-port and deploy six amphibious landingcraft, Cmdr. Chris Landis, commandingofficer of Assault Craft Unit One, toldJackson.

“The ship’s ability to carry six land-ing craft could be very useful in support offuture amphibious operations,” Landis said.“Senior Navy leadership was very interest-ed in the outcome of this exercise.”

With the focus on humanitarian sup-port, the ships transported much more thanthe normal exercise cargo. HSOTS 2007included delivery of engineering equipmentand materials ashore for humanitarian pro-jects in Guatemala and Belize. Additionally,more than two tons of medical supplies,food, toys and educational materials weredelivered by the ships.

“With the additional aspect of

American Tern, Watson, Charltondeliver for Army combat teams

Three ships manned in all licensedpositions by American Maritime Officersrecently loaded and shipped cargo to Iraqfor the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry DivisionSecond Brigade Combat Team and CombatAviation Brigade based in FortStewart/Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.

The first ship to load was theAmerican Tern, a containership operated byAPL Maritime Limited on long-term char-ter to Military Sealift Command. The Tern,which recently completed the annual re-supply run to McMurdo Station inAntarctica, loaded 550 pieces of cargo,consisting primarily of 20-foot containers.

The next ships loaded for this sealiftwere the large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off vessels USNS Charlton and USNSWatson, both operated by Maersk LineLimited. The LMSRs are transportingenough equipment to fill about nine foot-ball fields, including helicopters, Humvees,tanks and trucks.

MSC vessels have shipped 95 mil-lion square feet of dry cargo and 10 bil-lion gallons of fuel, more than 90 percentof all military cargo deployed in supportof the global war on terrorism, sinceSeptember 11, 2001.

The USNS Watson and USNS

See HSOTS � Page 12

Charlton are two of 19 LMSRs owned byMSC and operated by private companies.AMO members man all 19 LMSRs in alllicensed positions. These ships transportcombat equipment and supplies and prepo-sition military supplies in strategic loca-tions around the world.

4 • American Maritime Officer June 2007

AMO aboard theRRF vessels

Gopher State,Cornhusker State

American Maritime Officers mem-bers working aboard the Ready

Reserve Force ships Gopher Stateand Cornhusker State, operated for

the Maritime Administration byInterocean American Shipping andmanned in all licensed positions by

AMO, in March were Chief MateTodd Cooper, Chief Engineer Tim

Stagg, First Assistant Engineer JonSprague, Third A.E. Warren Carrol

and Third A.E. Walter Rood.

TSA announces TWIC enrollment center locationsThe Transportation Security

Administration recently released a list ofcities in which Transportation WorkerIdentification Credential enrollment centerswill be located.

•Alaska: Anchorage, Juneau,Nikishka, Valdez

•Alabama: Mobile, Guntersville•Arkansas: Helena•American Samoa: Samoa•California: Long Beach, Los

Angeles, Oakland, Richmond, San Diego,San Francisco, Stockton, Port Hueneme

•Connecticut: Bridgeport, NewHaven, New London

•Delaware: Wilmington, New Castle•Florida: Jacksonville, Miami, Port

Everglades, Tampa, Palm Beach, Panama

City, Pensacola, Port St. Joe, PortCanaveral, Port Manatee

•Georgia: Savannah, Brunswick•Guam•Hawaii: Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului,

Maui•Illinois: Chicago•Indiana: Burns Harbor, Indiana

Harbor, Gary, Mt. Vernon•Kentucky: Louisville•Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lake

Charles, New Orleans, Plaquemines,Morgan City

•Massachusetts: Boston, Fall River•Maryland: Baltimore•Maine: Portland•Michigan: Detroit, Muskegon,

Calcite, Escanaba, Marine City, PortDolomite, Port Inland, St. Claire, Stoneport

•Minnesota: Minneapolis, Duluth –Superior, Silver Bay, Two Harbors

•Missouri: Kansas City, St. Paul, St.Louis

•Mississippi: Vicksburg, Gulfport,Pascagoula, Biloxi, Greenville

•North Carolina: Wilmington,Morehead City

•New Hampshire: Portsmouth•New Jersey: New York/New Jersey,

Camden, Paulsboro•New York: Albany, New York/New

Jersey, Buffalo, Port Jefferson (LongIsland)

•Ohio: Cleveland, Ashtabula,Conneaut, Lorain, Marblehead, Toledo,Cincinnati, Fairport Harbor, Sandusky

•Oklahoma: Tulsa•Oregon: Portland, Coos Bay

•Pennsylvania: Philadelphia,Pittsburgh, Chester, Penn Manor, MarcusHook

•Puerto Rico: Ponce, San Juan•Rhode Island: Providence•South Carolina: Charleston,

Memphis•Tennessee: Nashville, Chattanooga•Texas: Beaumont, Brownsville,

Corpus Christi, Houston, Port Arthur, TexasCity, Victoria, Freeport, Galveston,Matagorda

•Virginia: Norfolk, Newport News,St. Thomas, St. Croix

•Washington: Seattle, Tacoma,Anacortes, Everett, Kalama, Longview,Vancouver

•Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Green Bay•West Virginia: Huntington

AMO membership committeereviews union’s finances

American Maritime Officers members (left to right) Patrick Rogers, Jr., JohnMerrone, Richard Fritze and Charels Murdock in May served on a mem-bership committee to review the union’s finances and expenses at AMOheadquarters in Dania Beach, Fla.

The Wisconsin & Michigan Steamship Co. vessels M/V David Z, M/V Earl W andM/V Wolverine remained idle at press time. AMO went on strike against the com-pany May 9 and all AMO members onboard the vessels had walked off by May 10.

and maintain the solid AMO standard forworking conditions on the Great Lakes.”

Wisconsin & Michigan Steamshippurchased the three vessels from OglebayNorton Marine Services Co. in 2006. Theremaining six ships from the OglebayNorton fleet were purchased by AmericanSteamship Company, which has signed thepattern agreement presented to Wisconsin& Michigan Steamship by AMO this year.

The Wisconsin & MichiganSteamship Co. is a subsidiary of SandProducts Corp. All three ships are operatedunder time-charter agreements with LowerLakes Transportation Co.

Photo by Carrie Lanz

StrikeContinued from Page 1

MaritimeAdministrationMarinerOutreachSystem nowupdated withdata fromCoast Guardapplications

The U.S. Maritime Administrationis actively encouraging all U.S. marinersto participate in the Mariner OutreachSystem (MOS).

The system is intended to improvecommunication between MARAD and thethousands of U.S. mariners who serve orare available to serve aboard U.S.-flaggedships around the world.

“The ability to contact mariners iscritical to MARAD’s mission to ensureadequate numbers of qualified marinersare available to meet our nation’s needsduring peacetime and during times ofnational emergency,” said MaritimeAdministrator Sean Connaughton.

According to MARAD, more than27,000 U.S. mariners have alreadyenrolled in MOS by completing theMariner Tracking System section of theU.S. Coast Guard’s application for alicense or Merchant Mariner Document.MARAD is working with the Coast Guardto update the form and to identify the sys-tem by its new name.

The system was updated April 1with data from the Coast Guard andMARAD encourages mariners to verifytheir information online. Information fromthe Coast Guard merchant marine licens-ing and documentation system included inthe Mariner Outreach System includes:

•Personal information (name, citi-zenship, date of birth)

•Contact information•Merchant Mariner Document infor-

mation, expiration•License information, expiration•STCW information, expiration•Sea service informationData from the Mariner Outreach

System will not be disseminated. To learnmore about MOS, or to register, visit theMaritime Administration Web site athttps://mos.marad.dot.gov.

Murdock joinsAMO staff asinland watersrepresentative

American Maritime Officers memberCharles Murdock has been hired as anAMO representative.

Murdock will work from AMO head-quarters in Dania Beach, Fla., and willbegin assuming the inland waters contractresponsibilities of AMO National AssistantVice President At Large Bob Kiefer asKiefer makes the transition to a more activerole in deep-sea contract negotiations.

Murdock, who joined AMO in 1989,ran as an independent candidate for AMOnational executive vice president in theunion’s 2006 election. He began work at theunion Monday, June 4.

American Maritime Officer • 5June 2007

Great LakesSenate approves Water Resources Development ActLegislation sails into conference with provisions critical for Great Lakes shipping

The Senate in May overwhelminglyapproved the Water ResourcesDevelopment Act of 2007, legislationwhich would address issues critical toGreat Lakes shipping.

The Senate bill, S. 1248, was spon-sored by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) andapproved by a vote of 91 to 4.

The House of Representativesapproved companion legislation (H.R.1495) in April by a vote of 394 to 25. Rep.James Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of theCommittee on Transportation andInfrastructure and the principal sponsor ofthe House bill, and Rep. Eddie BerniceJohnson (D-TX), chairwoman of the

Subcommittee on Water Resources andEnvironment, had recommended the legis-lation for quick action in the Senate.

The Water Resources DevelopmentAct will now proceed to a House-Senateconference with strong support, where dif-ferences between the two bills will be rec-onciled.

This legislation would authorizeapproximately $15 billion for waterresources studies and construction pro-jects by the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers. Among other things, provi-sions of the Water ResourcesDevelopment Act would authorize urgentGreat Lakes dredging projects, as well as

the construction of a second Poe-sizedlock at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., at federalexpense.

“I’m very encouraged by the supportshown for the Water ResourcesDevelopment Act in both houses ofCongress,” said AMO National Great LakesVice President Don Cree. “This is vital leg-islation for commerce on the lakes andaddresses two problems that are constrict-ing shipping—the lack of dredging where itis desperately needed and an additional Soolock for the thousand-footers and otherlarge vessels using the system.”

As a result of lower water levels andinadequate dredging, U.S.-flagged lakers

have consistently been forced to carrylighter loads on voyages, markedly reduc-ing the efficiency of the waterborne cargotransportation system.

The Water Resources DevelopmentAct would also authorize construction of asecond Poe-sized lock. At Sault Ste.Marie, only the Poe Lock can accommo-date ships longer than about 750 feet.Many ships in the Great Lakes fleet,including the 13 1,000-foot self-unloadingbulk carriers, traveling between LakesSuperior and Huron must use this lock.

No legislation to address these andother water resources issues has beenenacted since 2000.

Shallow water, stone inventories curtail shippingInsufficientdredging cuts cargoloadings in earlymonths of season

Total shipments in U.S.-flagged lak-ers totaled approximately 9.9 million tonsin April, a decrease of 3.8 percent com-pared with April 2006. The drop in Aprilfollowed a 28 percent decline in ship-ments in March compared with the sameperiod the previous year.

In April, iron ore and coal loadingsremained on pace with the previous year.However, low inventories of limestoneresulted in a sharp drop in shipments of thatcommodity, according to the Lake Carriers’Association (LCA).

Low water levels, particularly inLake Superior, and inadequate dredgingcontinued to limit the loads of Great Lakesvessels in April. The largest iron ore cargoloaded that month, 62,325 net tons, repre-sented 89.4 percent of the vessel’s ratedcapacity. Similarly, the leading coal cargo,62,666 net tons, was 91 percent of the ves-sel’s capacity, according to the LCA.

Aggravating the ongoing problem ofdeficient dredging, Lake Superior has fallento 18 inches below its long-term averagedepth and nearly 13 inches below last year’slevel.

In all, about 4.7 million net tons ofiron ore were shipped in April, down onlyslightly from last year and ahead of the five-year average for April.

A total of nearly 2.3 million net tonsof coal were carried by U.S. lakers in April,a 2 percent decline from the same periodlast year.

Limestone loadings dropped to about2.5 million net tons in April, a 9 percentdecline from April 2006.

In March of this year, limestone ship-ments saw an 84 percent plummet from theprevious year, again due to low inventories,according to the LCA.

Low water levels had the greatestimpact on vessels loading iron ore and coalon Lake Superior in March. Those tradeshad declines of more than 18 percent and 23percent, respectively, in March.

For the season, the total cargo floatstood at more than 15.9 million net tons atthe end of April, a slight gain over the five-year average and an approximately 22 per-cent drop from the same period in 2006.

U.S.-flag dry bulk carriage on the Great Lakes: Year-to-Date (April 2007) — net tons

Commodity 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Average

Iron Ore 6,296,389 7,579,983 10,733,672 9,710,841 9,948,282 8,880,391 8,853,833

Coal 2,560,740 1,612,935 3,348,459 3,797,545 4,046,450 3,563,780 3,073,226

Limestone 2,465,509 1,757,486 3,457,734 3,277,333 3,126,275 2,729,007 2,816,867

Cement 619,725 531,268 636,377 3,339,375 3,221,022 3,396,710 3,287,211

Salt 119,625 184,178 38,317 139,157 184,385 97,927 133,132

Sand 0 42,949 39,502 19,109 31,648 0 26,642

Grain 15,677 14,362 14,620 32,985 59,604 54,850 27,450

Total 12,077,665 11,723,161 18,268,681 17,552,993 18,085,781 15,949,517 15,541,656

Source: Lake Carriers’ Association

AMO aboardthe American

FortitudeAmerican Maritime Officers mem-ber Colin Bergel, second mateaboard the American SteamshipCompany vessel S/S AmericanFortitude, meets with AMONational Great Lakes AssistantVice President Brian Krus. AMOrepresents the licensed officersand stewards working aboard theAmerican Fortitude.

AMO members First AssistantEngineer Troy Ammons, Third A.E.Ted Yap, Third A.E. Tim Seguinand Second A.E. Frank Boer meetwith AMO National Great LakesVice President Don Cree onboardthe American Fortitude.

6 • American Maritime Officer June 2007

The C/S Global Sentinel recentlycompleted what will be the first stage inbuilding an underwater research observa-tory on the floor of Monterey Bay, wherescientists will be able to deploy instru-ments and monitor the deep-water envi-ronment from a shore-based station.

Over three weeks beginning in mid-March, the Global Sentinel laid 52 kilo-meters (32 miles) of fiber optic cable fromthe Monterey Bay Aquarium ResearchInstitute in Moss Landing, Calif., toSmooth Ridge, a plateau approximately18 miles northwest of Monterey at a depthof 914 meters (3,000 feet).

The Global Sentinel is one of sevencable ships operated by TransoceanicCable Ship Company and manned in alllicensed positions by members ofAmerican Maritime Officers.

The cable will power the instru-ments and provide fiber-optic data trans-mission capabilities for the MontereyAccelerated Research System (MARS)project, led by researchers and engineersat the Monterey Bay Aquarium ResearchInstitute. Because of the cable, the projectwill be able to operate all year, 24-hoursper day.

“This is basically a giant extensioncord,” said Capt. Taylor Perez, who wasmaster of the Global Sentinel in Maywhile the ship was docked in Portland,Ore. “What they will have now is a fullypowered station that’s always on andtransmits real-time data.”

The placement of the cable itselfwas comparable to other near-shore mis-sions conducted by the Global Sentinel,although the cable for this project had tobe buried in a tight corridor within 20meters of the planned route, said Capt.Grant Thomas, master of the GlobalSentinel during the mission in Monterey.

“One of the things we did not wantto do was disturb the marine environ-ment,” Capt. Thomas said.

However, the MARS project didinclude at least one element that was any-thing but routine.

After the cable was laid, the shiptransported and positioned a trawler-resis-tant frame on Smooth Ridge. The framewill house the underwater science node,which will be installed by the ResearchInstitute.

When in place, the MARS sciencenode will include advanced instrumentsplaced in deep water near the rim of theMonterey undersea canyon.

“Connecting shore landings andplacing cables is a standard part of ourbusiness,” said Chief Engineer FrankBrousseau, who was onboard the Sentinelduring the MARS project, and has workedon the ship since it was brought out of theshipyard in 1992. “Putting the frameworkin involved a lot of different entities.”

For the MARS project, the ship had75 people onboard, including observersfrom the Research Institute and variousgovernment agencies. Typically, the shipcarries a compliment of 57 on a dedicatedproject.

The framework was affixed to thebow of the ship for transport to the site.“We were maneuvering very cautiously tomake sure it wasn’t damaged,” said FirstOfficer Francisco Sousa.

The cable was spliced from the sternof the ship to the framework, which waslowered using the ship’s cable drums.Once in place, the ship lowered a remoteoperated vehicle to inspect the frameworkto clear the straps, Sousa said.

“Everyone worked very long hoursand did an extraordinary job. We had to doa lot of thinking outside of the box and wehit a home run with this installation,”Capt. Thomas said.

“The flexibility of the ship and crewto perform specialty operations is our real-ly strong suit,” Capt. Perez said.

CCOONNNNEECCTTIINNGG SSHHOORREE TTOO OOCCEEAANN FFLLOOOORR

AMO members working aboard the Global Sentinel in May, here with AMONational Secretary-Treasurer José Leonard (left), included (left to right) ChiefEngineer Frank Brousseau, Capt. Taylor Perez, Third Mate Scott Boatright,Chief Mate Mary Ann Bennett and First Officer Francisco Sousa.

AMO members working aboard the ship in May, here with AMO NationalExecutive Board Member Dan Shea (left), included (left to right) First A.E.Matthew Mersinger, Second Mate Garrett Eaton and Third A.E. Mike Goins.

The C/S GlobalSentinel lays cable

for the MontereyAccelerated

Research Systemproject off the coast

of Monterey, Calif.The Global Sentinel

can carry approxi-mately 6,000 kilome-ters of cable, enough

to reach from theU.S. East Coast

across the AtlanticOcean. The ship is onmaintenance standby

in Portland, Ore.,under the Pacific-

Indian Ocean CableMaintenance

Agreement for theNorth American Zone.

Image: David Fierstein © MBARI

The Monterey Accelerated Research System will allowscientists to perform long-term and real-time experi-ments 900 meters below the surface of Monterey Bay.

Map shows theapproximate loca-tion for the sciencenode and route for theundersea cable (© MBARI)

American Maritime Officer • 7June 2007

AMO member F.A. Walley represents merchant marinersat Time of Remembrance ceremony in Washington, D.C.

American Maritime Officers mem-ber Capt. Fred Adekunle Walley repre-sented the U.S. merchant marine duringthe Time of Remembrance ceremony onthe grounds of the WashingtonMonument May 20 in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony is dedicated to thememory of those who have died in ser-vice to their nation. The second annualTime of Remembrance was attended bymore than 3,000 family members andfriends of U.S. service members who losttheir lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Theevent honored fallen service memberswho fought and died protecting theUnited States of America in every wardating back to 1776.

“The merchant marine has been

National Maritime Day: proclamation by the PresidentAmerica has a proud maritime his-

tory, and the United States merchantmarine has played a vital role in helpingmeet our country’s economic and nation-al security needs. On National MaritimeDay, we honor merchant mariners fortheir dedication to promoting commerceand protecting our freedom.

During times of peace, the U.S.merchant marine helps ensure our eco-nomic security by keeping the oceansopen to trade. Ships operated by mer-chant mariners transport goods acrossour nation’s waterways and on the highseas around the world to connectAmerican businesses and consumerswith valuable foreign markets and com-modities. The skill and expertise of mer-chant mariners facilitates trade and helpsto strengthen our economy.

In times of war, the merchant

marine is the lifeline of our troops over-seas. By carrying critical supplies, equip-ment and personnel, merchant marinersprovide essential support to our ArmedForces and help advance the cause of free-dom. Today, merchant mariners are sup-porting operations in Afghanistan andIraq, and their devotion to duty is a tributeto the generations of men and women whohave served our Nation with courage anddetermination in every conflict inAmerica’s history. On this day, andthroughout the year, America is gratefulfor their service.

In recognition of the importance ofthe U.S. merchant marine, the Congress,by joint resolution approved on May 20,1933, as amended, has designated May 22of each year as “National Maritime Day,”and has authorized and requested that thePresident issue an annual proclamation

calling for its appropriate observance.NOW, THEREFORE, I,

GEORGE W. BUSH, President of theUnited States of America, do hereby pro-claim May 22, 2007, as NationalMaritime Day. I call upon the people ofthe United States to mark this obser-vance by honoring the service of mer-chant mariners and by displaying theflag of the United States at their homesand in their communities. I also requestthat all ships sailing under the Americanflag dress ship on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I havehereunto set my hand this eighteenth dayof May, in the year of our Lord two thou-sand seven, and of the Independence ofthe United States of America the twohundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Above: American Maritime Officersmember Capt. Michael Murphy (right)represented the U.S. merchant marineon the speakers’ platform at theNational Maritime Day ceremony atthe Washington Navy Yard. With himare AMO National President TomBethel and AMO member MichaelMurphy, who works with the AMO staffin Washington, D.C.

At Left: Maritime Administrator SeanConnaughton addressed MaritimeDay audiences at the WashingtonNavy Yard and at the FDR Memorial.

Nation honors serviceof merchant mariners onNational Maritime Day

America honored the service of U.S.merchant mariners with ceremonies acrossthe country on National Maritime Day,which is observed each year on May 22.

Events in Washington, D.C., includ-ed a National Maritime Day observancehosted by the Maritime Administration atthe Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, aluncheon sponsored by local chapters ofthe Propeller Club and the King’s PointClub and a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony hosted by Military SealiftCommand at the Washington Navy Yard.

American Maritime Officers mem-ber Capt. Michael Murphy, master of theUSNS Mendonca, represented U.S. mer-chant mariners on the speakers’ platform,with cadets from the U.S. Merchant MarineAcademy and the Paul Hall Center forMaritime Training and Education.

Featured speakers at the NationalMaritime Day ceremonies in Washingtonwere Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS),Rear Adm. Robert Reilly, commander ofMSC, and Maritime Administrator SeanConnaughton.

During his speech at the Washington

Navy Yard, Connaughton cited the impor-tant roles American merchant marinershave served throughout U.S. history andnoted civilian mariners have shipped “morethan 90 percent” of the equipment and sup-plies “in support of the global war on ter-rorism.”

In addition to serving in extensiveand ongoing sealift operations for EnduringFreedom and Iraqi Freedom, Americancivilian seafarers have a distinguished tra-dition of service to the nation dating to theRevolutionary War.

During World War II, the merchantmarine transported reinforcements and sup-plies to allied forces around the world. Bythe end of the war, close to 7,000 merchantseamen had been killed, approximately11,000 had been wounded and 604 hadbeen taken prisoner.

American merchant mariners provid-ed military sealift support during the con-flicts in Korea, Vietnam, Haiti, Somalia,Grenada and the Balkans. Merchantmariners delivered nearly 90 percent of thedefense cargoes to the war zone during thefirst Gulf War.

“We can never forget their legacyand the continued efforts of America’s mer-

chant mariners across the globe,”Connaughton said during his presentationat the Roosevelt Memorial. “Their sacrificecannot be forgotten or forsaken. Theyembody everything that is noble and greatabout this industry and this nation. Theirlegacy is part of the foundation for us tobuild on.

“The U.S. maritime industry, with itsstrong shipper community, leading-edgetechnology, and the best manpower in theworld, must play a growing, not diminish-ing, role in U.S. and global commerce,” hesaid.

“This nation and this industry facemany challenges,” he said. “Within thosechallenges are opportunities. We must,together, have the courage and vision totake advantage of them.

“The Merchant Marine Act of 1936forged a comprehensive approach to theadvancement of U.S. carriers, shipyards,shippers, ports and mariners,”Connaughton said. “President Rooseveltbrought together many disparate and con-flicting voices and viewpoints. He was ableto get people to work together for theadvancement of the maritime industry andthe United States of America. Seventyyears later, the legacy of that initiativeremains as is evidenced by the many faces,companies and organizations representedin this audience.”

In Dania Beach, Fla., AmericanMaritime Officers, RTM STAR Center andthe Propeller Club of Port Everglades host-ed a National Maritime Day ceremony atthe I.T. Parker Community Center.

STAR Center Director of TrainingPhil Shullo presided over the event.Speakers at the ceremony included JoeColon, president of the Gulfstream Chapterof American Merchant Marine Veteransand national vice president of the organiza-tion; AMO National Executive BoardMember John Hafner; American MaritimeOfficers member John Kafouros, presidentof the Propeller Club of Port Everglades;and Capt. Karl Schultz, U.S. Coast Guarddistrict commander and captain of the portfor Miami, Port Everglades and West PalmBeach.

Following the presentations, awreath-laying ceremony was conductedaboard a 41-foot cutter from U.S. CoastGuard Station Fort Lauderdale.

AMO member Capt. Fred Adekunle Walley (left) represented the U.S. merchantmarine during the Time of Remembrance ceremony May 20. See Remembrance � Page 12

8 • American Maritime Officer June 2007

The Raymond T. McKay Center For Advanced Maritime Officers Training2 West Dixie Highway • Dania Beach, FL 33004 • (954) 920-3222

ENGINE DEPARTMENT

LICENSE TRAINING: Raise-of-Grade (Steam and Motor):Call For Information

STEAM CROSSOVERCourse Length — Four WeeksJuly 9

ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC AND CONTROL ENGINEERING—NEWCourse Length — Four WeeksSeptember 10 November 26

OILY WATER SEPARATOR—NEWCourse Length — One DayAugust 10

ENGINE ROOM RESOURCE MANAGEMENTFive-Day Course (Monday-Friday)October 1 December 3

GAS TURBINE ENDORSEMENT10-Day CourseJuly 9 September 10 October 8 December 3

ADVANCED SLOW SPEED DIESEL PROPULSIONTwo-Week Course — Open to Chief and First Assistant EngineersPlease call for details

DECK DEPARTMENT

DECK LICENSE UPGRADE: SECOND OFFICER TO CHIEF MATE / MASTERNew U.S. Coast Guard Requirements Under STCW ‘95

� Shiphandling (Simulator): July 16-27, September 10-21, November 5� Celestial Navigation (Five Days)*: August 27-31, October 22� Meteorology (Five Days): August 6-10, October 1-5, December 3� Marine Propulsion Plants (Five Days): August 20, August 27, October 1, October 22� Navigation (Simulator Week 2 / 10 Days): July 30, September 24, November 26� Medical Training: See Medical Care Provider & Medical PIC course dates� Cargo Operations (9 Days): July 2-12, August 13, October 9, December 10� Stability (Five Days): September 3-7, October 29

(It is recommended that chapters 1-12 in the book, Stability and Trim for the Ship’sOfficer, by John La Dage, be reviewed prior to attending this course)

� Watchkeeping Week One (Simulator)**: August 15-17, October 10, December 12� Watchkeeping Week Two (Simulator)**: August 20-24, October 15, December 17

NOTE: students will be assessed on lights and shapes on first day of course� Shipboard Management (5 Days): September 3, October 29

*A thorough review and understanding of the topics covered in Tabs 4&5 (pages 225-370)of Pub. No. 9 The American Practical Navigator [Bowditch] is a prerequisite.**Courses must be completed within 12 months of one another

ADVANCED SHIP HANDLING FOR THIRD MATESTwo-Week Course—Open to all deck officersAugust 27 November 26Third Mates taking this course have priority and will receive 60 days of sea time equivalencyfor successfully completing the course.

AUTOMATIC RADAR PLOTTING AIDS (ARPA) CERTIFICATIONFour-Day Course (Tuesday-Friday)September 18 December 11

ORIGINAL RADAR OBSERVER UNLIMITEDSeptember 10 December 3

RADAR RECERTIFICATIONCourse Length—One Day (Monday)July 6 August 6 September 17 October 15 November 8

ECDIS (ELECTRONIC CHART DISPLAY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM)Five-Day Course (Monday-Friday)July 23 August 20 October 1, 22 November 12 December 17Basic computer skills and experience with Windows Operating System or equivalent required

BRIDGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT — CLASSROOM SEMINARThree-Day Course September 5 November 5

BRIDGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT — SIMULATORThree-Day Course August 15 October 10 December 12

GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEMTwo-Week CourseJuly 9 November 26

ALL DEPARTMENTS

INTEGRATED BRIDGE SYSTEMS/PODDED PROPULSION TRAININGCourse Length—Five DaysAugust 27

SMALL ARMS AND AUTOMATIC WEAPONS—INITIAL QUALIFICATIONCourse Length — Five DaysJuly 9 August 6 September 10 October 1, 29 December 3

SMALL ARMS AND AUTOMATIC WEAPONS—REFRESHER TRAININGCourse Length — Three DaysJuly 23 August 20 September 24 October 15 November 12

ELEMENTARY FIRST AID — INCLUDES AED TRAININGOne-Day Course: Prerequisite for 24-Hour MCP, must be completed within 12 monthsJuly 17 August 20 September 4, 11 October 9, 16 December 4

24-HOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERThree-Day Course: Prerequisite For 40-Hour MPIC, must be completed within 12 monthsJuly 18 August 21 September 5, 12 October 10, 17 December 5

40-HOUR MEDICAL PERSON IN CHARGEOne-Week CourseJuly 23 September 17 October 22 December 10

THREE-DAY MEDICAL PIC REFRESHERAugust 27 November 5

ADVANCED FIREFIGHTINGCourse Length — One WeekJuly 16 August 13 September 17 October 15 November 12

FAST RESCUE BOATCourse Length — Four DaysJuly 16 August 20 September 17 October 22 December 10

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT (LIFEBOAT)Course Length — Four DaysAugust 27 October 1 November 5 December 3

TANKERMAN PERSON IN CHARGETwo-Week Course (Simulator Training)—Open to all licensed officers, deck and engineJuly 23 October 22

TANKERMAN PERSON IN CHARGEOne-Week Course (Classroom-Only)—Open to all licensed officers, deck and engineSeptember 10 November 26

LNG—TANKERMAN PERSON IN CHARGEEight-Day Course—Open to all licensed officers, deck and engineJuly 2 August 27 September 24

LNG SIMULATOR TRAINING — NEWFive-Day CourseAugust 6, 13, 20 October 8

DAMAGE CONTROL — NEW COURSECourse Length — Two DaysAugust 23 October 18

CBR-DOne-Day Course (Monday)July 26 September 27 November 5

BASIC SAFETY TRAININGCourse Length — Five DaysJuly 9 August 6 September 24 October 29 December 17

BASIC SAFETY TRAINING REFRESHER — NEWCourse Length — Three DaysJuly 11 August 8 September 26 October 31

TRAIN THE TRAINEROne-Week CourseJuly 30 September 17 October 29 November 26

ABS NS-5 “SAFE NET” UPDATE TRAININGThree-Day CourseJuly 16 September 5 November 27

VESSEL/COMPANY/PORT FACILITY SECURITY OFFICERThree-Day CourseJuly 23 September 5 October 10

URINALYSIS COLLECTOR TRAINING / BREATH ALCOHOL TESTER TRAININGCourse Length — Two DaysJuly 30 September 24 October 29 December 17

HEAT STRESS AFLOAT / HEARING CONSERVATION (MSC APPROVED)One-Day CourseJuly 16 September 10 October 15 December 3

SELF-STUDY CD-ROM (ONLY AVAILABLE WHEN ATTENDINGADDITIONAL INSTRUCTOR-LED COURSES)

AFLOAT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COORDINATORSelf-Study Course (Two Days For MSC): Available for self study at RTM STAR Center

CREW ENDURANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSelf-Study Course: Available for self study at RTM STAR Center

U.S. DOT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION TRAINING MODULESSelf-Study Course: Available for self study at RTM STAR Center or by mail

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 spe-cialty 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 ForAdvanced Maritime Officers Training (CAMOT) and Simulation Training Assessment and ResearchCenters (STAR), established under the auspices of the American Maritime Officers Safety and EducationPlan, admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin or sex to all the rights, privileges, pro-grams and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Centers. It does not dis-criminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sex in administration of its educationalpolicies, admission policies and other programs administered by the Centers.

American Maritime Officer • 9June 2007

The Raymond T. McKay Center For Advanced Maritime Officers’ TrainingOne Maritime Plaza • Toledo, Ohio 43604 • (419) 255-3940

DIESEL ENDORSEMENTCourse Length—23 DaysSeptember 10

BASIC SAFETY TRAININGCourse Length—One WeekJuly 9 August 20, 27 September 24

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFTCourse Length—Four DaysSeptember 4 November 13

ECDIS/ECPINSCourse Length—Three Days (Monday-Wednesday)August 13 November 12

8.5-HOUR ELEMENTARY FIRST AID/CPRCourse Length—One DayJuly 16 September 3 October 8

24-HOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERCourse Length—Three DaysJuly 17 September 4 October 9

40-HOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERCourse Length—One WeekJuly 23 September 10 October 15

CBRDCourse Length—One DayJuly 5 November 8 December 20

VESSEL/COMPANY/PORT SECURITY OFFICERCourse Length—Three DaysAugust 6 November 5 December 17

PERSONAL SAFETY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYCourse Length—4 HoursJuly 11 August 22, 29 September 26

RFPNW (Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch)Course Length—One DayJuly 13 November 23 December 21

OPERATIONAL PRACTICES—ENGINEROOM ONLYCourse Length—Two WeeksCall for upcoming courses

FIRE PREVENTION & FIRE FIGHTINGCourse Length—Two DaysJuly 12August 23, 30September 27

Officer in charge of a navigational watch:Successful completion of this program will satisfy the trainingrequirements for STCW certification as third mate and secondmate on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC)

ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONCourse Length—Five DaysJuly 9

BASIC SHIPHANDLING AT OPERATIONAL LEVELCourse Length—Five DaysJuly 16

CARGO HANDLING AND STOWAGECourse Length—Five DaysJuly 23

SHIP CONSTRUCTION AND STABILITYCourse Length—Five DaysJuly 30

TERRESTRIAL NAVIGATIONCourse Length—Two WeeksAugust 6

METEOROLOGYCourse Length—Five DaysSeptember 10

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND SARCourse Length—Four DaysSeptember 4

WATCHKEEPINGCourse Length—10 DaysAugust 20

CELESTIAL NAVIGATIONCourse Length—Three WeeksSeptember 17

ARPA CERTIFICATIONCourse Length—Four Days (Monday-ThursdayJuly 24 August 28 October 23

ORIGINAL RADAR CERTIFICATIONCourse Length—Five DaysJuly 16 August 20 October 15

RADAR RECERTIFICATIONCourse Length—One DayJuly 2, 6, 9, 13, 23, 30 August 3, 6, 10, 17, 27September 3, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 October 8, 22, 29

RECERT & ARPACourse Length—Five DaysJuly 23 August 27 October 22

BRIDGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENTThree-Day Course—Open To All Deck OfficersAugust 13 September 5 October 10

FAST RESCUE BOATCourse Length—Four DaysAugust 13 September 10 November 5

GMDSSCourse Length—10 DaysJuly 30 October 22

ADVANCED SHIPHANDLING FOR THIRD MATESCourse Length—Two WeeksJuly 30

40-HOUR ABLE SEAMANCourse Length—One WeekJuly 16 September 10 November 26

MARLIN SPIKECourse Length—One DaySeptember 10 November 19

WESTERN RIVERSCourse Length—Three DaysCall for upcoming courses

PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUESCourse Length—12 HoursJuly 10 August 21, 28

10 • American Maritime Officer June 2007

HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 330042 West Dixie Highway(954) 921-2221/(800) 362-0513Tom Bethel, National President (tbethel@amo-union.org)José E. Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer (jleonard@amo-union.org)Jack Branthover, Special Assistant to the National PresidentFAX: (954) 926-5112Joseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea(jgremelsbacker@amo-union.org)Paul Cates, National Executive Board Member At Large(pcates@amo-union.org)John Hafner, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters(jhafner@amo-union.org)FAX: (954) 920-3257Dispatch: Robert Anderson, Brendan Keller (800) 345-3410FAX: (954) 926-5126

PORTS

BROOKLYN, NY 11232652 Fourth Avenue(800) 545-9589Don Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep Sea(dnilsson@amo-union.org)FAX: (718) 965-1766

SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 946071121 7th Street, Second FloorOakland, CA 94607(510) 444-5301(800) 362-0513 ext. 5001Daniel Shea, National Executive Board Member At Large(dshea@amo-union.org)FAX: (510) 444-5165

TOLEDO, OH 43604The Melvin H. Pelfrey BuildingOne Maritime Plaza(419) 255-3940FAX: (419) 255-2350(800) 221-9395Daniel Smith, National Executive Vice President (dsmith@amo-union.org)Donald Cree, National Vice President Great Lakes (dcree@amo-union.org)Brian Krus, National Assistant Vice President Great LakesEric Norton, National Executive Board Member Great LakesPhillip Kelley, Dispatcher

GALVESTON, TX 7755413730 FM 3005, SUITE 170David Weathers, National Executive Board Member At Large(dweathers@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191482604 S. 4th Street(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001Robert Kiefer, National Assistant Vice President At Large(rkiefer@amo-union.org)FAX: (215) 755-2574

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SWSuite 7204(800) 362-0513 ext. 7001Edward Kelly, National Vice President At Large (evkamo@erols.com)Charles Crangle, Director of Congressional and Legislative AffairsPaul Doell, Special Assistant to the National PresidentFAX: (202) 479-1188

RTM CAMOT/STAR CENTERS

STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING COURSE INFORMATION2 West Dixie Highway 2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004 Dania Beach, FL 33004(954) 920-3222 ext.7109 (954) 920-3222 ext.7112(800) 942-3220 ext.7109 (800) 942-3220 ext.7112FAX: (954) 920-3140 FAX: (954) 920-314024 Hours: (954) 920-3222 ext.7999

CAMOT/STAR TOLEDO TRAINING RECORDSOne Maritime Plaza SYSTEM MANAGER:Toledo, Ohio 43604 Lisa Marra(419) 255-3940 (954) 920-3222 ext. 7118 FAX: (419) 255-8833 FAX: (954) 925-5681

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

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

LEGAL

Joel Glanstein, General Counsel Michael Reny305 Madison Ave. Suite 2240 AMO Great Lakes Coast Guard New York, NY 10165 Legal Aid Program(212) 370-5100 24 Hours: (419) 243-1105 FAX: (212) 697-6299 employment or licensing issues

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will be held during the weekfollowing the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. local time. Meetings will beheld on Monday at Headquarters in Dania (on Tuesday when Monday is acontract holiday), on Wednesday in Toledo, and on Friday in Brooklyn. Thenext meetings will take place on the following dates:

DANIA BEACH:TOLEDO:

NEW YORK:

July 2, August 6July 5 (Thursday*), August 8July 6, August 10

*Union offices will be closed Wednesday, July 4 in observance ofIndependence Day.

More information regarding Anthrax vaccination, exemptionsMilitary Sealift Command recently

provided criteria for administrativeexemption from the requirement to receiveAnthrax vaccinations.

As previously reported, contractcivilian mariners between the ages of 18and 65 working aboard military sealift ves-sels will be required to receive Anthraxvaccinations under the following circum-stances:

•Prior to beginning service in theCentral Command (CENTCOM) area ofresponsibility for 15 or more consecutivedays

• Any mariners designated as for-ward deployed or 'early deployers' to theKorean peninsula

Under the MSC criteria, the follow-ing qualify for administrative exemptionfrom the mandatory Anthrax vaccination:

1. Crews on foreign time charters areadministratively exempted

2. Crews on U.S. time chartersunder six months are administrativelyexempted from Anthrax vaccination if thecrew will be in theater less than 28 con-secutive days and the crew will have norepeat visits into the theater during the

period of their charter3. Crews on contract-operated

USNS ships or Maritime Administrationships under operational control to MSCthat are activated for less than six monthsare administratively exempted if the crewwill spend less than 28 consecutive days intheater and the crew will have no repeatvisits into the theater during that period ofactivation

4. Anthrax vaccination will be avail-able on a voluntary basis to crews:

a. Who meet the criteria for adminis-trative exemption in #2 and #3 above, and

b. Who request vaccination withAnthrax vaccine, and

c. Who are eligible by theater andMSC policy to receive the Anthrax vaccine

The Anthrax vaccination seriesincludes six shots. Mariners will be eligi-ble for duty after receiving the first immu-nization in the series. Following the firstimmunization, a second shot will beadministered in two weeks and a third shotwill be administered two weeks after that.Booster shots are administered in monthsix, month 12 and month 18 following theinitial shot, according to MSC.

Mariners over the age of 65 will notbe required to receive the vaccination,according to MSC.

For more information, visit

www.anthrax.osd.mil or contact MSCForce Medical Officer Capt. DwightFulton by phone at (202) 685-5135 or by e-mail at dwight.fulton@navy.mil.

American Maritime Officer • 11June 2007

Answers to commonly asked questions aboutAMO 401(k) Plan, Money Purchase Benefit

The following interview withAmerican Maritime Officers PlansExecutive Director Steve Nickerson, AMOPlans Director of Benefits Mike Naftanieland Larry Goldstock, a Smith Barney vicepresident who manages the AMO 401(k)Plan and Money Purchase Benefit, pro-vides answers to some commonly askedquestions regarding the AMO benefit plans,particularly the 401(k) Plan and MPB.

Question: The 401(k) Plan wasshifted to Ceridian (Newport Group) morethan 15 months ago. What prompted themove and what has the effect been on the401(k) Plan?

Steve Nickerson (SN): It was a crit-ical moment for AMO Plans. We had pre-viously had both Dreyfus and then Putnamas 401(k) Plan recordkeepers in just a fewyears. We knew that we needed a much bet-ter 401(k) Plan for AMO members andwanted a plan we would be happy with fora long time that could grow with us. Wewanted something that was state-of-the-art,had all of the bells and whistles and incor-porated the best investments possible. But,most importantly, we needed someone tomonitor these investments who was alsoable to work one-on-one with our mem-bers, would do individual financial plan-ning and really assist members with theirinvestments in the 401(k), as well as incor-porate their AMO retirement assets withtheir personal investments. We interviewedmore than a dozen different groups regard-ing the new Plan and think we picked thebest folks for the job. We really think this isjust the beginning of a long relationshipand the membership will soon find out thedifference between where we have beenand the future with Smith Barney/Newport. It has been a long road and I can

finally say we are where we need to be.Q: How did the conversion of the

Plan proceed when it was moved?Larry Goldstock (LG): We spent a

lot of time organizing the switch before wedid anything. Ultimately, we were able tomove the entire plan over a weekend andhave no investment blackout. The Putnamplan was liquidated on Friday night(12/29/2006) and reinvested in the“mapped” funds on the next business day(Tuesday 1/2/2007). So the investmentsdidn’t miss one day in the market. It wentvery smoothly.

Q: What is a “mapped” fund?LG: The new Smith Barney/

Newport plan had a different and superiorfund line-up available, compared with thePutnam Plan. We “mapped” like fund tolike fund. Participants then had the oppor-tunity to diversify their assets furtherbecause of the added optional funds. If youhad $10,000 in a Putnam large cap growthfund, it was moved to a similar fund “largecap growth” in the new plan, and so forth.There was a three-page plan conversiondocument sent to all AMO participants inNovember 2006 so everyone should havebeen aware of their personal “mapping”strategy. We also added a number of fundsto the plan, as well as four model portfo-lios, which have become very popular andsimplified the diversification process.

Q: What type of feedback has AMOPlans Participant Services Departmentbeen receiving since the transition?

Mike Naftaniel (MN): The PlansParticipant Services Department receivescalls daily regarding the 401(k) Plan and Ican honestly say that the feedback has beenextremely positive. As with any change,there are always a lot of questions. WithLarry and his team getting the lion’s share

of the calls, Smith Barney has seriouslyreduced the need for multiple phone calls toget the job done. This has streamlined theprocess to provide better service for allbenefits provided by AMO Plans

Q: What has been your experiencewith the union's area informational meet-ings?

SN: We had great attendance at theGreat Lakes area meetings. I feel that it’simportant to meet with the membership asmuch as possible, discuss the state of all theplans and be able to answer any questionsregarding all of the plans. We just finishedtwo area meetings in Baltimore andPortsmouth (Virginia). These were alsowell attended by AMO members and wewere able to provide a lot of informationand answer a lot of questions.

LG: It’s great to speak face-to-facewith individuals my team has developedrelationships with. It’s been great showingattendees what we have been doing inregard to the 401(k) Plan, answering awhole lot of questions regarding the man-agement of the 401(k) and, for the deep seaparticipants, their MPB.

Q: What topics did you discuss at thearea meetings?

SN: I gave an update regarding all ofthe Plans and Larry discussed the 401(k)Plan—we covered a lot of territory.

LG: I discussed the “open architec-ture” design of the new 401(k) Plan. Theplan’s current state-of-the-art technology,as well as a number of new plan features,which are coming out soon. I spoke on thenew 2007 Plan contribution limit of$15,500 for individuals under 50, and the$20,500 limit for individuals over 50 yearsold. No longer is there a 15 percent contri-bution limit as there was before. I fielded alot of questions regarding the new funds as

well as the new model portfolio investmentoptions added to the Plan, where partici-pants can literally put plan investments on"auto pilot." There were a ton of questionsregarding the models and how theyworked. We had a lot of attendees who hadcalled the Smith Barney/AMO hotline myteam and I answer (800-975-7061) whowanted to tell the other members how wewere able to help them with their individualinvesting. The majority of the time wasspent discussing the new investmentoptions and why individuals need to payattention to their Plan and get some helpwith their individual allocation.Unfortunately, too many people ignoretheir investments until it’s too late. Betterthey should call us and get some input.

Q: What is the “open architecture”design of the 401(k) Plan?

SN: It’s actually the best way we canmanage the 401(k) Plan and get the mostout of it. Smith Barney was the first groupthat offered this and Newport was willingto provide recordkeeping services withouthaving any proprietary interest in anymutual fund selected. With open architec-ture, all of the plan pieces are exchange-able. We use Newport as our record keeper.Newport does not manage any money andhas no mutual funds. They just keeprecords, manage the Web site and phoneline. Newport communicates to a separateTrust Company, American Stock Transfer(AST). They receive the payrolls fromAMO and, based on the individual partici-pant's investment elections, send themoney to the corresponding mutual funds.Larry and his team are our consultants andthey help our investment committee selectthe funds for the plan, are responsible forthe day-to-day monitoring of the funds andreport to the investment committee quarter-ly regarding the plan. Larry also gives apresentation at our trustee meetings, so thateveryone is kept up to date.

MN: This isn’t a bundled plan as wehave been used to. With open architecture,we finally have a choice of quality funds,with the ability to change funds if theybegin to yield substandard returns, insteadof being forced to participate in low-rank-ing proprietary funds of the record keeper.

Q: What is the new Roth provision? MN: Before 2006, participants could

invest in the 401(k) Plan on a before-taxbasis and, if they wanted to, put in addi-tional after-tax monies as well. Now, par-ticipants have the option of putting in theirtraditional pre-tax contribution, or a Rothcontribution, which, instead of going inpre-tax (where the contribution isdeductible the year of contribution), thecontribution goes in after-tax (no deduc-tion) but comes out of the plan tax-freewhen they retire.

SN: Deciding to invest in the tradi-tional 401(k) or Roth is complicated andtakes into consideration numerous individ-ual investment factors. If someone is inter-ested in discussing the Roth provision it’sprobably best that they speak to Larry orsomeone on his team at Smith Barney ortheir tax advisor for assistance. If someonewants to invest their contributions in theRoth, they have to make the changes ontheir enrollment form, which is availablefrom their employer or on our Plans Website, as well as Newport’s Web site. Thetotal participants can invest is the same,$15,500 or $20,500, depending on theirage. Individuals could even put some in

See Plans Q&A � Page 12

AMO aboard theJones Act tanker

M/V Houston

American Maritime Offices membersworking aboard the double-hulled

tanker M/V Houston in March includ-ed Chief Engineer John Leonard and

Chief Mate Mick Manion.

AMO members working aboard theHouston included First AssistantEngineer Steven Sylvester and

Capt. Gerald Arno. The M/V Houstonis operated by USS Transport for

U.S. Shipping Partners in the U.S.coastwise trades and manned in all

licensed positions by AMO.

12 • American Maritime Officer June 2007

Capt. JohnMcAninley, master of

the WestwardVenture, and

American MaritimeOfficers NationalExecutive Board

Member Don Nilssonmeet onboard the

ship in Dundalk, Md.,in March.

Second Mate BrentAcuff and Chief MateMorgan Dailey(left to right)

Third A.E. MichaelStevens and Third

A.E. Even (left toright)

Second A.E. DanielBeard (left) and ChiefEngineer Scuteri

both if they wanted to. The same maximumcontribution limit applies.

Q: What types of calls are you field-ing on that Smith Barney/AMO Planshelpline?

LG: We are getting hundreds of callsfrom members. Many AMO plan partici-pants are calling regarding their 401(k) andMPB investment allocation and are lookingfor some help incorporating these invest-ments into their entire financial plan. Wediscuss risk and their investment timeframe as well as a number of other factorswith them and are able to help individualscome up with a strategy that works best forthem. We get a lot of calls regarding finan-cial planning and family wealth manage-ment, which we do at no cost to partici-pants. Some calls come in regarding chil-dren’s college savings and we discuss thealternatives, including 529 plans. Wereceive a lot of calls with plan participantslooking for assistance and management oftheir lump sum pension distributions, andoften discuss 72t calculations, which allowindividuals to take an income from theirretirement before they are 59 1/2 years oldwithout a penalty. This has been a very hottopic with members looking towards retire-ment.

Q: The MPB Pooled Account for thedeep sea participants was moved toNewport as well this year. Can you tell usexactly what was involved?

MN: The MPB was managed in-house and invested with TCW in a shortduration bond portfolio. We wanted tomake the interest guaranteed, rather thanhave the funds at risk, and bonds haveinterest rate risk. The Met Life Stable ValueGIC (the same guaranteed investmentoption in the 401(k) Plan) was a greatopportunity for the MPB, as the return isguaranteed by Met Life and was muchhigher than we were getting from the bondportfolio with no investment fee.

SN: We also made the decision toallow participants with MPB balances toinvest the money as they saw fit and haveallowed those participants to leave theirMPB money in the Met Life GIC or movesome or all of it into the same investmentoptions as they have in the 401(k) Plan. Wehave also, just a few months ago, eliminat-ed the five-year vesting schedule on theMPB. Now everyone who is an activemember is 100 percent vested. With TCWwe could only send an annual statementafter the close of a year. A major benefit ofthis change is that quarterly statements arenow received and the membership canmonitor their assets.

Q: How do members make invest-ment changes to their 401(k) and, if theyhave one, their MPB?

LG: They can go online towww.thebenefitsline.com and log ontotheir account(s). They can call Newport’snumber, which is 888-742-0929, to movetheir investments themselves or get theirbalance or they can call the SmithBarney/AMO helpline at 800-975-7061and speak with me or anyone on our serviceteam. We have the unique ability to goonline for or with the participant and helpthem out when they are on the phone withus. I think this ability to develop an ongo-ing relationship with an individual financialadvisor on our team goes a long way.

MN: In addition, participants canalways contact the AMO Plans office at800-348-6515 with any benefit questions.Together with the Smith Barney team, theAMO Plans staff is dedicated to providingaccessible, quality service for all partici-pants and their families.

Plans Q&AContinued from Page 11

SStteeaammiinngg AAlloonngg aboard theWWEESSTTWWAARRDD VVEENNTTUURREETaking the temperature of the engine room on the S/S Westward Venture enroute to Pakistan from Port Suez, Egypt, are (clockwise from top left) ThirdAssistant Engineer Matthew Even, Second A.E. Donald Reynolds, First A.E.Mark Nickerson, Third A.E. Mike Stevens and Chief Engineer Joseph Scuteri.The Westward Venture is operated by Interocean American Shipping forTotem Ocean Trailer Express and manned in all licensed positions by AMO.

RemembranceContinued from Page 7

recognized as one of the services supportingthe war efforts of our nation, helping todefend our freedom and national security,”Capt. Walley said. “In past wars, we havelost so many people. We have to continue toremember them.”

Representatives from each branch ofthe armed services participated in the Timeof Remembrance. Each was called on stageto salute those in attendance and to ring areplica of the Liberty Bell.

Capt. Walley, who has representedthe merchant marine at both Time ofRemembrance tributes, recently returnedfrom a deployment as master of the ReadyReserve Force ship Cape Washington.During its most recent mission, the CapeWashington—which is operated byCrowley Liner Services and manned in alllicensed positions by American MaritimeOfficers—delivered equipment for troops inboth Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Time of Remembrance tributewas initiated by the White HouseCommission on Remembrance. The com-mission was established by Congress in 2000as an independent government organizationto encourage Americans to honor the sacri-fices of America's fallen and their families.

Coast Guardnow providesonline statusupdates formarinercredentialapplications

The Coast Guard recently expandedonline services to provide merchantmariners with updated information on thestatus of pending mariner credential appli-cations.

Merchant mariners can check thestatus of application packages throughoutthe verification/approval process athttp://homeport.uscg.mil. Once on theWeb site, click on the “MerchantMariners" tab and then click "MerchantMariner Application Status.”

When an individual's applicationinformation is entered, the site will dis-play the information he or she submittedwith the application package and the cur-rent application status. Mariner creden-tials that have already been issued will bedisplayed on the site as “issued” for a 120-day period.

humanitarian relief, the exercise grew inscope to become a simulated disaster reliefassistance response,” said Rick Caldwell,supervisory marine transportation specialistat Sealift Logistics Command Atlantic, toldJackson. “More than 250 pieces of human-itarian assistance equipment were broughtashore and used in rural areas of the regionwhere schools and clinics were being built.”

In all, about 1,300 Navy, Army andAir Force personnel took part in the exer-cise and completed the task of offloadingthe sealift vessels without the benefit ofshoreside infrastructure.

HSOTSContinued from Page 3