Legislation sponsored by Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) that the House of Representatives added to its FY ’10 Department of Defense authorizations legislation has gained strong support from the maritime industry. Congressman Cummings’ proposal would require the Department of Defense to provide armed security teams for U.S.-flag vessels deemed to be at high risk to attack from pirates while the vessels are operating in such high-risk waters. The Department of Defense – more specifically, the Department of the Navy – strongly opposed this provision and successfully convinced the House and Senate conferees to the defense authorizations legislation to reject it. It has been removed from the bill.

In its place, the conferees to the defense bill added two other provisions. The first requires that a report be submitted to the Congress by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense informing Congress of the steps that both Departments have taken (1) "to eliminate or reduce restrictions on the use of arms and the carriage of armed security teams aboard U.S.-flag commercial vessels for the purpose of self-defense;" (2) "to negotiate bilateral agreements" that would allow U.S.-flag commercial vessels to enter foreign ports while carrying arms for self-defense;" and (3) "to establish common standards [for] the training and professional qualifications of armed security teams." The second provision added to the defense authorizations legislation by the conferees pertains specifically to vessels enrolled in the Maritime Security Program (MSP). The new legislation requires that all 60 vessels participating in the Maritime Security Program must "be equipped with, at a minimum, appropriate non-lethal defense measures" to protect against piracy, as determined by the Secretary of Defense and the Coast Guard.

The FY ’10 Department of Defense authorizations legislation, containing these two anti-piracy provisions, was signed into law by President Barack Obama on October 28, 2009.

M.E.B.A. officials and staffers met with Acting Maritime Administrator David Matsuda this week in a meeting that took place at MarAd Headquarters. President Don Keefe and Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo along with Political Director Mike Ingrao and American Maritime Congress Director of Legislative Affairs had a vigorous discussion on a variety of maritime topics with Matsuda and MarAd Chief Counsel Denise Krepp.

Ready for some tea and crumpets, dainty conversation and a few Shirley Temples? Nah!! It’s time to "throw down" and there’s a bunch of mariners back in town from their latest shipping job looking for a good time. Here’s your key to getting wild - M.E.B.A. style:

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the planned termination of LORAN-C (Long Range Aid to Navigation) and will be shutting down the 24 LORAN-C stations operated under the auspices of the USCG. LORAN stations provide navigation, location and timing services for both civil and military air, land and marine users. The Commandant has formally certified that termination of the LORAN-C signal will not adversely impact maritime navigation.

LORAN-A stations were developed beginning in World War II, and signals were transmitted on frequencies in and around our present-day 160 meter band. LORAN-A was responsible for reduced amateur radio operations, including frequency and power limitations, on 160 meters in the United States. In 1979, the Coast Guard phased out the LORAN-A stations; they were replaced by LORAN-C stations. The newer stations operated on 100 kHz, enabling the restrictions on 160 meters due to LORAN functions, to be dropped.

According to the Coast Guard, the nation's oldest continuous seagoing service will continue to operate the current LORAN-C system through the end of fiscal year 2009. In the President’s FY 2010 Budget, under Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the budget "supports the termination of outdated systems such as the terrestrial-based, long-range radionavigation (LORAN-C) operated by the US Coast Guard, resulting in an offset of $36 million in 2010 and $190 million over five years."

Actual termination depends upon a final determination by DHS Secretary Napolitano that the LORAN-C infrastructure is not required as a backup to GPS. Until then, the Coast Guard will continue moving towards termination while operating the system. If/when that determination is made, actual termination will take place.

The Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) is announcing a vacancy on the Harbor Safety Committee for a member representing Passenger Ferry Operators. Qualified individuals who are located in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor area are encouraged to apply. An HSC application can be obtained at this website: www.dfg.ca.gov/ospr/reg_com/forms/msb/hs/appform.pdf.

M.E.B.A. President Don Keefe was a guest at the White House along with other labor leaders for an evening reception on Thursday. It took place on the same day as an afternoon "jobs summit" as well as the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. Maritime was also represented at the reception by SIU President Mike Sacco and ILWU President Robert McEllrath. Other labor leaders in attendance included the Steelworkers’ Leo Gerard, Firefighters’ Harold Schaitberger, the Ironworkers’ Joseph Hunt and others.

Members and applicants have the convenience of paying dues and service charges online as well as setting up a schedule to automatically take care of their payment needs. A secure area has been set up on the M.E.B.A. website, through Sun Trust Bank, enabling safe online transactions. The site can also be used to pay vacation dues or initiation fees as well as to make a tax deductible contribution to M.E.B.A.’s Good & Welfare Fund.

Members and applicants can now stay timely without missing a beat. It is especially helpful for those at sea who may face logistical difficulties in keeping up with their payments. Built-in security features provide a private and secure online experience that will assign you a confirmation number and help you print a payment receipt for your records. The site will also allow members to view their transaction history and account statements online in a secure manner.

You can go to the M.E.B.A. Home Page (www.mebaunion.org)  and click on the "Dues" dollar sign icon on the far right about halfway down on the page. After registering, you can easily navigate the site to make single or recurring payments drawing from your checking or savings account.

Shortly after his death in 1975, the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Shipping of America established the Rear Admiral Halert C. Shepheard Fund to support an award to an individual in recognition of exceptional achievement toward merchant marine safety or health, the area to which RADM Shepheard contributed greatly throughout his long and distinguished professional life. This year, CSA adds environmental protection to the qualifying list.

Nominations should be based upon the nominator’s direct personal and professional knowledge of an individual and must be received by Friday, January 8, 2010. The nomination form and supporting information should include a brief description as to why the nominee should be considered. A form is available on the CSA website: www.knowships.org.  The nominee and nominator should not be directly affiliated with the same organization. The Chamber of Shipping of America determines the awardee. The 2009 award will be presented in connection with the Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping 2010 Conference and Exposition at a luncheon on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at the Hilton Hotel, Stamford, CT.

Letters/forms should be sent to: "Shep" Award Committee; Chamber of Shipping of America; 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 407; Washington, DC 20036-4517. For further information, contact the Chamber at 202.775.4399.

Monday, Dec. 7 – Boston; Jacksonville; Seattle;
Tuesday, Dec. 8 – Baltimore/Calhoon School@CMES, Houston, San Francisco (Oakland);
Wednesday, Dec. 9 – Charleston, New Orleans;
Thursday, Dec. 10 – L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, Dec. 11 – Honolulu.