Volume 40, Number 5 May 2010

Copyright © 2010 American Maritime Officers ■ 2 West Dixie Highway ■ Dania Beach, FL 33004 ■ (800) 362-0513 ■ editorial@amo-union.org

Area meetingdates for East,Gulf, West CoastsPage 2: AMO will again in 2010conduct area meetings on theEast, Gulf and West Coasts. Theschedule of dates, times andlocations for each of the meet-ings is included in this editionand is available online atwww.amo-union.org.

Great Lakes News AMO NationalPresident’s Pre-Balloting Report

Page 5: New legislation containsthe key to ending the dredgingcrisis on the Great Lakes.

Page 4: The AMO NationalPresident’s Pre-Balloting Reportfor the 2010 Election of AMONational Officers and NationalExecutive Board Members ispublished in this edition. TheAMO National Constitution waspublished in the April edition.

AMO EssentialsSTAR Center courseschedule: Pages 8-9

STAR Center registrationapplication: Page 11

AMO directory: Page 10

AMO membership meetingschedule: Page 10

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MSC awards charter toMaersk for M/V Page

The M/V LTC John U.D. Page

will continue prepositioning ammuni-tion for the U.S. Army under a newcharter awarded to Maersk Line Limitedby Military Sealift Command.

The M/V Page, manned in alllicensed positions by AmericanMaritime Officers, currently serves thismission. Work under the new MSC con-tract is scheduled to commence in

August 2010. If all options are exer-cised, the new contract will extend tofour years plus an initial base period.

“The outcome of the RFP andaward process is always unpredictable,and we’re very pleased the M/V Page

and the AMO officers onboard will con-tinue their excellent service in this mis-sion for the Army,” said AMO NationalExecutive Vice President Bob Kiefer.

Photo: Military Sealift Command

Sealift awarded charterfor M/V Chapman

MSC has awarded a contract toSealift Inc. for the time charter of the M/V

TSgt. John A. Chapman. The ship’s pri-mary mission will be to prepositionammunition for the U.S. Air Force. Sealiftwas originally awarded a similar charterfor the M/V Chapman early in 2009 andthe ship has been performing this mission.The original award became the subject ofa protest and lawsuit against the govern-

ment by one of the bidding companies.The request for proposals was reissuedand Sealift Inc. was the successful bidderfor the new contract.

Work under the new charter isexpected to begin in September. With aone-month base period, the contractincludes three one-year options and onenine-month option. AMO represents alllicensed officers in the Sealift Inc. fleet.

Photo: Sealift Inc.

New AMO jobs with ExpressMarine aboard ATB Freedom

The new Express Marine barge EMI-2400 is launched at Gunderson Marine in Portland,Ore. The tug Freedom departed Tampa, Fla., in April to travel to Oregon via the PanamaCanal to pick up the EMI-2400 and form the new articulated tug/barge Freedom. The ATBFreedom will operate in the Jones Act trades carrying coal between ports on the Gulf Coast.AMO represents the engineering officers and bargemen on the Freedom.

The tug Freedom was delivered to Express Marine in mid-April byPatti Shipyard in Pensacola, Fla. The tug will be part of the new ATBFreedom operating in the Jones Act trades.

2 • American Maritime Officer May 2010

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

Dania Beach, FL, and Additional Mailing OfficesPublished Monthly

American Maritime Officers National Executive Board

Thomas Bethel, National PresidentJosé Leonard, National Secretary-TreasurerRobert Kiefer, National Executive Vice PresidentJoseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep SeaDonald Cree, National Vice President, Great LakesBrian Krus, National Assistant Vice President, Great LakesMichael Murphy, National Vice President At LargeDaniel Shea, National Executive Board Member At LargeDavid Weathers, National Executive Board Member At LargeJohn Hafner, National Executive Board Member At LargeDonald Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep SeaCharles Murdock, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters

Representative: Stan Barnes

Editor: Matt BurkeAssistant Editor: Amber LupinContributing Editor: Paul Doell

POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:American Maritime OfficersATTN: Member Services

P.O. Box 66Dania Beach, FL 33004

AMO 2010 annual area meetingdates for East, Gulf, West Coasts

AMO will again in 2010 conduct area meetings on the East, Gulf and West Coasts.The meetings will feature detailed reports on union, Plans, industry and national devel-opments that affect the membership. All American Maritime Officers members andapplicants are encouraged to attend and participate.

May 26, 2010 — 6 p.m.

Embassy Suites Hampton Roads(Mercury A&B)1700 Coliseum DriveHampton, VA 23666 - (757) 827-8200

May 27, 2010 — 6 p.m.

Embassy Suites Portland(Westbrook Theatre)1050 Westbrook StreetPortland, ME 04102 - (207) 775-2200

June 2, 2010 — 6 p.m.

Hilton Americas — Houston(Theatre 340AB)1600 LamarHouston, TX 77010 - (713) 739-8000

June 3, 2010 — 6 p.m.

Hilton New Orleans Riverside(Newberry/Ascot Rooms, third floor)2 Poydras StreetNew Orleans, LA 70140 - (504) 561-0500

June 8, 2010 — 6 p.m.

Courtyard by Marriott(Mount Tahoma Room)1515 Commerce StreetTacoma, WA 98402 - (253) 591-9100

June 9, 2010 — 6 p.m.

Hilton Garden Inn (Platinum/Copper Room, first floor)1800 Powell StreetEmeryville, CA 94608 - (510) 658-9300

Expanding AMO job base requires careful planningBy Tom Bethel

National President

This month,A m e r i c a nMaritime Officerswelcomes theEndurance to U.S.registry and ourunion’s deep-seafleet roster. Theroll-on/roll-off ves-sel — operated byCrowley LinerServices forAmerican Roll-OnRoll-Off Carrier (ARC) — is the largestcommercial ship of its kind and one of nineARC car carriers manned by AMO in alllicensed positions.

The Endurance follows the tanker Bro

Hawaii, which in April was re-flagged byMaersk Line Limited for service in Asia,where it will carry fuel for the U.S.Department of Defense and commercial car-goes. The Bro Hawaii is the third U.S.-flagged tanker under AMO contract in theMaersk Line Limited fleet.

Earlier, the re-flagged containershipMohegan joined the Sealift Inc. fleet andbegan service in Diego Garcia in the IndianOcean under Military Sealift Command char-ter. Sealift operates 11 additional ships forMSC or in the PL-480 food aid export trade.

Meanwhile, the containershipsBalboa, APL Pearl, APL Cyprine, National

Glory and Maersk Arkansas, the tankersGolden State, Pelican State and Sunshine

State and the articulated tug-barges Freeport,Galveston, Brownsville, Corpus Christi andOSG Vision were operating in variousdomestic and overseas markets under theAMO banner. Additionally, the new ExpressMarine ATB, Freedom, is due to enter ser-vice this summer.

All of these vessels represent new jobsfor our union. They also represent newemployer contributions to the AMO benefitfunds that serve every deep-sea, Great Lakesand inland waters family.

But our union’s remarkable story of

job and benefit security reaches well beyondthese traditional trades and services, all ofwhich are sustained for U.S.-flagged vesselsby the Jones Act, the Maritime SecurityProgram, the cargo preference laws and thefunding of government shipping charters.

Under precedent-setting agreementswith major energy transportation interests,members of American Maritime Officers areat work in key positions aboard several liq-uefied natural gas and oil tankers operatingunder international flags. These jobs alsogenerate employer contributions to AMOPlans.

In addition, AMO members can plancareers that combine licensed time at seawith management positions ashore in the

United States and overseas — with no loss ofAMO benefits — under a separate ground-breaking agreement between our union and amaritime recruiting firm with worldwidecontacts.

There are additional diverse opportu-nities in development for our union, but it istoo early to discuss these publicly in specificdetail. But I can disclose at this point that oneinitiative could lead quickly to jobs for qual-ified AMO members on deepwater drill shipsin offshore energy exploration.

Of course, there are the occasionaldisappointments — for example, the awardof a government charter to a vessel operat-ing company that does not have a collectivebargaining agreement with AmericanMaritime Officers. But such setbacks actu-ally make AMO more determined than everto hold its place as the nation’s largest,strongest and most stable union of merchantmarine officers.

I have no doubt that AMO will remainin its premier position among the licensedunions, but I also understand that growthmust be managed carefully.

To this end, I asked recently that AMOmembers refer unemployed U.S. merchantmarine officers they know personally to ourunion for steady jobs. “Growth could getahead of us in key areas,” I said in our April27 post on AMO Currents.

No one should interpret this to meanthat American Maritime Officers cannotmeet its current licensed manpower commit-ments in domestic and international trades.We can and we do.

But I anticipate a need for additionalengine and deck officers at all levels as ourunion’s job base widens — and that is anenviable position for AMO to be in.

Warship sinks skiff as piratesapproach ITB Philadelphia

On April 8, the ITB Philadelphia encountered a small skiff while en route toMombasa, Kenya, Capt. Mark Menton, master of the Philadelphia, report-ed. The naval vessel escorting the Philadelphia positioned itself betweenthe skiff and the ITB, deployed a fast rescue boat and determined the skiffto be a pirate vessel. The naval vessel removed the pirates and took theminto custody, then proceeded to sink the skiff. The Philadelphia completedits voyage to Mombasa with the warship escort. The ITB Philadelphia, oper-ated by U.S. Shipping and manned in all licensed positions by AMO, isengaged in shipping grain and U.S. food-aid to nations in need.

Above: Congressman Jimmy Duncan(R-TN) attended the Propeller Club’s2010 Salute to Congress Award dinnerin April. Rep. Duncan is a consistentand strong supporter of the U.S.-flagmaritime industry.

American Maritime Officer • 3May 2010

Transportation Departmentacts to extend America’smarine highway system

Rep. Cummings: expandeduse of short sea shippingis a ‘true no-brainer’

Secretary ofTranspor ta t ionRay LaHood inApril announced anew federal pro-gram to expandthe use ofAmerica’s marinehighways. A newfederal rulemak-ing will enable theM a r i t i m eAdministration todesignate certainrivers and coastalroutes as MarineHighway Corridors, thereby promotingtheir use for short sea shipping andincreasing their competitiveness for feder-al grants to enhance or establish infra-structure.

“For too long, we’ve overlooked theeconomic and environmental benefits thatour waterways and domestic seaportsoffer as a means of moving freight in ourcountry,” said LaHood, addressing theSeventh Annual North American MarineHighways and Logistics Conference inBaltimore, Md. Using waterborne trans-portation rather than land-based modesreduces congestion and air pollution,makes the roads safer and “ensures ship-pers have viable options for moving goodsaround the country,” he said.

The new rule will also recognizeprojects that would significantly con-tribute to national transportation goals,giving special “consideration to marinehighway projects that represent the mostcost-effective option among other modalimprovements or reduce border crossingdelays.”

LaHood announced $7 million incompetitive grant funds will be availablefor marine highway projects, with moredetails to come later this summer. Projectsrecognized under the new rule will“receive preferential treatment for anyfuture federal assistance from theDepartment of Transportation orMARAD,” according to the DOT.

The Secretary encouraged maritimeleaders to apply for the next round of $600million in Department of Transportationgrants that will be available later this year.

The Transportation InvestmentGenerating Economic Recovery(TIGER) grants program created by stim-ulus funding recently awarded $120 mil-lion in maritime projects, including threeprojects to expand marine highways.

The final rule reflects the commit-ment LaHood has made to prioritize thegrowth of maritime transportation.“You’re going to have full partners atDOT to promote the marine highway, tohelp fund the marine highway, and toreally create the kind of innovativeopportunities we know the marine high-way can do,” he said.

Speaking in April before a maritimeindustry event, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), chairman of the Subcommittee onCoast Guard and Merchant MarineInfrastructure, called support for short seashipping a “true no-brainer” and endorsedthe expansion of America’s marine high-ways.

“Given the projected increases offreight traffic in this nation and the con-straints associated with expanding highwaycapacity, it is critical that we begin to capi-talize on the possibilities offered to movegoods and people on the water,” Cummingssaid, addressing the 7th Annual North

American MarineHighways andL o g i s t i c sConference inBaltimore, Md.

One obstacleto an expansion ofthe marine high-way program is theH a r b o rMaintenance Tax( H M T ) ,Cummings said.This ad-valoremassessment on

cargo stands as a minor financial barrier buta major administrative impediment to coastalshipping. Rep. Cummings has submittedlegislation for the past two years to exemptshort sea shipping cargo from the HMT. Thenon-partisan Congressional Budget Officeestimates that lost revenue from the exemp-tion would total only $1 million per year.Despite a lack of political will in recentyears, Rep. Cummings voiced optimism thatthe exemption would go through. “I dobelieve that we will get this done,” he said.

Rep. Cummings expressed concernover the lack of new funding for Title XI inthe administration’s budget request for fiscalyear 2011. “To help companies overcomeship financing barriers, MARAD’s Title XIloan guarantee program needs to be funded,”he said. Additionally, debt ratio requirements“need to be examined to make Title XI a pro-gram that is workable for short sea shippingventures,” Rep. Cummings said. Currentrequirements would likely exclude any star-tups looking to build new vessels to enter thecoastal shipping market.

Rep. Cummings also addressed theupcoming six-year transportation reautho-rization. While currently on hold inCongress, the draft legislation crafted byTransportation and InfrastructureCommittee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) will “revolutionize” transportationfunding policies and streamline projectselection. The reauthorization will targetan “efficient and effective” integration ofmodes, focusing on “achieving nationalmobility objectives…rather than as initia-tives that must fit into stovepipes createdby existing requirements of individualmodes,” he said.

Rep. ElijahCummings (D-MD)

Secretary ofTransportationRay LaHood

AMO National Vice President at Large and Director of Government RelationsMichael Murphy (center) meets with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHoodand Acting Maritime Administrator David Matsuda at the Short Sea ShippingConference in April.

AMO Administrative Assistant for Legislation Paulette Brown, AMO National VicePresident at Large Michael Murphy and AMO Assistant Legislative DirectorPhree Baker greet Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) at the Short SeaShipping Conference in April.

Dual-use vessel design would provide militarily-usefulcommercial vessels for U.S. short sea shipping trades

At the 7th annual NorthAmerican Marine Highways andLogistics Conference, a panel of theshipbuilders and designers extensivelydiscussed plans to build a new fleet ofdual-use vessels — commercial shipsthat will be designed to be militarilyuseful.

As the Maritime Administration’sReady Reserve Force and other militar-ily useful vessels reach the end of theirlives, the U.S. Navy will need to seekout new vessels to fill the gap, saidJonathan Kaskin, Director, StrategicMobility and Combat Logistics

Division, Office of the Chief of NavyOperations, at the annual gathering of mar-itime industry professionals.

The Chairman Emeritus and Directorof International Shipholding Corporation,Erik Johnsen, presented a possible solutionfor the Navy. His company has designed adual-use vessel capable of meeting emer-gency military needs while serving a com-mercial short sea route.

The new vessels will be 575 feet longand carry both roll-on/roll-off and con-tainerized cargo. They will be able to reacha top speed of 18 knots with sustainedspeed of 15 knots. The new design will

include an engine capable of burning natur-al gas, for emission-free transit in a shortsea shipping route, and diesel, for use inmilitary ocean-going operations.

“If we can make this work, it will gofar in maintaining our shipbuilding infra-structure and creating new seagoing andshoreside jobs,” said AMO National VicePresident at Large Michael Murphy.

Murphy echoed the panel membersby arguing that the “military must pay theirshare of the cost for any additional capabil-ities they might require, including themaintenance of these capabilities once theship is in operation.”

Though the vessels will need tobe built for less than $60 million fortheir use to be cost-effective, the presi-dent of shipbuilder General DynamicsNASSCO, Frederick Harris, said thatthe number is not unreasonable, provid-ed the design does not change andmany vessels are ordered at the sametime. This allows the shipyard to bene-fit from a learning curve and improveefficiency with each vessel produced.Ordering many vessels — at least 20 —at a time allows the shipyard to negoti-ate better prices on materials and equip-ment like steel and engines.

Ships would feature RO/RO and container capacity for commercial, military cargo

4 • American Maritime Officer May 2010

American Maritime Officers NationalPresident’s Pre-Balloting Report

Letter to allmembers ofthe AmericanMaritimeOfficers(AMO)

The following letter, dated May 12,

2010, containing the National President’s

Pre-Balloting Report was sent to all mem-

bers of American Maritime Officers at their

last known mailing addresses.

In accordance with ARTICLE VIII,Section 1. (f) of the American MaritimeOfficers National Constitution, on thereverse side of this letter you will find theNational President’s Pre-Balloting Reportwhich was approved by the Membership atthe regularly scheduled May MembershipMeetings.

Copies of the most recently amendedNational Constitution were sent to allMembers in the April 2010 AMONewspaper. Additional copies are avail-able, upon request, at Headquarters.

Fraternally,

Thomas J. Bethel

National President

Great Lakes cargo float increases four-fold in MarchWith steel recovering significantly and

the economy as a whole pushing forward,U.S.-flagged lakers carried 2.6 million tonsof cargo in March, more than four times thevolume moved a year ago, the Lake Carriers’Association reported.

Iron ore accounted for the majority oftonnage on the lakes, with U.S. hulls moving2.08 million tons in March, more than a five-fold increase from 2009. Coal loadings alsoshowed massive improvement, almost a six-fold increase from 2009.

According to the LCA, all eightU.S. Coast Guard icebreaking vessels sta-tioned on the Lakes were active in March.The Coast Guard also transferred an EastCoast icebreaker, Penobscot Bay, to aid inicebreaking.

On April 1, 32 U.S.-flagged lakerswere operating on the Lakes, compared withonly 17 at the same time last year.

U.S.-flag dry bulk carriage on the Great Lakes: March 2005-2010 — net tons

Commodity 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Average

Iron Ore 2,193,798 1,958,036 1,598,667 1,601,846 371,692 2,080,048 1,544,808

Coal 643,860 832,551 637,992 608,278 56,471 328,450 555,830

Limestone 321,243 385,628 61,993 122,151 0 16,920 178,203

Cement 134,609 213,265 163,724 150,751 151,121 125,748 162,694

Salt 40,527 24,433 13,025 0 0 0 15,597

Sand 0 4,811 0 0 0 0 962

Grain 16,668 0 0 0 0 0 3,334

Total 3,350,705 3,418,724 2,475,401 2,483,026 579,284 2,551,166 2,461,428

Source: Lake Carriers’ Association

AMO aboard theCoast Range

NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S PRE-BALLOTING REPORT: AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS 2010 ELECTION

OF NATIONAL OFFICERS AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

In accordance with ARTICLE VIII, Section 1. (f) of the AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS NATIONAL CONSTITU-TION, the undersigned (National President) herewith submits to the Membership the Pre-Balloting Report for the 2010 AMERI-CAN MARITIME OFFICERS Election of National Officers and National Executive Board Members.

1) The Constitutional Ports which shall be maintained for the next four (4) years are:

1. Dania Beach, Florida - Headquarters2. Toledo, Ohio

2) The Elected National Officials shall be as follows:

a) HEADQUARTERS1. National President2. National Secretary-Treasurer3. National Executive Vice-President

b) DEEP-SEA1. National Vice-President

c) GREAT LAKES1. National Vice-President

d) INLAND WATERS1. National Vice-President

e) GOVERNMENT RELATIONS1. National Vice-President

The recommended Depository approved by the National Executive Board is the Dania Beach Post Office, P. O. Box 188,Dania Beach, FL 33004-0188. Returned mail will be returned to the Impartial Administrator, True Ballot, Inc., for re-mailing.

Fraternally,

Thomas J. Bethel

National President

Capt. Jim Carstensen

AMO members working aboard the Jones Act tanker Coast Range inMarch, here in Garyville, La., included Third Mate Robert Cope, ChiefMate Karl Fisher, and Third Mate Sarah Herschberger.

Third Assistant Engineer Gerald Atkinsaboard the Coast Range with AMO NationalExecutive Board Member David Weathers —the Coast Range is operated by IntrepidPersonnel and Provisioning and manned inall licensed positions by AMO.

American Maritime Officer • 5May 2010

Great Lakes

Congresswoman DebbieHalvorson (D-IL) has sent a letter anda petition signed by more than 500people from more than 100 organiza-tions to Army Corps of Engineers Col.Vincent Quarles, calling for an effec-tive, sensible solution to prevent theAsian Carp from invading the GreatLakes, while avoiding hasty reactions— such as closing Chicagoland locks

— that would cripple businesses, costjobs and threaten the Chicago metropoli-tan area.

“Every year, billions of dollarsworth of goods are moved along Illinoiswaterways, including much of theregion’s oil, cement, iron, coal and agri-cultural goods,” Rep. Halvorson wrote.“Delays in the transport of these goodswill result in higher electricity, gasoline

and road construction costs, as well aslayoffs by companies dependent onwaterway shipments. Even temporaryclosure or reduced operation of the lockswill have a devastating impact on ourregion’s economy.

“According to the MetropolitanWater Reclamation District of GreaterChicago, closing the Chicago andO’Brien locks also would place much of

metro Chicago at great risk of flooddamage and could threaten the city’swater supply,” Rep. Halvorson wrotein the letter.

“We must stop the carp, but not atthe expense of Illinois businesses andIllinois jobs.”

More information about this issueand the petition are available online atwww.protectingillinoisjobs.com.

New legislation holds key to ending dredging crisisBy Don Cree

National Vice President, Great Lakes

Following adismal season in2009, which wasthe worst for ship-ping on recordsince 1938, the2010 shipping sea-son has openedwith a few positiveand encouragingdevelopments forthe U.S.-flag GreatLakes fleet and theindustries that depend upon our ships todeliver the lifeblood of commerce.

Of the most immediate importance toAMO members is the increase in fleet uti-lization on the Lakes. At the beginning ofMay, about twice the number of vessels were

Support grows for a sensible solution to Asian Carp threat

in service compared with the same point lastyear. Demand remains strong in our regionand we hope this will continue throughoutthe year as industrial fixtures slowed or idledby the severe economic recession rebuildtheir stockpiles of raw materials and return toproductivity. Production of steel in the U.S. isexpected to increase by one third in 2010 inthe first leg of a recovery that industry lead-ers anticipate will take three years.

On the legislative front,Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson and oth-ers from the Great Lakes Congressional del-egation are making a strong push for a sensi-ble solution to prevent the Asian Carp frominvading the Great Lakes and developing asustainable population. Their effort, Ibelieve, will lead to a long-term remedy forthis threat and will blunt efforts to closeChicagoland locks and cut off waterbornecommerce in an effort to stop the Asian Carpfrom reaching Lake Michigan. Notably, the

Supreme Court last month for the secondtime denied a legal motion that would haveresulted in the immediate closure of thelocks.

The prospect holding perhaps the mostlasting and lifting benefit for Lakes shipping,and for every element of the maritime supplychain, is new legislation that would requirethe Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF)to spend what it takes in each year. TheHMTF is funded by a tax on cargo movingthrough U.S. deep-draft ports and is sup-posed to pay for dredging projects across thenation. The fund takes in as much as $1.6 bil-lion per year; however, expenditures are typ-ically less than $800 million per year, and thefund has accumulated a $5 billion surplus.

On the Lakes, we’re all very aware ofthe problems caused by the lack of adequatedredging. Shallow harbors and channelshave for years caused lakers to load light andleave cargo at the dock on each voyage, dra-

matically increasing costs and decreasingefficiency throughout the supply chain. Withfunding from the HMTF, the Army Corps ofEngineers could begin addressing the back-log of dredging projects for the Great Lakesnavigational system and begin restoring har-bors and channels to project depths.

Introduced by Senator Carl Levin andco-sponsored by 10 others, S. 3213 is pend-ing in the Committee on Environment andPublic Works. Companion legislation (H.R.4844) introduced in the House ofRepresentatives by Congressman CharlesBoustany with 31 co-sponsors was referredto the Subcommittee on Highways andTransit.

Much needed dredging projects on theLakes have been authorized again and again.This legislation holds the key to fundingthem and bringing an end to the dredging cri-sis, simply by using the money collected inthe HMTF for its intended purpose.

Production ofsteel in U.S.could climbby one third;recovery maytake three ormore years

As the economy begins to recover,U.S. steelmakers may increase output by asmuch as one-third this year, said AmericanIron and Steel Institute chairman DanDiMicco, according to media reports.

Also CEO of the largest steelmaker in2009, Nucor Corp., DiMicco was cautiouslyoptimistic about the future of steel produc-tion in America. The American steel industryis in the early stages of a recovery that willprobably take three years, and possiblylonger, he said at the AISI annual meeting.

“Things are getting better but we needthem to get a lot better,” DiMicco said. “Weare looking at positive signs that the econo-my is slowly starting to recover. It will prob-ably take several more years to see demandback to what it was from 2004 through thethird quarter of 2008.”

DiMicco criticized China’s govern-ment for undervaluing its currency and sub-sidizing shipments for exporters, leading tolower prices for Chinese steel. Despite com-petition from rising imports, the nation’ssteel capacity rose to 73 percent as of April24, compared with 41 percent a year earlier.

AMO aboard thePhilip R. Clarke

The Philip R. Clarke is operatedby Key Lakes. American MaritimeOfficers represents the licensedofficers and stewards working

aboard the ship. The Clarke wasfitted out for the season in

Sturgeon Bay, Wis., (photo atright) and loaded coal in Toledo,

Ohio, on its first voyage.

AMO members working aboard thePhilip R. Clarke in April, here inSturgeon Bay, Wis., included SecondAssistant Engineer Mike Root, ChiefEngineer John Bellmore, Third A.E.Phil Bouchonville and First A.E.Jeffrey Darga. With them here areAMO National Assistant VicePresident for the Great Lakes BrianKrus and AMO NationalRepresentative Stan Barnes.

AMO members working aboard the Clarke in May, herein Toledo, Ohio, included Steward Gregg Skiba and FirstMate Don Dehring.

AMO members working aboard the Clarke in May, here inToledo, Ohio, included Second A.E. Robert Fluharty, FirstA.E. Jeffrey Darga and Chief Engineer John Bellmore.

could run the service fromhere,” said Cooper. “Weallowed them to use the bridgeand the radios and all the elec-tronics up there.”

Meanwhile, others werehard at work constructing a tem-porary pier and crane service. Byearly March, the facilities werecapable of handling the reliefoperations and military vesselsstarted returning home. The Cape

May, loaded with the lighteragethey brought to Haiti for JLOTS,

was the one of thelast U.S. militaryvessels to returnfrom relief efforts.Commercial opera-tions have takenover ongoing reliefefforts, in conjunc-tion with the U.S.Army, said Tidwell.The vessel arrivedin Norfolk, Va. on March 19.

The chief engineers on both vesselscommented that the mission was beneficialfor the ship itself.

“It was good for the ship to run,” saidCornhusker State Chief Engineer MickMcDermott. “You discover things you cando better and changes that could be made tothe ship.” Two weeks after returning toReduced Operating Status, the officers

onboard were still very busy making repairs and “gettingready for the next call.”

Chief Engineer Rob Palandro said the Cape May

“really ran well for a ship that sits most of the time. Therewere no bad surprises.” He echoed that his vessel is nowready to go should the U.S. Navy call on the Cape May.

MARAD’s Military Sealift Command is comprisedof 110 vessels that support the Department of Defensewith strategic sealift capabilities. Prepositioning and RRFvessels are available to support DOD activities in time ofemergency or war, as with this latest mission to Haiti.

6 • American Maritime Officer May 2010

The unique heavy-lift elevator on the Cape May

allows the vessel to lift heavy causeway sections,Navy lighterage and other unusual cargo.

AMO-manned ships complete relief mission for Haiti

The USNS Williams supports a floating causewaysection, anchored near the damaged Port-au-Prince harbor.

Photo: courtesy of Capt. Todd CooperPhoto: courtesy of Capt. Ben Tidwell

Cargo is unloaded from the USNS Lummus onto a floatingcauseway section.

Photo: courtesy of Dan Picciolo

AMO members Capt. Todd Cooper and ChiefEngineer Mick McDermott participated in reliefefforts onboard the Cornhusker State.

JLOTSpreparationserves strickenisland nation

The Cape May and Cornhusker

State recently participated in MilitarySealift Command’s Joint Logistics Overthe Shore (JLOTS) exercises, which testthe U.S. military’s ability to offloadcargo without the use of port facilities.These exercises prepared the officersonboard for the conditions in Haiti. Theport was severely damaged during theearthquake.

On the afternoon of Jan. 12, a catastrophic magni-tude 7.0 earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, the capitalof Haiti. By the end of the month, five AMO-contractedvessels — the S/S Cape May, S/S Cornhusker State, USNS

1st Lt. Jack Lummus, USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams

and USNS Henson, along with a number of other U.S. andinternational resources — had arrived in Haiti to aid inhumanitarian relief efforts. Maritime AdministrationReady Reserve Force vessels Cape May, operated byOcean Duchess, Inc., and Cornhusker State, operated byInterocean American Shipping Corp., returned to theHampton Roads region of Virginia in March.

“I’m proud we went down there and helped,” saidCornhusker State Chief Mate Todd Cooper. “But it’s

what we do. We got the call and off we went.”MARAD activated the Newport News-based

Cornhusker State on Sunday morning, Jan. 17, whileseveral officers were on vacation for the holiday week-end. They quickly returned and within 96 hours, as perits four-day activation status, the Cornhusker State wasready to sail for Haiti. In that time, the officers hadworked with IAS, AMO and the Seafarers InternationalUnion to completely crew the ship, as well as get theengines up and running and loaded all supplies neces-sary for an extended voyage. When they set sail for thedevastated country, Gen. Duncan McNabb, Commanderof U.S. Transportation Command, was at the dock to seethem off.

Across the bay, the Cape May in nearby Norfolk,Va., received a similar call on Jan. 18. After crewing thevessel and preparing to sail, the Cape May loaded Navylighterage — small barges and watercraft designed forwork in difficult port conditions. The vessel left for Haition Jan. 25.

“I was greatly impressed by the magnitude of thatoperation,” said Cape May Chief Mate Ben Tidwell.“The four AMO ships down there worked in conjunctionto supply the cargo for the Amphibious ConstructionBattalion 2. We carried the barges, the lighterage, theboats. The Lummus and Williams carried containers.” TheCornhusker State carried sleeping bags and cots. A fifthAMO-contracted vessel, the USNS Henson, providedoceanographic survey capabilities to assess damage toport infrastructure.

Working together, all four vessels were able tomove cargo from barges onto the shore, as the port inHaiti was completely devastated. The Cornhusker State

used its crane to move cargo from larger vessels onto thelighterage carried by the Cape May, a system called JointLogistics Over the Shore or JLOTS.

“This is why we do JLOTS training,” said Tidwell.“We were well-prepared to help in this operation.”

This system enabled U.S. military relief operationsin an area with no working port facilities. “We do in-stream operations,” said Cooper. “There was no way tooffload cargo ashore without cranes so everything had tobe offloaded at anchor. We would use our cranes to pickcargo off a barge and put it on Navy or Army lighterage,smaller craft that would beach themselves.” In this way,cargo arriving from other vessels could reach the shoreand get to those in need.

Both vessels provided water for military operationsand other vessels. The Cornhusker State hosted andassisted with the U.S. Coast Guard’s vessel traffic service,trying to organize port operations. “They had no place toconduct operations so they came and asked us if they

Photo: courtesy of Capt. Todd Cooper

AMO members working aboard the S/S Cape May as it returned to reducedoperating status in Newport News, Va. included First A.E. Timothy Van Pett,Chief Engineer Rob Palandro, Third Assistant Engineer Peter Gold andCapt. Ben Tidwell. With them here is Engine Cadet Zach Powell.

“This proves the system works,” said Palandro.“Our program is designed so that we’re ready to go in 96hours after we get the call. And we were.”

Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) in April introducedthe National Shipbuilding Budget Policy Act, which would overfive years provide $100 billion to the Navy for ship constructionand $300 million for the Title XI shipbuilding loan guaranteeprogram.

H.R. 5035 seeks to authorize $20 billion for the Navy and$60 million for the Title XI program for fiscal years 2011through 2015. While Congress has allocated funds for Title XIin recent years, the administration’s budget request for FY 2011included just $3.7 million for the program, a figure that wouldcover only administrative costs.

The Title XI program allows the Maritime Administrationto provide loan guarantees for ship construction at U.S. ship-yards for up to 87.5 percent of a given loan’s value. The programfosters new construction of Jones Act qualified vessels and eases

access to commercial credit for U.S. ship owners.The legislation was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

American Maritime Officer • 7May 2010

New legislation includesfive-year plan to boostU.S. shipbuilding, fundTitle XI loan guarantees

Rep. RobertWittman (R-VA)

Propeller Club honorsSen. Vitter

The International Propeller Clubof the United States April 27 honoredSenator David Vitter (R-LA) with the2010 Salute to Congress Award.

The Propeller Club recognizedthe Senator for being a “strong advocatefor the American maritime industry.”Sen. Vitter sits on the Senate Committeeon Armed Services, the Committee onCommerce, Science and Transportationand the Committee on Environment andPublic Works. He serves as rankingmember of the Subcommittee onStrategic Forces.

Sen. Vitter has been a steadfastsupporter of the maritime industry dur-ing his nearly ten years in Congress andvocally supports the Jones Act, theMaritime Security Program, cargo pref-erence and Title XI.

“I believe for the U.S. to be agreat military power and a great com-mercial power, we must be a great seapower,” he said at the Salute toCongress ceremony.

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) accepts the2010 Salute to Congress Award.

AMO National President Tom Bethel greets AMO member Capt. RobertLansden at the 2010 Salute to Congress dinner.

Maritime interests urgeCongress to fund Title XI

In letters to Chairman of theSenate Subcommittee on Defense Sen.Daniel Inouye and Ranking MemberSen. Thad Cochran; Chairwoman of theSenate Subcommittee onTransportation, Housing and UrbanDevelopment Sen. Patty Murray andRanking Member Sen. ChristopherBond; Chairman of the HouseSubcommittee on Defense Rep.Norman Dicks and Ranking MemberRep. C.W. Bill Young; Chairman of theHouse Subcommittee onTransportation, Housing and UrbanDevelopment Rep. John Olver andRanking Member Rep. Tom Latham, acoalition of shipping, shipbuilding andmaritime labor interests —includingAmerican Maritime Officers andAmerican Maritime Officers Service —called upon Congress to support ship-building in U.S. shipyards and the TitleXI loan guarantee program.

The coalition requested each sub-committee, in its fiscal year 2011 budgetrequests, “allocate $60 million in fundingfor the Maritime Administration’s loanguarantee program, known as the ‘TitleXI Program.’ This program guaranteescommercial loans to ship owners for theconstruction of commercial vessels in theUnited States. The funding and imple-mentation of the Title XI program willhelp grow the U.S. economy, creating

and maintaining American jobs in thedomestic shipbuilding and related serviceand supply industries, as well as aboardUnited States-flag commercial vessels. Itwill help to grow and modernize thedomestic fleet. It also will help maintainthe nation’s defense shipbuilding baseand an active U.S.-flag merchant marine,which supports U.S. defense sealiftrequirements.

“Since the program was revitalizedin 1993 through the turn of the century, itprovided loan guarantee commitmentsfor more than $7 billion in ship construc-tion and shipyard modernization pro-jects,” the wrote. “Those projects createdand maintained tens of thousands of well-paying seagoing and shoreside jobs, andhelped to ensure that an adequate pool ofvessels and mariners and a shipyardindustrial base, including shipyards andassociated supply industries, is availableto meet U.S. economic, homeland andnational sealift needs.

The coalition noted: “it is critical-ly important that the program be ade-quately funded on a regular basis to helpwith the planning of fleet renewal andexpansion projects. Sporadic and insuf-ficient funding for Title XI makes it dif-ficult to develop even short term plans,much less multi-year growth strategies,and inhibits critical economic activity inthe maritime sector.”

Senators seek full fundingfor MSP in fiscal year 2011

A bipartisan group of 20 senators hasrequested full funding for the MaritimeSecurity Program in fiscal year 2011 appro-priations legislation.

Writing to Chairman of theSubcommittee on Transportation, Housingand Urban Development and RelatedAgencies Patty Murray (D-WA) andRanking Member Christopher Bond (R-MI), the senators called the MSP “one of themost cost-efficient and effective defense-related private industry and governmentpartnerships.”

The senators requested $174 millionfor the MSP, the same amount requested bythe Administration in its fiscal year 2011budget and the same amount appropriated

Martin honored for 30years with Seabulk Towing

Seabulk Towing in February held a retirement party in PortCanaveral, Fla. celebrating Capt. Hugh Martin’s thirty yearsof service with the company. In attendance were AB LukeMcCraken, Engineer Rod Godfrey, Capt. Kim Miranda,AMO Executive Board Member Charles Murdock, Capt.Hugh Martin, Engineer Keith Capezzi, CKOR AssistantOperations Manager Tony Caggiano, Shop StewardCaptain Gerry Keating and Engineer Andy Pishgar.

in fiscal year 2010.“The continued funding and imple-

mentation of the MSP ensures that Americawill in fact be able to support our troopsoverseas by guaranteeing that Americanflag vessels and American crews — and notforeign flag vessels and foreign crews —will continue to be available to transport thesupplies and equipment our troops need,”the senators wrote.

The letter, dated April 23, 2010, wassigned by Commerce Committee ChairmanJay Rockefeller (D-WV), SurfaceTransportation and Merchant MarineInfrastructure, Safety and Security

See MSP ◆ Page10

8 • American Maritime Officer May 2010

American Maritime Officers Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center2 West Dixie Highway • Dania Beach, FL 33004 • (954) 920-3222

GENERAL COURSES

ISO 9001:2000 LeadAuditor Training

5 days Please Call

ABS NS5 FleetManagement Software

3 days 28 June 12 October

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 7 June 5 July 2 August 6 September 4 October 1 November 6 December

Basic Safety Training—All 4modules MUST be completedwithin 12 months

5 days 19 July 13 September 13 December

Personal SurvivalTechniques (Monday-Tuesday)

1 1/2 days Basic Safety Training

Personal Safety & SocialResponsibility (Tuesdayp.m.)

1/2 day Basic Safety Training

Elementary First Aid(Wednesday)

1 day Basic Safety Training

Fire Fighting & FirePrevention (Thursday-Friday)—Not required if“Combined Basic &Advanced Fire Fighting”completed within 12 months

2 days Basic Safety Training

Basic Safety Training -Refresher

3 days 19 July 13 September 15 December

Crowd Management 1 day Please Call

Crisis Management &Human Behavior

1 day Please Call

Effective Supervision 2 1/2 days Please Call

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 6 July 30 August 20 September 1, 15 November

GMDSS 10 days 17 May 16 August 11 October 29 November

Tankerman PIC LNG 8 days 19 July 4 October

LNG Simulator Training—Enrollment priority in the LNG simulator course isgiven to qualified member candidates for employment and/or observation oppor-tunities with AMO contracted LNG companies. Completion of the TankermanLNG PIC classroom course is a prerequisite.

5 days 17 May 18 October

Ocean Ranger Program 6 days Please Call

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 23 August 27 September 25 October

Tankerman PIC DL -Classroom

5 days 12 July 23 August 15 November

Tankerman PIC DL -Simulator

10 days 21 June 30 August 25 October

Train The Trainer—Requires after hours homework 5 days 21 June 16 August 18 October 29 November

Vessel/Company/PortFacility Security Officer

2 days 27 May 7 July 8 September 8 November

DECK COURSES

Advanced BridgeResource Management

5 days 26 July

Advanced Shiphandling for Masters—(No equivalency) Must have sailed asChief Mate Unlimited

5 days 24 May 16 August 27 September 13 December

Advanced Shiphandling for Third Mates—(60 days seatime equivalency forThird Mates)

10 days 21 June 9 August 20 September - PM 11 October 6 December

Advanced (or emergency)Shiphandling for FirstClass Pilots, Great Lakes

5 days Please Call

Bridge ResourceManagement Seminar

3 days 24 May 15 November

Integrated Bridge System/Podded Propulsion 5 days 7 June 6 September 15 November

Locking & Docking—FirstClass Pilots, Great Lakes

5 days Please Call

STCW Deck OfficerRefresher

3 days 17 August

Towing Officer Record Assessment—Third mate (Unlimited or Great Lakes)or 1600-ton master license

5 days 24 May 19 July 30 August 1, 29 November

Tug Training 5 days 23 August

Visual Communications(Flashing Light)—test only

1 day Please call

ENGINEERING COURSES

Advanced Slow Speed Diesel 10 days 17 May 20 September 29 November

Basic Electricity 10 days 30 August

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks 7 June 12 July

Electrical, Electronic, Control Engineering 4 weeks 7 June 20 September

Engine Room Resource Management 5 days 9 August 6 December - PM

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 17 May 12 July 11 October

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 16 August 8 November

High Voltage Safety 3 days 14 July 27 October

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)—An understanding of electricity isrequired. Priority will be afforded to 2 AEs and 3 AEs.

5 days 24 May 19 July 13 September 1 November

Steam Crossover 4 weeks Please Call

Welding & Metallurgy—course is open to eligible chief mates and masters ona space-available basis. Applications will only be confirmed two weeks prior tostart of course.

2 weeks 14 June 27 September 29 November

MSC TRAINING PROGRAM—includes self-study courses Afloat Environmental Protection Coordinator, Anti-Terrorism Level 1 and Crew Endurance Management (see that section).

CBRD Orientation 1 day 27 May 18 June 29 July 27 August 16 September 22 October 19 Nov, 3 December

Damage Control 1 day 29 April 17 June 30 July 26 August 21 October 18 November

Heat Stress Afloat /Hearing ConservationAfloat

1 day 14 June 29 November

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 28 May 17 September 4 November

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day 20 May 15 July

Medical PIC Refresher—Note: Not MSC approved.

3 days 4 October 8 November

Small Arms - Initial & Refresher Training—Note:Open to members/applicants eligible for employmentthrough AMO within one year on MSC or MARADvessels

3 days 24 May 14, 28 June 12, 26 July 9, 23 August 13 September18 October1,15, 29 November13 December

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 20 May 15 July

American Maritime Officer • 9May 2010

NOTICE: AMO members planning to attend the union’s Center for Advanced Maritime Officers’ Training/STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida—either to prepare for license upgrading or to undergo specialty training—are asked to call theschool to confirm course schedule and space availability in advance.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: The Center For Advanced Maritime Officers Training (CAMOT) and Simulation Training Assessment and Research Center (STAR), established under the auspices of theAmerican Maritime Officers Safety and Education Plan, admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin or sex to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Center.It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sex in administration of its educational policies, admission policies and other programs administered by the Center.

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 onvessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC). This program will complete ALL 53 Control Sheet assessments of the training requirements for STCW. Course completion certificates do not expire. Operationallevel officers (3/M and 2/M) interested in advancing to Chief Mate/Master (Management) Level are encouraged to start obtaining the required courses as soon as practical after acquiring OICNW experience.Advanced Navigation and a USCG approved ECDIS course must be completed within 12 months of each other to satisfy the Management Level upgrade course and assessment requirements.

Cargo Operations 9 days 21 June 23 August 18 October

Celestial Navigation—Note: A thorough review and understandingof the topics covered in Parts 4 & 5 of Pub. Number 9, The American

Practical Navigator (Bowditch), is a prerequisite.5 days 7 June 9 August 4 October 29 November

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 21 June 19 July 13 September 1 November 13 December

Shipboard Management 5 days 10 May 19 July 13 September 1 November

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology 5 days 14 June 16 August 18 October 6 December

Upgrade: Advanced Navigation - ECDIS—Advanced Navigationand a USCG-approved ECDIS to be completed within 12 months ofeach other

5 days 24 May 16 August 27 September 15 November

Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (Includes Simulator) 5 days 17 May 9 August 20 September 8 November

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 21 June 23 August 18 October

Upgrade: Stability—Note: It is recommended that chapters 1-13 inthe book Stability and Trim for the Ship’s Officer be reviewed prior toattending this course

5 days 17 May 26 July 20 September 8 November 13 December

Watchkeeping 1 (Bridge Resource Management)—Note:Watchkeeping Weeks 1 and 2 MUST be completed within 12 monthsof each other.

3 days 9 June 28 July 6 October 1 December

Watchkeeping 2 (COLREGS)—Note: Watchkeeping Weeks 1 and 2MUST be completed within 12 months of each other.

5 days 14 June 2 August 11 October 6 December

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 of500 or more gross tonnage (ITC)

Terrestrial Navigation 10 days Please Call

Ship Construction & Stability 5 days Please Call

Electronic Navigation 5 days Please Call

Meteorology 5 days Please Call

Watchkeeping 10 days Please Call

Cargo Handling & Stowage 5 days Please Call

Basic Shiphandling at the Operational Level 5 days Please Call

Emergency Procedures and SAR 4 days Please Call

Celestial Navigation 10 days Please Call

Magnetic & Gyro Compass 3 days Please Call

SELF-STUDY CD & ONLINE PROGRAMS—Available for use when attending other approved classroom courses

Afloat Environmental Protection Coordinator (CD) Anti-Terrorism Level 1 (Online) DoT - Hazardous Materials Transportation Training (CD)

Crew Endurance Management (CD) Prudent Mariner’s Guide to Right Whale Protection (CD) EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification Examination

RADAR COURSES

Radar Recertification 1 day 9 July 10 September 4 October 8 November 16 December

ARPA 4 days 9 November

Western Rivers Recertification 1 day Please Call

Radar Recertification & ARPA 5 days 8 November

ECDIS 5 days 14 June 12 July 25 October 6 December

Original Radar Observer Unlimited 5 days 1 November

MEDICAL COURSES

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing ConservationAfloat

1 day 14 June 29 November

Elementary First Aid—Note: Prerequisite forMedical Care Provider within preceding 12months

1 day 24 May 15 June 27 July 24 August 21 September 19 October 16, 30 November

Medical Care Provider—Note: Prerequisite forMedical Person In Charge within preceding 12months. Please fax EFA certificate when regis-tering

3 days 25 May 16 June 28 July 25 August 22 September 20 October17 November1 December

Medical Person In Charge—Note: Please FAXMedical Care Provider certificate when register-ing

5 days 21 June 2, 30 August 27 September 25 October 6 December

Medical PIC Refresher—Note: Not MSCapproved.

3 days 4 October 8 November

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 9 August 13 December

Breath Alcohol Test 1 day 10 August 14 December

Saliva Screening Test — QEDs only 1/2 day 11 August 15 December

OICNW— Additional required courses with priority to students enrolled in the OICNW program — GALLEY COURSES

Original License (Great Lakes) Courses (Deck &Engine)

As Required Please Call Basic Safety Training 5 days Please Call

RFPNW Assessments 1 day Please Call GMDSS 10 days Please Call

Marlin Spike 1 day Please CallGALLEY COURSES

40-Hour Able Seaman 5 days Please Call

EFA/MCP 4 days Please Call Food Safety, Sanitation & Nutrition (ServSafe) 5 days Please Call

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days Please Call Culinary Fundamentals 10 days Please Call

Original Radar 5 days Please Call Advanced Steward Course 5 days Please Call

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 nottaken by the contracted companies shall be made available to the membership on a chronological order basis.Small Arms Training (Initial & Refresher)—Note: Open to members/applicants eligible foremployment through AMO within one year onMSC or MARAD vessels

3 days 28 June 27 September

Elementary First Aid 1 day 1 July 30 September

Drug Collector Training 1 day 2 July 1 October

Breath Alcohol Test Collector 1 day 3 July 2 October

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 5 July 4 October

10 • American Maritime Officer May 2010

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will be held during the week follow-

ing the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. local time. Meetings will be held on

Monday at Headquarters in Dania (on Tuesday when Monday is a contract holiday)

and on Wednesday in Toledo. The next meetings will take place on the following dates:

DANIA BEACH:TOLEDO:

June 7, July 6 (Tuesday*)June 9, July 7

HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 330042 West Dixie Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Thomas J. Bethel, National President (tbethel@amo-union.org)José E. Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer (jleonard@amo-union.org)Jack Branthover, Special Assistant to the National President(jbranthover@amo-union.org)FAX: (954) 926-5112Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea(jgremelsbacker@amo-union.org)John K. Hafner, National Executive Board Member At Large(jhafner@amo-union.org)Charles A. Murdock, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters (cmurdock@amo-union.org)FAX: (954) 920-3257Dispatch: (800) 345-3410FAX: (954) 926-5126Brendan Keller, Dispatcher (bkeller@amo-union.org)Robert Anderson, Dispatcher (randerson@amo-union.org)Member Services: Extension 1050 (memberservices@amo-union.org)

PORTS

TOLEDO, OH 43604The Melvin H. Pelfrey BuildingOne Maritime Plaza(419) 255-3940(800) 221-9395FAX: (419) 255-2350Donald N. Cree, National Vice President, Great Lakes (dcree@amo-union.org)Brian D. Krus, National Assistant Vice President, Great Lakes(bkrus@amo-union.org)Stan Barnes, National Representative (wbarnes@amo-union.org)Bruce DeWerth, Dispatcher (bdewerth@amo-union.org)

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191132 International Plaza, Suite 422Robert J. Kiefer, National Executive Vice President (rkiefer@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001 / 4002Mobile: (215) 859-1059FAX: (610) 521-1301

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

GALVESTON, TX 775512724 61st Street, Suite BPMB 192David M. Weathers, National Executive Board Member At Large(dweathers@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001Mobile: (409) 996-7362

NORWOOD, NJ 07648463 Livingston Street, Suite 102PMB 60Donald R. Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep Sea(dnilsson@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 3004Mobile: (201) 913-2209

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001J. Michael Murphy, National Vice President At Large(mmurphy@amo-union.org)Paul Doell, Legislative Director (pauldoell51@yahoo.com)Phree Baker, Assistant Legislative Director (pbaker@amo-union.org)FAX: (202) 479-1188

STAR CENTER

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

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

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 Coast Guard LegalNew York, NY 10165 Aid Program(212) 370-5100 (419) 243-1105 / (888) 853-4662FAX: (212) 697-6299 Mobile: (419) 346-1485

MikeReny@BEX.NET

The AMO Medical Plan office hasreceived numerous calls from Plan partic-ipants with questions regarding the provi-sions of the recently enacted federalhealth care reform legislation, whichrequires group health plans that providedependent coverage to offer coverage fordependents up to the age of 26.

As previously reported, the Plantrustees, office staff, and plan profession-als, as well as CIGNA, continue to reviewall of the applicable provisions of the

Notice: American Maritime Officers Medical Planreviewing potential impact of health care reform law

complex new law to determine the effectthey will have on the Plan.

Regulatory guidance on exactlyhow and when these and all of the applic-able provisions will apply to collectivelybargained multiemployer medical plans,such as the AMO Medical Plan, is expect-ed soon.

The AMO membership will beapprised once this guidance is receivedand the changes to the AMO Medical Planthat will be required by the law can be

determined. Please continue to monitorAMO Currents and the AMO newspaper,

American Maritime Officer, for updateson this issue.

MSPContinued from Page 7

Chairman Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), andSenators Charles Schumer, KristenGillibrand, Mark Warner, Jim Webb, MaryLandrieu, David Vitter, Barbara Mikulski,

Maria Cantwell, Roland Burris, BarbaraBoxer, Jeffrey Merkley, Mark Begich, KayHagan, Richard Burr, Ron Wyden, RogerWicker, Sheldon Whitehouse and JoeLieberman. A similar letter was signed by agroup of 50 bipartisan representatives anddelivered to the Committee onTransportation and Infrastructure in March.

*Union offices will be closed Monday, July 5 in observance of the

Independence Day holiday.

American Maritime Officer • 11May 2010

U.S. Coast Guard commendsSTAR Center instructors, staff

On April 16, U.S. Coast GuardCourse Oversight Auditor Zona Mingofrom Regional Examination Center Miamiconducted an administrative visit at theAMO Safety & Education Plan’s STARCenter in Dania Beach, Fla., which is a U.S.Coast Guard approved training facility.

In her report on the administrativevisit, Mingo noted the following:

1. Excellent facility with state-of-the-art classrooms and model training environ-ment. The training facility, to include thedormitory and other student areas, are topnotch in the mariner industry.

2. Very impressed with the profession-alism of the STAR Center staff. They dis-

played a great deal of knowledge, experi-ence, and expertise in the maritime industry.

3. It is obvious that STAR Centertakes pride in their organization. Therecords were very orderly and well kept.The instructors were highly experienced.The facility was neat, clean, and technolog-ically advanced.

Two paperwork requirements wereaddressed on the spot during the adminis-trative visit and Mingo concluded: “Thereare no corrective actions required.”

STAR Center, a division of the AMOSafety & Education Plan, is the primarytraining provider for members of AmericanMaritime Officers.

Maersk Line donates refrigeratedcontainer to STAR Center

AMO members prepare toupgrade at STAR Center

AMO member Harold Dusseau in April successfully completed his U.S.Coast Guard exams to upgrade to an unlimited second mate’s license.With him here at STAR Center are Director of Member Training andOfficer Development Jerry Pannell and Instructor Dave Greenhouse.

Preparing at STAR Center for license upgrades exams in the engineeringdepartment in April were AMO members Delbert Smith and Boris Petrov,preparing for the second assistant engineer’s exams, and Shaun Davis,who was preparing for his original third assistant engineer’s licenseexams. With them here is STAR Center Engineering Instructor andCourse Developer Rosemary Mackay.

Engineering DepartmentInstructors Rosemary Mackayand Andrew Davis stand with

the refrigerated container donat-ed by Maersk Line Limited to

the American Maritime OfficersSafety and Education Plan’s

STAR Center, which is the pri-mary training provider for mem-

bers of American MaritimeOfficers. The container will be

used for training in maintenanceand repair of refrigerated units

onboard vessels.

12 • American Maritime Officer May 2010

Construction of AMO headquarterscontinues on schedule, on budget

Construction continues on paceand on budget for the new AMOHeadquarters building in Dania Beach,Fla. The project, approved by a majorityvote of the AMO membership lastAugust in a union-wide referendum,began in earnest with a ground breakingby AMO members, followed by sitepreparation in October 2009.

The building’s exterior, or “shell”construction, will be completed in earlyMay. Interior work will commence at thesame time. Roof trusses will followshortly, and the roof will be closed in bythe first week of June. Construction isexpected to be complete by November ofthis year, with occupancy early in 2011.

Once completed, all departmentsof the AMO union — Dispatch, MemberServices, Accounting, Editorial, andAdministration — will be consolidatedand accessible for the convenience of allAMO members.

As AMO vacates its current spaceadjacent to the AMO Plans complex onWest Dixie Highway in Dania Beach, theAMO Safety and Education Plan willproceed with its plans to expand theSTAR Center campus.

AMO is doing its part to remain anasset to the commercial landscape ofSouth Florida by seeking LEED(Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design) certification forthe headquarters building. LEED wasdeveloped by the U.S. Green BuildingCouncil. It is a system that provides thirdparty verification that a building wasdesigned and built to provide a healthyand productive place to work, is less cost-ly to operate and maintain, and has areduced environmental footprint. This isaccomplished by improving performancein such areas as energy savings, waterefficiency, CO2 emissions and indoorenvironmental quality.

I will continue to advise the mem-bership as significant construction pro-ject goals are met or attained.

José Leonard

National Secretary-Treasurer

May 4, 2010

The Jones Act — America’s preemi-nent cabotage law — supports nearly half amillion domestic jobs and annually generatesmore than $100 billion in total economic out-put. These and other benefits of the Jones Actare highlighted in the 2009 Annual Report ofthe Maritime Cabotage Task Force.

“The Jones Act, the foundation of U.S.domestic maritime policy, requires that cargomoving between U.S. ports be carried in ves-sels that are U.S.-owned, U.S.-built and U.S.-crewed,” wrote the MCTF Board of Directorsin the report. “MCTF’s mission is to ensurethat the Jones Act and related cabotage lawsremain at the core of U.S. maritime policy.”

Drawing on a report commissioned bythe Transportation Institute and prepared byPricewaterhouseCoopers, the MCTF notedthat the Jones Act typically generates $11 bil-lion in taxes and $29 billion in wages eachyear. The MCTF Board believes “job cre-ation in the maritime industry will come witha revival in other segments of the economy.”

One sector supported by the Jones Actis U.S. shipbuilding, which annually employsnearly 100,000 Americans. Jones Act vesselsmove nearly one-quarter of all domesticcargo, while keeping freight rates “as low aspossible,” the MCTF reported. Because theU.S. Navy and Coast Guard can rely on JonesAct tonnage in time of emergency, the fleetsaves U.S. taxpayers money by reducing ves-sel costs to the government.

Nearly all oceangoing container androll-on/roll-off vessels in the Jones Act fleetoperate in the non-contiguous trades to andfrom Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam.The vessels operating in these trades are vitalto U.S. national security for sealift services intimes of war. “Jones Act vessels provide reli-able and efficient service to the U.S. military,which has utilized these vessels for years,”wrote the MCTF.

On the Great Lakes, more than1,600 men and women work with andaboard approximately 60 large Jones Actvessels, which supply vital raw materialssuch as iron ore for steel production, coalfor power generation and limestone and

Report citesJones Actas a majorsource ofemployment,economicoutput

cement for construction.Working on the nation’s inland

waterways, the 30,000 mariners employedon Jones Act tugs and towboats movemore than 800 million tons of cargo eachyear. “Waterborne commerce’s carbon

footprint is the smallest of all the trans-portation modes,” said the MCTF, addingthat a single inland river tug is powerfulenough to push 40 barges, which carry asmuch cargo as 2,400 trucks.

Looking to the future, MCTF expects

offshore wind turbines to drive creation of anew Jones Act market, while the nation’smaritime schools, including the AMO Safetyand Education Plan’s STAR Center, will con-tinue to prepare the next generation for suc-cess on the water.

May 4, 2010

April 27, 2010

AMO aboard the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo

The USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo and the USNS

PFC Dewayne T. Williams, here in Blount IslandCommand, Jacksonville, Fla., are operated byAMSEA in Military Sealift Command’s preposition-ing program and manned in all licensed positionsby American Maritime Officers.

American Maritime Officers members workingrecently aboard the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo,here in Blount Island, Jacksonville, Fla., includ-ed Chief Mate Mike Duley and Capt. Don Pigott.With them here are Military Sealift Command’sAl Dickerson and Rich Bolduc.

AMO members working aboard the USNS Bobo inMarch included Third Assistant Engineer WilliamLignos, Chief Mate Mike Duley, Capt. Don Pigott,Third A.E. James Edwards, Second Mate JeffSavage, Third Mate David O’Brien, Second A.E.David Mull and First A.E. David Ellsworth.

April 27, 2010