Volume 41, Number 8 August 2011

Copyright © 2011 American Maritime Officers ■ 2 West Dixie Highway ■ Dania Beach, FL 33004 ■ (800) 362-0513 ■ editorial@amo-union.org

House proposalholds promise formaritime industryPage 3: The proposed six-yeartransportation reauthorizationproposal unveiled in July bythe House T&I Committeecontains several provisions thatcould lead to an expansion ofU.S. shipbuilding and help cre-ate jobs for American mariners.

AMO EssentialsSTAR Center courseschedule: Pages 8-9

STAR Center application:www.amo-union.org

AMO directory: Page 10

AMO membership meetingschedule: Page 12

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AMO and

American

Steamship

agree on

contract

extension,

commit to

securing

successor

agreementThe American Maritime Officers

strike against American SteamshipCompany ended Aug. 4 after four dayswith an agreement to extend the currentcontract through — at a minimum — theend of the 2011 Great Lakes shipping sea-son, and with confidence on both sidesthat a successor agreement can be reachedto ensure the long-term job and benefitsecurity of AMO members while address-ing the competitive needs of the company.

“I thank all AMO officers and stew-ards in the American Steamship fleet fortheir patience and support,” said AMONational President Tom Bethel. “We areall proud of your strength and solidarity,and your commitment to integrity, to eachother and to our union.

“The first order of business will befor AMO members to prepare to get backto doing what they do better than anyother maritime officers in the world —their jobs,” Bethel said. “When the boats

See AMO Agreement ◆ Page 5

New AMO jobs with

Maersk Line Limited

on ice-class tanker

AMO jobssecure onBobo ClassMPS shipsunder MSCcharter

Military Sealift Command has award-ed the operating contract for five MaritimePrepositioning Squadron ships to MaerskLine Limited, securing the jobs of AmericanMaritime Officers members working aboardthe ships under a new charter.

The five ships covered by the charterare the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, USNS

Sgt. William R. Button, USNS 1st Lt. Jack

Lummus, USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams,and USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez. All ofthe ships are currently operated by AMSEAand manned in all licensed positions byAmerican Maritime Officers.

The new contract is scheduled to com-mence in September and includes a 30-daybase period and four one-year options.

The contract covering the MPS shipswas awarded as Lot 4 of an MSC request forproposals (RFP) covering a total of 11 mar-itime prepositioning ships. MSC originallyawarded the charters for 10 of the ships toMaersk Line Limited.

Three ship management companiesfiled protests with the GovernmentAccountability Office. Subsequent to alengthy process involving the protests, MSChas awarded Lot 2 and Lot 3, covering theUSNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham and USNS

LCPL Roy M. Wheat, to Maersk LineLimited, as well as Lot 4 covering the fiveBobo Class MPS ships. Lot 5 of the RFPcovers three Kocak Class prepositioningcontainerships currently operated by a non-AMO company. The charter award for Lot 5has not yet been announced. The one remain-ing lot in the RFP covering the USNS 1st Lt.

Harry L. Martin, which was not operatedunder AMO contract, was awarded to a non-AMO company as a small business set aside.

Maersk Line Limited will re-flagan ice-strengthened tanker into U.S. reg-istry for a new time charter awarded tothe company by Military SealiftCommand, adding another ship to thefleet manned by members of AmericanMaritime Officers and bringing newjobs to the AMO membership.

Maersk plans to purchase theNorwegian-flagged M/T Jutul to fulfillthe contract to operate a U.S.-flaggedice-class double-hulled tanker under atime charter that would extend toSeptember 2016 with all options exer-cised. The vessel, a shallow draft, medi-um range, ice-strengthened tanker builtin 2004, will be dry-docked, modifiedand re-flagged later this year.

The ship will provide worldwidebulk fuel support for the Department ofDefense, including an annual supply runto Antarctica for the National ScienceFoundation and an annual run toGreenland for the DOD.

“AMO members for years servedwith distinction aboard the T-5 tankersservicing these U.S. bases,” said AMONational President Tom Bethel. “I’mpleased and proud that tradition willcontinue aboard this new U.S.-flaggedice-class tanker.”

The time charter is scheduled tocommence in November of this yearwith a one-year base period, andincludes three 12-month optionalextensions and one 11-month optionalextension.

Company to acquire, re-flag vessel fornew Military Sealift Command charter

AMO Plans Fit forDuty Program anasset to AMOmembers, families

Page 7: A program incorporat-ing the fitness center, galley andAMO Plans Medical Clinic onthe STAR Center campus isassisting AMO members andfamilies with health and fitness.

Great Lakes News

Page 5: Congressional support isgrowing for a federal standard onballast water treatment.

2 • American Maritime Officer August 2011

AMO and American Steamship Company: a strikeour union did not want, an agreement within reachBy Tom Bethel

National President

As nationalpresident ofA m e r i c a nM a r i t i m eOfficers, I amfocused almostexclusively onkeeping AMOmembers work-ing in deep-sea,Great Lakes andinland waterstrades — and I have enough sense toknow there are no jobs when employerscannot remain competitive and keeptheir vessels operating profitably. I alsoknow that mutual trust, steady communi-cation between my administration andAMO employers and a real effort by ourunion to meet the employers’ legitimatebusiness needs are critical to long-termjob and benefit security for AMO mem-bers everywhere.

The AMO membership’s recog-nized reputation for professionalism andperformance and my administration’scommitment to building and maintainingpositive, productive collective bargain-ing relationships serve central and sub-stantial roles in our union’s success.With the hard work and dedication of usall, it is a rare occasion when we faceseemingly insurmountable challenges inarriving at rewarding agreements withAMO employers — challenges requiringour collective perseverance and everyounce of expertise at our disposal toovercome. Very rarely have circum-stances arisen leading to the mostextreme measure and last resort in con-tract negotiations. In fact, 31 years havepassed since AMO’s last strike on theGreat Lakes.

That span ceased on July 31 atmidnight when AMO’s contract withAmerican Steamship Company expired.The company had failed to accept ourunion’s pattern agreement and hadoffered only one proposal in return — aproposal that was unacceptable to me, toAMO National Executive Vice PresidentBob Kiefer, to Great Lakes SpecialAssistant to the National President DonCree, and to the 140 AMO membersinvolved, 99 percent of whom votedagainst it.

Without another proposal from thecompany on the table, the AMO engi-neers, mates and stewards working forAmerican Steamship Co. were forced tostrike the company’s active fleet of 14bulk carriers. From the onset, AMOmembers conducted themselves withcharacteristic professionalism, ensuringthe boats were secured to iron ore, coaland stone docks in various Great Lakesports, where they had been anchored inthe hours leading up to — and, in somecases, for many hours after — the expi-ration of the contract. When the AMOofficers and stewards departed their ves-sels, many thought it might be for thelast time.

This situation developed more thansix months ago, when I offeredAmerican Steamship Co. an early starton negotiations leading to a successoragreement that would set the GreatLakes pattern (all collective bargainingagreements between AMO and Great

Lakes bulk vessel operators were toexpire on August 1).

American Steamship Co. did notaccept this offer and did not explain whyit had decided to pass on early bargain-ing. AMO later presented its contractproposal — modest but well deservedwage increases and continued participa-tion in the AMO benefit funds at currentlevels over five years — to the remain-ing Great Lakes employers. Not one ofthese companies found our union’s pro-posal to be excessive, unreasonable orunaffordable.

When American Steamship Co.agreed at long last to meet with AMO inmid-July, the negotiators from AmericanSteamship and its parent company,GATX Corp., said they wanted to learnthe mechanics of the AMO Plans — apeculiar request, considering that a well

while addressing the competitive needsof the company.

It has not drawn much notice out-side of the Great Lakes region recently,but a strike against the company byUnited Steelworkers Local 5000 —which represents unlicensed crews onvessels acquired by American Steamshipfrom the defunct Oglebay Norton Co. —entered its second year in July.

Although any strike is unfortunate,the conclusion of our comparativelybrief action finds us, I believe, in solidfooting to move forward in the processof securing a successor agreement withAmerican Steamship Co./GATX. As thecompany’s active fleet again gets under-way and resumes service to its cus-tomers, we will be scheduling talks andengaging in negotiations toward a newcontract without the constraint of a

administrations failed to acknowledge thedevelopments that have transformed theGreat Lakes shipping industry over thelast 30 years — the rise of the “thousandfooter,” the consequent displacement ofsmaller vessels, the collapse of the basicsteel industry that once sustained a fleet ofmore than 125 vessels, economic down-turns that hit the industrial Midwest andthe Great Lakes region especially hard.For too long, these AMO administrationsacted as though nothing had changed inthe Great Lakes shipping industry, whenin fact conditions had changed dramatical-ly and permanently.

While I cannot reverse poor policydecisions made 30, 20 or 10 years ago, Ican promise everyone in our union andevery AMO employer on the GreatLakes a new day and a new way.

I value the professional relation-ships American Maritime Officers hashad with these employers for manyyears. They recognize the hard work andthe dedication each AMO engineer, mateand steward brings to the job each dayon each vessel. I will be in touch withthese employers over the next severalweeks — we have much to discuss in thewake of August’s first week.

Meanwhile, I thank the AMO engi-neers, mates and stewards who stood fastin support of one another and our unionduring this crisis. The channels of com-munication remain wide open and allinvolved will be kept apprised of everysignificant development in this process.

known American Steamship executivehad at that point served for many yearsas an employer trustee of the AMO ben-efit funds.

AMO responded by bringing AMOPlans Executive Director SteveNickerson, AMO Plans Finance DirectorJohn Macuski and representatives of thePlans’ actuarial firm — Kevin Culp andStan Goldfarb of Horizon ActuarialServices LLC — into the initial meetingin my office in Washington DC. Allquestions from GATX and AmericanSteamship Co. were answered complete-ly during the daylong discussion.

A week later, as August 1approached, the GATX/AmericanSteamship Co. negotiators met for threedays in Philadelphia with Kiefer, Creeand Chris Holmes, our union’s contractanalyst. The GATX/American SteamshipCo. delegation submitted a contract pro-posal that called for the immediate elim-ination of 14 stewards’ jobs, the right tooperate under COI manning at the com-pany’s discretion, and no funding of theAMO Medical, Pension and Safety andEducation Plans.

After the company’s proposal hadbeen presented to and voted down by theAMO members working for AmericanSteamship, AMO asked the companytime and again to submit a final propos-al for consideration by the fleet’s engi-neers, mates and stewards. There was noresponse to this routine and reasonablerequest from our union before or afterthe August 1 deadline.

The AMO strike lasted four days,ending the evening of August 4 with anagreement between our union and thecompany to extend the lapsed AMO col-lective bargaining agreement through— at a minimum — the close of the2011 Great Lakes shipping season. Italso ended with confidence and com-mitment on both sides to reaching anagreement that ensures the long termjob and benefit security of AMO mem-bers working for American Steamship

This experience has caused me to

reassess the way our union does

business on the Great Lakes.

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

601 S. Federal 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 SeaJohn Clemons, National Vice President, Great LakesCharles Murdock, National Vice President, Inland WatersMichael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relations

National Assistant Vice Presidents:Brian Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice PresidentDonald Nilsson, National Assistant Vice PresidentDaniel Shea, National Assistant Vice PresidentDavid Weathers, National Assistant Vice President

Representatives: Stan Barnes

Editor: Matt BurkeAssistant Editor: Amber WilkieContributing Editor: Paul Doell

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

P.O. Box 66Dania Beach, FL 33004

looming deadline.This experience has caused me to

reassess the way our union does businesson the Great Lakes. Previous AMO

American Maritime Officer • 3August 2011

Strong growth potential for U.S. maritime industryin House transportation reauthorization legislation

The proposed six-year transporta-tion reauthorization proposal, unveiled bythe Transportation and InfrastructureCommittee in the House ofRepresentatives in July, contains severalprovisions that could lead to an expansionof domestic shipbuilding and help createjobs for American mariners.

“Given U.S. House rules and bud-get constraints, this proposal maximizesthe value of our available infrastructurefunding through better leveraging,streamlining the project approval process,attracting private sector investment, andcutting the federal bureaucracy,” saidTransportation and InfrastructureCommittee Chairman John Mica (R-FL).“Most importantly, this six-year proposalprovides the stability states need to planmajor transportation improvements andcreate long-term jobs.”

The proposal marks the first timethis multi-year legislation includes a mar-itime title.

“I applaud the committee for recog-nizing the critical role the maritime indus-try plays in our nation’s economy, globalcommerce and job creation,” said Rep.Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), chairman of theCoast Guard and Maritime TransportationSubcommittee. “It is our shared goal toimprove coordination between agenciesand streamline the bureaucratic process toincrease the efficiency of our marinetransportation system.”

If enacted, the legislation wouldrequire funds deposited into the HarborMaintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) —

funded by the Harbor Maintenance Taxassessed on imported waterborne cargomoving through U.S. ports — to be usedfor their intended purpose: maintenancedredging. At current underfunded appro-priation levels, the HMTF will carry anestimated balance of nearly $7 billion bythe end of fiscal year 2012.

The proposal would eliminate dou-ble taxation under the HarborMaintenance Tax. Currently, shippersmust pay the ad-valorem tax on cargowhen goods arrive at a U.S. port, andagain if the cargo is shipped on vesselsbetween U.S. domestic ports. Cargoesshipped by trucks and rail are not subjectto the same double taxation.

“While the U.S. economy is fueledby maritime commerce and millions ofAmericans depend on jobs created byimports, exports and the commercial ship-ping industry, government red tape hasstifled the flow of commerce and our abil-ity to effectively build and maintain ourmaritime infrastructure,” said WaterResources and EnvironmentSubcommittee Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH). “Today’s proposal cuts through thebureaucratic red tape, streamlines projectdelivery, eliminates double taxation onshippers, enhances our ports and water-ways, and strengthens our economic

Connaughton welcomes transportation proposalVirginia Transportation Secretary

and former Maritime AdministratorSean Connaughton looks forward to theproposed changes to transportation poli-cies presented in the recent HouseTransportation and InfrastructureCommittee reauthorization.

Speaking before the PropellerClub of Washington, D.C., in July,Connaughton said the proposal was anecessary “quid pro quo to deal withproblems of bureaucracy” in plan-ning and implementing transporta-tion projects.

Connaughton has been frustrat-

ed by “federal red tape” in dealing withtransportation projects in Virginia –much of which seems unnecessarilydetailed, costly and burdensome, hesaid. The proposed reauthorizationwould help remove some of these barri-ers and also provide better leveragingfor state and private funds.

Connaughton also applaudedT&I Chairman John Mica for includ-ing language in the reauthorization torequire funds deposited into theHarbor Maintenance Trust Fund beused for maintenance dredging – itsintended purpose.

Rep. John Mica (R-FL), chairman ofthe House Transportation andInfrastructure Committee, addressesthe Maritime Industry CongressionalSail-In in May.

Virginia Transportation SecretarySean Connaughton speaks to thePropeller Club of Washington, D.C.

House subcommittee voices support for Realize America’sMaritime Promise Act, discusses need for more dredging

The House Water Resources andEnvironment Subcommittee in July exam-ined the Realize America’s MaritimePromise (RAMP) Act and the dire needfor dredging in the country’s ports andwaterways.

The RAMP Act (H.R. 104), intro-duced by Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA),would require revenue coming into theHarbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF)each year, including interest on the balance,be invested in maintenance dredging of U.S.

harbors – its intended purpose. More than100 legislators have co-sponsored the bill.

“Unless the issue of channel mainte-nance is addressed, the reliability and respon-siveness of the entire intermodal system willslow economic growth and threaten nationalsecurity,” said Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH),chairman of the subcommittee. “Only if ourports and waterways are at their authorizeddepths and widths will products be able tomove to their overseas destinations in an effi-cient and economical manner.”

For years, funds collected by theHarbor Maintenance Tax – an ad valoremduty assessed on imported and domesticcargo – have accrued due to inadequateappropriations for dredging. Meanwhile, thenation’s ports and waterways have gatheredsilt, raising channel depths. This neglect cre-ates inefficiencies in the system, costing timeand money and creating safety hazards.

The problem is especially acute on theGreat Lakes. James Weakley, third vice pres-ident of the Great Lakes Maritime Task

Force, testified at the hearing that based onthe current Army Corps of Engineers dredg-ing budget for FY12, it is very likely someports in western Michigan may soon beclosed for business.

Rep. Boustany urged his colleaguesin subcommittee to bring the legislation tothe full House for a vote. “This bill cre-ates the fully-funded, long-term dredgingplan necessary for realizing our economicpotential not only in Louisiana, but acrossthe country,” he said.

AMO aboard LNG carrier Shagra

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Q-Max LNG carri-er Shagra as it made its first port call at Sabine Pass, Texas, in May wereChief Engineer Jim Plourde and Third Mate Jared O’Hare. Plourde is the firstAMO chief engineer to work aboard a Q-Class LNG carrier calling in the U.S.The Shagra is operated by Shell Ship Management Limited.

See T&I Proposal ◆ Page 4

4 • American Maritime Officer August 2011

New international developments in fight against piracyThe last few months have brought

several changes to international policiesand proposals in the fight against piracy inthe Somali basin as debate over themounting crisis of piratical attacks againstmerchant vessels drones on without a uni-form solution.

The U.S. State Department is work-ing to implement new counter-piracy mea-sures to reinforce existing recommenda-tions – such as “best management prac-tices” and naval patrols in the area. Thedepartment is focusing its efforts on dis-rupting criminal and financial networks,said Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretaryfor the bureau of political-military affairsfor the State Department, speaking in Junebefore the House Subcommittee onTerrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.

“We intend to work with our inter-national partners in the coming months togo after the smaller number of criminal

conspirators who provide the leadershipand financial management of the pirateenterprise, with the objective of bringingthem to trial,” Shapiro said at the Junesubcommittee hearing.

The U.S. has also been involved inthe creation of an ad hoc group within theContact Group on Piracy off the Coast ofSomalia – designed to coordinate anti-piracy efforts between the more than 70nations – to specifically address the finan-cial aspects of piracy. The ad hoc group,created in March, has already met severaltimes this year.

The United Nations is currentlyconsidering several proposals to strength-en anti-piracy efforts in the region. Theorganization is taking steps to establish“specialized Somali anti-piracy courts”where suspected pirates could be tried out-side of Somalia, in efforts to createstronger disincentives to criminal activity.

The U.N. is also proposing to makeavailable its “blue beret” security forces toserve as armed guards on vessels transit-ing the region, as an alternative to privatecontractors. This proposal has been lev-eled amidst growing concern over the lia-bility exposure for a ship’s master andother officers if a private-sector shipboardsecurity detachment must engage attack-ing pirates.

Norway in July passed legislationcreating a defined legal method for vesselsto carry armed guards. The UnitedKingdom’s shipping minister recentlyurged his own government to adopt simi-lar legislation.

Meanwhile, piracy in the region hasbecome more organized, more violent andhas expanded geographically. As of June,400 seafarers were being held hostage and18 ships were being held for ransom,according to Shapiro.

American Maritime Officers main-tains that it is the responsibility of the U.S.government to provide protection for U.S.vessels carrying U.S. cargo transitingareas at high risk for incidents of piracy.AMO and other U.S. seagoing unionshave repeatedly recommended limitedU.S. military detachments with one ormore high-caliber weapons be assigned toU.S.-flagged merchant vessels transitinghigh-risk areas for piracy under certaincircumstances, such as when those vesselsare carrying U.S. government impelledcargoes.

As drought and famine spreadthroughout the region encompassingSomalia and the U.S. State Departmentresponds with calls for greater Americanassistance, including shipments of food-aid, the magnitude of this crisis can beexpected to intensify unless an effectivesolution is implemented.

Ready ReserveForce ship Cape

Trinity deliverspatrol boats forIraqi NavyThe Ready Reserve Force ship Cape

Trinity departs Houston in June withtwo patrol boats for the Iraqi Navy.The ship is operated by CrowleyLiner Services and manned in alllicensed positions by AMO.

American Maritime Officers members working aboard theCape Trinity in June, here in Houston, Texas, included FirstAssistant Engineer Red Dunahoo, Third Mate Matt Ciofaniand Second Mate Brian Enos.

AMO members working aboard the Cape Trinity in June, herein Houston, Texas, included Second Mate Loye Antley Jr. andRadio-Electronics Officer John Jinkins. With them is AMONational Assistant Vice President Dave Weathers.

AMO member ThirdAssistant Engineer GaryStetson

In memory of Michael Sampson: 1964-2011

Mike Sampson (left) and Jon Behm, chief engineers of the MPFships USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams and USNS 1ST LT Jack

Lummus, respectively, meet and greet ashore on Saipan in 2010.

Michael Sampson, a member of AmericanMaritime Officers for 22 years, has passed away. He was47 years old.

A legendary icon of the maritime prepositioningship, USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams, Mike served for22 years on ‘Dewayne’, with his last nine years as chiefengineer.

Mike was a larger than life character with a quickwit, tremendous sense of humor, great people skills — inaddition to being a good engineer.

Mike was a 1988 graduate of MassachusettsMaritime Academy. He is survived by his daughter,Sierra, and his young son, Ryan Michael. He joins hiswife, Dawn, who passed away in 2004. Mike is nowalongside her in the Riverview Cemetery in Essex, Ct.

The world is truly a lesser place without him. Restin peace, Brother Mike!

—Joe Gelhaus

T&I ProposalContinued from Page 3

foundation to help us to competeglobally. These reforms are criticalas we work to grow our economyand create jobs.

The proposed legislationwould also encourage U.S.domestic shipbuilding and cre-ation of American jobs by expand-ing the allowable use of tax-deferred Capital ConstructionFund accounts.

Additionally, ports that seekto deepen shipping channels toaccommodate larger vessels wouldnot be penalized under the pro-posed new rules.

American Maritime Officer • 5August 2011

Great Lakes

Congressional debate on ballast water regulationsDebate over ballast water standards

continues in the U.S. House ofRepresentatives as an unreasonable patch-work of regulatory requirements threatensGreat Lakes shipping. Meanwhile, a fed-eral court has dealt a setback to the driveto establish a uniform U.S. standard forballast water treatment and dischargesunder the Vessel General Permit system.

In July, the House debated H.R.2584, appropriations legislation for theDepartment of the Interior, including anamendment approved by the HouseAppropriations Committee that wouldprevent Great Lakes states from imple-menting different, and in many casesextreme, ballast water standards. At presstime, the legislation remained on theHouse calendar as unfinished business.

House debate over ballast waterstandards centered on an amendment sub-mitted by Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-OH)that would strip Great Lakes states ofEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)funding if they adopt ballast waterrequirements that are more stringent thanU.S. federal or International MaritimeOrganization (IMO) standards. The U.S. isexpected to enact a uniform federal stan-dard sometime this year.

Debating his amendment with col-leagues on the House floor, Rep.LaTourette reiterated his deep concernabout invasive species on the Great Lakes,but condemned action by the New YorkDepartment of EnvironmentalConservation to enact ballast water stan-dards “that are 100 times more stringent

than the international standard and wouldhave gone to 1,000 times more stringent”the year after they are enacted.

“I take a backseat to no one in thisCongress on the issue of invasive speciesin the Great Lakes,” Rep. LaTourette said.“But this particular provision by [NewYork] would cripple and perhaps eliminatecommerce on the Great Lakes.”

Following a charged discussion ofthe issue, Rep. LaTourette and his col-leagues agreed to seek a workable solutionbefore the bill goes to conference.

Separately, a U.S. federal court hasrejected a challenge to the EPA’s VesselGeneral Permit (VGP) system for ballastwater regulation.

The Lake Carriers’ Association,American Waterways Operators and other

industry groups challenged the EPA’s reg-ulations, which permit states to enact up to100 of their own rules. These regulationshave created and will perpetuate a confus-ing and contradictory environment forship operators, while a uniform federalstandard would ease both compliance andenforcement.

The court’s ruling is extremelyproblematic for U.S.-flag shippingbecause “first: it refuses to stop states andtribal areas from adding ballast waterrestrictions to the VGP, and second: it rec-ommends changing the Clean Water Act,which most consider as opening Pandora’sBox,” said American Maritime OfficersNational Vice President for GovernmentRelations Michael Murphy.

“Ultimately, we need to adopt uni-form ballast water regulations similar tothose promoted by the IMO, or the currentpatchwork of restrictive ballast water ruleswill eventually strangle commerce andpossibly result in many mariners beingprosecuted for infractions,” Murphy said.

Ballast water standards have alsobeen debated in the Transportation andInfrastructure Committee in the House ofRepresentatives. Many members ofCongress have argued a federal standardwould be the most appropriate measure.

“The current overlapping and con-tradictory patchwork of ballast water reg-ulations hampers the flow of commerce,threatens international trade, unduly bur-dens vessel operations in U.S. waters,undermines job creation and hurts oureconomy,” said Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) in a prepared statement for a recenthearing held by the House Subcommitteeson Coast Guard and MaritimeTransportation and on Water Resourcesand Environment on ballast water stan-dards under the VGP system.

“We have to overcome this mindsetthat mandating a dozen different,unachievable standards, each more strin-gent than the next, somehow protects ourenvironment. It does not,” Rep.LoBiondo said.

AMO AgreementContinued from Page 1

are operating and service has beenrestored to ASC customers, AMO willschedule meetings with the company andresume our work on a successor agree-ment.

“AMO and ASC are now confidentand committed to reaching an agreementprior to the beginning of the 2012 operat-ing season — an agreement that ensuresthe job and benefit security of AMO mem-bers and addresses the company’s compet-itive needs,” Bethel said.

AMO aboard theJohn G. Munson

AMO members working aboardthe John G. Munson in August as

it loaded coal in Toledo, Ohio,included Chief Engineer Andrew

McGinn and First AssistantEngineer Albert VanNorwick. With

them here is AMO SeniorNational Assistant Vice President

Brian Krus.

The S/S John G. Munson loadingcoal in Toledo, Ohio, at the CSX

coal loading facility. The Munson isoperated by Key Lakes. AMO rep-resents the licensed officers and

stewards on the ship.

June cargo float ahead of last month, behind last yearU.S.-flagged Great Lakes vessels car-

ried 10 million tons of dry-bulk cargo inJune, an increase of 5.2 percent comparedwith May, but a decrease of 3.3 percentcompared with 2010 figures.

June totals were 3.9 percent belowthe month’s five-year average.

The iron ore float increased 12.2 per-cent compared with a year ago and 14.1 per-cent compared with the five-year average.However, coal for power generation and

Separately, on Aug. 2, the AmericanMaritime Partnership organization reportedthat two more U.S.-flagged freighters hadbeen activated and fleet utilization hadreached more than 93 percent.

The year-to-date float on the GreatLakes was up 2.4 percent compared withthe same timeframe in 2010. Iron ore car-goes were up for the year by 7.6 percent,while coal and limestone were both down.

steel production fell by 25.3 percent com-pared with 2010 totals and was down 25.8percent compared with the five-year aver-age. Limestone carriage fell by 7.2 percentcompared with last year.

U.S.-Flag Carriage Year-to-Date 2006-2011 (June — net tons)

Commodity 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011Average

2006-2011

Iron Ore 19,850,334 18,985,229 20,324,072 7,146,010 17,014,105 18,315,088 16,663,950

Coal 9,355,485 9,112,297 8,583,899 7,110,091 7,277,612 7,071,531 8,287,877

Limestone 10,566,444 9,133,056 8,434,648 5,016,257 6,922,718 6,583,584 8,014,625

Cement 1,593,280 1,490,521 1,202,350 956,697 976,467 1,012,040 1,243,863

Salt 492,045 394,600 443,238 449,566 544,080 519,917 464,706

Sand 142,916 126,759 66,638 81,131 68,324 62,571 97,154

Grain 104,723 152,818 60,235 115,095 84,083 99,490 103,391

Total 42,105,227 39,395,280 39,115,080 20,874,847 32,887,389 33,664,221 34,875,565

Source: Lake Carriers’ Association

6 • American Maritime Officer August 2011

LMSR USNS Pomeroy earns Navy Afloat Safety Award The USNS Pomeroy, operated by

Ocean Ships Inc. for Military SealiftCommand and manned in all licensed posi-tions by American Maritime Officers, wasone of several vessels honored with shipsafety awards at a ceremony hosted July 7 bythe U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C.

The large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off vessel USNS Pomeroy earned the Chiefof Naval Operations Afloat Safety Award,which recognizes outstanding contributionsto fleet readiness, increased morale, efficien-cy and economical use of resources throughsafety. The Emory S. Land and USNS Flint

also received safety awards.“The way crew members from Flint

and Pomeroy took the initiative toward safe-ty and developed their own programs aboardthese ships truly made them stand out,” saidMilitary Sealift Command Safety OfficerKevin Kohlmann. “These awards promotesafety and motivate other crews on otherMSC ships to earn the same recognition.”

The USNS Pomeroy was recognized,in part, because of its implementation of“Safety Sunday,” a weekly program toenhance training and perform equipmentchecks.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus pre-sented the awards. Rear Adm. Mark Buzby,commander of Military Sealift Command,also participated in the ceremony.

NMC applies new format forCoast Guard Deck/EngineExamination Guide

The U.S. Coast Guard Deck &Engine Examination Guide has beenrewritten and is available in a new for-mat on the National Maritime CenterWeb site, the Coast Guard announced.

Effective July 20, 2011, the doc-ument referred to as Guide forMariners — Merchant MarineExaminations replaced the previousDeck & Engine Examination Guide.The new guide contains examinationinformation in the following format:

•Chapter One: Introduction

•Chapter Two: GeneralInformation

•Chapter Three: Engine Guidance•Chapter Four: Deck Guidance•Chapter Five: CFR Quick Guide

More information is available bycontacting the NMC via e-mail toiasknmc@uscg.mil or by phone at(888) 427-5662, or via the links below:

•uscg.mil/nmc•uscg.mil/nmc/engine_exams.asp•uscg.mil/nmc/deck_exams.asp

Letter from Department ofLabor dismissing protestof 2010 AMO election

The following letter, dated July 22,

2011, was sent to John N. Hearn — and by

copy to American Maritime Officers

National President Thomas Bethel — by

Chief Patricia Fox, Division of

Enforcement, Office of Labor-

Management Standards, U.S. Department

of Labor.

Dear Mr. Hearn:

Your complaint to the Departmentof Labor protesting the December 6, 2010election of officers in American Maritime

Officers in Dania Beach, Florida has beeninvestigated pursuant to Sections 402 and601 of the Labor-Management Reportingand Disclosure Act of 1959.

Following a review of the investiga-tive findings by this office and the Officeof the Solicitor, Division for Civil Rightsand Labor-Management, a decision hasbeen made that those findings do not pro-vide a basis for action by the Departmentto set aside the protested election.

A statement of reasons setting forththe basis for this decision will be mailed toyou at a future date

AMO-contracted vessels, operating companies recognizedfor remarkable safety records

The Chamber of Shipping of America(CSA) in June awarded Jones F. DevlinAwards for 2010 to 16 companies that ownand/or operate vessels manned under con-tract by members of American MaritimeOfficers. Devlin awards are presented tocompanies with vessels that have operatedfor at least two years without a lost-timeinjury. The CSA also recognized vessels thatperformed feats to save a life, a ship or otherproperty in 2010 with the Ship SafetyAchievement Awards.

The awards were presented June 2,2011, during the CSA Safety AwardsLuncheon in New Orleans, La. More than180 people representing more than 70 com-panies and organizations, includingAmerican Maritime Officers, attended theannual industry-sponsored event, now in itsfifty-third year.

The AMO-contracted vessel S/S CapeMay, operated by Ocean Duchess Inc. in theMaritime Administration’s Ready ReserveForce, received a Ship Safety AchievementLetter of Commendation.

“This year, we gave awards to 1,288vessels that operated 7,284 years without alost-time incident,” said CSA PresidentJoseph Cox. “This extraordinary record isdirectly attributable to the professionalism ofour seafarers and the dedication of shore-based company personnel to safe operation.”

Among the companies that own and/oroperate vessels manned by AMO receiving2010 Devlin Awards for the performance ofAMO-contracted vessels were CrescentTowing, Crowley Petroleum Services,Crowley Technical Services, GeneralDynamics - AMSEA, Interocean American

Shipping Corporation, Keystone ShippingCo. (Key Lakes), Maersk Line Limited,Ocean Duchess Inc., Ocean ShipholdingsInc., OSG Ship Management Inc., SeabulkTankers Inc., Seabulk Towing Inc., Sea StarLine LLC, Teekay Corporation, TotemOcean Trailer Express and USS VesselManagement LLC. The U.S. MaritimeAdministration was also presented with a2010 Devlin Award.

The Chamber of Shipping of Americarepresents 33 U.S.-based companies thatown, operate or charter oceangoing tankers,containerships and other merchant vesselsengaged in both the domestic and interna-tional trades, as well as entities that maintaina commercial interest in the operation ofsuch vessels.

Above: AMO members acceptingDevlin Awards on behalf of their ves-sels included (seated) John Coleman,master of the Maersk Missouri; TomLiebsch, master of the Seabulk Trader;Kent Howell, master of the Observation

Island; Robert Nichol, chief engineer ofthe Edgar Speer; John David Barnett,master of the USNS Effective; (stand-ing) Scott Pendleton, master of theMaersk Virginia; Andy Brown, chiefengineer of the Seabulk Arctic; StewartPotter, master of the Seabulk

Challenge; George Hutchins, chiefengineer of the Seabulk Trader; SteveDinnes, chief engineer of the Seabulk

Challenge; Kurt Yost, master of theSeabulk Arctic; and American MaritimeOfficers National Assistant VicePresident David Weathers.

AMO members accepting Devlin Awards on behalf of vessels in the Seabulk Towingfleet included (standing: left) Capt. Mark Featherston for the tug Hawk and (stand-ing: right) Capt. Scott Allen for the ship docking module New River. Featherston alsoaccepted the award for the SDM Suwannee River, aboard which he is captain.

American Maritime Officer • 7August 2011

Fit for duty with AMO

AMO members Ryan Merritt (left) and Erick Amiscosa (right), aswell as U.S. Coast Guard officer Randal Ogrydziak (second fromright) and his son Noah, work out at stations in the circuit trainingcourse provided daily by Health and Wellness Coach Heidi Marerat the fitness center on the STAR Center campus. The circuit train-ing course is available to AMO members and families, AMO andPlans employees, and others attending courses or staying at theAMO Plans complex in Dania Beach, Fla.

Shannon Agor,food and beveragemanager and exec-utive chef for AMOPlans, pauses inher discussion ofthe Fit for DutyProgram to prepareand serve a mealduring dinner at theSTAR Center gal-ley. The galley pro-vides a healthyalternative entréeon every menu atevery meal, as wellas healthy snacks24 hours per day.

In addition to a complete curriculumof U.S. Coast Guard certified maritime train-ing and upgrading programs, the STARCenter campus in Dania Beach, Fla., ishome to a daily routine of health and fitnessfor members of American Maritime Officersand their families.

Health and fitness have become sta-ples of standard operating procedure at theAMO Plans complex and comprise anaccessible lifestyle choice for AMO mem-bers training and upgrading at the AMOSafety and Education Plan’s Simulation,Training, Assessment & Research Center.Individually tailored fitness programs arealso available to AMO members and fami-lies, both while officers attend courses atSTAR Center and on an as-needed basis.

Depending on the particular needs ofthe individual, several options — along withthe corresponding professional personneland facilities — are available to assist AMOmembers. The gym on campus features afull range cardiovascular, free weights andBody-Solid and Nautilus training equip-ment, in addition to a complete exercise stu-dio that provides managed functional, bal-ance development and core-strengtheningworkouts, in addition to one-on-one privatefitness planning and coaching. The STARCenter galley has enhanced its entire menuto focus on healthy, nutritious and balancedmeal choices for AMO members and fami-lies. The AMO Plans Medical Clinic and itsstaff on campus work individually and pri-vately with AMO members to address indi-vidual health concerns and needs relating toemployment, in addition to providing rou-tine physicals and other medical servicesand counseling.

Under the general moniker of the “Fitfor Duty Program,” the professionalsstaffing these facilities on the AMO Planscampus work directly with AMO membersand with one another to ensure the healthand fitness needs of AMO members are met,addressed, and if needed, advanced to reso-lution.

This program and the resources avail-able through it to AMO members, havetaken on particular importance with theimplementation of the new Coast GuardMedical NVIC, which sets rigorous healthand medical standards for merchant marineofficers.

“This program is a tremendous assetfor our members — not only in developingand maintaining healthy lifestyles, but foraddressing the particular needs of memberswho may have issues under the MedicalNVIC,” said AMO National Vice Presidentfor Government Relations Michael Murphy,who works one-on-one with AMO membersgoing through the documentation andrenewal processes. “The Coast Guard stan-dards are very stringent and the agency itselfcan be unyielding at times. Not only are weproviding and promoting a good thing forour membership, we have the tools to helpofficers who may need it.”

On the menu

Shannon Agor, food and beveragemanager and executive chef for AMO Plans,steered the galley into the Fit for DutyProgram beginning in February 2009, inconjunction with the work of the AMOPlans Health and Wellness Team.

She noted body-mass index (BMI)ratios are tied directly to the foods a personconsumes, and poor meal choices and exces-sive portions will increase an individual’sBMI and lead to a decline in optimumhealth.

Remaining within a margin consid-ered to be healthy on the BMI scale is a keyelement of meeting U.S. Coast Guard med-ical requirements. To that end, the galleyprovides a healthy alternative entrée at everymeal, and works to “accommodate all mem- See Fit For Duty ◆ Page 11

Licensed Practical Nurse Mary Holzinger, Medical Assistant AimeeEspinosa and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner MaggieMacfarlane work with AMO members at the AMO Plans Medical Clinicon campus. The clinic serves an important role in the Fit for DutyProgram, identifying and assisting in treatment of any prohibitive med-ical conditions.

bers’ food desires” by providing freshfruits, vegetables, salads, lean cuts ofmeat and lean protein sources, as well ashealthy snacks 24 hours per day.

“The galley chefs prepare pre-por-tioned entrée proteins, and we try not tooverload our members on the carb por-tions,” Agor said. “We have alsodecreased our entrée plate size to 9.75inches.

“Our servers know to offer ourguests as much food as they would like,but we serve modest portions, allowingthe guests to come back for more if theydesire,” she said. “We want our membersto enjoy themselves while they are hereand stay healthy at the same time.”

The ingredients make the meals atthe galley, and selection is key to provid-ing healthy choices.

“It is the galley’s responsibility, Ibelieve, to offer ‘smart choices’,” Agor

8 • American Maritime Officer August 2011

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

General Courses

ABS NS5 Fleet Mgmt Software 3 days 12 October 19 December 20 March

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 19 September 3 October 7 November 5 December 16 January 13 February 12 March

Basic Safety Training - All 4 modules must be completed within 12 months:

Personal Safety Techniques (Mon/Tues - 1.5 days), Personal Safety & Social

Responsibility (Tues pm - .5 days), Elementary First Aid (Wed - 1 day), Fire Fighting &

Fire Prevention (Thurs/Fri - 2 days) - not req. if Combined Basic & Adv. Fire Fighting

completed within 12 months

5 days 26 September 12 December 9 January 6 February 5 March

Basic Safety Training - Refresher 3 days 28 September 14 December 11 January 8 February 7 March

Crowd Management 1 day Please call

Crisis Mgmt & Human Behavior 1 day Please call

ECDIS 5 days 22 August 12, 19 Sept. 24, 31 October 7, 28 November 5 December 9, 23 January 13, 27 February

Effective Supervision 2 days 6 February

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 22 August 19 September 11, 31 October 14 November 5 December 30 January 21 February 12 March

GMDSS 10 days 10 October 28 November 23 January

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 days 30 November

LNG Simulator Training - Enrollment priority in the LNG simulator course is given to

qualified member candidates for employment and/or observation opportunities with AMO

contracted LNG companies. In all cases successful completion of the LNG PNC

classroom course is prerequisite.

5 days 12 December

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 12 Sept - NEW 24 October 19 December 17 January

Safety Officer Course 2 days 26 September 9 November 9 January 13 February

Tankerman PIC DL - Classroom 5 days 14 November 13 February

Tankerman PIC DL - Simulator 10 days 22 August 24 October

Train the Trainer 5 days 15 August 17 October 12 December 30 January 27 February

Train the Trainer - Simulator Inst. 5 days Please call

Vessel/Company Security Officer 2 days 7 Sept - NEW 7 November 19 December 11 January 8 February

VSO - Anti-Piracy Module 1 day 9 Sept - NEW 9 November 21 December 13 January 10 February

Deck Courses

Advanced Bridge Resource Management 5 days Please call

Advanced Shiphandling for Masters - (No equivalency) Must have sailed as

Chief Mate Unlimited5 days 15 August 26 September 12 December 27 February 12, 26 March

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates - 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rd Mates 10 days 19 September 10 October 5 December 9 January

Adv. / Emerg. Shiphandling - First Class Pilots, Great Lakes 5 days 30 January

Bridge Resource Management Seminar 3 days 15 November

Integrated Bridge System (IBS) / Prodded Propulsion Trg 5 days 14 November

Locking & Docking for First Class Pilots - Great Lakes 5 days Please call

STCW Deck Officer Refresher - Great Lakes 3 days Please call

TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) - Third Mate (Unlimited or Great

Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required5 days 15 August PM 29 November 23 January 12 March PM

Tug Training - ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 5 days 24 October 14 November

Visual Communications (Flashing Light) - Test only! 1 day Scheduled as required

Engineering Courses

Advanced Slow Speed Diesel 10 days 28 November 19 March

Basic Electricity 10 days 10 October 20 February

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks 3 October 13 February

Engine Room Resource Management 5 days 12 December 5 March

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 6 September 7 November 19 December 17 January 19 March

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 15 August 31 October 5 December 9 January 12 March

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 15 August 31 October 12 March

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 5 days 24 October 5 March

Refrigeration (Operational Level) 5 days 23 January

Refrigeration (Management Level) 5 days 30 January

Steam Crossover 4 weeks 9 January

Welding & Metallurgy Skills & Practices - Open to eligible Chief Mates and

Masters on a space available basis. Interested participants should apply and will be

confirmed 2 weeks prior to start date.

2 weeks 26 September 28 November 30 January

Engine STCW / Original Engineer Training Routes - Engine STCW training routes are aimed at

Great Lakes members wishing to transition to Deep Sea. Original Engineer training is available to members,

applicants and sponsored students seeking original license.

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 19 September 5 Dec, 13 Feb

Basic Safety Training 5 days 26 September 12 Dec, 9 Jan

EFA/MCP 4 days 4 October 29 Nov, 24

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 12 September 19 Dec, 16 Ja

Basic Electricity (for Original Engineers only) 10 days 10 October 20 February

Original 3A/E Preparation and Exams A/R 24 October 5 March

Galley Courses & Original License Courses

RFPNW Assessments 1 day Please call

Marlin Spike 1 day Please call

40-hour Able Seaman 5 days Please call

Original License (Great Lakes) Courses - Deck & Engine A/R Please Call

Food Safety, Sanitation & Nutrition (ServSafe) 5 days 30 January

Culinary Fundamentals 10 days 6 February

Self-Study CDs and Online Programs - Available for use when attending other approved classroom courses

Afloat Environmental Protection Coordinator CD DoT - Hazardous Material Transportation Training CD

Anti-Terrorism Level 1 Online EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification Examination Self-study

Crew Endurance Management CD Prudent Mariner’s Guide to Right Whale Protection CD

Vessel General Permit - EPA CD

American Maritime Officer • 9August 2011

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.

MARAD Training Program - (11 day package comprised of courses below) Students will be nominated and assigned by their contracted company and shall attend all 11 days. Any places not taken by the contracted

companies shall be made available to the membership on a chronological order basis.

Small Arms - Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training - Open to members

and applicants eligible for employment through AMO (within 1 year) on MSC or MARAD

contracted vessels.

3 days 26 September 12 December 9 January 26 March

Elementary First Aid 1 day 29 September 15 December 12 January 29 March

Drug Collector Training 1 day 30 September 16 December 13 January 30 March

Breath Alcohol Test Collector 1 day 1 October 17 December 14 January 31 March

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 3 October 5 December 16 January

MSC Training Program

Basic CBR Defense 1 day 2 September 28 October 18 November 2 December 27 January

Damage Control 1 day 1 September 27 October 17 November 1 December 26 January

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 17 October 21 February

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 26 September 12 December 10 January 7 February

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 2 September 28 October 18 November 2 December 27 January 2, 27 March

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day 9 September 10 November 20 January 22 March

Medical PIC Refresher - Note: Not MSC approved 3 days 29 August 12 October 8 November 22 February

MSC Readiness Refresher - Must have completed full CBRD & DC once in career. 5 days 26 September 12 December 9 January 6 February

MSC Watchstander - BASIC - Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 16 February

MSC Watchstander - ADVANCED - Required for all SRF members 1 day 20 February

MSC Ship Reaction Force - Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 21 February

SAMM - Shipboard Automated Maintenance Management 3 days Please call

Small Arms - Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training - Open to members

and applicants eligible for employment through AMO (within 1 year) or MSC on MARAD

contracted vessels

3 days 15, 29 August 12, 26 Sept. 11, 24 October 14, 28 Nov. 12 December 9, 23 January 13, 27 February 12, 26 March

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 9 September 10 November 20 January 22 March

Medical Courses

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 17 October 21 February

Elementary First Aid - Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months 1 day 13 September 4, 18 October 14, 29 Nov. 24 January 28 February

Medical Care Provider - Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 12 months. Please

fax EFA certificate when registering3 days 14 September 5, 19 October 15, 30 Nov. 25 January 29 February

Medical PIC - Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 19 September 24 October 5 December 30 January 5 March

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 15 August 26 September 12 December 18 January 12 March

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) - Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only! 1 day 16 August 27 September 13 December 19 January 13 March

Saliva Screening Test - QEDs only! 1/2 day 17 August 28 September 14 December 20 January 14 March

Medical PIC Refresher - Note: Not MSC approved 3 days 29 August 12 October 8 November 22 February

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 6, 19 Sept. 3 October 14 November 12 December 19, 20 January 21, 27 February 19 March

Radar Recertification at Toledo Maritime Academy - Non-Resident Training,

apply to Student Services, Dania Beach1 day 15 September 17 November 15 December 26 January 23 February 22 March

ARPA 4 days Please call 20 Sept - CANX

Radar Recertification & ARPA 5 days 19 September

Western Rivers Recertification 1 day Please call

Original Radar Observer Unlimited 5 days Please call

Deck Upgrade at the Management Level - Successful completion of this program will satisfy the training requirements for STCW certification as Master or Chief Mate on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC).

This program will complete ALL 53 Control Sheet assessments of the training requirements for STCW. Course completion certificates do not expire. Operational level 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.

All 9 courses booked simultaneously (excluding Celestial Navigation) - 25% discount applied to individual rate. 5 courses booked simultaneously - 10% discount (group rate) will apply. Discount will apply on 8th and/or 9th course

as appropriate, after paying for and completing the first 5 courses. All 9 courses MUST be booked at STAR Center.

Celestial Navigation 5 days 17 October 5 December 6 February

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology 5 days 15 August 24 October 28 November 20 February

Cargo Operations 9 days 22 August 3 October 12 December 9 January 27 February

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 12 September 31 October 12 December 23 January 12 March

Upgrade: Stability 5 days 19 September 7 November 12 December 13 February 19 March

Watchkeeping 1: BRM 3 days 5 October PM 30 November 11 January 29 February

Watchkeeping 2: COLREGS - Watchkeeping 1 & 2 must be completed within 12

months of each other5 days 10 October 5 December 16 January 5 March

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 22 August 17 October 13 February 19 March PM

Shipboard Management 5 days 12 September 31 October 23 January 12 March

Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (includes Simulator) 5 days 19 September 7 November 30 January 19 March

ECDIS - Advanced Navigation and the USCG approved ECDIS to be completed within

12 months of each other. Suggested dates follow. See also deck courses above.5 days 15 August 26 September 14 November 6 February 26 March

Self-Study License Exam Preparation A/R Available to those students who completed their courses at STAR Center. Please call to schedule.

Officer in Charge of a Navigation Watch (OICNW) - Completion of this program will satisfy the training requirements for STCW certification as Officer In Charge of a Navigation Watch (3M/2M) on vessels of 500 or

more gross tonnage (ITC). This program will complete ALL Control Sheet assessments.

Celestial Navigation 10 days 23 January

Ship Construction & Stability 5 days 20 February

Emergency Procedures & SAR 4 days 13 February

Meteorology 5 days 27 February

Cargo Handling & Storage 5 days 6 February

Magnetic & Gyro Compass 3 days 5 March

Electronic Navigation 5 days 12 March

Terrestrial Navigation 10 days 19 March

Watchkeeping 10 days Please call

Basic Shiphandling at the Operational Level 5 days Please call

Self-Study License Exam Preparation A/R Available to those students who completed their courses at STAR Center. Please call to schedule.

10 • American Maritime Officer August 2011

AMO member Jason Mavra in June successfully completed all U.S. Coast Guardexams to upgrade to an unlimited chief mate’s license after preparing throughthe STCW upgrade program for chief mates and masters at STAR Center. Withhim here is STAR Center Instructor Dave Greenhouse.

AMO members prepare at STAR Center, upgrade to chief mate

AMO member Erick Amiscosa in July successfully completed all U.S. CoastGuard exams to upgrade to an unlimited chief mate’s license after preparingthrough the STCW upgrade program for chief mates and masters at STARCenter. With him here is Deck Instructor Jeffrey Jones.

HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 33004601 S. Federal Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Thomas J. Bethel, National President (tbethel@amo-union.org) / Mobile: (202) 251-0349José 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)Charles A. Murdock, National Vice President, 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, Third Floor(419) 255-3940(800) 221-9395FAX: (419) 255-2350John E. Clemons, National Vice President, Great Lakes (johnclemons@amo-union.org)Brian D. Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice President(bkrus@amo-union.org)Donald Cree, Great Lakes Special Assistant to the National President(dcree@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

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

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

NORWOOD, NJ 07648463 Livingston Street, Suite 102PMB 60Donald R. Nilsson, National Assistant Vice President(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. 7001Thomas J. Bethel, National President (tbethel@amo-union.org) / Mobile: (202) 251-0349J. Michael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relations(mmurphy@amo-union.org) / Mobile: (202) 560-6889Paul 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

MEDICAL CLINIC 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 Reny437 Madison Ave. AMO Coast Guard Legal35th Floor Aid ProgramNew York, NY 10022 (419) 243-1105 / (888) 853-4662(212) 370-5100 Mobile: (419) 346-1485FAX: (212) 697-6299 MikeReny@BEX.NET

American Maritime Officer • 11August 2011

Fit For DutyContinued from Page 7

AMO Plans Health and Wellness Coach Heidi Marer talks with AMO memberRyan Merritt during the weight-training course provided one day per week with thedaily circuit-training course available to AMO members and families on campus.

Dr. Alvaro Ocampo isthe physician on duty

at the AMO PlansMedical Clinic, wherea variety of medical

services are available,including Coast Guardphysicals and evalua-tions. The clinic staffparticipates in the Fit

for Duty Program,assisting AMO mem-bers on an individual

basis as needed.

said. “For example, at breakfast we offerturkey-based meats and egg whites for ahealthy/lower-in-fat alternative. We offercomfort foods, but we try to add in morefresh herbs and alternative flavoring agents,like vegetable and fruit purees, instead ofrelying on fuller fat ingredients, such as but-ters and heavy creams.

“We have the luxury of having multi-ple food vendors at our disposal, so we areable to utilize the freshest products in everyseason,” she said. “I believe in using naturalproducts, such as olive oils and herbs,instead of using margarines and artificial fla-voring agents or enhancers like MSG.

“Our critiques come back great 95percent of the time,” Agor said. “You can’tplease everyone, but it is our job to keepimproving and evolving. We try to come upwith new and different ideas all of the timeto keep the food interesting and different.We are really good about making healthytaste good.”

At the gym

A personal trainer since 2004, Healthand Wellness Coach Heidi Marer startedwith AMO Plans in January of 2009. Shenow works with between 20 to 30 people perweek on average, and separately, has hadmore than 2,800 people sign in for circuittraining classes, which are scheduled eachweekday afternoon after the conclusion ofcourses at STAR Center.

The classes themselves are not a for-mal part of the Fit for Duty Program, but areexcellent opportunities for exercise — opento AMO members and families, AMO andPlans staff and others on the STAR Centercampus, and providing four sessions offunctional circuit training and one day ofweight circuit training per week.

Marer’s work with individual AMOmembers and families participating in theAMO Plans is performed on a one-on-one,confidential basis. “It’s not a boot camp; thework we do here is private,” she said.

The fitness training provided is com-prehensive, encompassing nutrition andlifestyle, as well as exercise, includes inter-action with the clinic and galley, and is tai-lored to the needs of individual AMO mem-bers. A typical fitness session lasts twoweeks initially, and can be continued byphone and e-mail as needed, said Marer,who is certified in nutrition, as well as a cer-tified personal training specialist (CPTS)with certifications from the NationalStrength Conditioning Association andAerobics and Fitness Association ofAmerica.

“Two flags are BMI and the blood

sugar level,” she said. “These aren’t the onlyconsiderations but they are important. Otherhealth conditions and injuries can be factorsand they either need to be treated orrehabbed in order to be fit for duty.

“One reason the program exists is toprovide people a fitness template and exer-cise guidelines that can be applied at homeor at work on a ship,” Marer said. “There aresome really small tweaks that can be madeto their routines on a daily basis that, over acouple of months, will reverse problems.”

The individual fitness sessionsinclude: planning daily schedules for mealsand exercise; developing a healthy routineinto a challenging lifestyle, such as ship-board work; exercise and workout guide-lines; counseling on nutritional needs (butnot prescribing diets), such as label reading,caloric intake and portion control; and targetheart rates, body-mass indexes and otherconsiderations related to health and fitness.

The Fit for Duty Program incorpo-rates the daily circuit-training course just toprovide a workout. It also includes shoppingtrips to the grocery store to improve nutri-

tional awareness. Additional focus is givento functional training — “sort of an exten-

sion of physical therapy techniques that helptrain and strengthen your body in move-ments for everyday activity,” Marer said.

Other general resources available toAMO members and families include theweekly wellness meeting on Tuesdays atnoon, pre- and post-pregnancy fitness coun-seling, and cooking classes focusing onhealthy meals and preparation. “A lot of thisI couldn’t do without Shannon,” Marer said.

In the clinic

AMO members can use the AMOPlans Medical Clinic on campus for U.S.Coast Guard physicals, as well as other rou-tine or specific medical needs. Members tak-ing their physicals at the clinic for purposesof license renewals and upgrades are evalu-ated in accordance with Coast Guard regula-tions.

The evaluations sometimes uncoverconditions and underlying lifestyle choicesthat may require attention to successfullycomplete the Coast Guard documentationprocess, as well as to restore or maintainoverall health.

“The Fit for Duty program allowsthe clinic practitioners to address theseconcerns with real time interventions andsolutions,” said Maggie Macfarlane, anadvanced registered nurse practitioner.“Partnering with the galley and the fitnesscenter provides the members with tangibleresources that offer hands-on support andguidance. The outcome of this partnershiphas been to effect long lasting and positivechanges.”

Mariners, due to the unusual andunique schedule and life pattern required forshipboard work, can be prone to irregular orsedentary exercise routines, becoming over-weight and engaging in addictive behaviors,such as smoking and compulsive eating,Macfarlane noted. These conditions maylead to primary diagnoses including hyper-tension, obesity, sleep apnea and nicotineabuse. Secondary conditions, such as skele-tal-muscular limitations and atrophy, fatigueand depression can co-exist with the prima-ry diagnoses.

“The Fit for Duty Program has beenextremely successful — 99 percent — inhelping those who have participated indeveloping new and healthy habits,” shesaid. “This has resulted in weight loss, dietmaintenance, improvement in glucose toler-ance, lowering of blood pressure and suc-cess in curbing addictive behaviors.

“We find the majority of medical con-ditions stem from or are directly affected bylifestyle choices,” Macfarlane said. “Whileheredity plays its part, the choices that wemake on a day-to-day basis shape the med-ical/clinical condition. Improvement inlifestyle often is accompanied by diminish-ing medical concerns.”

Alex Perry, a graphic and visual database designer for STAR Center’s Modelingand Research Department, and AMO member Erick Amiscosa work out at exer-cise stations in the daily circuit-training course offered at the fitness center onthe STAR Center campus. The course provides four days of functional circuittraining per week and one day of weight training.

AMO co-hostsfundraiser forRep. Sanchez

AMO in August organized and co-hosted a fundraiser for Rep. LorettaSanchez (D-CA), who serves on theHouse Armed Services Committee

and on the Subcommittee on Borderand Maritime Security. With Rep.

Sanchez here are AMO National VicePresident for Government Relations

Michael Murphy, AMO AssistantLegislative Director Phree Baker and

AMO Administrative Assistant,Legislative, Paulette Brown.

12 • American Maritime Officer August 2011

AMO in the Seabulk towing fleet in Port Everglades

The Seabulk ship docking modules New River and St. Johns and tug Broward

were among the vessels that assisted in docking the USS Iwo Jima LHD-7 duringFleet Week in April, in Port Everglades, Fla.

AMO members working aboard ship docking module St. Johns in July, here inPort Everglades, Fla., included (left) Capt. Brian Stowe and Engineer GuidoOnia.

The tug Fort Lauderdale in Port Everglades, Fla.

AMO member ShopWelder PeteNarbone preparesnew SeabulkTowing signs in PortEverglades, Fla.

Capt. Scott Allen, master aboard theship docking module New River

AMO members working aboard the ship docking module New River in July, herein Port Everglades, Fla., included (from left to right) AB George Moise, EngineerJorge Curtis-Brown, Chief Engineer John Clifford, (back row) Capt. John Kahler,Capt. Ken Collins and Capt. Brian Stowe.

AMO member AB Jason Frongello moves a welding machine to the dock inpreparation for repairs aboard ship docking module New River

The tractor tug Broward here in PortEverglades, Fla.

AMO members working aboard theship docking module New River in July,included Engineer Joe Ungerland.

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will be held during the

week following the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. local time. Meetings

will be held on Monday at Headquarters in Dania (on Tuesday when Monday

is a contract holiday) and on Wednesday in Toledo. The next meetings will

take place on the following dates:

DANIA BEACH:TOLEDO:

September 6 (Tuesday*), October 3September 7, October 5

*Union offices will be closed September 5 in observance of Labor Day.