M.E.B.A. halls and offices are closed on Monday in honor of Memorial Day. On that day, the White House Commission on Remembrance is asking Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time, to pause in an act of national unity for one minute. This is meant to be an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. Participation can be as informal as ringing a bell eight times to signify the Moment.

Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) has jumpstarted the future reauthorization of the Maritime Security Program by inserting language in a Defense bill to extend the MSP until 2025. The program is currently set to expire in 2015.

The provision, supported by the Department of Defense and USTRANSCOM, was placed in the bill and approved by voice vote while in Committee. The full House passed the DOD Authorization bill with the MSP language intact on Thursday.

It is expected that this bi-partisan measure will be included in the Senate version and clear without opposition. An extension would allow MSP operators the long-term planning needed for future U.S. operations.

M.E.B.A. and AMC legislative staff will continue working diligently to ensure a vibrant MSP well into the future.

By way of resolution, M.E.B.A.’s District Executive Committee has appointed Jim Staats by majority vote to replace Larry Young as Branch Agent in Los Angeles. That position became vacant after Young took over as Executive Vice President last week following the death of Mike Nizetich.

Brother Staats is a graduate of the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School. He shipped out of West Coast ports for 27 years before beginning his service as an official in 2007 as the San Francisco Representative. He was elected Patrolman in that Port soon after where he has served with distinction over the past 2 ½ years.

Obviously we don’t agree with the MSC decision. We are in close contact with the companies involved and will seek redress through whatever means available.

Brian McArdle, a longtime member who recently had been serving as an Instructor at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School, died suddenly at his home in the early morning hours on Sunday. He was 53. He was a 1978 graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. After a successful stint in the U.S. Navy, he made membership and began shipping out with the M.E.B.A. in the early 1980s. M.E.B.A. members paid tribute at a viewing held on Thursday in Chester, MD. A memorial service is planned for Sunday in Brian’s home town of Lowell, MA. It will take place at Fay McCabe Funeral Home at 105 Moore Street in Lowell. Call (978) 459-9222 for details. There will be another service on Monday at St. Margaret’s Parish, 485 Stevens Street in Lowell. You can contact them at (978) 454-5143. Brian is survived by his parents, Mary and Edward McArdle of Lowell, Mass.; daughter, Meghan McArdle; son John; brothers Eddie and Kevin and girlfriend Vivian Chaney.

Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr. assumed command as the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard this week relieving Adm. Thad W. Allen during a military ceremony at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. During the ceremony, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates awarded Allen the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano presided over the change of command and awarded Allen the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal.

While the ceremony marked the end of his term as Commandant, Allen will continue to serve as the National Incident Commander for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, managing an unprecedented response effort.

Papp reports to Coast Guard Headquarters from Portsmouth, VA., where he served as Commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area since 2008. In that position, he served as the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions from the Rocky Mountains east to central Asia, covering more than half of the world including the recent Haitian earthquake disaster response, Coast Guard support to Operation Iraqi Freedom and counter-drug operations in the Caribbean.

MSC engineers experiencing problems with credit for sea time accrued while the ship is in port should request (through the CHENG/Master from the Purser) a letter crediting their accrued sea time.

M.E.B.A. continues to receive complaints regarding sea time credit NOT being awarded in accordance with the MSC/USCG Memorandum of agreement or the USCG policy letter 09/01 (COMSFSC 12293 Ser N00/3680 dated 21 Nov 06, for MSC and USCG NMC 12293 Ser NMC-4A). The agreement clearly states that if the ship was on shore power, accrued sea time is fractional but if on ship's power it was full credit. Additionally, the agreement states that if a ship goes into a port and is not in a shipyard period the engineers earn the first 21 days and then 1 to 3. The periods that M.E.B.A. engineers are not given day for day must be entered as "in port" - not as shipyard periods, so the 21 days sea time applies to all crew members to include the engineers.

The problem is with MSC's computer program -- time in port on ship's power is not captured and therefore not in the calculation for creditable sea time accrued by MSC engineers. The MOA is clear that M.E.B.A. engineers should be earning 1 for 1 credit when under ship's power. MSC has an ongoing project to create a ship's power log within the computer application so that this time can be captured and credited. Unfortunately, there is no method yet to show when the plant is operational when a ship is in port. This has been identified and MSC is currently working on an enhancement to the sea service letter application that will ensure that M.E.B.A. engineers earn day for day when the plant is operational. MSC is also revisiting the MOA with the USCG as this was done in 2006 when this program was being designed.

M.E.B.A.'s Government Fleet Rep. Ms. Randi Ciszewski, has contacted agency officials who confirmed that if an engineer is not receiving creditable sea time, they should simply request the creditable time aboard ship and have the Purser (with the CHENG/Master's approval) a letter crediting the M.E.B.A. engineer's accrued sea time. If you experience any problems or have further questions, Randi can be reached at (202) 841-4252 or randic@mebaunion.org.

The state-of-the-art 140 foot, 500 ton fireboats will be able to pump 50,000 gallons of water per minute – 30,000 gallons more than their predecessors – providing the greatest pumping capacity of any fireboat in the world. The vessels were designed by the Vancouver based naval architect Robert Allan Ltd. Some of the designed features include the capability of protecting firefighters from Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear agents. While performing in any of these hostile environments, the crew will be protected in a pressurized area that will also have its air supply filtered by special charcoal and HEPA filters. It is powered by four MTU main engines each producing 2,000 hp and can reach speeds up to 18 knots. The pilot house offers a 360 degree view as well as a command and control area where Chief Officers will be able to monitor and direct the operations with the aid of remote cameras and a large array of state-of-the-art communication equipment.

M.E.B.A. officers are encouraged to get an early start when it comes time to renewing your Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with the Coast Guard. The agency has made great strides over the last two years in resolving many of the impediments that created chronic difficulties for mariners trying to renew their Coast Guard License/Merchant Mariner Documents. Many of these delays involved the Coast guard medical review process. Though they continue to implement improvements to speed up processing time, isolated delays are still possible and do happen. That’s why it’s so important to get your application in with plenty of time to spare before your credential expiration date -- especially if your medical history includes anything that could possibly prompt additional attention and slow up the process.

In 2008, the merchant mariner credentialing services that were previously provided at 17 RECs located across the country were consolidated at the National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, WV. Soon after, Coast Guard issued new guidelines to govern the review of medical information provided by a mariner as part of his or her application for an initial credential, credential renewal or the upgrade of a professional qualification. The inadequacies of the new system reached an intolerable point for some mariners who, in some cases, were prevented from returning to work by interminable processing delays.

M.E.B.A. and other maritime unions worked closely with Coast Guard to help resolve the problems. Input from our members helped the agency to draft and implement a series of improvements to the system that narrowed processing time and allowed Coast Guard to finish processing a mountain of backlogged applications.

Allowing the use of e-mail to submit credential applications to the 17 Regional Examination Centers is one initiative Coast Guard put in place to speed things up. Go online at www.uscg.mil/nmc to see what online application entails. You can find out more by dialing up the NMC Mariner Information Call Center at 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662).

On your way to a ship? Filing for Vacation? Don’t worry about running to the bank to deposit your check; let the Vacation Plan do it for you! M.E.B.A. Vacation Plan Participants have the option of receiving Vacation and Port Relief Benefits as a paper check or as a direct deposit into their designated bank account. Once you complete a bank authorization form, either option may be chosen each time you file for benefits.

• Authorization forms must be completed by the Participant and the Participant’s bank.

• The banking system requires all new direct deposits and changes to be verified. This verification, called a pre-note process, may take up to 30 days after receipt of your Authorization.

• Forms and "Guidelines and Instructions" are available from the Plan Office, Plan Outport Offices and at the Plan’s website – www.mebaplans.org (Forms, Vacation).

• Participants are encouraged to complete the Authorization form to get your bank information on file so the direct deposit option will be available to you when you are ready to use it.

• You will file for Vacation and Port Relief Benefits the same way you always do.

• You must choose each time you file whether you want your entire benefit paid by check or by direct deposit. You cannot split a claim to receive part in check form and part as a direct deposit. Be sure to check the appropriate box on the Vacation Application.

For more details about the program and to access the "Guidelines and Instructions" on how to participate, or the Authorization form, go to the Plan’s website at www.mebaplans.org. All Outport Plan Offices and the Plan Office in Baltimore will also have this information. Questions can be directed to the Vacation Plan staff in Baltimore at (800) 811-6322 or at vacation@mebaplans.org.

"Even before our Nation declared independence, our forebears recognized the importance of merchant ships and seafarers to our economic and national security. Since 1775, America's maritime fleet has risen to the challenges before them and worked to meet our country's needs in times of peace and war alike. On National Maritime Day, we recognize the men and women of the United States Merchant Marine for their contributions to America's leadership in the global marketplace, and to our security. Civilian mariners and their ships have played an important role in equipping our military forces at sea in national conflicts. During World War II, they executed the largest sealift the world had ever known, and thousands gave their lives to help convoys with desperately needed supplies reach our troops. Their service to our Nation continues today. Merchant mariners support military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian missions, including the delivery of supplies to Haiti following this year's devastating earthquake. The United States Merchant Marine also shepherds the safe passage of American goods. They carry our exports to customers around the world and support the flow of domestic commerce on our maritime highways. They help strengthen our Nation's economy; bolster job creating businesses; and, along with the transportation industry, employ Americans on ships and tugs, and in ports and shipyards. Today, we pay tribute to the United States Merchant Marine, and we honor all those whose tireless work is laying a foundation for growth, prosperity, and leadership in the 21st century."

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.