MARINE ENGINEERS' BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO)
         "On Watch in Peace and War Since 1875"

MEBA TELEX TIMES       MAY 29, 2009

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 22

In this issue...
M.E.B.A. ship takes over humanitarian mission...Aker construction update...Piracy Task Force meeting... In this issue...M.E.B.A. ship takes over humanitarian mission...Aker construction update...Piracy Task Force meeting...Stanza by stanza, the M.E.B.A. laureate composes our latest little ditty with a lyrical epic written in Iambic pentameter. Refrain from thematically poor, hack newsletters with no rhyme or reason that read like a funeral dirge. Nevermore! We meter out well-versed nautical prose and recite a stylistic ode to the maritime industry. The Telex Times is poetry in motion!

M.E.B.A. SHIP TAKES OVER NAVY HUMANITARIAN MISSION AFTER SWINE FLU OUTBREAK
After a swine flu outbreak upset their plans, the Navy's Pacific Partnership mission will now deploy onboard the M.E.B.A.-crewed USNS RICHARD E. BYRD (T-AKE 4), a Military Sealift Command underway replenishment ship. Due to an abundance of caution, USS DUBUQUE (LPD-8) was pulled from the mission May 5th, after a number of crew members were confirmed to have H1N1 influenza (swine flu). This is the fourth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian civic assistance missions, a job carried out last year by the M.E.B.A.-crewed hospital ship USNS MERCY.

"We are pleased to be able to continue on with Pacific Partnership and meet our commitments to the host nations," said the Mission Commander Capt. Andrew Cully. "After reviewing the available Navy assets and their capabilities, USNS RICHARD E. BYRD proved to have more than enough storage space for equipment and supplies necessary to support the mission."

The Pacific Partnership mission team and much of its equipment and supplies are scheduled to depart San Diego in early June onboard another M.E.B.A.-crewed vessel, the USNS AMELIA EARHART (T-AKE 6). The mission team, along with its equipment and supplies, will be transferred at sea to USNS RICHARD BYRD during the transit to Oceania, allowing the EARHART to meet follow on commitments.

Pacific Partnership will visit all five nations originally announced - Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Marshall Islands.

AKER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard continues work on four more MT-46 Veteran Product Tankers in a series of 12 new ships to be crewed up by M.E.B.A. engineers. The first six vessels in the series have already been delivered.

The latest completed M.E.B.A. ship built at Aker, the OVERSEAS NIKISKI, recently returned from sea trials where it was tested in all elements to make sure it is suitable for final delivery. The vessel returned with a clean sweep and will continue final testing and commissioning until its delivery in June. Upon delivery it will join its sister ships in transporting petroleum products on the West Coast.

Ship 012, to be named OVERSEAS MARTINEZ, has been skidded into its permanent building place and the vessel is quickly taking shape. Three grand blocks were welded together to form one super unit and was lifted over the vessel and lowered into place.

Representatives of Aker and OSG America staged a keel laying ceremony for Ship 013 on May 7. The vessel will be called the OVERSEAS ANACORTES. Following long held shipbuilding tradition, coins were placed on one of the keel blocks that supports the vessel during construction before the first section of the ship was lowered into place. These coins are a ceremonial sign of good fortune and safe travels.

Ship 014, to be named the OVERSEAS TAMPA, is still in the pre fabrication stages of the building process. The initial steel plates have been welded together and profiles are beginning to be mounted to form the first sections of the ship. When completed on the Large Panel Line, the steel plates will move to the Double Bottom line to begin fabricating the double hull sections of the vessel.

NAVAL LEADERS MEET TO COORDINATE COUNTER-PIRACY EFFORTS
The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) hosted naval leaders from 23 nations and international organizations this week for a series of meetings, held in Manama, Bahrain. The SHared Awareness and DEconfliction (SHADE) meetings provide a working-level opportunity for navies to come together to share information and deconflict counter-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia.

"These efforts streamline and maximize the effectiveness of naval forces to conduct counter-piracy operations in the region," said Commodore Tim Lowe, Deputy Commander, CMF. "By synchronizing and deconflicting our efforts, Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, EU, NATO and other international forces are making a difference."

CTF 151 is a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the CMF area of operations to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.

Following the establishment of CTF 151, the CMF staff determined that it would be helpful to implement working-level meetings ashore to discuss counter-piracy coordination and deconfliction.

Originally commanded by the U.S. Navy, CTF 151 is now commanded by the Turkish Navy. The command staff is comprised of personnel from Turkey, the U.S., U.K., Pakistan and Greece. The command staff manages daily operations from the USS GETTYSBURG (CG 64) operating in the Gulf of Aden.

NEW STUDY SHOWS INTENSIFIED ANTI-UNION BEHAVIOR BY EMPLOYERS
A new study by labor expert and Cornell University professor Kate Bronfenbrenner reveals that private sector employer opposition to workers' efforts to form unions has intensified and become more punitive than in the past. Employers are more than twice as likely to use 10 or more tactics - including threats of and actual firings - in their campaigns to thwart workers' organizing efforts. Today's anti-union activities include a greater focus than in the past on more coercive and punitive tactics designed to intensely monitor and punish union activity.

In No Holds Barred: The Intensification of Employer Opposition to Organizing, published by the American Rights at Work Education Fund and the Economic Policy Institute, Bronfenbrenner provides a comprehensive, independent analysis of employer behavior in union representation elections supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The report also compares employer behavior data in the study's time period (1999-2003) to previous studies conducted by Bronfenbrenner's research teams over the last 20 years.

For the vast majority of workers who want unions today but do not have them, the right to organize and bargain collectively-free from coercion, intimidation, and retaliation-is at best a promise indefinitely deferred. According to Bronfenbrenner, in NLRB election campaigns, it is standard practice for workers to be subjected by corporations to threats, interrogation, harassment, surveillance, and retaliation for union activity.

From the 1999-2003 data:
- 63% interrogate workers in one-on-one meetings with their supervisors about support for the union
- 54% threaten workers in such meetings
- 57% threaten to close the worksite
- 47% threaten to cut wages and benefits
- 34% fire workers

Even when workers succeed at forming a union, 52 percent are still without a contract a year after they win the election, and 37 percent remain without a contract two years after the election.

CMES e-LEARNING CONFERENCE TAKING RESERVATIONS
The Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School is taking reservations for the upcoming  International Maritime eLearning Symposium set for July 20th through July 23rd at CMES in Easton, Maryland. Go to http://conf09.cutwater.org for more conference information and to register your interest in participating in this year's Conference.

The symposium will bring shipping company executives, maritime regulators, training administrators, and faculty from around the world to discuss and experience the latest trends and technologies in eLearning for the maritime industry. The expected audience, and their spouses, will not only learn the current state of maritime training online and network with other training providers and shipping executives, but will be able to enjoy and explore our local community on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

The Symposium was put together to coordinate Maritime eLearning objectives for shipping companies, regulatory bodies, maritime academies, and training centers. Those attending will be able to better learn the current state of regulatory involvement in maritime training online; Gain knowledge of latest technologies behind delivering maritime training online; and Open communications with other training providers. The Symposium schedule has been released and is as follows:

Monday July 20th 1400-1900 Pre-registration
Tuesday July 21st 0700-1700 Registration
0800-1700 Workshops
Wednesday July 22nd 0700-1700 Registration
0800-0930 First Keynote Speaker
0945-1130 Roundtables / Breakout
Sessions
1130-1300 Lunch
1300-1430 Second Keynote Speaker
1445-1630 Roundtables / Breakout
Sessions
Thursday July 23rd 0700-0900 Registration
0800-0930 Third Keynote Speaker
0945-1130 Roundtables / Breakout
Sessions
1130-1300 Lunch
1300-1445 Roundtables / Breakout
Sessions
1445-2300 Farewell Reception

Symposium keynote speakers include Acting Maritime Administrator James Caponiti who will speak about "The Looming Challenges Facing Maritime Educators;" Mayte Medina, USCG Personnel Qualification Division, and Senior Member of the US Delegation to the IMO, who will educate symposium attendees on the "Future IMO Training Requirements," and Jose Femenia, USMMA Professor & Master Marine Engineering Program Director, who will give a presentation describing the US Merchant Marine Academy's online Master of Science in Marine Engineering program.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE CAA MYRTLE BEACH GOLF OUTING
Do yourself a favor right now and register for the fabulous Calhoon Alumni Association golf outing set for Myrtle Beach this summer. You deserve it!

This CAA three-day golf event is scheduled for July 10-12 at Litchfield Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC. It includes three rounds of golf on three championship courses, a three-night stay and a fantastic breakfast buffet each day. CAA President Mike Fanning has secured an amazing price for those who seize this deal. It will range from $310 to $350 per golfer depending on the turnout! All active and retired M.E.B.A. members and their guests are welcome. You don't need to be a Calhoon School graduate to attend. Sign up today! Further details can be found on the School's website (www.mebaschool.org).  Click on "What's New" to learn more. Also, e-mail Mike Fanning with any questions at caa2010@mebaschool.org.

COAST GUARD SAFETY NOTICE ON FUEL SYSTEMS
The Coast Guard this week released a Marine Safety Notice to increase awareness and provide general guidance on fuel systems and fuel switching safety in an effort to prevent propulsion losses. A recent Coast Guard study and review of marine casualties indicate that lack of maintenance and testing of certain systems, including fuel oil systems, is one of the leading causes of propulsion failures. Proper procedures, training, and maintenance are essential for vessels to safely switch between heavy/intermediate fuel oils and marine distillates. Additionally, vessel operators need to have a good understanding of their system requirements and limitations, and determine if any modifications may be necessary to safely switch between intended fuels.

In order to manage risk and improve safety, vessel owners and operators should:
* Consult engine and boiler manufacturers for fuel switching guidance;
* Consult manufacturers to determine if system modifications or additional safeguards are necessary for intended fuels;
* Develop detailed fuel switching procedures;
* Establish a fuel system inspection and maintenance schedule;
* Ensure system pressure and temperature alarms, flow indicators, filter differential pressure transmitters, etc., are all operational;
* Ensure system seals, gaskets, flanges, fittings, brackets and supports are maintained;
* Ensure a detailed system diagram is available;
* Conduct initial and periodic crew training;
* Exercise tight control when possible over the quality of the fuel oils received; and
* Complete fuel switching well offshore prior to entering restricted waters or traffic lanes.

The State of California Air Resources Board (ARB) has a proposed regulation under review that, if approved as expected, will require ocean going vessels to use low sulfur marine distillates in main engines, auxiliary engines, and auxiliary boilers beginning on July 1, 2009 in regulated California waters. The state defines regulated waters as those out to 24 nautical miles from the baseline. In light of this state of California regulatory initiative, the Coast Guard anticipates an increase in deep draft fuel switching and urges industry to take proactive measures to improve fuel switching safety in an effort to prevent propulsion losses and equipment casualties.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, June 8 - Boston, Jacksonville, Seattle;
Tuesday, June 9 - Baltimore/Calhoon School (at CMES), Houston, San Francisco (Oakland);
Wednesday, June 10 - Charleston, New Orleans;
Thursday, June 11- L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, June 12 - Honolulu.

--------FINISHED WITH ENGINES---------