Shell to recruit U.S.Shell LNG program seafarers for ... · Shell LNG program creates new ......

Volume 38, Number 2 February 2008

Copyright © 2008 American Maritime Officers � 2 West Dixie Highway � Dania Beach, FL 33004 � (800) 362-0513 � [email protected]

AMO, OSG reachagreementPage 2: AMO is pleased toannounce that it has reached anagreement with OSG wherebyOSG will utilize eighteen (18)AMO masters and chief offi-cers who were employed byMaritrans prior to the purchaseand who have been employedby OSG either onboard tankersor ashore working on projects.

Great Lakes NewsAppeals courtdenies attempt byrival union todivert lawsuit onInterlake contract

Page 5: An impartial umpire ruledMEBA violated the AFL-CIOConstitution on the M/V Cort.

Page 3: The Sixth Circuit Courtof Appeals rejected anotherattempt by MEBA to haveAMO’s tortious interference law-suit relocated to federal court.

AMO EssentialsRTM STAR Center, Floridaschedule: Pages 8-9

RTM STAR Center, Ohioschedule: Page 9

RTM STAR Centerapplication: 1

AMO directory: Page 10

AMO membership meetingschedule: Page 10

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Shell LNG programcreates newopportunities forAMO officers

Shell to recruit U.S.seafarers forinternational LNGfleet for first time

New jobs for AMOofficers as cruiseship ocean rangers

The State of Alaska in Januaryawarded a contract to provide 35 oceanrangers for the 2008 cruise season toCrowley Liner Services. The new jobsaboard cruise ships sailing in Alaskanwaters will be available to members ofAmerican Maritime Officers.

To work as ocean rangers, AMOmembers will need to complete a spe-cialized course developed by RTMSTAR Center. The minimum qualifica-tions for a position as an ocean rangerinclude a third assistant engineer’s

license or higher.Ocean rangers sail aboard cruise

ships while they are in Alaskan waters,and monitor shipboard operationsinvolving safety, security and environ-mental protection. The cruise season inAlaska runs from April throughSeptember and approximately 500 voy-ages are anticipated during the 2008season.

AMO members interested in

LONDON and HOUSTON—ShellInternational Trading and ShippingCompany Ltd. today announced it willbegin recruiting U.S. seafarers for the com-pany’s growing portfolio of managed inter-national liquefied natural gas (LNG) ves-sels.

One of the first major oil producers toactively recruit U.S. seafarers for LNG ves-sels, Shell is committed to securing themost qualified seafarers for its maritimefleet operations and the United States offersan exceptional skill pool, particularly forLNG vessels.

“The recruitment drive also providesan excellent opportunity for Americanmariners to enhance their careers throughShell’s international businesses and domes-tic joint ventures, such as BroadwaterEnergy, LLC in Long Island Sound,” saidBob Salmon, general manager of shippingfor Shell Trading (U.S.) Company.

The effort supports Shell’s increasingvessel management portfolio, which wasextended in November 2006 when NakilatShipping (Qatar) Ltd., a wholly owned sub-sidiary of Qatar Gas Transport CompanyLtd. (Nakilat), formalized an agreementwith Shell to provide shipping and maritimeservices to Nakilat’s fleet of 25 newbuildLNG carriers.

“The addition of U.S. mariners willpositively enhance Shell’s diverse seafarerskill pool and provide Shell and Nakilatwith highly experienced personnel for theirLNG fleets. We’re excited to work with theU.S. Department of Transportation’sMaritime Administration (MARAD) andthe U.S. maritime unions to encourage theuse of U.S. officers in the LNG industry,”said Salmon.

“We applaud Shell’s announcement,which coincides perfectly with a universal

With a substantial group of officerswho have recent experience on liquefiednatural gas carriers and a pioneering pro-gram for its membership to acquire therequired training for work in the interna-tional LNG trades, American MaritimeOfficers is uniquely prepared to meet thegrowing demand for qualified officers inexpanding LNG transportation markets.

Shell International Trading andShipping Company Feb. 8 announced itwill begin recruiting U.S. mariners for thecompany’s growing portfolio of managedinternational LNG vessels.

AMO is involved in ongoing contractdiscussions with Shell Trading. The unionanticipates AMO officers with recent LNGexperience will begin work with Shell inthe immediate future sailing in senior posi-tions. As more openings become availablein the LNG fleet managed by ShellTrading, AMO officers with LNG recencyare prepared to sail aboard Shell LNG car-riers. AMO officers sailing in senior posi-tions with Shell would work under AMOcontract with all required benefit contribu-tions to the AMO Plans.

Shell International Trading andShipping Company recently expanded itsvessel management portfolio when anagreement was formalized with NakilatShipping (Qatar) Ltd. to provide shippingand maritime services for Nakilat’s fleet of25 newbuild LNG carriers.

With the growth in global gas con-sumption, and unprecedented expansion inthe LNG fleet, demand for qualified LNGofficers has grown significantly in recentyears, leading to shortages throughout theinternational industry. In 2008 alone, a totalof 55 LNG newbuilds are scheduled fordelivery to several owner/operators world-wide, and the shortage of qualified officers

See AMO LNG � Page 2See Shell Trading � Page 2See Ocean Rangers � Page 2

2 • American Maritime Officer February 2008

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

2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004

(954) 921-2221Periodical Postage Paid at

Brooklyn, NY, and Additional Mailing OfficesPublished Monthly

American Maritime Officers National Executive Board

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

Representatives: Stan Barnes, Charles Murdock

Editor: Matt BurkeAssistant Editor: Phree Baker

POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:American Maritime Officers

ATTN: Karla O’DeaP.O. Box 66

Dania Beach, FL 33004

AMO reaches agreement with OSGAMO is pleased to announce that

we have reached an agreement with OSGwhereby OSG will utilize eighteen (18)AMO masters and chief officers whowere employed by Maritrans prior to thepurchase and who have been employed byOSG either onboard tankers or ashoreworking on projects, such as NS5,Management System review, etc.

Under the agreement reached with

OSG, should any of these 18 AMO seniordeck officers elect to work on OSGtankers, and OSG has openings, they willwork under the Terms and Conditionsoutlined in the OSG LDO (Licensed DeckOfficer) Handbook, with the exception ofSection 18, “Welfare Plan,” and Section19, “Pension Plan.” OSG will make therequired contributions to all of the AMObenefit plans for any of these 18 officers

training standards agreement facilitatedrecently by the Maritime Administration.That agreement standardized training andinternationally accepted competencies forU.S. seafarers,” said MaritimeAdministrator Sean Connaughton.

“The growing worldwide demand inthe LNG industry, including domestic pro-posals like Broadwater, create a significantopportunity for U.S. mariners, the U.S. mar-itime industry and coastal communitiesthroughout the country,” Connaughton said.

Broadwater has proposed the con-struction of an LNG import terminal andconnecting pipeline that would help theNortheast region of the United States meetits growing need for affordable and reliablenatural gas supplies. The U.S. Federal

is expected to become more severe in theLNG sector.

In addition to a large pool of quali-fied LNG officers with recency, AMO isunique among U.S. officers’ unions in theability to provide its membership with thenecessary training to meet stringent inter-national standards for LNG officers.

In 2007, the LNG TankshipLiquefied Gases course provided by RTMSTAR Center was certified to the stan-dards of the Society of International GasTanker & Terminal Operators (SIGTTO).RTM STAR Center is a division of theAMO Safety & Education Plan and theprimary training provider for AMO offi-cers.

STAR Center is the first and onlytraining institution in the U.S. and one ofa very small number in the world to pro-vide LNG training certified to SIGTTO

standards.STAR Center has provided AMO

members with the LNG TankshipLiquefied Gases course since 1998. STARCenter has expanded the program toinclude an LNG simulation course on theMPRI liquid cargo simulator. Both coursesare certified by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The LNG training program at STARCenter remains in high demand amongAMO officers preparing for careers inLNG marine transportation. To date, about300 AMO officers have completed theLNG Tankship Liquefied Gases course,and approximately 80 have completed theliquefied gas simulation course on theMPRI simulator.

The union continues to develop aunique observation program to provide itsmembers with the necessary liquefied gasSTCW endorsement. This developing pro-gram is intended to give AMO the ongoingability to expand its base of officers withLNG recency and the qualifications to sailin the international LNG trades.

AMO LNGContinued from Page 1

Shell TradingContinued from Page 1

Energy Regulatory Commission issued itsFinal Environment Impact Statementrecently, stating the terminal, with imple-mentation of recommended mitigationmethods, would result in fewer environ-mental impacts than any alternative energysources considered.

Shell currently employs more than500 highly qualified fleet marine officerswith LNG experience around the world, andis looking to further expand its skills base,with U.S. mariners in the rapidly growingfield of LNG shipping.

Shell shares LNG shipping expertiseand best practices with its global partners,such as Qatar, Brunei, Nigeria andAustralia. In addition to its own staff, Shelltrains approximately 150 officers from itsglobal partner countries that currently workwithin the Shell-managed fleet. More than200 cadets are also undergoing training tobecome future officers in Shell’s fleets.

who work on OSG tankers. Wages andvacation will be as outlined in the 2007LDO Handbook.

The officers assigned to theDiligence and Integrity will continue towork under the previously existing AMOContract Terms and Conditions. AMOand OSG have agreed to continue discus-sions to find additional opportunitieswhere cooperation results in mutual ben-efits.

If you have any questions, pleasecall the AMO national president or theAMO national assistant vice president.

AMO files lawsuit against independent mailingservice to recover cost of 2008 limited election

American Maritime Officers hasfiled a lawsuit against Van Dee ServicesInc., the independent vendor hired to pro-vide copying, labeling and direct mailingservices involving campaign literature forall candidates running in the union’s 2006election.

In the complaint, AMO is seekingreimbursement from Van Dee Services forthe cost of conducting the union’s limitedrerun election, which is currently underway.The union anticipates that figure will beapproximately $100,000. The complaintalso demands Van Dee Services pay AMO’sattorneys’ fees and other costs associatedwith prosecuting the legal action.

The lawsuit cites specific incidentsin which Van Dee Services failed to dis-tribute campaign literature for incumbent

and non-incumbent candidates. The com-plaint also cites the conclusion by theDepartment of Labor that Van Dee’s mis-handling of some of the candidates’ mail-ings affected the outcome of the 2006AMO election.

After soliciting proposals fromindependent vendors to provide copying,labeling and mailing services for all can-didates in the 2006 election, AMO hiredVan Dee Services based on the company’s“representations that it could efficientlydistribute candidates’ mailings at a lowercost than the AMO by using a lower, pre-sorted postal rate.” Van Dee Services is anindependent vendor with no structural orpersonal link to AMO.

As stated in the complaint: “On August 16, 2006, a mailing pre-

pared by the incumbent slate of candidatesthat was to be sent to members’ home andvessel addresses was not sent out by VanDee.

“Also, in August 2006, a mailingwhich was prepared by a slate of non-incumbent candidates, which was to besent to the Deep Sea vessel list addressesof AMO members, was not sent out byVan Dee.

“The non-incumbents whose mail-ing was not sent protested the results ofthe 2006 AMO election to the U.S.Department of Labor, which, after monthsof investigation, concluded that the mis-handling of candidates’ mailings by VanDee affected the results of the 2006 AMOelection.”

The conclusion by the Department

of Labor that the mishandling of candi-dates’ mailings affected the results of the2006 election formed the entire basis forthe consent agreement between AMO andthe Office of Labor ManagementStandards. This agreement resulted in thelimited 2008 election, in which races forcertain positions that the Department ofLabor determined could have been affect-ed by Van Dee’s mishandling of candi-dates’ mailings are being rerun.

The five counts of AMO’s lawsuitagainst Van Dee Services are breach ofcontract, misrepresentation, negligence,breach of implied warranty and breach ofexpress warranty. The lawsuit was filedJan. 28 in the Circuit Court of theSeventeenth Judicial District in and forBroward County, Florida.

Ocean RangersContinued from Page 1

working as ocean rangers should con-tact the AMO Dispatch Department at(800) 345-3410, or one of the union’sdeep-sea dispatchers by e-mail,Brendan Keller ([email protected]) or Robert Anderson ([email protected]).

The contract award was subjectto a 10-day protest period, duringwhich companies that submitted bidsin response to the request for propos-als could file protests.

American Maritime Officer • 3February 2008

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals denies attemptby MEBA to divert lawsuit on Interlake contract

In a decision dated Jan. 22, 2008,the U.S. Court of Appeals for the SixthCircuit denied a petition from the MarineEngineers’ Beneficial Association for arehearing following that court’s rejectionof MEBA’s most recent attempt to have apotentially crippling lawsuit relocated tofederal court.

American Maritime Officers hasfiled a lawsuit in the Lucas County (Ohio)Court of Common Pleas charging MEBA,former MEBA President Ron Davis, cur-rent MEBA President Don Keefe and theMEBA benefit funds with unlawfullyinterfering with a valid collective bargain-ing agreement between AMO and

Interlake Steamship Company—tortiousinterference.

MEBA has sought repeatedly butunsuccessfully to delay the case or shift itfrom the Ohio court to federal court. TheJan. 22 decision may have marked whatwas MEBA’s final opportunity to preventthe lawsuit from proceeding to trial inOhio state court. Keefe, Davis and otherkey figures have been deposed. The trialon AMO’s tortious interference complaintis scheduled for August of this year.

Last year, MEBA appealed a districtcourt ruling that remanded the lawsuit tostate court in Ohio. In a decision datedSept. 27, 2007, a panel of the U.S. Court

of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit dismissedMEBA’s appeal. That union then request-ed a rehearing before the full Sixth CircuitCourt. When none of the active judgesrequested a vote on rehearing the MEBAappeal, the decision fell to a three-judgepanel, which denied the petition.

Describing the background of theAMO tortious interference complaint inlast year’s strongly-worded ruling dis-missing MEBA’s appeal, Circuit JudgeRonald Lee Gilman wrote: “On July 25,2003, Interlake signed a new CBA (collec-tive bargaining agreement) with MEBAthat was to become effective Aug. 1, 2003.The terms of the new CBA, however, had

obviously been negotiated and the agree-ment executed during the time when AMOwas still the exclusive bargaining agentfor the maritime officers of Interlake.”

AMO was the exclusive collectivebargaining agent for the officers and stew-ards working aboard Interlake’s fleet ofseven self-unloading bulk carriers and hada valid contract with the company effec-tive through July 31, 2003.

In an arrangement brokered by ex-AMO official Jerry Joseph, MEBA offi-cials met in secrecy with Interlake execu-tives and signed a concessionary 10-yearcontract covering the fleet’s engineers andmates.

In the week that followed the sign-ing of the Interlake-MEBA contract,Interlake vessels were boarded by MEBAofficials, MEBA benefit fund representa-tives and Interlake executives workingtogether. During that week, the company’sengineers and mates were ordered to joinMEBA as a condition of continuedemployment.

On behalf of AMO and the AMOPlans, the complaint seeks a minimum of$60 million in direct and consequentialdamages, $280 million in punitive dam-ages, attorneys’ fees and court costs and“any further relief in law or equity towhich plaintiff is entitled.”

Named as defendants in the lawsuitare the Marine Engineers’ BeneficialAssociation, former MEBA PresidentDavis, current MEBA President Keefe, theMEBA Medical and Benefits Plan, theMEBA Vacation Plan, the MEBA TrainingPlan, the MEBA 401(k) Plan and theMEBA Pension Trust.

AMO’s case proceeds in Ohio state court; trial scheduled for August of this year

Despite language included byCongress in an appropriations bill signedinto law last year prohibiting the use of fund-ing authorized by the law to establish across-border trucking program for Mexicanmotor carriers, the Department ofTransportation announced it will continue tooperate the program it established lastSeptember granting some Mexican truckingcompanies complete access to Americanroadways.

The program launched in September2007 by the Transportation Department’sFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administrationgives a limited number of Mexican truckingcompanies full access to U.S. domesticroadways. A petition from the Sierra Club,the Teamsters union and other groups for acourt order to stop the Bush administrationprogram was denied.

In December 2007, the Presidentsigned an omnibus appropriations bill, intowhich Congress had inserted language stip-ulating: “None of the funds made availableunder this Act may be used to establish across-border motor carrier demonstrationprogram to allow Mexico-domiciled motorcarriers to operate beyond the commercialzones along the international borderbetween the United States and Mexico.”

The Federal Motor Carrier SafetyAdministration responded to the legislationwith a statement announcing its intent tocontinue operating the cross-border program

it had established, although the agencyagreed it would not “establish any newdemonstration programs with Mexico.”

In letter to Secretary of TransportationMary Peters dated Jan. 16 and cited by theOwner-Operator Independent DriversAssociation, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR)challenged the DOT’s authority to continue

its cross-border program.“Using federal funds to continue to

review the applications of Mexico-domi-ciled motor carriers, conduct pre-authoriza-tion safety audits, and grant new authoritybreaks both the letter and the spirit of thelaw,” Rep. DeFazio wrote.

The Owner-Operator Independent See Trucking � Page 7

American Maritime Officers memberMichael Thomas steps off the M/VAmerican Tern for some frosty air

as the ship is docked for its deliveryto McMurdo Station in Antarctica as

part of Operation Deep Freeze2008. Thomas was sailing as third

mate aboard the American Tern,which is operated by APL Maritime

Ltd. and manned in all licensedpositions by AMO.

Congress, Department of Transportation spar overcross-border trucking program for Mexican carriers

AMO aboard Express Marine tugs Duty, Escort

Stephen Murray, barge engineeraboard the EM 1150—tug Duty

Drivers Association has stated it will pursuethe ongoing federal lawsuit to end the exist-ing cross-border program with Mexico,according to a report from Inside U.S. Trade.Other groups, including the InternationalBrotherhood of Teamsters are also involved

American Terndelivers toMcMurdo

Station in ‘DeepFreeze 2008’

Greg Cherry, second assistant engi-neer aboard the tug Duty

Jesse Voliva, barge engineer on theEM 1152—tug Escort

Credentials Committee report: 2008 AMO rerun electionof certain officers and one executive board member


Pursuant to ARTICLE XI of the AMO National Constitution and the agreement for arerun election between the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-ManagementStandards (U.S. DOL, OLMS) and American Maritime Officers, the undersignedCredentials Committee was elected at the Regular Membership Meetings held during theweek of January 7, 2008. The Committee convened at 9:10 A.M. on January 15, 2008. Alsopresent were two (2) representatives of the U.S. DOL, OLMS and AMO’s General Counsel.At the January 15, 2008, meeting Brother Alan Gwyn was elected Chairman by theCommittee and Brother Mohyeldeen El-Abbasi was elected as Secretary by the Committee.After deliberating for several hours the Committee recessed for lunch and resumed deliber-ations at 1:30 P.M. and recessed at 2:30 P.M. The Committee resumed its deliberations at11:30 A.M. on January 16, 2008, to continue its deliberations and recessed for lunch. Therewas one (1) U.S. DOL, OLMS representative present and AMO’s General Counsel was alsopresent. The Committee resumed at 1:30 P.M. to prepare a draft of the Report of theCredentials Committee, subject to possible personal appearances of DISQUALIFIED nom-inees on January 17, 2008, between 9:15 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. to allow nominees whomthe Committee found DISQUALIFIED to exercise their right to appear personally beforethe Committee as provided in ARTICLE XI, Section 2(c) of the AMO NationalConstitution.

The Committee reviewed all of the nominations addressed to it. The following indi-viduals were nominated for the following positions and found QUALIFIED or DISQUAL-IFIED as noted below:

A. DANIA BEACH – HEADQUARTERS1. Nominated for National President:

Thomas J. Bethel Book No. B-393 QUALIFIEDPaul Cates Book No. 336-C QUALIFIEDJohn N. (Jack) Hearn, III Book No. 257-H QUALIFIED

2. Nominated for National Secretary-Treasurer:José E. Leonard Book No. L-279 QUALIFIED

3. Nominated for National Executive Vice-President:Christopher O. Bartlett Book No. 421-B QUALIFIEDDaniel L. Smith Book No. 248-S QUALIFIED

B. DEEP SEA1. Nominated for National Vice President:

Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker Book No. 228-G QUALIFIEDTim Harkins Book No. H-335 QUALIFIED

C. INLAND WATERS1. Nominated for National Executive Board Member:

John K. Hafner Book No. 279-H QUALIFIEDHenry P. Mallon, Jr. (Hank) Book No. M-523 QUALIFIED

D. AT LARGE1. Nominated for National Assistant Vice President at Large:

James Morrison Abfalter Book No. A-187 QUALIFIEDRobert J. Kiefer Book No. 295-K QUALIFIEDDave Nash Book No. 183-N DISQUALIFIED

Disqualified reason: No acceptance letter or qualifying documentation has been submitted.(Letter of acceptance and qualifying documentation was received on January 16, 2008, and

the Committee now finds this nominee QUALIFIED.)John R. Rousselle Book No. R-254 QUALIFIEDRobert F. Wasson, Jr. Book No. 266-W QUALIFIED

Pursuant to ARTICLE XI, Section 2(c) the Committee sent a letter to each DIS-QUALIFIED nominee advising said nominee of their right to also appeal in writing within14 days of the date of the Committee’s letter to the DISQUALIFIED nominee. Copies ofthe letters are annexed hereto as Attachment 1. (1)(2)

The Credentials Committee checked the membership status of all nominees andfound them to be in order except as noted above. The Committee also checked the recordspertaining to the required employment time and found them to be in order except as notedabove. Therefore, the nominees listed above were found either QUALIFIED or DIS-QUALIFIED as noted by the Committee.

The Credentials Committee further determines and finds, in accordance with ARTI-CLE XI, Section 2(g) of the AMO National Constitution, that no election will be conduct-ed for the following offices or jobs if there remains only one (1) QUALIFIED CANDI-DATE and each now QUALIFIED CANDIDATE will be declared “ELECTED.” Theseindividuals shall be installed pursuant to ARTICLE XI, Section 5 of the AMO NationalConstitution.

Officers or job holders who will be “ELECTED” are as follows:

José E. Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer – UNOPPOSED & ELECTED

The remaining positions, National President, National Executive Vice President,National Vice President, Deep Sea, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters andNational Assistant Vice President At Large have more than one candidate for these positionsand a rerun election shall be conducted, therefore, as provided in ARTICLE XI, Section 3,4 and 5 of the AMO National Constitution, and pursuant to the agreement for a rerun elec-tion between AMO and the U.S. Department of Labor.

January 17, 2008

Respectfully submitted,

Alan Gwyn, Book No. 299-G, ChairmanMohyeldeen El-Abbasi, Book No. E-207, Secretary Michael May, Book No. M-450Alex Sedlacek, Book No. 530-SJames Wingate, Jr., Book No. W-307Gregory Shepard, Book No. S-620 (Alternate)Thomas Tenney, Book No. 229-T (Alternate)

(1) The DISQUALIFIED candidate was sent a letter on January 15, 2008, notifying him ofhis DISQUALIFICATION. When the Committee reconvened on January 16, 2008, at 11:30A.M. the Chairman spoke to the DISQUALIFIED candidate by cell phone and verballynotified him of all requirements to forward to AMO National Headquarters by January 29,2008, to become QUALIFIED.

(2) The Credentials Committee reviewed documents January 17, 2008, submitted by theDISQUALIFIED candidate and have now found him to be QUALIFIED. A letter and emailwas sent to him on January 17, 2008, advising him of same.

A light load for total shipments during 2007 seasonWith U.S.-flagged vessels loading

light 1,000 times or more during the 2007season, total cargo movement on the GreatLakes fell to 104 million net tons, adecline of 5.2 percent compared with theprevious year.

Limestone shipments took the largestplunge by percentage in 2007, declining to26 million net tons, a 12 percent decreasecompared with 2006. Iron ore cargoes fell3.6 percent compared with the previousyear to about 47 million net tons. Coal load-ings dipped by about 160,000 tons.

Economic factors contributing to thedecline in shipments included lower steelproduction and a downturn in construction,according to the Lake Carriers’Association.Weather delays also impacted shipping dur-ing the last two months of the year.

The dredging deficit and fallingwater levels had a more pronouncedimpact toward the end of the year. Shipsthat have carried nearly 71,000 tons ofcoal in a single trip saw their loads shrinkto 60,000 tons per voyage. Similarly,December’s largest ore cargo was 62,260tons, compared with the record figure of72,000 tons, according to the LCA.

U.S.-flag dry bulk carriage on the Great Lakes: Year-End Totals — net tons

Commodity 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Average

Iron Ore 48,195,327 43,016,285 51,201,511 46,572,119 48,972,112 47,206,383 47,591,471

Coal 21,743,831 21,879,426 24,416,349 27,207,350 25,333,113 25,170,629 24,116,014

Limestone 26,554,243 24,239,110 29,861,141 27,935,513 29,489,410 25,966,057 27,615,883

Cement 3,817,911 3,851,487 3,965,401 3,892,822 4,024,703 3,602,488 3,910,465

Salt 587,090 945,355 1,032,109 1,187,777 1,126,862 1,241,297 975,839

Sand 230,950 500,456 489,355 461,813 429,411 449,474 422,397

Grain 329,471 312,316 367,785 403,055 357,143 404,873 353,954

Total 101,458,823 94,744,435 111,333,651 107,660,449 109,732,754 104,041,201 104,986,022

Source: Lake Carriers’ Association


Great Lakes

AMO GreatLakes areameetingschedule for2008TAMPA, FLORIDA1 p.m. Monday, February 18, 2008Spring Hill Suites Tampa Westshore4835 West Cypress StreetPH# (813) 639-9600Note: Based on attendance thisyear, AMO is considering relocat-ing this meeting next year

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN11 a.m. Tuesday, February 19, 2008Radisson Inn2040 Airport DrivePH# (920) 494-7300

DULUTH, MINNESOTA4 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, 2008Holiday InnSecond Avenue, W. 1st StreetPH# (218) 722-1202

TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGAN1 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2008Holiday Inn on the Bay615 E. Front StreetPH# (231) 947-3700

ALPENA, MICHIGAN7 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2008Holiday InnUS 23 NorthPH# (989) 356-2151

CLEVELAND/ASHTABULA, OHIO1 p.m. Thursday, February 21, 2008Renaissance Quail Hollow ResortRt. I-90 (Exit 200)PH# (440) 352-6201

TOLEDO, OHIO1 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2008Toledo AMO HallOne Maritime PlazaPH# (419) 255-3940(800) 221-9395

Umpire hits MEBA with second Article XX violationReport: rival union again breached AFL-CIO Constitution on M/V Stewart J. Cort

An impartial umpire this monthruled the Marine Engineers’ BeneficialAssociation violated Article XX of theAFL-CIO Constitution by manning theM/V Stewart J. Cort for Interlake LeasingIII after American Maritime Officersmembers working aboard the vesselrefused to switch unions and were termi-nated by the company.

The AFL-CIO had already imposedsanctions on MEBA for its actions on theInterlake tug/barge DorothyAnn/Pathfinder. MEBA violated ArticleXX when it claimed to represent the offi-cers working aboard that vessel, despitethe fact that AMO was their exclusive col-lective bargaining agent. Under ArticleXX, one AFL-CIO affiliated union cannotencroach upon the established bargainingand/or work jurisdiction of another affili-ated union.

In a report dated Jan. 7, 2008,Impartial Umpire Howard Lesnick deter-mined MEBA had violated Article XX asecond time by manning the M/V Cort forInterlake Leasing III, a subsidiary ofInterlake Steamship Company.

In a letter dated Jan. 9, AFL-CIOPresident John Sweeney gave MEBAPresident Don Keefe 14 days to notify theFederation of what steps MEBA intends totake to comply with Lesnick’s ruling.

AMO represented the officers andstewards aboard the M/V Cort under afull-bodied agreement with InterlakeLeasing III. The agreement expired in2006 and was extended indefinitely whilea successor agreement was negotiated. InFebruary 2007, Interlake and AMOreached an oral agreement on a contractcovering the M/V Cort.

In March 2007, Interlake held acompany meeting at a resort in Floridaand had senior officers of the M/V Cortand their families attend. At the resort,Interlake Chief Executive Officer JamesBarker told AMO members they wouldhave to sever ties with AMO and joinMEBA to keep their jobs on the ship.Interlake offered $10,000 bonuses to someAMO members to switch unions, andoffered others more. In the end, all exceptone refused and were fired by Interlake.

In a letter dated March 5, 2007,Interlake notified AMO that it would notsign the agreed-upon contract.

AMO went on strike againstInterlake Leasing III March 10, andMEBA sent its members to work on theM/V Cort behind the AMO andInternational Brotherhood of ElectricalWorkers picket line.

“MEBA has already lost theirArticle XX protection and standing in theHouse of Labor,” said the AMO nationalvice president for the Great Lakes. “Asthey sink deeper into this collusive quag-mire, AMO remains on a legitimate coursetoward justice for our membership.”

AMO was the exclusive collectivebargaining agent for the officers and stew-ards working aboard a fleet of sevenInterlake Steamship Company self-unloading bulk carriers and had a validcontract with the company effectivethrough July 31, 2003.

In an arrangement brokered by ex-AMO official Jerry Joseph, Interlakeexecutives met in secrecy with MEBAofficials while the AMO contract was ineffect. On July 25, 2003, Interlake and

MEBA signed a concessionary 10-yearcontract covering the fleet’s engineers andmates.

In the week that followed the sign-ing of the contract, Interlake vessels wereboarded by MEBA officials, Interlakeexecutives and MEBA benefit fund repre-sentatives working together. During thatweek, the company’s engineers and mateswere ordered to join MEBA as a conditionof continued employment.

The Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder wasoperated by a subsidiary company,Interlake Transportation Inc., and mannedunder a separate contract with AMO. OnMarch 8, 2006, AMO was notified byInterlake Steamship that InterlakeTransportation Inc. had been dissolved,and that the Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder wasnow owned and operated directly byInterlake Steamship.

Interlake officials brought unionrepresentatives from MEBA onto theDorothy Ann/Pathfinder. The MEBA rep-resentatives advised the AMO officers thatthey were required to join MEBA as acondition of continued employment, asnoted in Lesnick’s report on AMO’s firstArticle XX complaint against MEBA.

Lesnick determined MEBA had“unquestionably displaced AMO” as theexclusive collective bargaining represen-tative of the officers aboard the vessel.Lesnick noted credible evidence of collu-sion between MEBA and InterlakeSteamship Company. He said the collu-sive pattern that led to a 10-year contractbetween MEBA and Interlake Steamshipin July 2003 “was repeated three yearslater in relation to the Dorothy Ann.”

In his report on the M/V Cort,Lesnick determined MEBA had violatedSection 2 of Article XX. He cited MEBA’sclaim that “AMO could have made a dif-

ferent offer than the one it made” and“Interlake chose to go another route.”Lesnick pointed out that “Section 2 seeksto prevent a rival affiliate from making itpossible for an employer to ‘go anotherroute’ while remaining a union shop.”

MEBA has appealed Lesnick’s rul-ing on the M/V Cort Article XX violationto the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO,which will schedule a hearing.

The Seafarers International Unionof North America, of which AMO is anaffiliate, has also appealed a portion of thedetermination and will seek to expand theruling for the M/V Cort to include a viola-tion of Section 3 of Article XX. Amongother things, Section 3 prohibits anyFederation-affiliated union “by agreementor collusion with any employer or by theexercise of economic pressure” from seek-ing “to obtain work for its members as towhich an established work relationshipexists with any other affiliate.”

While Lesnick ruled that MEBAviolated Section 2 of Article XX, he didnot find MEBA to be in violation ofSection 3. In his report, Lesnick noted:“Perhaps my earlier determination sup-plied a ‘roadmap’ for covering tracks; per-haps there were no tracks to be covered,for the employer hardly seemed reluctantto walk away from MEBA’s negotiatingposition.”

Separately, AMO has filed a lawsuitin the Lucas County (Ohio) Court ofCommon Pleas charging MEBA and theMEBA benefit funds with unlawfullyinterfering with a valid collective bargain-ing agreement between AMO andInterlake Steamship Company—tortiousinterference.

In the complaint, AMO is seeking$60 million in “direct and consequential”damages, $280 million in punitive dam-

ages, attorneys’ fees and court costs and“any further relief in law or equity towhich plaintiff (AMO) is entitled.”

MEBA has sought repeatedly butunsuccessfully to delay the case or shift itfrom the Ohio court to federal court. OnJan. 22, the U.S. Court of Appeals for theSixth Circuit dismissed another attemptfrom MEBA to have the case remanded toa federal court in a rehearing.

The trial on the tortious interferencecomplaint is scheduled for August 2008.Named as defendants in the lawsuit are theMarine Engineers’ Beneficial Association,former MEBA President Ron Davis, cur-rent MEBA President Don Keefe, theMEBA Medical and Benefits Plan, theMEBA Vacation Plan, the MEBA TrainingPlan, the MEBA 401(k) Plan and theMEBA Pension Trust.

AMO aboard the American Victory

Chief EngineerCharles Abel inthe engine roomof theS/S AmericanVictory.AmericanMaritime Officersrepresents theofficers andstewards aboardthe AmericanSteamshipCompany vessel.

The S/S American Victory in Toledo, Ohio.


High-voltage safety — what you don’t know may shock you

Woundedveterans toserve at U.S.MerchantMarineAcademy

Secretary of Transportation MaryPeters in January announced U.S. Navy andMarine Corps veterans wounded in combatwill be able to serve at the U.S. MerchantMarine Academy at Kings Point duringtheir recovery.

Assignment to the academy will pro-vide the veterans with the opportunity tocontinue active duty while they recuperatein a setting relatively close to their homesand families, Peters said. Students at KingsPoint will also benefit from the opportunityto interact with veterans with recent combatexperience.

Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS),Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughtonand Secretary of the Navy Donald Winterworked together to develop this program.Participating veterans will be eligible forlight duty assignments at Kings Point, suchas classroom instruction and student men-toring, under the Navy’s Safe HarborProgram and the Marine Corps’ WoundedWarrior Regiment.

“Our wounded veterans want verymuch to continue to contribute in a mean-ingful way,” Rep. Taylor said. “This givesthem the opportunity to do so. Being sur-rounded by enthusiastic young people canonly speed their recovery. I commendSecretary Winter for his continued dedica-tion to ensure our wounded sailors andMarines are given the best chance at a fullrecovery.”

“We will be honored to welcomethese heroes to Kings Point,” Connaughtonsaid. “It will provide them a safe haven forrecovery, and provides the benefit of theirknowledge and experience for the facultyand staff, as well as the midshipmen.”

Our wounded sailors and Marines canbring home the ideals of courage, serviceand personal sacrifice, and their experiencewill provide inspiration to the academy’scadets,” Peters said.

RTM STAR Center Engineering Instructor Todd Christensen

By Todd Christensen

What is a safe distance to stand fromsomeone working on an electrical circuitcontaining one cubic inch of copper?

If you fail to come up with the rightanswer to that question while workingonboard a vessel, it may be the last mistakeyou ever make. The answer to this question,and many others involving high-voltagesafety in the marine environment can befound in a new course being offered at RTMSTAR Center.

The three-day High-Voltage Safetycourse is taught by an instructor from theCadick Corporation with a lifetime ofknowledge of and experience with high-voltage systems. The scope and the detailsof the information presented are simplyamazing. And, so far, the officers who havetaken the course have been most amazed bywhat they didn’t know about high-voltagesafety going into the course, and what theyhave learned coming out of it.

Among the comments submitted bystudents attending the course so far are:

•Two years at one academy, threeyears at another and 20 years sailing—thisradically heightened my safety awareness

•It made me realize how lucky I havebeen

•Course will really make you thinknext time you are working around electrici-ty—it is a must to take

While it’s safe to say that Americanmariners are not seeking more regulationthan we already work under, and we don’twant to have to attend more courses than wealready do, taking this particular class couldvery well save your life on a ship.

I strongly encourage every officer I

talk with to take the High-Voltage Safetycourse at STAR Center. I particularlyencourage deck officers to enroll. Even ifyou will not be working directly on electri-cal systems, it is absolutely vital for seniorand junior deck officers to be aware of thesafety practices that should be followed byall personnel working onboard a ship orsmaller vessel.

The information and procedurestaught in STAR Center’s High-VoltageSafety course are not readily available tomaritime officers elsewhere in the indus-try—not through word of mouth, notthrough shipboard training and not at themaritime academies.

A few of the questions addressed bythis course include:

•Shock is one of three hazards associ-ated with electricity. What are the othertwo?

•Three-phase power systems cancause fatal burns from distances in excess ofhow many feet?

•What are two methods of protectionfrom an electrical arc?

•What range of milli-amps has beendetermined to frequently cause a fatality?

A chief engineer and academy gradu-ate who recently took the STAR Centercourse remarked to me that the High-Voltage Safety course is as important forofficers as fire fighting training.

STAR Center has offered the coursethree times, and the next class is scheduledto begin March 24. I took the second course

offered here as a student and have sat in onthe other two, both to review the course asit is conducted and to pick up additionaldetails about electrical system safety andregulation as they are being taught. I havelearned something new every time.

I want to remind all AMO officersinterested in coming to Dania Beach to takeHigh-Voltage Safety that the AMO Safety& Education Plan now provides up to $200in reimbursement for travel costs to attendtraining at either STAR Center site.

If you have any questions or wouldlike more information about High-Voltage Safety training at STAR Center,please give me a call at (800) 942-3220ext. 7830 or contact me by e-mail [email protected].

Class size is limited and courses havebeen filling up fast, so please register early.I hope to see you on the roster for the nextcourse.

Todd Christensen is an engineeringinstructor at RTM STAR Center in DaniaBeach, Fla.

American Maritime Officers mem-bers John Phillips and Gregory

Shepard completed the Gas TurbineEndorsement course at RTM STAR

Center in Dania Beach, Fla., inJanuary.

American Maritime Officers Deep-Sea Dispatcher Robert Anderson

congratulates AMO MemberRichard Cyrus, who recently earned

his unlimited master’s license.

AMO officerstrain, upgrade

American Maritime Officersreceived the following message from AMOmember Mary Ann Bennett, who receivedaid from the AMO Membership AssistanceProgram.

I can not express the magnitude ofgratitude my mom, brother and myselffeel. Your generosity is overwhelming;and it is not just the monetary support butthe compassion expressed by all that helpsone get through such a time as this.

On behalf of mother, Sally Bennett,

brother, Larry Bennett and myself, I wantto thank you from the bottom of ourhearts. It makes me proud to be a part ofa union that cares about their membersand mankind in general. This thanks goesout to all the AMO members, officers,union employees, AMO plans employersand others who made voluntary contribu-tions to our union’s disaster relief fund.

Sincerely and fraternally,Mary Ann Bennett

Union memberpraises AMOMembershipAssistanceProgram


Coast Guard reports on COSCO Busan responseIn an incident specific preparedness

review published Jan. 11, the U.S. CoastGuard cited both the effective aspects of itsresponse to oil spill in San Francisco Baylast November, as well as areas of theresponse effort that could be improved.

On Nov. 7, 2007, the M/V COSCOBusan allided with a support tower of theBay Bridge in conditions described asheavy fog. The allision ripped open some ofthe ships fuel tanks and more than 53,000gallons of oil were spilled into SanFrancisco Bay. The original figure reportedby the unified command to the media was58,000 gallons, based on the notes of anofficial from the California Office of SpillPrevention and Response.

According to the timeline provided inthe Coast Guard report, the COSCO Busanallided with the Delta Tower pier of the BayBridge, damaging the pier’s fendering sys-tem and the port side of the ship at 0830Nov. 7, 2007. The allision ripped open threeof the ship’s wing tanks on the port side.

Of the 53,569 gallons spilled, 19,466were recovered on the water during the firsttwo weeks following the allision.Additionally, about 4,500 gallons wererecovered from land during the two weeksfollowing the allision, according to thereport.

The 155-page report provides adetailed and open account of many aspectsof the initial response, including anticipatedelements incorporated in the area responseplan, unforeseen events and the coordina-tion of volunteer efforts in the cleanup andoil recovery efforts.

The report does not cover factorsleading to the ship’s allision with the BayBridge.

The National Transportation Safety

under a court order from the U.S. DistrictCourt for the Northern District of Californiain San Francisco. The warrant for the ship’sarrest coincided with a class action lawsuitseeking more than $100 million in dam-ages. Among the defendants named in thelawsuit, as well as the arrest warrant, areshipowner Regal Stone Ltd., and chartererHanjin Shipping Co.

That lawsuit is one of two that havebeen filed by commercial fishermen andfishing interests in the Bay Area, citing theimpact of oil spills on marine life and fish-ing operations. Following the spill,California Governor ArnoldSchwarzenegger postponed the fishing andcrabbing seasons. One of the two civil suitsseeks to employ experts to determine thelong-term viability of San Francisco Bayfish for human consumption.

The City of San Francisco has alsofiled a lawsuit against “the parties responsi-ble for the Nov. 7 oil spill incident in theSan Francisco Bay.” According to the pressrelease announcing the city’s lawsuit, “theextent of the damage caused by the spill andthe economic ramifications for the city andcounty of San Francisco are yet unknown,but the damages will potentially total mil-lions of dollars.”

The U.S. Department of Justice hasfiled a claim for damages against the own-ers of the COSCO Busan and San FranciscoBar pilot John Cota, who was onboard at thetime of the allision, and is also named in thecity’s lawsuit and another of the civilactions. Cota voluntarily deposited hislicense with the Coast Guard at the agency’srequest.

The Coast Guard cleared the COSCOBusan to resume operations at the end of2007.

The M/V COSCO Busan allided with a support tower of the Bay Bridge lastNovember, tearing open some of the ship’s fuel tanks and causing a 53,569-gal-lon oil spill into San Francisco Bay.

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard

NTSB: first-trip watchstander on duty in groundingof Majestic paddlewheeler off coast of Alaska

The preliminary report of theNational Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) on the May 14, 2007, groundingof Majestic America Line’s sternwheelriverboat, Empress of the North, off thecoast of Alaska found there was a newemployee, one who had received no train-ing aboard the vessel and was unfamiliarwith the waters being traversed, on watchat the time the ship hit a submerged por-tion of a charted rock, according to anAssociated Press report.

The ship grounded 25 miles south-west of Juneau on the second day of aseven-day cruise, forcing the evacuationof 206 passengers. Following the ground-ing, the vessel apparently drifted into thevicinity of Hanus Reef.

While the NTSB’s preliminaryreport drew no conclusions, it notedMarino Cattiotti was assigned a four-hourwatch from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. becauseanother navigator fell ill. According to theAP report, Cattiotti told NTSB investiga-tors he recently graduated from a maritimeacademy and was unfamiliar with thewaters, received no training on that shipand had not participated in any drillsaboard the vessel.

The AP reported the NTSB inter-viewed six of Cattiotti’s instructors fromthe academy. The instructors told theNTSB they believed “in general, placing arecent graduate of the school with nowatch experience outside of a trainingenvironment, at night, in pilotage waters,in an unfamiliar vessel, without additional

preparation and/or supervision, wasimprudent,” according to the AP report.

It could be months before the NTSBreleases a full final report, but it has madeavailable a few more details about thegrounding. The NTSB reported the crewwas apparently trying to complete a turn,and failed, when the ship “raked across arocky shoal.” The NTSB is expected toreport later as to why the event occurred.

According to Seattle Times, theMajestic America Line vessel has run intotrouble since its launch in 2003. Thenewspaper has reported these incidents:

•Oct. 22, 2003: Hit a navigation

lock at the Ice Harbor dam on the SnakeRiver near Pasco. The lock was closed toall traffic for two days and remainedclosed to recreational boats for about fiveweeks, when it was repaired by the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers.

•Nov. 27, 2003: Developed steeringproblems on the Columbia River near TheDalles, Ore., and ran aground. A passengerand two crew members suffered minorinjuries. The ship worked free on its ownpower and tied up at a barge dock.

•Feb. 25, 2006: Failed a sanitationtest by inspectors from the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention.

•Mid-March, 2006: 26 passengersand seven crew members took ill withvomiting and diarrhea during a five-dayColumbia River cruise.

•March 24, 2006: Ran aground on asandbar near Washougal, Wash., as it triedto avoid a barge. Nearly 200 passengerswere evacuated. Crews pumped 20,000 gal-lons of diesel fuel from the vessel to make iteasier to refloat, and two tug boats freed it.

•May 14, 2007: Began taking onwater after it ran aground off the Alaskacoast, forcing the evacuation of more than200 passengers before it was able to moveagain with a Coast Guard escort.

in the lawsuit challenging the legality ofthe cross-border program.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), whospearheaded the addition of the languageprohibiting the use of funds for the cross-border trucking program, protested theadministration’s interpretation of the billas being “in direct violation of federallaw,” according to the Inside U.S. Tradereport. Sen. Dorgan called upon the DOTto cease its current ‘demonstration pro-gram’ with Mexico.

The North American Free TradeAgreement, which was implemented in1994, required that the U.S. open U.S.-

Mexico border states to Mexican trucking in1995. Further, it required that Mexicantrucks and drivers be allowed access to allstates in the U.S. by Jan. 1, 2000. In theinterim, it allowed Mexican trucks to travelin a commercial zone ranging from 3 to 20miles into U.S. soil to deliver cargoes boundfor interior states.

Under the Clinton administration,Mexican trucking operations were deniedopen access to the U.S. and, until the onsetof the Bush administration’s program lastSeptember, had continued to be limited tothe commercial zones.

Although this issue exclusivelyaffects ground transportation, it has strongparallels with U.S. cabotage laws, includ-ing the Jones Act. Cabotage laws reservethe waterborne transportation of cargo and

passengers for ships built in the U.S.,crewed with U.S. citizens, and ownedand operated by companies for which amajority of stakeholders are U.S. citi-zens.

The administration’s position ontrucking indicates a political inclinationmay exist in which national safety andU.S. sovereignty over the domestictransportation system could be sacri-ficed for short-term and limited econom-ic gain and the placation of internationaltrading partners.

Nonetheless, the swift responsefrom Congress to cut off funding for thecross-border program demonstrates thedetermination within the LegislativeBranch to maintain American sovereigntyover U.S. domestic transportation systems.

TruckingContinued from Page 3

Board is investigating the allision, and theSubcommittee on Coast Guard andMaritime Transportation in the House of

Representatives held a hearing on the inci-dent Nov. 19, 2007.

The COSCO Busan was arrested


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

GENERAL COURSES

ISO 9001:2000 Lead Auditor Training 5 days 28 April

ABS NS5 (“Safe Net” update) 3 days 30 June

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 17 March 14 April 12 May 16 June 14 July 18 August 15 September

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

5 days 14 April 28 July

Advanced Shiphandling for Third Mates—(60 daysseatime equivalency for Third Mates)

10 days 12 May 18 August

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

5 days 24 March 23 June 22 September

Personal Survival Techniques (Monday-Tuesday a.m.) 1 1/2 days 24 March 23 June 22 September

Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (Tuesday p.m.) 1/2 day 25 March 24 June 23 September

Elementary First Aid (Wednesday) 1 day 26 March 25 June 24 September

Fire Fighting & Fire Prevention (Thursday-Friday)—Notrequired if “Combined Basic & Advanced Fire Fighting” com-pleted within 12 months

2 days 27 March 26 June 25 September

Basic Safety Training -Refresher 3 days 25 March 25 June 24 September

Bridge Resource Management Seminar 3 days 28 May

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 31 March 5 May 14 July 29 September

GMDSS 10 days 2-Jun

Integrated Bridge System/Podded Propulsion 5 days 4 February 2 June 22 September

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 28 April 25 August

Tankerman PIC DL - Classroom 5 days 31 March 16 June 25 August

Tankerman PIC DL - Simulator 10 days 28 April

Tankerman PIC LNG 8 days 3 March 7 April 2 June 21 July 15 September

LNG Simulator Training 5 days 24 March 12 May 7 July 11 August

LNG Addendum to SIGTTO Standards 1 day 13 March 17 April 12 June 1 August 25 September

Train The Trainer—Requires after hours homework 5 days 3 March 31 March 28 July

Vessel/Company/Port Facility Security Officer 3 days 17 March 27 May 23 July 3 September

Visual Communications (Flashing Light)—test only 1 days Please call

ENGINEERING COURSES

Electrical, Electronic, Control Engineering 4 weeks 9 June 8 September

Engine Room Resource Management 5 days 3 March 2 June

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 24 March 21 April 19 May 25 June 13 August

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 5 May 18 August

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 24 March 19 May 28 July

Steam Crossover 4 weeks 7 July

MSC TRAINING PROGRAM—includes self-study courses Afloat Environmental Protection Coordinator, Anti-Terrorism Level 1 and Crew Endurance Management (see below).Additional courses, including Marine Sanitation Devices and Water Sanitation Afloat will be included soon.

CBRD Orientation 1 day 27 March 22 May 24 July 25 September

Damage Control 2 days 24 April 26 June 28 August

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 4 February 21 April 27 May 16 June 14 July 15 September

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 3 March 22 May 11 August

ICODES Training—For Masters/Chief Mates aboard MARADships and others chartered by MSC. Follows deck upgradecargo class

1 day Please call

Medical PIC Refresher—Note: Not MSC approved. 3 days 20 May 27 August

Small Arms - Initial & Refresher Training 3 days 24 March 21 April 19 May 23 June 21 July 25 August 22 September

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 11days. Any places not taken by the contracted companies shall be made available to the membership on a chronological order basis.

Small Arms Training (Initial & Refresher) 3 days 10 March 7 April 5 May 9 June 7 July 11 August 8 September

Elementary First Aid 1 day 13 March 10 April 8 May 12 June 10 July 14 August 11 September

Drug Collector Training 1 day 14 March 11 April 9 May 13 June 11 July 15 August 12 September

Breath Alcohol Test Collector 1 day 15 March 12 April 10 May 14 June 12 July 16 August 13 September

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 17 March 14 April 12 May 16 June 14 July 18 August 15 September

MEDICAL COURSES

Elementary First Aid—Note: Prerequisite for Medical CareProvider within preceding 12 months

1 day 25 March 22 April 17 June 15 July 16 September

Medical Care Provider—Note: Prerequisite for MedicalPerson In Charge within preceding 12 months. Please faxEFA certificate when registering

3 days 26 March 23 April 18 June 16 July 17 September

Medical Person In Charge—Note: Please FAX MedicalCare Provider certificate when registering

5 days 28 April 23 June 21 July 22 September

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 5 May 25 August 29 September

Breath Alcohol Test 1 day 6 May 26 August 30 September

RADAR COURSES

Radar Recertification 1 day 3 March 18 April 19 May 12 June 3 July 8 August 15 September

ARPA 4 days 2 September

Radar Recertification & ARPA 5 days Please Call

ECDIS 5 days 10 March 5 May 29 September

Original Radar Observer Unlimited 5 days 25 August

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

Afloat Environmental Protection Coordinator (CD) Anti-Terrorism Level 1 (Online) Crew Endurance Management (CD)

DoT - Hazardous Materials Transportation Training (CD) Prudent Mariner’s Guide to Right Whale Protection (CD)


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

DIESEL ENDORSEMENTCourse Length—23 DaysApril 21 September 8

BASIC SAFETY TRAININGCourse Length—One WeekMarch 3, 10 April 14, 21 June 16, 23

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFTCourse Length—Four DaysMarch 24 May 27 July 21

ECDIS/ECPINSCourse Length—Three Days (Monday-Wednesday)Call for scheduled courses

8.5-HOUR ELEMENTARY FIRST AID/CPRCourse Length—One Day (prerequisite for 24-hour MCP)April 28 June 30 September 2

24-HOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERCourse Length—Three DaysApril 29 July 1 September 3

40-HOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERCourse Length—One WeekMarch 24 May 5 July 7

CBRDCourse Length—One DayCall for scheduled courses

VESSEL/COMPANY/PORT SECURITY OFFICERCourse Length—Three DaysJune 9 September 15 December 8

PERSONAL SAFETY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYCourse Length—4 HoursMarch 5, 12 April 16, 23 June 18, 25

RFPNW (Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch)Course Length—One DayCall for scheduled courses

STCW DECK OFFICER REFRESHERCourse Length—Three DaysApril 7 September 29

FIRE PREVENTION & FIRE FIGHTINGCourse Length—Two DaysMarch 6, 13 April 17, 24 June 19, 26

BASIC WELDINGCourse Length—10 DaysJuly 7 December 1

Officer in charge of a navigational watch: Successful com-pletion of this program will satisfy the training requirements forSTCW certification as third mate and second mate on vesselsof 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC)

ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONCourse Length—Five DaysMarch 31 July 7

BASIC SHIPHANDLING AT OPERATIONAL LEVELCourse Length—Five DaysApril 21 July 21

CARGO HANDLING AND STOWAGECourse Length—Five DaysApril 7 July 14

SHIP CONSTRUCTION AND STABILITYCourse Length—Five DaysApril 14 July 28

TERRESTRIAL NAVIGATIONCourse Length—Two WeeksApril 28 August 4

METEOROLOGYCourse Length—Five DaysJune 2 September 8

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND SARCourse Length—Four DaysMay 27 September 2

WATCHKEEPINGCourse Length—10 DaysMarch 3 May 12 August 18

CELESTIAL NAVIGATIONCourse Length—Two WeeksMarch 17 June 9 September 15

MAGNETIC & GYRO COMPASSCourse Length—Three DaysMarch 31 June 23 September 29

ARPA CERTIFICATIONCourse Length—Four Days (Monday-ThursdayMarch 11 April 8 May 20

ORIGINAL RADAR CERTIFICATIONCourse Length—Five DaysMarch 3, 10, 31 May 12 June 23

RADAR RECERTIFICATIONCourse Length—One DayMarch 7, 10, 17, 24, 28 April 4, 7, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28May 2, 5, 9, 16, 19, 30 June 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 27

RECERT & ARPACourse Length—Five DaysMarch 10 April 7 May 19

BRIDGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENTThree-Day Course—Open To All Deck OfficersApril 14 June 16 August 4

FAST RESCUE BOATCourse Length—Four DaysMarch 31 June 2 July 28

GMDSSCourse Length—10 DaysApril 28 July 7 November 10

ADVANCED SHIPHANDLING FOR THIRD MATESCourse Length—Two WeeksJune 9 October 27

40-HOUR ABLE SEAMANCourse Length—One WeekMarch 17 May 19 July 14

MARLIN SPIKECourse Length—One DayMarch 28 July 25 October 24

ELEMENTARY FIRST AID/CPRCourse Length—One DayMarch 3, 10 April 14, 21 June 16, 23

PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUESCourse Length—12 HoursMarch 4, 11 April 15, 22 June 17, 24

DECK LICENSE UPGRADE: SECOND OFFICER TO CHIEF MATE / MASTER—Successful completion of this program will satisfy the training requirements forSTCW certification as Master or Chief Mate on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC). This program will complete ALL 53 Control Sheet assessments.

Cargo Operations 9 days 24 March 16 June 15 September

Celestial Navigation—Note: A thorough review andunderstanding of the topics covered in Parts 4 & 5 ofPub. Number 9, The American Practical Navigator(Bowditch), is a prerequisite.

5 days 19 May 28 July

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 21 April 28 April 4 August 11 August 15 September

Shipboard Management 5 days 21 April 12 May 23 June 18 August 25 August

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology 5 days 5 May 7 July 29 September

Upgrade: Navigation 10 days 3 March 7 April 12 May 9 June 21 July 8 September

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 31 March 28 April 14 July 1 September

Upgrade: Stability—Note: It is recommended that chap-ters 1-13 in the book Stability and Trim for the Ship’sOfficer be reviewed prior to attending this course

5 days 2 June 25 August

Watchkeeping 1 (Bridge Resource Management)—Note: Watchkeeping Weeks 1 and 2 MUST be completedwithin 12 months of each other.

3 days 18 March 4 June 6 August 24 September

Watchkeeping 2 (COLREGS)—Note: WatchkeepingWeeks 1 and 2 MUST be completed within 12 months ofeach other.

5 days 24 March 9 June 11August 29 September

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

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

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


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

DANIA BEACH:TOLEDO:

NEW YORK:

March 3, April 7March 5, April 9March 7, April 11

HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 330042 West Dixie Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Tom Bethel, National President ([email protected])José E. Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer ([email protected])Jack Branthover, Special Assistant to the National President([email protected])FAX: (954) 926-5112Joseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea([email protected])Paul Cates, National Executive Board Member At Large([email protected])John Hafner, National Executive Board Member, Inland Waters([email protected])Charles Murdock, National Representative ([email protected])FAX: (954) 920-3257Dispatch: (800) 345-3410FAX: (954) 926-5126Brendan Keller ([email protected])Robert Anderson ([email protected])Member Services: Extension 1050 ([email protected])

PORTS

BROOKLYN, NY 11232652 Fourth Avenue(800) 545-9589Don Nilsson, National Executive Board Member, Deep Sea([email protected])FAX: (718) 965-1766

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

TOLEDO, OH 43604The Melvin H. Pelfrey BuildingOne Maritime Plaza(419) 255-3940 / (800) 221-9395FAX: (419) 255-2350Daniel Smith, National Executive Vice President ([email protected])Donald Cree, National Vice President Great Lakes ([email protected])Brian Krus, National Assistant Vice President Great Lakes([email protected])Stan Barnes, National Representative ([email protected])Phillip Kelley, Dispatcher ([email protected])

GALVESTON, TX 7755413730 FM 3005, SUITE 170David Weathers, National Executive Board Member At Large([email protected])(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001 / Mobile: (409) 996-7362

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191482604 S. 4th Street(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001Robert Kiefer, National Assistant Vice President At Large([email protected])FAX: (215) 755-2574

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SWSuite 7204(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001Edward Kelly, National Vice President At Large ([email protected])Charles Crangle, Director of Congressional and Legislative Affairs([email protected])Paul Doell, Special Assistant to the National President([email protected])FAX: (202) 479-1188

RTM CAMOT/STAR CENTERS

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

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

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

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

LEGAL

Joel Glanstein, General Counsel Michael Reny305 Madison Ave. Suite 2240 AMO Coast Guard LegalNew York, NY 10165 Aid Program(212) 370-5100 (419) 243-1105 / (888) 853-4662FAX: (212) 697-6299 Mobile: (419) 346-1485

[email protected]

Union accepting resumés for new shoreside, seagoing jobopportunities as online CHART system is developed

American Maritime Officers is devel-oping a Career History, Assessment and

Recruitment Tracking (CHART) system tooptimize the application process and

employment potential for AMO membersinterested in shoreside and seagoing jobsunder the union’s new agreement withFaststream Recruitment.

The CHART system will be availableonline in the near future. While the system isbeing developed, AMO members interestedin new opportunities under the Faststreamagreement can send simple resumés definingwork experience and training history toAMO Director of New Business Tom Lairdby e-mail at [email protected].

As shoreside and seagoing positionsbecome available through Faststream, theywill be posted with AMO Dispatching, andguidance will be available to AMO membersqualified for and interested in specific posi-tions. Hiring for these positions will be com-petitive.

When the CHART system is complet-ed, AMO members will be able to file workexperience and training data online. CHARTwill employ a database to record information

supplied by participating AMO officers. Thedata will be used to gauge the experience andtraining of participating officers, and toadvise them of any additional courses andpractical experience required for certain jobs.CHART will consist of the following ele-ments:

•Career History: participating AMOofficers will be able to input their informationinto an online form, which will be accessibleon the AMO Web site. AMO members willbe responsible for updating their own dataover time.

•Assessment: AMO officers canrequest that STAR Center evaluate theirwork and training history and make recom-mendations to enhance their career develop-ment. Existing data in the Training RecordSystem can be employed to maximize effi-ciency.

•Recruitment Tracking: the database,

See CHART � Page 12


In an effort to provide American Maritime Officers (AMO) Plan participants with infor-mation regarding frequently discussed topics, the following summaries have been prepared.Please read each item carefully as they contain important benefit information that may affectyou and your eligible dependents:

I. AMO Medical Plan-Prescription Drug ID Cards and Medical Plan CIGNAID Cards:All eligible AMO Medical Plan participants should have 2 ID cards in their possession

as follows: 1. Envision/RxOptions Prescription Drug Card: There will be no changes to the current

Prescription Drug Benefit, therefore, please continue to use your current Prescription DrugI.D. cards.

2. AMO Medical Plan CIGNA ID Card: As you know, effective January 1, 2008 theAMO Medical Plan transitioned to CIGNA PPO. All eligible participants should havereceived an AMO Medical Plan CIGNA I.D valid effective January 1, 2008 (If you are aPPOM participant you may continue to use this card if necessary). If you are a Medicare eli-gible Pensioner, please continue to use your current AMO Medical Plan I.D. Card. The tran-sition to CIGNA will not affect Medicare eligible Pensioners.

•Please use your new I.D. card for all medical services rendered on or after January 1,2008 (the card contains important benefit, eligibility and billing information).

•You will need to advise your provider of service or medical service facility that youhave a change in PPO Networks to CIGNA effective January 1, 2008.

For services on or after January 1, 2008, all Medical claims from medical providers (In-or Out-of-Network), not including pharmacists, will be sent to CIGNA and then forwarded tothe AMO Medical Plan for benefit payment. All Medicare claims and claims that requiredirect member reimbursement (Optical, Dental, Scholarship, Disability, etc.) must be sent tothe AMO Medical Plan office for processing. All Prescription drug claims purchased atyour pharmacy will continue to be processed at the point of sale in the same manner withno changes.

If you require additional cards, please contact the Plan office at (800) 348-6515 or viae-mail at [email protected].

II. New Website for AMO 401(k) Plan and Money Purchase Benefit We are pleased to announce that effective Wednesday, March 5, 2008, you will have the

ability to manage every aspect of your retirement account through the plandestination.comwebsite. Please note that there will be no loss of access to the account during the transition.

A simple change of URL from www.thebenefitsline.com to www.plandestination.comis all it takes.

On this enhanced site, you will be able to obtain your account balances and performtransactions, view your personal performance and rate of return, determine your individual

Important benefits information for Plans participantsinvestment profile, access a comprehensive education and information section, and muchmore.

To learn more about this new website and its many features, you can take a convenientguided tour before using the site. A site demo is available at www.newportgroup.com. Afteryou log on, select the “Demos” link at the top of the home page, then select “QualifiedParticipant Website” on the next page.

On March 5, 2008, you may log on to www.plandestination.com using your SocialSecurity Number and existing personal identification number (PIN).

Please note that on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, the toll-free number for the VoiceResponse System and Client Service Center will change to 800-650-1065. As a result of thischange, you will have the option to speak with a Client Service Representative and bypass theVoice Response System if you would like.

Your AMO 401(k) and MPB are important parts of your benefits package, and one thatwe are pleased to offer to help you reach your financial destinations.

Gain more control over your financial future with plandestination.com•Check balances, perform transactions, and reference all of your account information in

one place.•Obtain real-time stock market updates and market news.•Research investment options and use planning tools to get the answers to your specif-

ic questions.•Explore financial topics in depth, organized around common life events.•Set your decisions in motion by managing your account online.•Note that URL is changing from thebenefitsline.com to plandestination.com•New Voice Response System toll-free number: (800) 650-1065•New Client Service Center toll-free number: (800) 650-1065As always, feel free to contact your AMO Benefits Representatives at (800) 348-6515

for benefits related items, or, you can call our Smith Barney Financial Advisors, LarryGoldstock and Sam Brandwein, at (800) 975- 7061 for your investment and financial serviceinquiries.

III. How Does the AMO Pension Plan provide Pension Credit for Past Service?Service with Newly Contributing Employer (Prior to 9/15/03)-One Year Rule

If an employee becomes a Participant prior to September 15, 2003 as part of a new unitof employees entering the Plan as a result of an agreement with the American MaritimeOfficers, the Participant may be credited with all continuous employment with that employerin that unit after the employer has contributed to the Plan for one year, provided the Participant

See AMO Plans � Page 12


AMO aboard theOcean Titan inthe MSP fleet

AMO members working aboard theOcean Titan, here in Lake Charles,La., in November 2007, includedChief Mate Jeff Raider and Capt.Joshua Osbourne. The OceanTitan is one of 60 vessels enrolledin the Maritime Security Program.

AMO members working aboard theOcean Titan in November includedChief Engineer Ed Curran and FirstAssistant Engineer John Jordan.The Ocean Titan is operated byPacific Gulf Marine and manned inall licensed positions by AmericanMaritime Officers.

AMO members working aboard theOcean Titan in November includedFirst Assistant Engineer Jordan,First A.E. Michael Bagley and ThirdMate Cezar Poninski.

Constructionbegins onsecond newtanker inseries forU.S. Shipping

Construction began in January on thesecond new tanker in a series of nine beingbuilt for U.S. Shipping Partners at NationalSteel and Shipbuilding Company (NASS-CO) in San Diego, Calif.

The 600-foot, 49,000-deadweight-tonproduct carrier is due to be delivered in thesecond quarter of 2009. The ships in theseries will have a cargo capacity of 331,000barrels each, and are designed to carrypetroleum and chemical products in theJones Act trades. The first is slated for deliv-ery in early 2009.

American Maritime Officers repre-sents all licensed officers working in theU.S. Shipping fleet and recently secured anew contract with the company.

In addition to the new tankers, U.S.Shipping is also building a series of fournew articulated tug/barges. The first ATB inthe series, Freeport/Chemical Transporter,is currently operating in the Jones Acttrades.

U.S. Shipping has secured chartersfor four of the nine new tankers being built.Two of the charters are with major oil com-panies and the other two are with MilitarySealift Command. The MSC time charterscover petroleum product transportation insupport of the U.S. military, replacing twoT-5 tankers expected to reach the end oftheir service life in 2010.

remained in the employ of the employer at the conclusion of the one year and earned 200 daysof Covered Employment during the year.

Past Service Credit in the Maritime Industry (prior to 9/15/03)-Ten Year RuleIf an employee first became a Participant in this plan prior to September 15, 2003 and

was formerly a Participant in any other pension plan in the maritime industry (excluding thoseplans with which this Plan has a reciprocal agreement), he may be granted credit for servicethat was credited under the other plan after he has earned 10 years of Pension Credit under thisPlan subsequent to any one-year Break-in-Service. Past service credit is granted only if suchservice would have otherwise been credited under the terms of this Plan.

Offset of Company or Other Maritime Pension PlanBenefits payable under the American Maritime Officers Pension Plan to Participants

who receive past service credit will be offset by any benefits payable under the pension planthe Participant was covered by during such period of past service. The amount of the offsetwill be determined by converting the benefit under the other Plan, regardless of when or howit is paid, into an actuarially equivalent benefit payable at normal retirement age, using theAMO Plan’s definition of actuarial equivalence.

The AMO Plan’s definition of actuarial equivalence is:a) 6% Interest Rateb) 1971 Group Annuity Mortality TableIf you feel you are eligible to receive past service credit under the AMO Pension Plan,

please provide the Plan office with copies of USCG Discharges, Company letters that specifythe time periods and ratings, and documentation of participation in a company or other pen-sion plan. In addition, a useful resource for employment information and records is the U.S.Department of Transportation Maritime Administration website at www.marad.dot.gov.

If you have any questions regarding this publication or any of the Plan’s benefits, pleasecontact the Plan office at:

Telephone: (954) 920-4247 or (800) 348-6515 Fax: (954) 920-9482 Web site: www.amoplans.com E-Mail:•Medical Plan: [email protected]•Pension Plan and MPB: [email protected]•Vacation Plan: [email protected]•401(k) Plan: [email protected]

AMO PlansContinued from Page 11

SIU leaders address meeting ofAMO National Executive Board

Seafarers International Union President Mike Sacco and Executive VicePresident Augie Tellez addressed the American Maritime Officers NationalExecutive Board Feb. 6. AMO members William Boyd (second from left),Susan McKenna and Mark Lettieri (right) attended and addressed meetingsof the AMO National Executive Board the week of Feb. 4 in Hallandale, Fla.,as well as meetings of the AMO Plans Trustees.

CHARTContinued from Page 10

in conjunction with the existing TrainingRecords System, will help the union deter-mine availability of AMO members with therequired experience and training for newpositions. The system will be used to gener-ate specialized application documents for

AMO members specific to the market inwhich new job opportunities are available.

A detailed report will be provided tothe AMO membership when the CHARTsystem is deployed.

For questions about training, assess-ment and career development, contact JerryPannell, RTM STAR Center director ofmember training and officer development, at(800) 942-3220 ext. 7507.

AMO members attend Executive Board,AMO Plans Trustees meetings

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