Larry Young, who proved his leadership skills and aptitude for the job while assisting day-to-day operations on the West Coast on behalf of the ailing Mike Nizetich, has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President. As members know, the Executive V.P. also serves as San Francisco (Oakland) Branch Agent and is a member of the five-person District Executive Committee (DEC) – the Union’s governing body.

Brother Nizetich made his final voyage 2 ½ weeks ago. He had been limited in his capacity at times to fulfill all duties of his office while he was battling health issues.

The DEC met by teleconference this week and made the appointment by majority vote. Larry had been serving as L.A. Branch Agent. In recent months he headed up M.E.B.A. negotiations with Chevron Shipping and the Golden Gate Ferries and reeled in new contracts in both cases that were ratified by their bargaining groups in lopsided votes.

Muse released a statement this week through an interpreter: "What we did was wrong. I am very, very sorry for the harm we did. The reason for this is the problems in Somalia."

Because of his guilty plea, four out of six counts against him were dropped, including "the crime of piracy as defined by the laws of nations" which carries with it a life sentence. Prosecutors could still seek a sentence of at least 27 years for him. His sentencing is set for October 19.

When America pauses on May 22 to salute its Merchant Marine, the Jones Act fleet will be front and center. The 40,000-plus vessels that move cargo and passengers between U.S. ports generate nearly 500,000 family-sustaining jobs and provide an annual payroll in excess of $29 billion. "U.S.-flag vessels in domestic waterborne commerce are the largest single component of America's Merchant Marine," said the Transportation Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based coalition that promotes the Jones Act and other U.S. maritime laws. "Twenty-four/seven, these vessels are hard at work keeping America strong by moving the raw materials and fuels that drive our economy. On the inland rivers, it's coal and grain in tug-barge combinations. On the Great Lakes, it's iron ore and limestone in self-unloading vessels. On the coasts, it's petroleum in double-hulled tankers and goods of all kinds in containerships. Without the Jones Act fleet, the American economy would sputter and fail."

In a strong economy, Jones Act vessels will carry more than 1 billion tons of cargo, or more than 40 percent of all waterborne commerce in the United States. This activity generates $100.3 billion in economic output, adds another $45.9 billion to the value of U.S. economic output, and contributes $11.4 billion in federal, state and local taxes. The 499,676 jobs the Jones Act creates and sustains are spread across the nation, but the top 10 states for Jones Act employment are, in order: Louisiana, Texas, California, Washington, New York, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee. The benefits of a vibrant and growing Jones Act fleet are almost too many to list. Ships and tug-barge units are extremely efficient. The Jones Act fleet hauls nearly a quarter of all domestic freight yet accounts for only two percent of the freight bill. Waterborne commerce is also the greenest form of transportation. A large U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighter can carry a ton of cargo 600-plus miles on a gallon of fuel compared to 200 for a train, and do so while producing 70 percent less carbon dioxide. A 24-barge tow on the inland rivers moves the same amount of grain as 384 rail cars or 1,680 highway trucks -again a boon to the environment and a much-needed lessening of congestion on the nations overburdened rail beds and interstates.

While the Jones Act and other U.S. maritime cabotage laws govern domestic waterborne commerce, they also play a vital role in the nation's ability to defend its interests overseas. When American troops are stationed abroad, more than 90 percent of the materiel they require moves by ships. Jones Act vessels engage in these transoceanic voyages, but equally important are its mariners who began their careers in the Jones Act trades who crew the other U.S.-flag vessels ferrying arms and supplies to war zones. Ships and mariners aren't the only contribution to national defense. America's Naval and Coast Guard vessels benefit from the skills and economies that come from building 2,000 Jones Act vessels each year in American shipyards. The strengthening economy is increasing demand for Jones Act shipping. Vessels are returning to work on all waterways.

M.E.B.A. members, officials and staffers took part in the annual observation of Maritime Day at both Department of Transportation Headquarters (hosted by the Maritime Administration) and at the Washington Navy Yard (hosted by the Military Sealift Command). Maritime Day is officially tomorrow (May 22) but since it falls on a Saturday this year, the D.C. observation took place on Tuesday, May 18.

Rep. Gene Taylor was the keynote speaker of the morning affair. He dwelled upon the recent BP oil leak in the Gulf claiming that part of the problem was that the company was taking advantage of weak regulations in sheltering its drilling rig under the flag of the Marshall Islands – subjecting them to less rigorous safety rules than would be tolerated under the U.S.-flag. He vowed to keep fighting to strengthen the Jones Act and bring about a more robust U.S.-flag fleet.

In the afternoon ceremony at the Navy Yard, U.S. Fleet Forces Commander Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., praised generations of U.S. merchant mariners for their contributions to the nation's defense. He paid tribute to the more than 6,500 U.S. civilian mariners (CivMars) who serve aboard MSC’s ships, and highlighted the mariners’ critical support to U.S. and allied warfighters around the world. "Today, our merchant mariners have a large footprint," said Adm. Harvey. "Their service and sacrifice, their pride and professionalism are the firm foundation of our global military operations."

MSC Commander Rear Adm. Mark Buzby hosted the event and also expressed his gratitude to merchant mariners and the CivMars who crew MSC’s ships. "We at MSC are proud of our civilian mariners, so it is fitting that today is set aside to acknowledge the great debt of gratitude we owe to the dedicated men and women of the U.S. merchant marine," said RAdm. Buzby.

At the heart of MSC’s ceremony was the placement of three wreaths to commemorate mariners lost at sea in peacetime and war. The solemn occasion drew to a close with a 21-gun salute by a seven-person firing party positioned on the Anacostia River waterfront just outside the gallery. The wreaths were later placed in front of the merchant marine bronze relief sculpture on the East Wall of the Navy Memorial in downtown Washington, D.C.

The Coast Guard is seeking applications for membership on its National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC). This Committee advises and makes recommendations on national maritime security matters to the Secretary of Homeland Security via the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Completed application forms should reach the Coast Guard by May 31, 2010.

Interested candidates may request an application form by one of the following methods: E-mail: NMSAC@uscg.mil,  Subject line: NMSAC Application Form Request; Fax: (202) 372-1990, ATTN: NMSAC DFO/EA, please provide name, mailing address and telephone and fax numbers to send application forms to; • Mail: Send written requests for forms and completed application packets to: USCG–NMSAC Designated Federal Officer, CG–5441, Room 5302, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second St., SW., Stop 7581, Washington, DC 20593–7581, please provide name, mailing address and telephone and fax numbers to send application forms to; Internet: To download a PDF or MSWord application form visit NMSAC Web site at homeport.uscg.mil under Missions>Maritime Security>National Maritime Security Advisory Committee>Member Application Forms. For further information contact Ryan Owens, Commandant (CG–5441), NMSAC Assistant Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second St., SW., Stop 7581, Washington, DC 20593–7581, ryan.f.owens@uscg.mil,  Phone: (202– 372–1108, Fax: 202–372–1990.

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes in April point to a continued rebound in economic activity in the nation’s industrial heartland. Shipments from U.S. and Canadian ports totaled 2,465,294 net tons, an increase of 59 percent, or 911,795 tons, compared to a year ago. Rising steel production accounts for some of the increase. It takes about 400 pounds of fluxstone to make a ton of steel in a blast furnace. There are also reports that demand for aggregate for road construction and repair projects is on the rise. The trade’s recovery is not complete. April loadings were 19 percent below the month’s 5-year average. The April totals basically reflect limestone’s year-to-date performance. Only one cargo – 16,920 tons – was loaded in March.

Calhoon Alumni Association President Mike Fanning has announced that the 2010 CAA Reunion will take place at the Calhoon School from June 25-27. The Harbourtowne Resort in St. Michaels, MD will be the site of the June 25th golf tournament that tees off a weekend of fun-filled events. The all-day picnic is set for Saturday, June 26th on the Manor House lawn at the School in Easton. As a reminder, fees forwarded to the CAA as part of this event are tax deductible. Active and retired members and M.E.B.A. friends and families are encouraged to do themselves a favor and come on out! This weekend is for everyone in the M.E.B.A. family, not just graduates of the Calhoon cadet program. There will be wall-to-wall activities, food, fun and plenty of old friends and shipmates. Don’t miss it.

All details, event forms, donation forms, etc. can be found on the Alumni page of the School's website at www.mebaschool.org.  Please pass the word along to all friends, shipmates, and classmates (sailing or not). Questions and comments can be forwarded to Mike Fanning at caa2010@mebaschool.org.

The Good & Welfare Committee is sponsoring a 50/50 Raffle to give a boost to the G&W fund. 5,000 tickets have been printed and are available at Union halls for $2 apiece. The winner will receive 50% of the proceeds (as much as $5,000!!) with the other half going to the Fund. The raffle is open to anyone who wants to purchase a ticket. The drawing will be held on August 3rd and will take place at the Baltimore/Calhoon School meeting. Ticketholders do not need to be present at the drawing to win. Every ticket that you sell puts another dollar into the Good & Welfare Fund.

M.E.B.A. members are encouraged to support this important cause. The Fund is used to help active and retired members and their families in times of crisis. It proved very helpful following Hurricane Katrina when money from the Fund aided members in their recovery from the devastating aftermath of the storm. Strengthening the G&W will allow additional support to members and retirees in their time of need.

ITF General Secretary David Cockroft commented: "With one click everyone can now make their feelings about piracy known, and then pass the link on to all their colleagues around the world who feel the same. In this way we can signal our belief that it is past time for all governments to do what has to be done to protect seafarers, ships and the goods that they carry and on which we all rely."

Liberty Maritime is seeking résumés from Chief Engineers interested in sailing for the company. Interested individuals should send their particulars including a résumé via e-mail to personnel@libertymar.com.  You may also contact Nina Timonina at (516) 488-8800 with any specific questions about these opportunities.

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