February 2019Volume 49, Number 2

In This Issue:A new front in long war over Jones Act and Puerto Rico

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Page 8: New Safety and Education Plan Course Schedule and Updates

Copyright © 2019 American Maritime Officers H editorial@amo-union.org

Page 3: Phone number for managing individual retirement accounts

Legislation introduced to honor World War II U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans

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AMO jobs secure as MSC awards contract for Expeditionary Transfer Docks to Ocean Ships

In January, Military SealiftCommand awarded the operating contract for the Expeditionary Transfer Dock vessels USNS Montford Point and USNS John Glenn to Ocean Ships, Inc., the incumbent operator. Members of American Maritime Officers will continue to man both ships in all licensed positions. The contract includes a one-year base period with four one-year options and one six-month op-tion. If all options are exercised, the contract will extend until November 2024. In this U.S. Navy file photo, a landing craft air cushion transports Marine Corps amphibious assault vehi-cles to the USNS Montford Point during an amphibious opera-tions demonstration conducted as part of a Rim of the Pacific exercise off the coast of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

M/V Endurance, M/V Resolve deliver for Atlantic ResolveIn January, the M/V Endurance — operated for American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (ARC) by TOTE Services, Inc. — discharged ARC’s largest military move ever by volume, 270,000 square feet of cargo, from the U.S.-flag fleet’s largest RO/RO vessel at the port of Zeebrugge. The Endurance offloaded over 1,500 units of military cargo — helicopters, rolling stock, and other support cargo — at the Wallenius Wilhelmsen terminal and another terminal in Zeebrugge, Belgium for use in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Also in January, ARC’s M/V Resolve discharged hundreds of pieces of military rolling stock — including tanks, Paladins and Bradley Fighting Vehicles — in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve at the port of Antwerp for the 1st Armored Brigade Com-bat Team (ABCT) of the 1st Infantry Division — Devil Brigade.

The 1st ABCT deployed from Fort Riley in the U.S. to Europe as the next ar-mored rotation unit for Operation Atlantic

Resolve. The Devil Brigade will replace the Ironhorse Brigade, the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry

Division from Fort Hood, Texas.The 1st ABCT will set up operations in

several countries across central and East-

ern Europe as U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) increases its presence across the region to help strengthen NATO’s defense and deter-rence measures. Operation Atlantic Resolve has been ongoing since 2014.

M/V Resolve was placed on charter to Military Sealift Command (MSC) for sealift support of this unit move. ARC’s M/V Independence II is also on charter to MSC in support of the 1st ABCT. The discharge was organized by the 598th Transporta-tion Brigade and the loading operation in Charleston was coordinated by the Army’s 597th Transportation Brigade.

The Resolve, Independence II and Endurance are manned in all licensed posi-tions by American Maritime Officers.

The Endurance carried the equipment for the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) of the 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas. The 1st CAB will deploy in Germany and throughout eastern Europe and the

In this U.S. Army file photo, military vehicles from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, roll off the M/V Resolve at Bremerhaven, Germany in January 2017, marking the beginning of back-to-back rotations of armored brigades in Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The M/V Resolve continues to serve in this operation. Atlantic Resolve — Continued on Page 6

2 February 2019

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A new front in long war over Jones Act and Puerto RicoBy Paul DoellNational President

Word out of Washington early this month was that the White House is considering a Jones Act waiver to accommodate the shipment of liquefied natural gas from the U.S. main-land to Puerto Rico, a 10-year breach requested by the U.S. island territory’s government in December 2018.

The official rationale behind this new waiver request from the U.S. territory’s Gover-nor is that Puerto Rico may want to shift to LNG as its principal power source, a potential hindered greatly by the island’s crumbling infrastructure. The move to natural gas would require an investment of more than $1 billion to convert existing power plants, and to build large-scale LNG import centers. It would also require mainland-based LNG suppliers to refocus a strategy centered on sales to foreign countries.

According to American Maritime Partnership — a Washington-based Jones Act sup-port coalition of which American Maritime Officers Service is a member and which American Maritime Officers supports — the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has but one working LNG import and gas conversion plant on the territory’s South coast, providing limited service to a nearby power generation station fed by foreign-sourced LNG.

PREPA wants to go with LNG for two existing power plants in San Juan — plants that are not ready to adapt to gas to generate electricity for the homes, businesses and public centers these plants now serve.

Put simply and briefly, existing infrastructure is incapable of providing natural gas to PREPA’s major plants.

This inherently impractical Jones Act waiver proposal is likely to draw support on Capitol Hill from the same bipartisan Congressional cluster that thought a one-year exemp-tion for Puerto Rico was a good idea after Hurricane Maria wrought widespread misery and ruin upon the territory in September 2017. But key House Democrats and Republicans have already moved to head off any harmful Hill initiative.

In a letter Feb. 6 to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, the leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said an LNG Jones Act waiver for Puerto Rico would be “unwarranted.”

“Administrative waivers of the Jones Act are constrained purposefully to rare cases where such a waiver is ‘necessary in the interest of national defense,’” the House letter explained. “Even in those cases where the Secretary of Homeland Security may consider a waiver based on the same national defense pretext, the Secretary is required to consider other information and additional conditions, such as the availability of U.S.-flag vessels. It is our belief that no valid national defense rationale exists to support this waiver request of the

Jones Act for Puerto Rico, especially for a 10-year period.“We can do many things to foster and support the recovery of Puerto Rico and its

citizens from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, and our Committee has done so,” the letter continued. “However, we believe there is no justification for waiving the Jones Act in this context.”

The four Congressmen also noted the Jones Act is and has been “a fundamental pillar of U.S. maritime policy for nearly a century.” The Jones Act has fostered “vibrant economic growth and ensured national security,” while sustaining “hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs in our domestic maritime trades and shipbuilding industries.”

Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Gibbs (R-OH) signed this letter.

The lawmakers’ timely defense of the Jones Act in this specific case was a solid line drawn clearly, an encouraging advisory from the House panel with immediate juris-diction that no dangerous precedent will be set with Puerto Rico, whether the issue is LNG shipments from the U.S. mainland, the persistent post-Maria calls for Jones Act waiver or exemption applied to barge and ship dry cargo movement or the ongoing Congressional consideration of the territory’s deeply troubled economy.

The danger, of course, is that any inroad against the Jones Act in Puerto Rico would inspire comparable strategies in Hawaii, Alaska and Guam. In time, well-heeled Jones Act critics would target coastal tanker trades, dry bulk cargo shipments on the Great Lakes, and the vast nationwide network of inland waterway and port tug and tow services — Jones Act repeal one debilitating stroke at a time.

The risk for AMO could not be higher — the permanent, staggering loss of jobs across the domestic market sectors and the concurrent loss of job-based employer contributions to AMO Plans, the benefit funds for all deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters AMO members and their families.

In a Dec. 28 letter to Secretary Nielsen, American Maritime Partnership made the additional relevant point that the Jones Act fits snugly into President Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” credo and the administration’s “America First” policy theme.

“AMP appreciates the desire of Puerto Rico to reduce its energy costs and AMP members are actively engaged to find solutions that are compliant with all laws, including the Jones Act, to achieve that goal,” the coalition said. “No one is better positioned than the leading participants in the domestic shipping industry to assess the economics of moving LNG to Puerto Rico.”

Our union is in the fight as well — full ahead, with AMP and through our own Capitol Hill contacts. We will keep the AMO membership informed along the way.

Greeting Seafarers International Union President Michael Sacco, who attended and addressed a meeting of the American Maritime Officers National Executive Board in January in Dania Beach, Fla., and SIU Assistant Vice President Kris Hopkins were former SIU members and current AMO members (from left) AMO East Coast Repre-sentative Todd Christensen; AMO National Vice President, Deep Sea, Joe Gremels-backer; AMO National Executive Vice President Mike Finnigan; Chief Mate Jennifer Senner; AMO National Vice President, Inland Waters, Danny Robichaux; and Captain Timothy English.

Greeting SIU President Michael Sacco at a meeting of the AMO National Executive Board in January in Dania Beach, Fla., were AMO National President Paul Doell and AMO member (and former SIU member) Second Assistant Engineer Gregory Shepard. AMO members also attending meetings of the AMO National Executive Board and the AMO Plans Board of Trustees in January included Chief Engineer Sean Holmes and Mate Joseph Brown.

February 2019 3

AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICER www.amo-union.org

AMO aboard Jones Act tanker Lone Star State

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Jones Act tanker Lone Star State in January, here in Port Everglades, Fla., included Third Mate Sarah Ballard, Third Mate Bryant Snyder, Second Mate Ryan Harkin, Chief Mate Eddie Mallon, Captain Nicholas Washabau, Chief Engineer Mike Homan, First Assistant Engineer Sean Jones, Second A.E. John Kirk and Third A.E. Paul Eickholt. The Lone Star State is oper-ated by Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.

Rep. Garamendi, Sen. Murkowski introduce legislationrecognizing U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War IICongressman John Garamendi (D-CA) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in January introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives and Senate to honor U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II — the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act.

“WWII was one of the greatest conflicts the world has ever seen. Many Americans proved their loyalty and brav-ery during this harrowing time, including our merchant mariners. Their brave ser-vice, no doubt, aided America in her ability to prevail,” said Senator Murkowski. “I’m proud that my legislation recognizes and honors the brave merchant mariners, the unsung heroes of WWII, who risked their lives to keep the Allied troops armed, fed, and fortified in the defense of America’s freedom.”

Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Angus King (I-ME), and

Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are cosponsors of the bill.

In the House, Congressman Gara-mendi introduced the bill with Representa-tives Don Young (R-AK) and Susan Brooks (R-IN) joining as original cosponsors. This legislation would award a Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in the United States, to merchant mariners who sustained our armed forces during World War II.

“Throughout the Second World War, our armed forces relied on the Merchant Marine to ferry supplies, cargo and personnel into both theaters of operation, and they paid a heavy price in service to their country,” said Rep. Garamendi. “The Merchant Marine suffered the highest per capita casualty rate in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. An estimated 8,300 mariners lost their lives, and anoth-er 12,000 were wounded, to make sure our

service members could keep fighting. Yet, these mariners who put their lives on the line were not even given veteran status until 1988.

“Last year, I got the chance to meet with three World War II merchant mariners: Charles Mills of Texas, age 97; Eugene Barner from Kansas, age 92; and Robert Weagant from Illinois, age 92. These mariners put their lives on the line for this country, braving German and Japanese submarines in their Liberty Ships as they delivered critical supplies to our service members in the European and Pacific theaters. Unfortunately, their sacrifice is commonly overlooked. A Congressional Gold Medal would give them the recognition they deserve, and that’s why I’ve introduced this bill: to give these veterans and their families the honor and respect they are owed.”

“The time has come for our nation

to provide a well-deserved thank you and honor the remaining Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII with a Congressional Gold Medal. This group of unsung heroes nobly served our country by operating the ships that transported critical supplies to front lines of the war, and in doing so suffered a casualty rate higher than any other branch of the military. In fact, one out of every 26 casualties during WWII was a volunteer merchant mariner. America would not be the great nation it is today without their valiant service of yesterday. I urge Congress to support this important bill and recognize this dwindling group of Merchant Marine Veterans from WWII that have served our nation so admirably,” said Christian Yuhas, vice president of Ameri-can Merchant Marine Veterans and a chief engineer merchant mariner.

The bill is awaiting action by the House Financial Services Committee.

Newport Group phone number, Webaddress for reviewing and managingindividual AMO Plans retirementinvestment accounts — 401(k), DefinedContribution Plan, Money Purchase Benefit

If you have questions regarding your individual AMO Plans retirement accounts — 401(k), Defined Contribution, Money Purchase Benefit — you can contact the Newport Group by phone at 800-650-1065. If you need investment advice, a Newport Group representative can transfer you to a Merrill Lynch advisor.

As before, there will continue to be no fee to consult with a professional investment advisor. You can review your accounts and investment selections online at https://www.newportgroup.com by clicking the “Log In” tab and selecting “Participant Access” from the menu.

4 February 2019

www.amo-union.org AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICER

U.S. Coast Guard: Important information about TWIC enrollmentThe following article was released by the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center.

Mariners applying for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) must list their occupation as Merchant Mariner on their Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) applica-tions. The United States Coast Guard relies on data provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) when evaluating MMC applications.

Personal data supplied to TSA must match what is provided to the Coast Guard on the

MMC application. If a TWIC applicant does not list his or her occupation as Merchant Mariner, the Coast Guard cannot reconcile the data provided by the TSA. In such cases, mariners may be asked to work with TSA to update information, which could result in MMC application issuance delays.

To begin the application process for a TWIC, visit the TSA TWIC enrollment website (https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/twic).

U.S. Coast Guard: National Maritime Center, RECs opened at end of January; document extensions due to shutdownThe following article was released January 29 by the National Maritime Center.

• The NMC reopened January 28, 2019, and is implementing measures to address increased levels of application inventory.

• Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) and Medical Certifications (National Endorse-ments only) set to expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 remain valid until May 31, 2019. (See Update 3 — Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropria-tions and Partial Government Shutdown — https://tinyurl.com/y7984q56.)

• Additional Information (AI) letters, Qualified Assessor (QA) letters, Designated Exam-iner (DE) letters, Proctor Approval letters, Approval to Test (ATT) letters, and mariner training completion certificates set to expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 re-main valid until April 30, 2019. (See Update 3 — Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown — https://tinyurl.com/y7984q56.)

• Mariners seeking to operate on STCW endorsements that expired on or after

December 1, 2018, may request continued service STCW dispensations via e-mail to STCWDispensations@uscg.mil. (For application details, see STCW Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown — online at https://tinyurl.com/y8cujnfm.)

• All RECs will be fully operational and open to the public by Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

• The scheduling system for REC examinations, application drop off, and other credentialing business will be active beginning Thursday, January 31, 2019.

The NMC is working to minimize the negative impact to the maritime industry and will publish additional information regarding furlough recovery operations as needed. For updates, please monitor the NMC website (www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/). If you have questions, contact the NMC Customer Service Center by sending an e-mail to IASKNMC@uscg.mil or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

The following article was released January 25 by the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center.

Due to circumstance of exceptional necessity, the United States is currently not able to process Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) or related endorsements issued under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended.

Pursuant to STCW Article VIII, dispensations may be granted for continued service for mariners operating on endorsements that expired on or after December 1, 2018, providing a renewal application was submitted to the National Maritime Center (NMC) and the company applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation. Requests should be submitted via e-mail to STCWDispensations@uscg.mil and should include the ship name, IMO number, mariner name, mariner reference number, capacity per STCW regulations, company name, company point

U.S. Coast Guard: STCW mitigation efforts due to lapse in fiscal year 2019 appropriations and partial government shutdown

of contact, and valid mariner e-mail. The Coast Guard will consider dispensation requests in accordance with the provisions of STCW Article VIII. If approved, dispensations will expire May 31, 2019. Once the STCW dispensation letter is issued, mariners shall carry the letter and a copy of this bulletin with the MMC.

Mariners who submitted applications for STCW endorsements prior to December 1, 2018, and are actively working or seeking employment may contact the NMC.

Medical Certificates are only valid for three months from the expiration date in accor-dance with STCW Regulation I/9 and applications are being processed upon receipt.

If you have questions, visit the NMC website (www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/), or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system (https://tinyurl.com/yb9b8t6l), by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Applications being accepted through August 2, 2019 for next class of The EngineeringCandidate Hawsepipe ProgramApplications for the next class of The Engineering Candidate Hawsepipe (TECH) Program are being accepted through August 2, 2019. The class is scheduled to com-mence in November 2019.

The TECH Program, which is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, satisfies all USCG and STCW 2010 training and sea time requirements for apprentice engineers completing the program to sit for the USCG third assistant engineer unlimited horse-power (motor) examinations with OICEW endorsement.

Members of American Maritime Officers are encouraged to recommend appli-cants for the TECH Program.

A comprehensive two-year program, TECH targets high-performing high school graduates with an interest in pursuing careers as marine engineers, and mentors them during comprehensive training rotations ashore at STAR Center and onboard ships operated under contract with American Maritime Officers. Apprentice engineers who successfully complete the program and attain their licenses sail as members of AMO.

Information on the program and how to apply is available on the STAR Center website: https://www.star-center.com/techprogram/techprogram.html.

Captain Jeff Dixon newPresident of TOTE ServicesThe following article was released by TOTE. American Maritime Officers represents the licensed officers aboard ships operated by TOTE Services.

Captain Jeff Dixon has assumed the role of President of TOTE Services following the retirement of Rear Admi-ral Phil Greene Jr.

Dixon joined TOTE Services in May 2017 and has served as the vice president of marine operations — government and commercial since starting with the company.

Prior to his time with TOTE Ser-vices, Dixon was a captain in the United States Coast Guard and spent 27 years on active duty. Most recently, he served in command of Sector Jacksonville, where he exercised Captain of the Port authority, including the three strategic ports of St Mary’s/Fernandina, Jacksonville, and Port Canaveral.

A graduate of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Dixon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Economics and earned his Master’s in Public Administration from the George Washington University.

Dixon resides in Jacksonville with his wife and three children.

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U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet finishes 2018 on strong noteU.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighters car-ried 8.5 million tons of cargo in December, an increase of 17.5 percent compared with the same period the previous year. Driving the surge was a 16 percent increase in iron ore cargoes. Limestone and coal cargoes also registered increases — 31 and 19.5 percent, respectively, the Lake

Carriers’ Association reported.For the year, U.S.-flagged lakers car-

ried 83.7 million tons of cargo, a decrease of 2.3 percent compared with 2017. Iron ore cargoes totaled 45.8 million tons, a decrease of 0.4 percent. That the iron ore total essentially pulled even with 2017 is noteworthy; the delays that resulted from

heavy ice in March and April had the trade 16 percent off 2017’s pace at the end of April. In fact, the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards continued to break ice in Whitefish Bay at the eastern end of Lake Superior and the St. Marys River that connects Lake Superior to the lower four Great Lakes into May.

Coal cargoes totaled 11.8 million

tons, a decrease of 11.4 percent. Limestone loadings approached 22 million tons, an increase of 1.9 percent.

As of January 23, most U.S.-flagged lakers had arrived at their winter berths. Two vessels in the ore/stone/coal trade were proceeding to their lay-up docks. Two cement carriers were still in service.

Preparing for winter lay-up aboard thePhilip R. Clarke

American Maritime Officers members preparing the Philip R. Clarke for win-ter lay-up in Toledo, Ohio, in January included First Assistant Engineer Jason Furtah and Second A.E. Katrina Walheim. AMO represents the licensed officers and stewards aboard the Key Lakes vessel.

AMO aboard the American Spirit as the shipping season draws to a close

Maintenance, upgrades on U.S.-flagged Lakes vessels generate jobs for U.S. shipyards during winter lay-up

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the M/V American Spirit in Jan-uary, here in Two Harbors, Minn., included Second Mate Phillip Partynski, First Mate Leonard Ciffeli and Captain Terry Heyns.

AMO members working aboard the American Spirit, here in Two Harbors, Minn. in January, included Third Assistant Engineer Noble Graves, Jr. and Second A.E. James Hallinan. With them is AMO National Vice President, Great Lakes, John Clemons. AMO represents all licensed officers aboard the American Steamship Company vessel.

After moving nearly 84 million tons of cargo in 2018, U.S.-flagged lakers are now undergoing more than $70 million in main-tenance and modernization at Great Lakes shipyards. The work ranges from engine overhauls to installation of state-of-the-art radars and other navigation equipment,the Lake Carriers’ Association reported.

While winter ’s freezing, often sub-zero, temperatures pose real challenges for shipyards and their workers, it is the one time each year the fleet can under-go maintenance and modernization. In order to meet the needs of commerce during the late-March/mid-January sail-ing season, vessels must operate 24/7 and stop only long enough to load and discharge cargo.

Engine work is a large portion of the winter work program. Some vessels have power plants capable of generating nearly 20,000 horsepower, and over the course of the season, a vessel can travel more than 70,000 miles. Engine parts need to be re-machined and reinstalled so that the vessel can again operate nearly continu-ously during the 2019 season.

Since the Great Lakes are freshwater, corrosion is not a major issue. Still, with some vessels now having been in service since the 1950s, some steel, generally in cargo holds, will be replaced.

Four vessels will be drydocked this winter so they can undergo an out-of-water hull inspection as required by U.S. law. The vessels enter the drydock and are positioned such that, when the drydock is drained, they rest on blocks. U.S. Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors then team with company repre-sentatives to sound the hull.

Lakers are more than freight-haul-ing vessels. They are the crew’s home for

10 months each year, so safety systems are also checked and serviced as neces-sary. In addition, upgrades to living quar-ters and galley equipment are scheduled on some vessels.

There are four major shipyards on the Great Lakes. They are located in Stur-geon Bay and Superior, Wisconsin; Erie, Pennsylvania; and Toledo, Ohio. During the winter, employment at these yards swells to nearly 1,100.

Vessels also winter in other Great Lakes port cities such as Cleveland and Detroit and are serviced by local providers.

The pace can be challenging at Great Lakes shipyards during the winter. Two months from today many of the vessels will have “gotten up steam” and be heading to their first port-of-call. The March 25 opening of the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, will officially signal that another shipping season is underway.

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www.amo-union.org AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICER

Atlantic ResolveContinued from Page 1

Baltics for the next nine months. The 1st CAB will replace the 4th Infantry Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade.

“It was a great opportunity for ARC to partner again with the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Zeebrugge team. The fact that the same terminal was chosen again re-flects the high quality of work done by the WW Solutions Zeebrugge team,” said Brian Jones, ARC’s general manager for Europe.

“The WW Solutions Zeebrugge terminal team was again delighted for the opportunity to work closely with ARC on another U.S. military unit move,” added SVP of Global Terminals & Steve-doring Brett Bennett. “We look forward to supporting the American military with their future logistical requirements at the Zeebrugge terminal.”

The incoming armored brigade combat team brings approximately 3,500 troops and 3,000 pieces of equipment to support its nine-month mission to conduct bilateral, joint and multinational training events across eastern Europe. Rotational units focus on strengthening bonds be-tween allies and partners while increasing interoperability and building readiness.

The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command played a major part in the arrival of the equipment.

“For this particular mission our sister battalion, the 842nd Transporta-tion Battalion out of Charleston, South

Carolina, handled the fort-to-port equip-ment movement operation,” said Maj. Aaron Hiatt, SDDC 838th Transportation Battalion. “From Charleston, the Military Sealift Command covers the port-to-port movement and then the SDDC 838th Trans-portation Battalion covers the reception, staging, and onward movement portion of incoming equipment.”

“We have approximately 60 per-sonnel from the SDDC supporting this operation,” said Lt. Col. John Thyng, 838th Transportation Battalion. “We are here over a three-week period working 12-hour

Soldiers, from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team 1st Infantry Division, prepare to offload vehicles for Atlantic Resolve January 22, 2019 in Antwerp, Belgium. Approximately 3,500 personnel and about 3,000 pieces of equipment will be brought in for Atlantic Resolve.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin Northcutt, 21st Theater Sustainment Command

shifts, just over approximately 20,000 man-hours, to move an ABCT’s equipment into the country.”

Overall, approximately seven different units within U.S. Transportation Command, the SDDC, and 21st Theater Sustainment Command partnered with the Belgium military will aid in the planning, preparation, and logistical support of the transition of equipment and personnel into the European Theater.

The Belgium military has also played an integral role in the moving of the ABCT through the Port of Antwerp. In addition

to providing security forces to man the temporary military zone they set up in the port, they have also provided a secondary staging facility in Grobbendonk, Belgium for the ABCT to house Soldiers, prepare vehicles for military convoy, and other lo-gistical support. Approximately 80 Belgium military personnel will assist throughout the arrival of the ABCT.

“On behalf of my brigade command-er Col. Charles Armstrong, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team commander, and Maj. Gen. John Kolasheski, 1st Infantry Division Commanding General, I would like to extend sincere thanks to the Belgium organizations and the Belgium military for the tremendous support that they are providing to get us into theater,” said Lt. Col. Drew Conover, 1-16 Infantry Battalion commander, 1st ABCT, 1st ID.

With the fourth rotation of Atlantic Resolve underway, the initial integration of all the soldiers and equipment from 1 ABCT, 1 ID and the smooth deployment of vehicles by rail, barge, military convoy, and commercial line haul, will mark another success for SDDC, partner nations, and all the units that have assisted.

“I think what constitutes a success for the SDDC in terms of this operation, is to do everything safely and without damaging any equipment in the process,” Thyng said. “Our job is to deliver readiness and lethality to the warfighter, and make sure Atlantic Resolve supports a strong Europe through the timely delivery of 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team 1st Infantry Division’s equipment.”

LNG-fueled ConRo Taíno completes maiden voyageThe second of Crowley Maritime’s new combination container and roll-on/roll-off “ConRo” ships — M/V Taíno, one of the first of its kind to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) — completed its maiden voyage to Puerto Rico on January 11. The successful transit puts a historic capstone on the company’s Commitment Class mod-ernization project and begins a new era of world-class supply chain services between the island commonwealth, U.S. mainland and the Caribbean Basin.

M/V Taíno departed January 8 from its mainland homeport of Jacksonville, Fla. (JAXPORT). Sister ship M/V El Coquí entered service in July 2018. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers aboard the Commitment Class ships.

The ships, built specifically for the Puerto Rico trade, are 219.5 meters (720 feet), 26,500 deadweight tons, and can transport up to 2,400 twenty-foot-equiv-alent container units (TEUs) at a cruising speed of more than 22 knots. The ships carry a wide range of cargo types and sizes, including 53-foot by 102-inch-wide, high-capacity containers; up to 300 refrig-erated containers; and 400 cars and larger vehicles in the enclosed and ventilated ve-hicle garages that are unique to the trade.

“The successful maiden voyage of M/V Taíno showcases Crowley’s unmatched ability to provide industry-leading speed and reliability for customers as part of our

end-to-end supply chain solutions in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the islands of the Caribbean Basin,” said Steve Collar, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Logistics. “This milestone is a credit to the men and women whose dedication to building and operating the ships and terminals made success a reality. And, it showcases Crowley’s continuing and

lasting commitment to serving Puerto Rico.”M/V Taíno is named for the native

Puerto Ricans who lived off the land with great appreciation and respect for their environment, and M/V El Coquí is named for the popular indigenous frog on the island.

The vessels were constructed by VT Halter Marine at its Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard, with construction management

provided by Crowley Solutions.Modernizations by Crowley include

the Commitment Class vessels along with investments at Crowley’s Isla Grande Termi-nal in San Juan, including three new shore gantry cranes, the first to be delivered in Puerto Rico in 50 years; a new 900-foot pier; container handling equipment; and efficiency improvements.

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OSG exercises option to build second 204,000-barrel bargeOverseas Shipholding Group, Inc., a provider of energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products in the U.S.-flag markets, announced January 22 that it exercised an option to construct a second 204,000-barrel oil and chemical ATB barge at Gunderson Marine LLC’s (“GM”) Portland, Oregon facility. The barge, scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2020, will be

designed and built to be paired with one of the company’s existing modern tugs, replacing a rebuilt barge unit, which is ex-pected to be phased out of service prior to delivery of the new barge. Each of the two barges contracted with GM will be of iden-tical design, meeting all of the latest safety and environmental requirements. The com-pany intends to finance the construction of

the two barges at GM with a combination of existing cash and future debt financing.

“OSG is pleased to have taken this step to further ensure a continued leading presence in the U.S.-flag petroleum trans-portation sector,” said OSG President and CEO Sam Norton. “The larger barge capacity offered by OSG’s Gunderson design, as com-pared to most of the other available modern

units, should give our barges a competitive edge on a dollar per delivered barrel cost across almost all voyages. With the addition of these modern, efficient and environmen-tally responsible vessels to our existing fleet, we have increased confidence in our ongoing ability to offer our core customer base both the assets and the quality of service that they demand.”

MARAD: Enhancements to the U.S. Maritime Advisory SystemMSCI Advisory 2019-001 (effective 01/02/2019 to 07/01/2019) — description:

1. Reference: (a) U.S. Maritime Advisory 2017-001

2. Issue: The U.S. Maritime Advisory System remains a coordinated, multi-agency U.S. Gov-ernment (USG) notification mechanism involving the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, Transportation, and Homeland Security, as well as the intelligence community to streamline, consolidate, and replace outdated maritime threat information canceled by reference (a). Since the launch of this system, over 40 U.S. Maritime Advisories and Alerts have been disseminated.

3. In response to valuable feedback from U.S. commercial maritime interests, the USG is continuing to improve the U.S. Maritime Advisory System to expeditiously provide maritime threat information to maritime industry interests, including vessels at sea.

4. Guidance: This year, the U.S. Maritime Advisory System will initiate a new type of U.S. Maritime Alert to relay urgent maritime related information from other USG sources or international regional maritime security reporting centers (i.e. United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade Gulf of Guinea, Regional Cooper-ation Agreement on combating Piracy and Armed Robbery, International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center), when warranted. These U.S. Maritime Alerts will publish verbatim information from the original source, which will be clearly identified, and will follow a slightly modified format.

5. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national secu-rity goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the

United States. In some cases, these sanctions may impact maritime trade. OFAC sanctions information and notices can be found at: https://go.usa.gov/xExEs. Any questions relating to OFAC sanctions may be emailed to ofac_feedback@treasury.gov.

6. U.S. Centers for Disease Control Travel Notices may impact commercial shipping interests, especially during overseas crew changes, and can be found at: https://go.usa.gov/xExEN. U.S. Maritime Alerts and/or Advisories may occasionally be published depending on the scope, urgency, and impact of health threats, but mariners are advised to become familiar with this web resource and refer to it prior to traveling.

7. The new Maritime Global Security website at https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/ offers industry issued best practices and guidance to mariners by geographic region and provides contact and subscription information for regional maritime security reporting centers, particularly in high risk-areas.

8. Those who desire to subscribe to U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories may do so through the Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI) Portal at www.marad.dot.gov/MSCI. Maritime industry professionals (civilian or military) may also register to receive additional Company Security Officer related information. Although housed on MARAD’s website, all U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories are USG interagency (vice solely MARAD) products.

9. Contact Information: Questions regarding the U.S. Maritime Advisory System may be emailed to the Global Maritime Operational Threat Coordination Center at e-mail. Additional contact information is available on the MSCI Portal.

10. This message will automatically expire on July 1, 2019.

For more information about U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories, including subscription details, please visit www.marad.dot.gov/MSCI.

AMO aboard tanker Garden State in Jones Act trade

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Jones Act tanker Garden State in January, here in Port Everglades, Fla., included Third Assistant Engineer Jacob Ennerfelt, Chief Mate Theodore Sanford and Third Mates Joseph Mainella and Tayler Meyer. The Garden State is operated by Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.

U.S. Coast Guard update on Vessel Incidental Discharge Act implementationThe following is excerpted from an article released February 1 by U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy. The complete article is available on the Maritime Commons blog (https://tinyurl.com/y7hwjamm).

The Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) was signed into law on December 4, 2018, as Title IX of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018. VIDA establishes new responsibilities for the Coast Guard to enforce U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performance standards for marine pollution control devices (both equipment and manage-ment practices) that control discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel. These discharges were previously regulated by the EPA under the Vessel General Permit (VGP) process. While the full scope of the Coast Guard’s requirements under VIDA are still being evaluated, we are working closely with the EPA to implement the requirements and ensure environmental protection of U.S. waters.

Vessel General Permit: The VGP will not be reissued, and the existing 2013 VGP remains in full force and effect beyond its expiration date until such time that the EPA and the Coast Guard finalize and implement the new regulations that VIDA requires. Specifically, the provisions of the 2013 VGP, as currently written, apply until EPA publishes the standards of performance for marine pollution control devices and the Coast Guard publishes im-plementing regulations for those performance standards. New regulations will be at least as stringent as the current VGP in regards to corrective actions, inspections, monitoring, reporting, recordkeeping, and vessel-class specific requirements. New vessels must apply to the EPA for a 2013 VGP until the regulations are finalized. For further information on the EPA’s Vessel General Permit process, please refer to EPA’s website or contact EPA via email at vgp@epa.gov.

8 February 2019

www.amo-union.org AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICER

AMO Safety and Education Plan — Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center (954) 920-3222 / (800) 942-3220 — 2 West Dixie Highway, Dania Beach, FL 33004

General CoursesCombined Basic & Advanced Low Flash Point Fuel Operations (IGF Code/LNG Fuel) Course 5 Days 11 February 22 April 22 July

Confined Space Entry 3 Days 27 March

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 Days 25 February 29 April 9 September

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 required if Combined Basic & Adv. Fire Fighting completed within 12 months.

5 Days 11 February 15 July

Basic Safety Training — Refresher 3 Days 13 February 17 July

Chemical Safety — Advanced 5 Days 25 February 9 September

ECDIS 5 Days 22 April 5 August

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 Days 1 April

Fast Rescue Boat 4 Days 4 March 23 April 24 June 26 August

GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework 10 Days 25 February 15 July

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 Days 27 March

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 8 April

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 Days 8 April

Safety Officer Course 2 Days 28 February 13 June

Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom 5 Days 29 April 10 June

Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator 10 Days 4 March 13 May 8 July 19 August 16 September

Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program 10 Days Please Call

Train the Trainer 5 Days 29 April 24 June 12 August 9 September

Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties — VPDSD 2 Days Please Call

Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy 3 Days 25 February 10 June 30 September

Crowd Management 1 Day Please Call

Crisis Management & Human Behavior 1 Day Please Call

Basic Training & Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (Required by first credential renewal AFTER 1 Jan 2017) 2 Days 18 February 11, 25 March 15 April 9, 20 May 3, 17 June 8, 29 July 12 August 5, 23 Sept.

EFA (Scheduled with Basic Training Revalidation BUT NOT REQUIRED FOR STCW 2010) 1 Day 20 February 13, 27 March 17 April 8, 22 May 5, 19 June 10, 31 July 14 August 4, 25 Sept.

Leadership & Management (required by ALL management level Deck and Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 Days Please Call

Maritime Security Awareness 1/2 Day Please Call

Medical CoursesHeat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 18 March

Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 6 months 1 day 19 March 4 June 23 July 24 September

Medical Care Provider — Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 6 months. Please fax EFA certificate when registering 3 days 20 March 5 June 24 July 25 September

Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 25 March 10 June 29 July 30 September

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 1 April 17 June 5 August

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only 1 day 3 April 19 June 7 August

Screening Test Technician — QEDs a.m./Alco Mate 7000 p.m. 1 day 2 April 18 June 6 August

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 18 February 13, 14, 15, 27, 28 March 17, 18 April 8, 22 May4, 5, 6, 19, 20 June 10, 11, 31 July

1, 14, 15, 30 August

3, 4, 25, 26 September

ARPA 4 days 19 February

Radar Recertification & ARPA 5 days 18 February

Original Radar Observer Unlimited 5 days 11 February

Deck CoursesAdvanced Bridge Resource Management — Meets STCW 2010 Leadership & Management gap closing requirements 5 days 18 February 5 August

Advanced Shiphandling for Masters — (No equivalency) Must have sailed as Chief Mate Unlimited 5 days 25 March 6 May 9 September

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rd Mates 10 days 11 February 4 March 1 April 13 May 3, 17 June 22 July 5, 19 August 16 September

Advanced & Emergency Shiphandling — First Class Pilots, Great Lakes 5 days Please Call

Basic Meteorology 5 days Please Call

Basic Celestial — OICNW 10 days 25 February

Dynamic Positioning — Induction (Basic) 5 days 13 May 22 July

Dynamic Positioning — Simulator (Advanced) 5 days 22 April 26 August

Dynamic Positioning — Revalidation 5 days 25 February 3 June

Navigational Watchkeeping Standardization & Assessment Program 5 days 25 February 11 March 20 May 10 June 15 July 26 August 9 September

TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) — Third Mate (Unlimited or Great Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required 5 days 25 February 1 April 19 August 23 September

Tug Training — ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 5 days 24 June

February 2019 9

AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICER www.amo-union.org

Deck Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 10-14) — If sea service or training towards management level (Chief Mate/Master) upgrade started ON OR AFTER 24 March 2014 you must adhere to this new program of training. Completion of both required and optional courses listed below will include all Task Assessments required by NVIC 10-14, providing ECDIS, GMDSS and ARPA have been previ-ously completed.

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 22 April 3 June 22 July 30 September

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hours homework 5 days 1 April 6 May 5 August

Advanced Stability 5 Days 4 March 13 May 12 August

Search & Rescue 2 days 11 February 15 April 15 July

Management of Medical Care 1/2 day 13 February 17 April 17 July

Leadership & Management 5 Days 11 February 20 May 8 July

Advanced Cargo — Optional for task sign-off 5 Days 18 February 3 June 19 August

Marine Propulsion Plants — Optional for task sign-off 5 Days 4 March 10 June 26 August

Advanced Celestial — Optional for task sign-off 5 Days 11 March 24 June 16 September

Advanced Navigation — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 25 February 17 June 9 September

Engineering CoursesBasic Electricity 10 days 22 April 3 June

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks Please call

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 11 March

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 15 May

Hydraulics / Pneumatics 5 days 1 April 30 September

Machine Shop 10 days 25 February 29 April 24 June

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 5 days 6 May 8 July

Refrigeration (Operational Level) 5 days 11 February 18 March 16 September

Refrigeration (Management Level) Universal Refrigeration Recoverycertificate required. Please attach copy with registration. 5 days 25 March 23 September

Steam Endorsement 4 weeks 29 April 9 September

Controls and Instrumentation 10 days Please call

Welding & Metallurgy Skills & Practices — Open to eligible Chief Mates and Masters on a space available basis. Interested participants should apply online and will be confirmed 2 weeks prior to start date.

2 weeks 25 February 6 May 3 June 23 September

Engine Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 15-14) — If sea service or training towards management level (1A/E-Chief Eng.) upgrade started ON OR AFTER 24 March 2014, you must adhere to this new program of training. Completion of both required and optional courses listed below will include all Task Assessments required by NVIC 15-14. By completing the series, no expiration limitation will be placed on your STCW credential. See STAR Center’s website for full details: https://www.star-center.com/stcw2010-engine.upgrade.html

Leadership & Managerial Skills (G500 as amended) — REQUIRED 5 days 11 February 20 May 8 July

ERM (E050 as amended) — REQUIRED (unless previously taken for gap closing or original license) 5 days 22 July 19 August

Upgrade: Electrical, Electronics & Control Engineering (Management Level) (E133 as amended) (UPGRADE with tasks) Required unless previously taken for gap closing or original license

5 days 13 May 15 July

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — General: This class is required by all propulsion types (Motor, Gas and Steam) Licensed engineers — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard

8 days 11 February 29 July

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Steam (E121 as amended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 25 February 19 August

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Gas Turbine (E122 as amended) — OP-TIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 3 days 4 March 12 August

MSC Training ProgramBasic CBR Defense 1 day 22 March 16 May 25 July 20 September

Damage Control 1 day 21 March 15 May 24 July 19 September

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day Please call

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 20 March 12 April 14 May 23 July 18 September

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 16 May 25 July

Marine Sanitation Devices / Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 19 March

MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once incareer 2 days 19 March 13 May 22 July 17 September

MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 8 April 17 June 19 August

MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members 1 day 15 February 1, 15, 29 March 5, 9, 26 April 3, 24 May 14, 18, 28 June 19 July 2, 16, 20, 30 August13, 27September

MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 10 April 19 June 21 August

Small Arms — Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training — Open tomembers & applicants eligible for employment through AMO (w/in 1 year) orMSC on MARAD contracted vessels.

4 days 11, 25 Feb 11, 25 March 1, 22, 29 April 20 May 10, 24 June 15, 29 July 12, 26 August9, 23September

Self-Study, CDs and Online CoursesAnti-Terrorism Level 1 Online

DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Training Self Study

EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification Examination Self Study

Qualified Assessor Online

Vessel General Permit — EPA On Campus in conjunction with other classes

NOTICE: AMO members planning to attend STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida — either to prepare for license upgrading or to undergo specialty training—are asked to call the school to confirm course schedule and space availability in advance.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: The Simulation, Training, Assessment and Research Center (STAR), established under the auspices of the American Maritime Officers Safety and Education Plan, admit 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.

10 February 2019

www.amo-union.org AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICER

DIRECTORYTOLEDO, OH 43604One Maritime PlazaThird FloorFAX: (419) 255-2350John E. Clemons, National Vice President, Great Lakesjohnclemons@amo-union.org(800) 362-0513 Extension 6003Mobile: (419) 205-3509Michelle Moffitt, Dispatcher (mmoffitt@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 Extension 6005 / Mobile: (419) 481-3470

NEW ORLEANS / MADISONVILLE, LA 70447P.O. Box 970Madisonville, LA 70447Daniel J. Robichaux, National Vice President, Inland Waters drobichaux@amo-union.org(954) 367-1036Mobile: (985) 201-5462FAX: (954) 367-1062

SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 946071121 7th Street, Second FloorOakland, CA 94607William Barrere, West Coast Representative (wbarrere@amo-union.org)Mobile: (415) 654-2671FAX: (954) 367-1064

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191131 International Plaza, Suite 550Chris Holmes, Contract Analyst (cholmes@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 Extension 4002 / Mobile: (856) 693-0694

STAR CENTER

STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING AND COURSE INFORMATION 2 West Dixie Highway / Dania Beach, FL 33004-4312(954) 920-3222 Extension 201 / (800) 942-3220 Extension 201Course Attendance Confirmation: (800) 942-3220 Extension 20024 Hours: (954) 920-3222 Extension 7999 / FAX: (954) 920-3140

SERVICES

UPDATE CREDENTIALS, DOCUMENTS, TRAINING RECORDSSecure File Upload: https://securetransfer.amo-union.org/E-mail: memberservices@amo-union.orgQuestions: (800) 362-0513 Extension 1050

MEDICAL CLINIC2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004-4312(954) 927-5213

AMO Coast Guard Legal Aid ProgramMichael RenyMobile: (419) 346-1485(419) 243-1105(888) 853-4662MikeReny@BEX.NETFAX: (419) 243-8953

AMO PLANS2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004-4312(800) 348-6515 / FAX: (954) 922-7539

General CounselGlanstein LLP711 Third Ave., 17th FloorNew York, NY 10017(212) 370-5100(954) 662-9407FAX: (212) 697-6299

AMO NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 33004-4109601 S. Federal Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Paul Doell, National President pdoell@amo-union.orgExtension 1001 / FAX: (954) 926-5112Mobile: (954) 881-5651Charles A. Murdock, National Secretary-Treasurercmurdock@amo-union.orgExtension 1004 / FAX: (954) 367-1025Mobile: (954) 789-8944Mike F. Finnigan, National Executive Vice President mfinnigan@amo-union.orgExtension 1011 / FAX: (954) 367-1064Mobile: (386) 986-8495Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Seajgremelsbacker@amo-union.orgExtension 1009 / FAX: (954) 367-1029Mobile: (954) 673-0680Todd Christensen, East Coast Representative tchristensen@amo-union.orgExtension 1007Mobile: (561) 806-3768Michael J. Thomas, Gulf Coast Representative mthomas@amo-union.orgMobile: (954) 290-9775Marie Doruth, Executive Assistant to the National Presidentmdoruth@amo-union.orgExtension 1017 / FAX: (954) 926-5112Mobile: (954) 290-8109

Dispatch: (800) 345-3410FAX: (954) 926-5126Brendan Keller, Dispatcher (bkeller@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 Extension 1061 / Mobile: (954) 817-4000Roy Emrick, Jr., Dispatcher (remrick@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 Extension 1060

Member Services: (800) 362-0513 Extension 1050FAX: (954) 367-1066memberservices@amo-union.org

OFFICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204Paul Doell, National President pdoell@amo-union.org(800) 362-0513 Extension 7004Mobile: (954) 881-5651T. Christian Spain, National Vice President, Government Relationscspain@amo-union.org(800) 362-0513 Extension 7010Mobile: (202) 658-8887FAX: (202) 479-1188

AMO PLANS CONTACT INFORMATION

AMO Plans normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.

Phone: (800) 348-6515To request a connection with a specific person, dial “0” for the operator.Medical Customer Service: extension 12Retirement Services (Pension, 401(k), MPB, and DC): extension 14Vacation: extension 15

FAX — Retirement Services: (954) 922-7539FAX — Medical Plan: (954) 920-9482FAX — Vacation Plan: (954) 926-7274E-mail — Medical Plan: amomedical@amoplans.comE-mail — Vacation Plan: amovacation@amoplans.comE-mail — 401(k) Plan: amo401k@amoplans.comE-mail — Retirement Services: amopension@amoplans.com

February 2019 11

AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICER www.amo-union.org

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Regular monthly membership meetings for American Maritime Officers 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 AMO National Headquarters (on Tuesday when Monday is a contract holiday).

The next meetings will take place on the following dates:

March 4, April 8, May 6

AMO members train at STAR Center

American Maritime Officers members attending the Shiphandling at the Management Level course in January at STAR Center included Kyle Sammis, John Locks, David Pisarcik, Caro-line Curtis, Thomas Pale III and Samuel Morgan. With them is Instructor Robert Silva.

AMO members attending the Electrical, Electronics & Control Engineering (Management Level) course in January included Matt Pastuszak, Joseph Albano, Dan Boutin, Tom Kloep-fer and Robert Brown.

AMO members attending the Electrical, Electronics & Control Engineering (Management Level) course in January at STAR Center included (in no particular order) Brendan Hasson, James Rightnour, John Regis, Michael Maurer, Nabil Ahmed, Johnathan Houde and Jordan Thomas.

12 February 2019

www.amo-union.org AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICER

Fundraising drive results in a new van for Bundren,continued transportation services for Great Lakes mariners

Marshal Bundren and American Maritime Officers member Reed Wilson drove to Ohio to purchase the 2018 van with the money generated by the fundraising drive on the GoFundMe page launched by Wilson.

When winter lay-up draws to a close this year and the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet rumbles back into action, many mariners needing a lift to or from the dock, airport, post office, store or anywhere in between around the southern end of Lake Michigan may be greeted by the sight of, and a ride in, a new shuttle van.

Although the van will be different, the man behind the wheel will remain the same — Marshal Bundren.

For those not familiar with him, Bun-dren drives to the boats at Burns Harbor, Indiana Harbor, Buffington Harbor, docks on the Calumet River, and other ports of call to provide transportation for mariners who need it. He does not ask for money and only accepts — but does not require — donations for the service he provides.

For years, Bundren provided this service in what American Maritime Officers member Reed Wilson described as a very tired Chevrolet van with nearly 400,000 miles on it, and all the associated wear and tear one might expect. The state of Marshal’s van and the immense value of the service he provides to mariners working in the area prompted Wilson, who sails as second mate on American Steamship Company’s M/V Burns Harbor, to launch a GoFundMe page in December to raise money toward a new van.

“Although the van has lasted a long time, it is on borrowed time and he has to throw away good money after bad to keep it on the road, to get that sailor in need to where he needs to be,” Wilson wrote. “Many times he has driven to O’Hare or Midway Airports to pick up sailors he’s never met and expects nothing in return. He is without a doubt the most selfless person I have ever known.

“Each year he drives his van to his church to pick up ‘care packages’ the ladies from his congregation have made for the sailors,” Wilson wrote. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Christian, Muslim, Jewish or even a non-believer, everyone is treated the same and receives a warm hat, socks and toiletries from his church, and delivered in his van.

“He does everything for other peo-ple, never thinking of himself. Surely we, as caring human beings, can spare a few

dollars apiece to help Marshal.”In 28 days, the GoFundMe site raised

$30,372 from 153 donors.“This entire campaign reminds

me of the movie ‘It’s A Wonderful Life,’ where George Bailey is in need and all the townspeople come to his aid,” Wilson wrote.

“I have just been awestruck how everyone jumped on the bandwagon when they heard Marshal needed help, and donated their hard earned dollars at a time when most people need to hang on to it. The shipping companies, unions and shipping agents, as well as many other companies and scores

upon scores of individuals and sailors, stepped up and donated and offered their kind words of care and support.

“Hopefully, my next update will be accompanied by pictures of Marshal standing next to his new van,” Wilson wrote. “We hope to pick it up around the 19th or 20th. We’re traveling to a dealer-ship in Ohio, as that is where we found the best vehicle for the best price. Marshal is very happy and can’t wait to get behind the wheel and continue his work of helping others. I’m also very happy that I was able to be a part of this, and everyone who do-nated should be very proud of themselves as well.”

On January 21, Wilson made the following update to the GoFundMe site: “I’m very pleased to announce that, last Satur-day, Marshal and I braved the winter storm and drove to Findley, Ohio and picked up his new van. It’s a 15-passenger 2018 Ford Transit 350.

“A new 2018 van like this one has a price tag of $46,000 before taxes and fees,” Wilson wrote. “The van only has 9,600 miles and was $29,191 including all taxes and fees. Marshal will, however, have to register it in Indiana, so the licensing fee has yet to be paid. But fear not, some late donation arrivals came in and he should have no problems as far as that goes. Also, another donation should be arriving soon. I’ll keep everyone posted on that. I’ll leave you with these pictures and my thanks to all the sailors and civilians alike who really stepped up and dug deep to help a man whose only aim in life is to help others.”

The fundraising drive raised enough money to replace the old van.

Photos: Reed Wilson

AMO aboard Express Marine ATB BaltimoreMembers of American Maritime Officers working aboard the Express Marine ATB Baltimore in September, here in Crystal River, Fla., includ-ed Third Engineer Teddy Marshall, Second Engineer Cliff Sawyer, Chief Engineer Jackie Pruitt and Third Engineer Aaron Sadler.