As the Union sails into 2010 with a full head of steam, M.E.B.A. President Don Keefe and all of M.E.B.A. Headquarters would like to wish our active and retired membership – as well as their families – a safe, happy and prosperous new year.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced that this year's theme that will include World Maritime Day will be "2010: Year of the Seafarer," a proposal submitted by IMO Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos.

The theme was selected to give IMO and the international maritime community the opportunity to pay tribute to the world's seafarers for their unique contribution to society and in recognition of the risks they shoulder in the execution of their duties in an often hostile environment. In proposing it, Secretary-General Mitropoulos said that "the unique hazards confronting the 1.5 million seafarers of the world - including pirate attacks, unwarranted detention and abandonment - coupled with the predicted looming shortage of ships' officers, make it ever more incumbent to take immediate and effective action to forestall a situation from developing in which ships are not manned with sufficient skilled personnel." The theme complements IMO's ongoing "Go to Sea!" campaign to attract new entrants to the shipping industry, which was launched in November 2008 in association with the International Labor Organization, the "Round Table" of shipping industry organizations and the International Transport Workers' Federation.

Mitropoulos issued a statement that says, among other things, "we want to convey to you a clear message that the entire shipping community understands and cares for you – as shown by the efforts we make to ensure that you are fairly treated when ships on which you serve become involved in accidents; are looked after when you are abandoned in ports; are not refused shore leave for security purposes; are protected when your work takes you into piracy-infested areas; and are not left unaided when you are in distress at sea. 1.5 million seafarers serving the daily needs of more than 6.5 billion citizens of the world! It is a fact that goes unnoticed or is taken for granted by most, but one that should be trumpeted loud and clear. For seafarers the world over deserve our respect, recognition and gratitude and, during 2010, we at IMO are resolved to ensure that the world does take notice of your exceptional role and contribution and of the special debt that all of us owe to you. We thank you for that! With best wishes for the Festive Season and the Year of the Seafarer – and a safe return home!"

As reported in last week’s issue, the Environmental Protection Agency has finalized sweeping new air emission regulations for large ships in U.S. waters. Compromise language to rescue the Great Lakes fleet, that was sought by lawmakers following an event sponsored by the M.E.B.A. Political Action Fund (PAF), was included in the final regulations.

As originally written, the regulations would have jeopardized 50% of the U.S. Great Lakes fleet once implemented. Half of the ships currently operating on the Great Lakes are already in compliance with the proposed rule but 13 Lakers would have been put out of business completely by 2012 because their engines are unable to process the cleaner fuel called for in the regs. Additionally, the rule would have seriously damaged the operation of 13 other diesel-powered ships with Category 3 compression-ignition engines that would have been hit with titanic fuel costs that otherwise would necessitate major cost-prohibitive modifications. Two P.A.F. events with Members of Congress held at M.E.B.A. Headquarters in September, allowed a forum for M.E.B.A., American Maritime Congress and other maritime industry representatives to bring our concerns about the proposals to a pair of influential Great Lakes lawmakers.

The guests at the Headquarters events, Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio) and Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.), were outraged that the EPA rules would effectively evaporate a sizeable amount of U.S. jobs on the Lakes. They immediately notified Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) who acted quickly by joining forces with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wisc.) whose Committee oversees the EPA budget. Following a meeting with key industry and union representatives including the M.E.B.A., the powerful lawmakers were able to then broker a deal with the Environmental Protection Agency to spare Great Lakes shippers from the EPA axe. The final regulations include a temporary exemption for 13 U.S.-Flag steamships on the Great Lakes. In addition to the steamship exemption, the new air regulations provide some flexibility in their application to another 13 U.S. and 53 Canadian diesel-powered vessels.

Although the total number of attacks in the Gulf of Aden in 2009 remained almost the same as in 2008 (101 and 102 respectively), the percentage of successful attacks fell from 65% to 17%. On average five out of every six attacks were repelled in 2009, against two out of every six in 2008. Best practices are proven effective and work well if properly utilized by merchant vessels transiting the IRTC.

The UN Security Council has renewed – for another 12 months – the authorization for States and regional organizations fighting piracy off the Somali coast to enter the strife-torn country’s territorial waters and "undertake all necessary measures that are appropriate in Somalia" provided they have the transitional government’s consent. In a resolution adopted unanimously, the 15-member body also noted with concern that escalating ransom payments and the lack of enforcement of the arms embargo imposed by the Council in 1992 are fuelling the growth of piracy.

It called on all States to fully cooperate with the monitoring group on the embargo and reiterated its appeal to countries and regional organizations with the capacity to do so to deploy naval vessels, arms and military aircraft in the fight again a scourge that has over the years frequently disrupted the delivery of UN humanitarian aid as well as routine shipping. In 2009, pirates were operating even further out to sea, sometimes hundreds of miles away from the coast. Noting the "crisis situation in Somalia," which has been without a functioning central government and plagued by factional conflict since 1991, "and the limited capacity of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG)" to interdict or prosecute pirates, the Council renewed earlier calls to those States fighting piracy off the Somali coast to help plug the vacuum. They should do so by concluding arrangements whereby countries willing to take custody of pirates, particularly those in the region, would station law enforcement officials on the patrol ships to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of persons detained as a result of the international operations, provided the TFG consents.

The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a federal, regional, and private-sector partnership working to enhance our ability to collect, deliver, and use ocean information. As of late last month, mariners, coastal managers, and many other users seeking timely and tailored ocean and Great Lakes conditions are now able to access standardized data sets across all U.S. regions. This marks the completion of a milestone in a national effort to link federal and non-federal sources of ocean and coastal observations and forecasts, to include water level, salinity, temperature and wind and wave data. "For years, users have compiled data from different sources and manually converted them into formats that work together – from Celsius to Fahrenheit, for example," said Josie Quintrell, Executive Director of the National Federation of Regional Associations. "This effort will save time and money and ensure the protection of people and property on or near the water."

Conducted by NOAA, other federal agencies and 11 independent regional associations of ocean observing partners, this year-long project to ensure consistent standards and Web services for various data sets are available via the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)—a system designed to enhance America’s ability to collect, deliver, and use ocean information. "Data from IOOS can be used for a variety of purposes, from providing information for safe and effective maritime commerce to enhancing water quality, as well as models for searches and rescues," said Zdenka Willis, NOAA IOOS Director. "Conditions observed by IOOS are also studied by experts to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change." IOOS delivers the data and information decision makers need to take action to improve safety, enhance the economy and protect the environment. These data provide a larger picture of the interaction between the ocean and global climate systems and advance our understanding of potential climate change impacts on our marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

M.E.B.A. promotional products are now easier for active and retired members to obtain with the addition of our new online shop. You can access it from our webpage www.mebaunion.org and click on the "Union Store" icon at top right. To start, seven items are being offered for sale, including the "Pirates Beware – M.E.B.A. Onboard" T-shirt, logo hats and a steak knife set. The prices were set not to make a profit, but to help cover the cost of the item and offset online store expenses. The main goal of the store is to allow our members to obtain logo merchandise and display it proudly.

Any member or applicant two or more years in arrears on their dues and/or service charges will be put under review by the District Investigating Committee (DIC) and WILL BE DROPPED from the membership or applicant rolls. If you are in arrears and desire to retain your membership or applicant status, you must contact Headquarters immediately to make payment on your arrearage to return to good standing. Members and applicants can make payments online now in a secure manner. Visit the M.E.B.A. homepage at www.mebaunion.org.

Monday, Jan. 4 – Boston; Jacksonville; Seattle;
Tuesday, Jan. 5 – Baltimore/Calhoon School@CMES, Houston, San Francisco (Oakland);
Wednesday, Jan. 6 – Charleston, New Orleans;
Thursday, Jan. 7 – L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, Jan. 8 – Honolulu.