Volume 44, Number 3 March 2014

Copyright © 2014 American Maritime Officers ■ editorial@amo-union.org

Page 2: Just as it is the responsibility of every AMO official to contributeto our union’s stability and standing in the industry, it is an exercise ofresponsible leadership to ensure all AMO members have access toreliable representation and the ongoing option of entrusting individualprofessional interests to an experienced and able administration.

The business of leadership and thesuccess of American Maritime Officers

Page 6: Christening the USNS John Glenn

Page 5: Totem Ocean Trailer Express announced Feb. 18 that Wärtsiläwill supply main engines, generators and integrated LNG storage andfuel gas handling systems (LNGPac™) for the conversion of the OrcaClass ships Midnight Sun and North Star from diesel-electric to LNG —the largest LNG conversions ever undertaken in North America.

TOTE chooses Wärtsilä technology forconversion of Orca Class ships to LNG

New AMO jobs on the horizon as SeabulkTankers places order for Jones Act ATB

Seabulk Tankers, Inc. has enteredinto agreements for the construction ofone coastal chemical and petroleum artic-ulated tug/barge unit with a capacity of185,000 barrels. The Jones Act ATB willbe operated under contract with AmericanMaritime Officers.

The barge will be built for Seabulk

Tankers — a wholly owned subsidiary ofSEACOR Holdings, Inc. — by DonJonShipbuilding, and the tug will be built byBAE Systems.

Delivery is expected in the first halfof 2016, Seabulk reported.

“This ATB order brings additionalcapabilities to Seabulk’s growing fleet and

positions us to service existing and devel-oping customer requirements with mod-ern, efficient equipment,” said SeabulkTankers President and Chief OperatingOfficer Daniel Thorogood.

The order for the ATB unit followsthe company’s recent construction ordersfor three Jones Act tankers with the option

for a fourth at General Dynamics NASS-CO in San Diego, Calif.

The new tankers — which will eachbe 50,000 deadweight tons with a330,000-barrel cargo capacity, and builtready for conversion to use of LNG as afuel — will also be operated under con-tract with AMO.

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PAGE 5: Fireworks followed the first cut of steel in a ceremony held Feb. 24 to mark the startof construction on the first containership in the world to be powered by liquefied natural gas

(LNG) for TOTE, Inc.’s Marlin Class at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, Calif.American Maritime Officers will represent all licensed officers aboard the Marlin Class ships.

By Tom Bethel

National President

This month,AMO membersmay notice a newname in ourunion’s directory.Christian Spainhas formallyjoined the admin-istration as nation-al assistant vicepresident for gov-ernment relations,working with Mike Murphy.

For those who don’t know him,Christian is an LMSR captain who hadsailed as master aboard the USNS

Soderman since May of 2008. He lives inthe Washington, D.C. area and during hisvacation time had been working withMike on a part-time basis over the pastseveral months.

Christian’s employment as a unionofficial doesn’t mean Mike has imminentplans to retire, but it does serve as anexample of prudent and professionalpreparation. As many in our union areaware, the job Mike does as AMO’snational vice president for governmentrelations is complex and involves con-stant interaction with multiple federalagencies that have jurisdiction over vari-ous aspects of the U.S. merchant marineand maritime industry, as well as intenseengagement on the international level asa committee chairman for theInternational Transport Workers’Federation, and through it, a voice formerchant mariners in the InternationalMaritime Organization.

None could be expected to masterthe responsibilities, skills and subtletiesof this position quickly or easily, so myadministration has taken the necessarysteps to ensure that, when Mike doesleave office, it will be possible for him toleave it in good hands.

The seagoing membership ofAmerican Maritime Officers has longheld a well-earned reputation for unri-valed ability, dedication and professional-ism in the U.S. maritime industry. Inrecent years, the AMO administration haslikewise become known for consistentand responsible leadership. Both aretremendous assets to our union’s successin maintaining a strong and diverseemployment base and securing new jobsand opportunities for AMO members.

Every merchant vessel representsan immense investment and every shipoperator has a powerful interest in mak-ing sure the best officers and crewsavailable are manning their ships. Thesecompanies also want to know they aredealing with capable labor leaders andunions with reliable records of outstand-ing performance, as well as establishedaccess to required training and certifica-tion programs for mariners workingaboard a variety of vessels across abroad range of trades.

Our union’s ability to consistentlyexceed these and other standards setsAMO apart among U.S. officers’ unions,as does our unique approach to effectiveadministration.

The AMO National ExecutiveBoard currently includes seven electedpositions, a number that will be reducedto six at the beginning of 2015. Relativeto other officers’ unions, and to previousAMO administrations, our businessmodel is lean and efficient, allowing

2 • American Maritime Officer March 2014

The business of leadership and the success of AMOAMO to maintain a solid core of institu-tional knowledge and know-how whileremaining a truly democratic organizationin service to the membership.

As a result, every AMO officialmust be sharp, experienced, aggressiveand ready to wear more than one hatwhile working to protect the best interestsof AMO members and families on multi-ple fronts.

In this regard, preparations havebeen made to ensure the expertise uponwhich our union depends can be carriedforward in other key positions for the nextgeneration of AMO members.

AMO National Assistant VicePresident Danny Shea continues to workwith AMO National Executive VicePresident Bob Kiefer in negotiating con-tracts and in preparing labor packages inresponse to requests for proposals. LikeMike Murphy, Bob does not have immi-nent retirement plans, but he does leadone of the most important and challeng-ing departments in our union and pos-sesses an enormous amount of insightand information that must be passedalong to preserve.

AMO Senior National AssistantVice President Brian Krus has workedfor several years with officials and staffto build a strong base of experience andexpertise in the responsibilities of anAMO official serving the membershipon the Great Lakes. At the end ofDecember 2014, planned budget reduc-tions are scheduled to take effect thatwill reduce the staff in Toledo to oneunion official, a dispatcher and anadministrative assistant, placing theAMO operation on the Great Lakes inproper proportion to the number of mem-bers presently served directly by ouroffice in Ohio. Don Cree and StanBarnes will be retiring this year and theposition of national vice president, GreatLakes, currently held by John Clemons,will be eliminated. Brian is now pre-pared to assume their duties and respon-sibilities. Should future developmentswarrant it, our Great Lakes operation canbe expanded to meet new demand.

Additionally, AMO NationalAssistant Vice President Dave Weathersis working with AMO National VicePresident, Deep Sea, Joe Gremelsbackerto gain greater exposure to addressingthe needs of AMO members sailing inall deep-sea trades. Again, Dave’sinvolvement is not an indication of animminent retirement for Joe, but it doesreflect the volume and variety of issuesthat an AMO official serving in thisposition must be prepared to handleadeptly, as well as the need for expertiseand valuable insight to be shared andsustained.

All of us are participants in a demo-cratic organization and the AMO mem-bership will always have the final say asto who will serve at the core of ourunion’s leadership.

Just as it is the responsibility ofevery official to contribute to AMO’s sta-bility and status as an officers’ union towhich companies will continue to feelconfident bringing new vessels and newjobs, it is an exercise of responsible lead-ership to ensure all AMO members haveaccess to reliable representation and theongoing option of entrusting individualprofessional interests to an experiencedand able administration.

As always, I welcome your questionsand comments. Please feel free to call meon my cell phone at (202) 251-0349.

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

601 S. Federal HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004

(954) 921-2221Periodical Postage Paid at

Dania Beach, FL, and Additional Mailing OfficesPublished Monthly

American Maritime Officers National Executive Board

Thomas Bethel, National PresidentJosé Leonard, National Secretary-TreasurerRobert Kiefer, National Executive Vice PresidentJoseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep SeaJohn Clemons, National Vice President, Great LakesCharles Murdock, National Vice President, Inland WatersMichael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relations

National Assistant Vice Presidents:Brian Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice PresidentDaniel Shea, National Assistant Vice PresidentChristian Spain, National Assistant Vice PresidentDavid Weathers, National Assistant Vice President

Representative: Stan Barnes

Editor: Matt BurkeAssistant Editor: Todd Wright

POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:

American Maritime OfficersATTN: Member Services

P.O. Box 66Dania Beach, FL 33004

American Maritime Officer • 3March 2014

AMO members attend meetings of union’s NationalExecutive Board, AMO Plans Board of Trustees

American Maritime Officers mem-bers James Beland, Jeff Richards,Peter Villacampa and Jeff Hall inFebruary attended meetings of theAMO National Executive Boardand the AMO Plans Board ofTrustees in Naples, Fla. With themare (in no particular order) AMONational President Tom Bethel,AMO National Secretary-TreasurerJosé Leonard, AMO NationalExecutive Vice President BobKiefer, and Seafarers InternationalUnion President Michael Sacco,who attended and addressed ameeting of the AMO NationalExecutive Board.

Statement of U.S. Senators Menendez, Booker onefforts to address New Jersey’s rock salt shortage

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. SenatorsRobert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker(D-NJ) on Feb. 25 released the followingjoint statement regarding New Jersey’sshortage of rock salt:

“We are pleased to hear that the firstshipment of rock salt arrived at PortNewark last night. When we first heardabout the emergent nature of the State’s saltshortage in media reports, we immediatelycontacted the appropriate federal agencieson behalf of the health, safety and wellbeing of New Jersey residents seeking helpin expediting procurement and delivery ofmuch needed rock salt.

“What has become clear is that theState Department of Transportation hasfallen short in planning for and addressingits dwindling salt supply. There werenumerous opportunities to enlist our help,

including at least one direct conversationwith Commissioner Simpson, in which theapparent salt crisis wasn’t even mentioned.In the face of an emergency, citizens ofNew Jersey expect its officials to do every-thing possible to protect the public frompotential harm and, in this case, the Statehas fallen short.

“It is our understanding thatNJDOT’s request to waive the Jones Actwas denied because it was determined that

American vessels were readily available totransport the salt from Maine to NewJersey, a development we were glad to helpfacilitate and expedite.

“We stand ready to act and to advo-cate for our fellow New Jerseyans at thefederal level, but can only do so when weare informed of a potential issue. It doesn’tmatter if it’s John Q. Public, a local mayoror, in this case, the State. Had offers forhelp not been ignored, we could have

worked in partnership, provided appropri-ate guidance on the best way to achievetheir intended goal, and most likely avoid-ed this unnecessary situation.

“We would caution those who wouldrecklessly call for the abolition of the JonesAct, which has served for nearly a centuryto protect our national and economic secu-rity. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 —which prohibits use of a foreign-flaggedvessel for transporting goods between U.S.ports — was designed to support America’sstrong shipping industry, while ensuringour country’s readiness to defend itselfagainst a national security threat.

“The lesson learned here should notbe to repeal or blame the Jones Act, but towork in partnership to achieve a commongoal. The State’s poor planning should notbecome New Jersey residents’ emergency.”

The lesson learned here should not be to repeal or

blame the Jones Act, but to work in partnership to

achieve a common goal. The State’s poor planning

should not become New Jersey residents’ emergency.

The following article was published

online by the American Maritime

Partnership, a coalition of which

American Maritime Officers Service is a

member and which American Maritime

Officers supports.

In early February, the New JerseyDepartment of Transportation(“NJDOT”) announced that it had nearlyrun out of road salt after a brutal winterand was exploring all options to acquireadditional salt. Among its options,NJDOT said, was a 40,000-ton pile ofsalt in Searsport, Maine. NJDOT said aforeign vessel called the Anastasia S wasstanding by in Searsport to transport thesalt to New Jersey. However, to use theforeign ship, NJDOT said it was request-ing a waiver of the federal Jones Act, thelaw that requires cargo transportedbetween points in the U.S. to move onlyon American vessels.

What happened with NJDOT’s waiver

request?

There were two significant prob-lems with NJDOT’s waiver request.First, NJDOT did not plan ahead andwaited too long to file the waiver. Aspokesman for the U.S. Department ofTransportation said, “Unfortunately, bythe time New Jersey reached out, U.S.DOT’s ability to help was limited,though we have identified U.S. vesselsthat are available to help.”

Second, the waiver request did notmeet the clearly established federal crite-ria for a waiver — that the waiver be nec-essary for national defense and that noU.S. vessels be available, 46 U.S.C.501(b). In fact, road salt is not a nationaldefense issue and there was an identifiedAmerican vessel available so NJDOT’srequest failed on both counts. NJDOT haspublicly conceded that federal officialstold the state on Feb. 12-13 that its waiv-er was unlikely to qualify under federallaw. Despite that, later in the day on Feb.13, NJDOT filed the formal waiverrequest anyway.

Why did NJDOT file a waiver after

being told that it did not meet the fed-

eral requirements?

It is not clear why NJDOT filed a

waiver request that it knew would notbe granted.

What about the foreign ship that was

standing by in Maine ready to move the

salt if the waiver had been granted?

The foreign ship is a vessel calledthe Anastasia S, registered under the flagof the Marshall Islands. NJDOT officialssaid the Anastasia S was available tomove the salt. However, no one from theship itself ever publicly confirmed that itwas willing to move the salt. In fact,many vessel owners will not transportsalt, a highly corrosive cargo. Transportof salt can require an extra ship cleaningthat is time-consuming and expensive forthe vessel owner. As such, shipping saltcan be complex.

In fact, the Anastasia S was inMaine delivering another cargo for a dif-ferent customer but left the area to take apreviously scheduled job shortly afterNJDOT filed its waiver request.Therefore, even if the waiver had beenapproved in record time, the ship thatNJDOT planned to use was long gone.The Anastasia S left Maine early in themorning of Saturday, Feb. 15, yet mediareports that the vessel was “standing by

American Maritime Partnership provides factsabout transportation of road salt for New Jersey

ready to move the salt” continued fordays afterward.

Because the requirements for a Jones

Act waiver were not present here, how

else could NJDOT have transported the

salt from Maine?

There simply needed to be betteradvanced planning. An American vesselwas available and even on short notice isdelivering the first of several loads ofsalt to New Jersey. With advanced plan-ning, the salt would have gotten to NewJersey much sooner. With advancedplanning, there are many other Americanvessels that may have been available tohelp transport the salt, shortening thedelivery timeframe.

In a radio interview on Feb. 14, New

Jersey Transportation Commissioner

Jim Simpson said the foreign ship

would bring the salt to New Jersey “in

a day and a half” and the American

vessel would have taken “a month.” Is

that accurate?

Neither statement was accurate.First, as explained above, the foreignship that Commissioner Simpsonreferred to left Maine shortly after the

waiver was filed and was no longeravailable to transport the salt. Second,the American ship is delivering the firstload of salt within days, not a month, andwould have delivered it earlier hadNJDOT simply ordered it ahead of time.In the same interview, CommissionerSimpson said: “we are hoping that weget a favorable ruling today [on thewaiver request]” even though he hadbeen told the day before that the waiverwas unlikely to be granted.

Are there other sources of salt besides

that pile in Maine?

Of course. There are countless othersources besides the Maine salt pile, whichwas owned by a company calledInternational Salt. In fact, a large ship-ment of salt from International Saltarrived in New Jersey from overseas onFeb. 20 and another is planned for the fol-lowing week. Salt can be sourced frommany domestic locations, and salt can beimported into the U.S. by ship anytimewith advanced planning.

What is the major lesson from this sit-

uation?

Plan ahead and don’t delay inrequesting assistance from the Americanmaritime industry! Ironically, New Jerseyis among the top states in the U.S. forAmerican domestic vessels. With a littleadvanced planning, this crisis could haveeasily been averted.

4 • American Maritime Officer March 2014

Guidance on meeting the requirements of the USCGfinal rule implementing the 2010 amendments to STCW

The new USCG final rule on STCW 2010 has been published and defines the com-pliance dates for mariners who already hold the required credentials to sail (‘existingmariners’ below).

The detailed regulations and supporting USCG NVIC guidance are being analyzedby STAR Center, and the guidance provided below will be updated as more informationbecomes available. It is important to understand the new USCG STCW requirementsand to take the necessary steps to comply with the dates specified by the regulations.Following the steps below will assist in developing an initial understanding of how thenew requirements will affect you. This information is available on the STAR Centerwebsite: www.star-center.com/stcw2010/feb2014.html.

Step 1 — Review important STCW transitional dates and grandfathering provisions:

Mariners who have a current USCG STCW endorsement as of March 24, 2014 areprovided grandfathering and transitional provisions to meet USCG/STCW requirements.NVIC 02-14 provides guidance regarding grandfathering and transitional provisions andis available online: www.uscg.mil/nmc/announcements/.

The following information is only for merchant mariners who hold an STCW

endorsement/credential issued before March 24, 2014.

Dates for compliance for existing mariners:• 1/1/2014: security endorsement required by STCW 2010• 3/24/14: final rule effective date — Part 13 Tankerman Regulations in full effect• 1/1/2017: STCW regulations in full effect — all existing mariners to whom

STCW applies must be in full compliance with the grandfathering and transitional pro-visions. STCW renewal requirements for revalidation of Basic Training, AdvancedFirefighting, Survival Craft and Fast Rescue Boat endorsements take effect when renew-ing after this date.

Simplified guidance on grandfathering and transitional provisions for existing marinersonly:

• Renewals: existing mariners can sail and renew their current STCW endorse-ment/credential without additional required training until Jan. 1, 2017.

• Gap closing: all existing mariners must complete gap-closing training require-ments and submit certificates of completion to the USCG prior to Jan. 1, 2017 for theircredential to be valid after that date.

• Upgrading: if you are an existing mariner and are in the process of upgradingyour license (credential) during the transitional period, the table below lists the provi-sions for this process.

■ Mariners may upgrade based upon the regulations in place prior to March 24,2014 and be issued their new license.■ Once a new license is obtained during the transitional period, the gap-closingrequirements for the new license must be completed by Jan. 1, 2017.

The excerpt below is from the USCG table in Enclosure 2 of NVIC 02-14 and pro-vides an overview of the grandfathering and transitional provisions for existing mariners.

Mariners who apply for an endorsement based on service or training that was

started before March 24, 2014

STCW requirements for original endorsement, renewal, and raise of grade of an existingendorsement:

• Mariners may qualify for an endorsement under the previous regulations untilDec. 31, 2016.

• Mariners qualifying under 46 CFR 11.301(g)(3) must meet the additional train-ing requirements specified in the regulations for the specific endorsement sought byDec. 31, 2016.

• Mariners who do not provide documents showing the completion of the addi-tional requirements will receive a limitation, as appropriate, on their endorsement not-ing that it is not valid after Dec. 31, 2016, or that it is not valid for certain vessels and/orequipment after Dec. 31, 2016.

Step 2 — Determine the gap-closing training requirements that you will need to

complete by Jan. 1, 2017:

Master and chief mate — STCW management level, deck:

• Leadership and managerial skills• ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with ECDIS (ECDIS certificates previously earned

at STAR Center meet this requirement)

Chief engineer and first assistant engineer (STCW second engineering officer) —STCW management level, engine:

• Engine room resource management, if not completed at the operational level• Leadership and managerial skills• Management of electrical and electronic control equipment

Officer in charge of a navigational watch (OICNW third mate and second mate) —STCW operational level, deck:

• Evidence of meeting the standard of competence in leadership and teamworking skills

• ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment (ECDIS certificates previous-ly earned at STAR Center meet this requirement)

Officer in charge of an engineering watch (OICEW third assistant and second assistantengineer) — STCW operational level, engine:

• Engine room resource management• Evidence of meeting the standard of competence in leadership and team

working skills

AMO aboard theUSNS Lawrence

H. Gianella

The tanker USNS Lawrence H. Gianella docksat Port Everglades, Fla. in February. TheUSNS Gianella is operated for Military SealiftCommand by Ocean Ships, Inc. and ismanned in all licensed positions by AmericanMaritime Officers.

AMO members working aboard the Gianella inFebruary included Second Assistant EngineerCharlie Umali and Captain Stefan Goad.

AMO members working aboard the Gianella inFebruary included Chief Mate Mick Manion andThird Mate Tom Shattuck.

AMO members working aboard the Gianella inFebruary included Chief Engineer Terry Jacobsenand First A.E. Daniel Lee.

American Maritime Officer • 5March 2014

Construction begins on the first LNG-poweredcontainership in the world for TOTE’s Marlin Class

Fireworks marked the first cut of steelin a ceremony held Feb. 24 as constructionbegan on the first containership in the worldto be powered by liquefied natural gas(LNG) for TOTE, Inc.’s Marlin Class atGeneral Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego,Calif., TOTE, Inc. reported.

“These ships will be the mostadvanced, environmentally progressive ves-sels of their kind. But they also represent$350 million in U.S. investment, 600American shipyard jobs, and the brightfuture of the indispensable domestic mar-itime industry,” said Congressman DuncanHunter (R-CA), chairman of the HouseSubcommittee on Coast Guard and MaritimeTransportation.

American Maritime Officers will rep-resent all licensed officers aboard the ships inthe Marlin Class.

“This is an exciting event, not just forour company, but also for the Jones Act andthe future of the United States maritimeindustry,” said TOTE Executive VicePresident Peter Keller. “Hull 495 is the firstLNG dual fuel containership built anywherein the world, and this innovative and ground-breaking ship is being built right here in theUnited States by American shipbuilders andwill be crewed by American merchantmariners and operated by an American com-pany all for the benefit of the people ofPuerto Rico.”

The Marlin Class vessels mark a newage in American shipbuilding. TOTE’s back-to-back announcements in 2012 — convert-ing its existing RO/RO fleet for the Alaskatrade and investing in new containerships for

the Puerto Rico trade — began what can onlybe described as a change of tide in the U.S.maritime industry toward LNG as the newmaritime fuel, the company reported. Clean-burning LNG offers unmatched environmen-tal benefits, reducing emissions below theworld’s most stringent standards.

“The move to LNG fuel is no less sig-nificant than the evolution from sail tosteam,” said Mark Tabbutt, chairman ofSaltchuk, TOTE’s parent company. “TheMarlins represent the start of a new age inAmerican maritime.”

Speakers at the ceremony Feb. 24included Rep. Hunter, Acting MaritimeAdministrator Chip Jaenichen, SaltchukChairman Tabbutt and Kevin Graney, gener-al manager of the NASSCO shipyard.

“This is a historic event and moreimportantly it actually puts the United Statesas a maritime nation at the forefront of thisparticular technology,” Jaenichen said.

“We are excited to begin constructionof the lead ship on this historic project,” saidFred Harris, president of General DynamicsNASSCO. “All of the stakeholders on thisfirst-of-a-kind program, including NASSCO,our Korean partners DSEC, TOTE, ABS andthe USCG, are completely focused on itssuccess. We are beginning construction at alevel of design, planning and material readi-ness that is unsurpassed.”

The Marlins — which will haveJacksonville, Fla. as a homeport — will enterservice in late 2015 and early 2016. TOTErecently announced it entered into an agree-ment with Pivotal LNG and WesPacMidstream to provide LNG to the ships.

At left: AMO National Assistant VicePresident Daniel Shea, who repre-sented American Maritime Officers atthe ceremony to mark the beginning ofconstruction on the Marlin Class, wasamong the stakeholders in attendanceto sign a plaque that will be mountedonboard the first ship in the class.

Totem Ocean chooses Wärtsilä technology forconversion of Orca Class to liquefied natural gas

Totem Ocean Trailer Expressannounced Feb. 18 that Wärtsilä will supplymain engines, generators and integratedLNG storage and fuel gas handling systems(LNGPac™) for the largest LNG conver-sions ever undertaken in North America.

The Orca Class ships Midnight Sun

and North Star will be converted to LNGfrom diesel-electric. Both ships operatein the Jones Act trade betweenWashington State and Alaska and aremanned in all licensed positions byAmerican Maritime Officers.

In making this decision, TotemOcean President John Parrott citedWärtsilä’s proven technology as a decid-ing factor in the company’s selection.Parrott emphasized that “maintaining reli-able, on time service is critical to TotemOcean’s customers as well as the economyand citizens of Alaska.”

The contract was signed in the fourthquarter of 2013, and executives from bothcompanies met Feb. 17, 2014 in Tacoma,Wash. to announce the project, TotemOcean reported.

“Today marks the beginning of a longrelationship between our two companies,”Parrott said. “Our relationship will outlastthis project to extend over the 35-plus yearlife of our vessels.”

The two Orca Class roll-on/roll-offcargo ships transport about one-third of allthe goods required by the people of Alaska,including food, household goods, vehicles,construction materials and military supplysupport, Totem Ocean reported.

“It is an unprecedentedly excitingtime to be in the maritime industry,” saidPresident and CEO of WärtsiläCorporation Björn Rosengren. “Economicconstraints and the need to comply with

environmental legislation have combinedto accelerate the switch to LNG fuel.Wärtsilä is uniquely positioned to enablethis transition since we have been a leaderin developing the appropriate technology

for nearly 30 years. We look forward toworking with TOTE on converting theMidnight Sun and North Star to LNG sothat they can realize the benefits that LNGas a marine fuel can provide.”

Image: Wärtsilä Corporation

Above: Participating in the ceremonyin San Diego, Calif. to mark the start ofconstruction on hull #495 were TOTEExecutive Vice President Peter Keller,Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA),Manager of the General DynamicsNASSCO Steel Department WalterTschernkowitsch, and Rep. Hunter’sson Duncan, who made the first cut ofsteel on hull #495 for TOTE’s MarlinClass.

6 • American Maritime Officer March 2014

Christening the USNS John Glenn

Members of American Maritime Officers attending the christening ceremony for the USNS John Glenn and working aboardMLP 2 in February included (front: left to right) Electronics Officer Keith Rogers, Third Mate Mike Payne, Third Mate JackMcAuliffe, Chief Mate Carrie Stewart, Captain Patrick Rathbun, Second Assistant Engineer Henry Matuszynski (back: leftto right) Second A.E. Robert Shy, Chief Engineer Peter Gorman, Second Mate Chris Brown, Third A.E. Chris Yarussi andFirst A.E. Richard King. With them are AMO National Assistant Vice Presidents Daniel Shea and Christian Spain.

Above: Lyn Glenn, sponsor of theUSNS John Glenn, christens the shipFeb. 1, 2014 at General DynamicsNASSCO in San Diego, Calif.

Former astronaut and U.S. senatorJohn Glenn, and sponsor of theUSNS John Glenn, Lyn Glenn, pre-sent American Maritime Officersmember Captain Patrick Rathbun,master on the USNS John Glenn,with a miniature U.S. flag carried byJohn Glenn when he became the firstAmerican to orbit the Earth in 1962.The flag will be carried aboard thenew ship bearing his name.

Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO

Photos: General Dynamics NASSCO

Inspiration. Innovation. Honor.Those are just a few of the words

mentioned when people speak of retiredastronaut, U.S. Senator and Marine Corpspilot Col. John Glenn.

The same exemplary service isexpected of the new mobile landing plat-form that now bears his name.

The USNS John Glenn, the secondMLP in the Military Sealift Command fleet,was christened in February during a cere-mony befitting a true American pioneer andhero. Glenn, now 92, attended the weekend-long celebration with his family in SanDiego, and shared with honored guests sto-ries of his exploits in space and his battles inseveral major wars around the world.

He considers having a U.S. Navalship named after him one of the highlightsof his career.

“I am very proud to have my name onthis ship — very proud,” said Glenn, whoserved as a fighter pilot in World War II andthe Korean War and went on to become thefirst American to orbit the Earth. “This shipshows great innovation and that’s been a bigpart of my life.”

The USNS John Glenn is operated byOcean Ships, Inc., which also operates theUSNS Montford Point — the first MLP,which was delivered to MSC in 2013. Bothvessels are manned in all licensed positionsby American Maritime Officers.

The MLP class is the core of theNavy’s sea basing concept and is vital tothe military’s prepositioning force strate-gy. These ‘piers at sea’ are designed toallow the military to implement large-scale logistics movements withoutdepending upon foreign ports for access toreach assets on shore.

The USNS John Glenn will providegreat versatility for the U.S. Navy andMarine Corps and serve as a sea base for mil-itary and humanitarian operations, Navy offi-cials said. Its open and spacious designallows the vessel to accommodate a varietyof cargo, from military and amphibious vehi-cles to hundreds of containers of food andhumanitarian aid. The ship can also be par-tially submerged to receive other watercraftsonboard for delivery or transportation.

Such versatility is what makes theUSNS John Glenn an invaluable asset forMilitary Sealift Command, said Navy Chiefof Naval Operations Adm. JonathanGreenert.

“This is a giant Swiss Army knife andwe have not scratched the surface on itsuse,” he said. “Just as John Glenn’s intrepidnature opened our eyes to a new domain inspace, so will this ship and its crew live upto that namesake.”

Even Glenn was taken aback at themassive ship’s design when he first saw thecompleted product, he said.

“It looks like somebody needs to fin-ish it when you first look at it, but that’s thestrength of this ship,” Glenn said. “You cando so much with it and allows for a differ-ent type of planning.”

Readiness for any mission will be theship’s mantra, much like Glenn’s attitudethroughout his career.

A native of Cambridge, Ohio, Glennjoined the Navy in 1941 and was commis-sioned into the Marine Corps in 1943. Heflew 59 combat missions during WorldWar II another 90 missions during theKorean War.

Glenn continued his career as a test

pilot and set a transcontinental speed recordin 1957 when he flew from Los Angeles toNew York at supersonic levels. It didn’t takelong before Glenn’s aspirations rocketedbeyond Earth’s atmosphere and he set hissights upon the stars.

On Feb. 20, 1962, Glenn became thefirst American to orbit the Earth, accom-plishing the feat three times before splash-ing down after a five-hour trip into space.The out-of-this-world experience madeGlenn a household name and thrust him intoiconic hero status.

After retiring from the MarineCorps in 1965 and embarking on a suc-

cessful business career, Glenn was electedas a U.S. Senator for Ohio in 1974. Hespent the next 24 years serving America inthe halls of Congress.

Having been earth-bound for morethan 30 years, Glenn took one more tripinto space and the history books in 1998.At the age of 67, Glenn became the oldesthuman to travel into space as part of aNASA mission to study the effects ofspace flight on aging.

Such feats helped inspire those whobuilt the USNS John Glenn, and will contin-ue to encourage the ship’s crew to live up tothe standards of its namesake.

“Inspiration, dedication and honor

See USNS John Glenn ◆ Page 7

American Maritime Officer • 7March 2014

Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO

describe the man, and the 2,900 people whoworked on this project have built thosewords into the USNS John Glenn,” saidKevin Graney, vice-president and generalmanager of General Dynamics NASSCO.“Those words will reflect in the ship.”

A piece of U.S. history will also sailwith the USNS John Glenn when it isdeployed.

As he became the first American toorbit the Earth in 1962, Glenn brought withhim several miniature U.S. flags. During thesponsor’s dinner Jan. 31, AMO memberCaptain Patrick Rathbun, master on theUSNS John Glenn, was presented with oneof those flags to be carried on the ship byGlenn and his daughter, Lyn — the sponsorof the new ship.

The precious cargo will be a cher-ished keepsake and a reminder for as longas the USNS John Glenn is in service, saidRear Adm. Thomas Shannon, commanderof Military Sealift Command.

“Captain Rathbun and his merchantmariners will take good care of the John

Glenn as they enjoy the honor of sailing heron new and innovative missions for ournation,” he said.

USNS John GlennContinued from Page 6

Maersk Peary, Maersk Illinois serve in Deep Freeze

Above: The officers and crew of thetanker Maersk Peary gather for aphoto while serving in Operation DeepFreeze 2014.

The tanker Maersk Peary andheavy-lift ship Maersk Illinois havecompleted deliveries of fuel and sup-plies for McMurdo Station in Antarcticaand other U.S. facilities in the region,providing for their continued operationfor an entire year.

Both ships are manned in all licensedpositions by members of AmericanMaritime Officers and operated under char-ter to Military Sealift Command forOperation Deep Freeze, the annual JointTask Force Support for Antarctica missionto resupply the remote scientific outpost.

Clearing the way for the ships was theU.S. Coast Guard’s 399-foot Polar Classicebreaker Polar Star, which chiseled a lanethrough 12 miles of ice with a thickness ofup to 10 feet.

The Maersk Peary arrived atMcMurdo Station on Jan. 26 and delivereda total 3.5 million gallons of diesel fuel, jetfuel and gasoline — 100 percent of the fuelneeded to sustain the station for the year.

The Maersk Illinois arrived atMcMurdo’s ice pier Jan. 31. Members ofNavy Cargo Handling Battalion Oneworked around-the-clock offloading thecargo of nearly 7 million pounds of sup-plies, including frozen and dry food stores,building materials, vehicles and electronicequipment and parts — roughly 80 percentof the supplies that researchers and supportpersonnel in Antarctica need to survive andwork over the course of a year.

“Operation Deep Freeze is a greatopportunity for Military Sealift Commandto demonstrate our capability to deliver inany situation and any condition,” said NavyCmdr. Ray Franklin, MSC Pacific’s opera-tions officer.

AMO jobs secure aboard State Class tankersin acquisition of APT by Kinder Morgan

Intrepid Personnel and Provisioningwill continue to operate all five of theState Class tankers following the acquisi-

tion of American Petroleum Tankers fromThe Blackstone Group and CerberusCapital Management by Kinder Morgan

Energy Partners, L.P.American Maritime Officers will

continue to represent all licensed officers

aboard the Pelican State, Empire State,Evergreen State, Sunshine State andGolden State.

All of the medium-range Jones Actqualified tankers in the State Class fleetoperate pursuant to long-term time charterswith parties including major integrated oilcompanies, major refiners and MilitarySealift Command.

At left: The tanker Maersk Peary,which is operated by Maersk Line,Limited, and manned in all licensedpositions by AMO, discharges a fullload of fuels at McMurdo Station’s icepier during Operation Deep Freeze2014 (U.S. Navy photo by LarryLarsson).

8 • American Maritime Officer March 2014

AMO Safety and Education Plan — Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center

General Courses

ABS NS5 Fleet Management Software 3 days 24 March 4 June

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 10, 31 March 12 May 16 June 14 July 18 August 15 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 17 March 21 April 9 June 7 July 8 September

Basic Safety Training — Refresher 3 days 19 March 23 April 11 June 9 July 10 September

Chemical Safety — Advanced 5 days 24 April

ECDIS 5 days 7 April 23 June 14 July 8 September

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 14 April 11 June 29 September

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 10 March 14 April 5 May 23 June 21 July 2 September

GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework 10 days 28 April

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 days 4 June

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 Please call 16 June

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 24 March 27 May 28 July 22 September

Safety Officer Course 2 days 31 March 5 May 24 July 11 September

Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom 5 days 7 April 29 September

Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator 10 days 10 March 12 May 7 July 11 August

Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program 10 days 24 March

Train the Trainer 5 days 10, 31 March 16 June 4 August 22 September

Train the Trainer — Simulator Instructors 5 days Please call

Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy 3 days 14 April 21 July 8 September

Deck Courses

Advanced Bridge Resource Management 5 days 7 April (P.M.) 16 June 25 Aug. (P.M.) 8 Sept. (P.M.) 15 Sept. (P.M.)

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

Chief Mate Unlimited5 days 21 April 23 June 25 August 29 September

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rd Mates 10 days 10 March 5 May 11 August 1 September

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

Bridge Resource Management Seminar 3 days Please call

Dynamic Positioning — Basic 5 days 31 March 16 June 28 July

Dynamic Positioning — Advanced 5 days 5 May 15 September

Integrated Bridge System (IBS) / Prodded Propulsion Training 5 days Please call

STCW Deck Officer Refresher — Great Lakes 3 days Please call

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

Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required5 days 24 March 23 June 25 August 22 September

Tug Training — ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 5 days 19 May (P.M.) 29 September

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

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

This program will complete ALL 53 Control Sheet assessments of the training requirements for STCW. Course completion certificates do not expire. Operational level officers (3/M and 2/M) interested in advancing to Chief

Mate/Master (Management) Level are encouraged to start obtaining the required courses as soon as practical after acquiring OICNW experience. Advanced Navigation and a USCG approved ECDIS course must be completed

within 12 months of each other to satisfy the Management Level upgrade course and assessment requirements.

Celestial Navigation — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 31 March 19 May

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 21 April 23 June 1 September

Cargo Operations 9 days 17 March 28 April 14 July 22 September

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 10 March 21 April 9 June 28 July 15 September

Upgrade: Stability 5 days 7 April 2 June 28 July 8 September

Watchkeeping 1: BRM 3 days 15 April 14 May 6 August 3 September

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

months of each other5 days 21 April 19 May 11 August 8 September

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 31 March 2 June 4 August (P.M.) 15 September

Shipboard Management 5 days 17 March 16 June 18 August

Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (includes Simulator) 5 days 10 March 5 May 18 August 29 September

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

12 months of each other. Suggested dates follow. See also deck courses above.5 days 17 March 12 May 25 August

Self-Study License Exam Preparation A/R

Engineering Courses

Advanced Slow Speed Diesel 10 days 31 March 7 July

Basic Electricity 10 days 31 March 7 July

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks 2 June

Engine Room Resource Management 5 days 7 April 11 August 8, 22 Sept.

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 12 May

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 28 July

Ocean Ranger Program 6 days 7 April

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 5 days 21 April 21 July

Refrigeration (Operational Level) 5 days 21 April 18 August

Refrigeration (Management Level) 5 days 28 April 25 August

Steam Endorsement 4 weeks 7 July

Electronics and Power Electronics (Management) — NEW 1 week 24 March 2 June 4 August

Instrumentation (Management) — NEW 10 days 10 March 16 June 18 August

Welding & Metallurgy Skills & Practices — Open to eligible Chief Mates and Masters on a space available basis.

Interested participants should apply and will be confirmed 2 weeks prior to start date.2 weeks 5 May 8 September

This schedule is subject to significant change based on the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard final rule implementing the 2010 amendments to STCW

American Maritime Officer • 9March 2014

Original License Courses

RFPNW Assessments 1 day Please call

Marlin Spike 1 day Please call

40-hour Able Seaman 5 days Please call

MSC Training Program

CMEO for Junior Engineers 5 days 10 March 19 May

Basic CBR Defense 1 day 14 March 11 April 27 June 18 July 29 August

Damage Control 1 day 13 March 10 April 26 June 17 July 28 August

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 29 April

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 18 March 22 April 8 July 16 September

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 14 March 10 April 27 June 18 July 29 August

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day 17 April

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: Not MSC approved 3 days 30 April 3 September

MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once in career. 5 days 17 March 21 April 7 July 15 September

MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 15 May 31 July 25 September

MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members 1 day 27 March 24 April 19 May 12 June 4 August 11 September 29 September

MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 20 May 5 August 30 September

Small Arms — Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training — Open to

members & applicants eligible for employment through AMO (w/in 1 year) or MSC on

MARAD contracted vessels. Remedial shoot will be afforded on Day 4 for at least 1

weapon if passing score not attained. STCW Endorsement required.

3 days 10, 24 March 7,21 April 12, 28 May 9, 23 June 14, 28 July 11, 25 August8, 22

September

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 17 April

Engine STCW / Original Engineer Training Routes — Engine STCW training routes are

aimed at Great Lakes members wishing to transition to deep sea. Original engineer training is available to

members, applicants and sponsored students seeking an original license.

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 10 March 15 September

Basic Safety Training 5 days 17 March 8 September

EFA/MCP 4 days 30 September

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 24 March 22 September

Basic Electricity (original engineers only) 10 days 31 March 6 October

Original 3 A/E Preparation and Exams A/R 20 October

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

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

Medical Courses

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 29 April

Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months 1 day 6 May 17 June 22 July 30 September

Medical Care Provider — Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 12 months.

Please fax EFA certificate when registering3 days 7 May 18 June 23 July 1 October

Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 10 March 12 May 23 June 28 July

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 17 March 19 May 30 June

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only 1 day 18 March 20 May 1 July

Saliva Screening Test — QEDs only 1/2 day 19 March 21 May 2 July

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: Not MSC approved 3 days 30 April 3 September

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 27 March 14, 28 April 3, 30 June 3 July 5 August 2 September

Radar Recertification at Toledo Maritime Academy — Non-Resident

Training, apply to Student Services, Dania Beach1 day 20 March 26 June

ARPA 4 days 29 April

Radar Recertification & ARPA 5 days 28 April

Original Radar Observer Unlimited 5 days 21 April

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

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

Celestial Navigation 10 days Please call

Ship Construction & Stability 5 days Please call

Emergency Procedures & SAR 4 days Please call

Meteorology 5 days Please call

Cargo Handling & Storage 5 days Please call

Magnetic & Gyro Compass 3 days Please call

Electronic Navigation 5 days Please call

Terrestrial Navigation 10 days Please call

Watchkeeping 10 days Please call

Basic Shiphandling at the Operational Level 5 days Please call

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

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

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

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

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

Vessel General Permit — EPA CD

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

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

Small Arms — Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training — Open to

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

MARAD contracted vessels.

3 days 24 March

Elementary First Aid 1 day 27 March

Drug Collector Training 1 day 28 March

Breath Alcohol Test Collector 1 day 29 March

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 31 March

10 • American Maritime Officer March 2014

AMO NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 33004601 S. Federal Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Thomas J. Bethel, National President tommybethel@aol.com / tbethel@amo-union.orgMobile: (202) 251-0349José E. Leonard, National Secretary-Treasurer(jleonard@amo-union.org)Jack Branthover, Special Assistant to the National President(jbranthover@amo-union.org)FAX: (954) 926-5112Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea(jgremelsbacker@amo-union.org)Charles A. Murdock, National Vice President, Inland Waters (cmurdock@amo-union.org)Mobile: (954) 531-9977FAX: (954) 367-1025Dispatch: (800) 345-3410 / FAX: (954) 926-5126Brendan Keller, Dispatcher (bkeller@amo-union.org)Robert Anderson, Dispatcher (randerson@amo-union.org)Member Services: Extension 1050 (memberservices@amo-union.org)

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001Thomas J. Bethel, National President tommybethel@aol.com / tbethel@amo-union.orgMobile: (202) 251-0349J. Michael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relationsmmurphy@amo-union.orgMobile: (202) 560-6889T. Christian Spain, National Assistant Vice President, Government Relationscspain@amo-union.orgMobile: (202) 658-9635John K. DeCrosta, Director of Political Affairs jdecrosta@amo-union.org / Mobile: (202) 557-9190Paul Doell, Legislative Director pauldoell51@yahoo.comFAX: (202) 479-1188

PORTS

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191132 International Plaza, Suite 422Robert J. Kiefer, National Executive Vice President (rkiefer@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001Mobile: (215) 859-1059FAX: (610) 521-1301Chris Holmes, Contract Analysis (cholmes@amo‐union.org)(800) 362‐0513 ext. 4002Mobile: (856) 693‐0694

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

GALVESTON, TX 775512724 61st Street, Suite B, PMB 192David M. Weathers, National Assistant Vice President(dweathers@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001Mobile: (409) 996-7362FAX: (409) 737-4454

SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 946071121 7th Street, Second FloorOakland, CA 94607(510) 444-5301(800) 362-0513 ext. 5001Daniel E. Shea, National Assistant Vice President(dshea@amo-union.org)FAX: (954) 367-1064

STAR CENTER

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

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

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

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

LEGAL

AMO Coast Guard Legal Aid Joel Glanstein, General CounselProgram 437 Madison AveMichael Reny 35th FloorMobile: (419) 346-1485 New York, NY 10022(419) 243-1105 / (888) 853-4662 (212) 370-5100MikeReny@BEX.NET FAX: (212) 697-6299

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will beheld during the week following the first Sunday of everymonth at 1 p.m. local time. Meetings will be held on Mondayat AMO National Headquarters (on Tuesday when Mondayis a contract holiday). The next meetings will take place onthe following dates:

AMO National Headquarters: April 7, May 5

Freeport underway on the Hudson

Photo courtesy of Captain Robert Meier

The U.S. Shipping Corporation ATB Freeport travels up the Hudson River toAlbany in February. AMO represents all licensed officers aboard the ATB.

American Maritime Officer • 11March 2014

AMO members train, prepare for license upgrades at STAR Center

AMO members completing Celestial Navigation as part of the STAR Center deckupgrade program for chief mate/master in February with instructor Robert Bates(left), included Rolando Santos, Joshua Jordan, James Losee, Robert Proulx,Shawn Clark and Kevin Wood.

AMO members Justin Von Sprecken and Ahmed Ali in February successfullycompleted all exams at REC Miami to upgrade their licenses after preparing atSTAR Center. Von Sprecken upgraded to master, Great Lakes, any gross ton-nage, and Ali upgraded to mate, Great Lakes, any gross tonnage.

M/V Buffalo inwinter lay-up

At left: The M/V Buffalo at its winterberth in Toledo in early January —AMO represents all licensed officersaboard the American SteamshipCompany vessel.

At right: American Maritime Officersmembers working aboard the Buffaloin January included Chief EngineerGarvie Crane and Second AssistantEngineer Bryce Sharpe. With them isAMO Senior National Assistant VicePresident Brian Krus.

12 • American Maritime Officer March 2014

Officers, crew of USNS Wheeler commended forcommunity outreach, proactive operational planning

In a message to Captain JohnMansfield, master on the USNS VADM

K.R. Wheeler, U.S. Navy Capt. LeonardRemias — commodore, MaritimePrepositioning Ship Squadron Three —commended the vessel’s officers and crewfor their early community outreach workafter the USNS Wheeler’s arrival inSaipan, as well as their proactive planningfor offshore petroleum distribution systemtesting, training with sonar equipment andin-house survey operations.

“Bravo Zulu (Well Done) to theentire WHEELER team for hosting theSaipan Rotary Club during yesterday’s

tours,” Capt. Remias wrote in a messagedated Feb. 11. “Your team has hit the deck

running since arrival on 6 Feb and isalready making a resounding impact andlasting impression in the community.”

Coverage of the event hosted by theUSNS Wheeler is available online from theSaipan Tribune (www.saipantribune.com)and Marianas Variety (www.mvariety.com).

The USNS Wheeler is operated forMilitary Sealift Command by TOTEServices, Inc. and is manned in alllicensed positions by members ofAmerican Maritime Officers.

Capt. Remias is embarked on theUSNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, which isoperated for MSC by Maersk Line,

Limited and is manned in all licensedpositions by AMO.

The USNS Wheeler discovered a sub-merged World War II era amphibioustank while conducting bottom surveys.

Photo courtesy of Captain John Mansfield

The USNS Wheeler located a sub-merged anchor chain that has imped-ed some prepositioning ships.

Photo courtesy of Captain John Mansfield

The USNS VADM K.R. Wheeler — a chief engineer’sdescription of an offshore petroleum distribution ship

The following article was pub-

lished in the Winter 2013-2014 edition of

the Kings Pointer magazine and is

reprinted here with permission.

By Brian Kelly

The USNS VADM K.R. Wheeler isan offshore petroleum distribution ship(OPDS). We hook into a tanker andpump fuel (or other product) to a beach-front mobile fuel depot. This is donefrom up to eight miles away via a highpressure (5,000 psi) flex pipe. The ship isdynamic positioning level 2. We remaindead-on location with the six powerfulthrusters. There are two swing-down360-degree azimuthing thrusters and fourtunnel thrusters in combination with thetwin-screw, controllable-pitch mainpropulsion.

The ship is machinery stem tostern on all decks. It has a lot of new tech-

nology. We also have seven smaller vesselsonboard and a 150-foot tanker tether vesselthat are launched for various operations dur-ing deployment operation. The Wheeler isalso equipped to tow a fully-loaded LMSR(so pretty much any ship in the world).

In addition to all of the military appli-cations, the Wheeler has multiple humanitar-ian or emergency applications. It has fire

fighting capabilities, including two watercannon monitors with a range of several hun-dred feet. We have a substantial water mak-ing capability and could pump potable watervia the flex pipe to a beach front. The electri-cal generation capability could light up asmall city.

The Wheeler is a Navy-owned, (con-tract) civilian mariner company (TOTE

Services, Inc.) operated vessel. The offi-cers are all American Maritime Officersmembers. We took possession of theWheeler last August and we havereceived many commendations sincethen from the Navy, MSC, and severalhost nation dignitaries.

The crew of the Wheeler is one ofthe most talented crews (deck andengine) that I have had the pleasure tosail with. This is my 29th year in AMO.TOTE Services also deserves credit forall of the successes of the Wheeler. It isnice to see that the Wheeler is a top per-former and has a good mix of all theacademies and hawse pipers. I am alsoglad to see that there are a handful ofKings Pointers (ancient and recent).

I am proud to be a part of theWheeler team and proud of the people Iwork with. I like it when the rivalry dis-putes between the maritime academiesare silenced by action not words.

Rep. Garamendi advocatesunified approach, focus onkey policies in developmentof national maritime strategy

Rep. Hunter highlights needto improve U.S. industry’scompetitive position as partof national maritime strategy

Photo courtesy of Captain John Mansfield

Development of a national maritimestrategy focused on policy enforcement,easing of onerous regulations and capital-ization on new cargo opportunities couldunlock an era of prosperity for the U.S. mar-itime industry, Congressman DuncanHunter (R-CA) told industry, labor and gov-ernment leaders gathered for the NationalMaritime Strategy Symposium inWashington, D.C. in January.

“With the energy that we have in thiscountry and that we’re getting out of theground, that we’re going to be exporting,it’s going to be a great time if we do thisright,” said Rep. Hunter, chairman of theSubcommittee on Coast Guard andMaritime Transportation. “You’re going tohave a lot of bulk fuel to drive around theoceans. And we’re even looking at thingswhere, if you’re going to get it out of U.S.soil and your going to export energy fromthe U.S., maybe it ought to be on U.S. shipswith U.S. mariners.”

During his presentation at the sympo-

During his presentation at theNational Maritime Strategy Symposium inJanuary, Congressman John Garamendi(D-CA) challenged leaders of the maritimeindustry to work together to craft a nation-al maritime strategy that will serve as thebasis for a resurgent U.S. merchant marine.

The three-day summit, hosted bythe Maritime Administration Jan. 14 to 16in Washington, D.C., was aimed at devel-oping the foundation for the first strategyof its kind in the U.S.

Rep. Garamendi, ranking memberon the Subcommittee on Coast Guard andMaritime Transportation, outlined fourpoints important to include in such a strat-egy, including increased support for theJones Act, development of policies toencourage a public-private partnership inthe maritime sector, identifying newtrades and cargo for the U.S. fleet, andunified support for a single strategic plan.

“We’ve got to focus our attention,like a laser, on a new policy direction and

we’re going to have to start speaking withone voice,” he said. “We must continue tosupport the Jones Act. It’s foundational. Letit be fractured and let it be whittled awayand we will see even less than 90 ships inthe future.

“We must find new trades and newcargo to revitalize the U.S. fleet,” Rep.Garamendi said.

One of the areas considered ripe withpotential is the transportation of oil and nat-ural gas found under American soil. Withnew resources being developed in abun-dance, policy makers and industry leadersshould work to ensure these commodities, ifexported, will be carried by U.S.-flaggedvessels, Rep. Garamendi said.

“[Natural gas and oil] are strategicnational assets that give this nation the foun-dation for economic growth that no othernation is this world currently possesses,” hesaid. “We should not squander it. We shouldnot give it away. If it is to be exported, it mustbe exported on American bottoms.”

sium, Rep. Hunter focused on improvedenforcement of the Jones Act and cargopreference laws as crucial elements in theeffort to reinvigorate the U.S.-flag fleet.

“We are going to reverse the trendthat’s been going since the 1980s,” hesaid. “We’re going to improve cargo pref-erence by giving MARAD the teeth itneeds to properly enforce the law and endthe sometimes flagrant violations we havewitnessed by some federal agencies.”

Rep. Hunter also addressed the needto increase recruitment of military veter-ans and young people for jobs in the U.S.maritime industry.

“We’re going to reduce the regula-tory burden, improving the competitive-ness of the U.S. maritime industry and cre-ating new job opportunities for U.S.mariners,” he said. “You have to create anenvironment where they want to buildships and they can make money doing it.It’s better for the country and it’s better foreverybody in the long run.”