M.E.B.A. legislative staff has been very active in the shaping of the Coast Guard Authorization Act. Aside from the general funding of the Coast Guard and various other programs, the legislation includes measures that are very important to the U.S. Merchant Marine. Different versions have passed the House and Senate. Working closely with the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, the M.E.B.A. is working to ensure that the House version of the bill, which contains the most important maritime measures, is reflected in the final legislation.

Driven by Congressmen Oberstar and Cummings, the bill looks to streamline cumbersome licensing processes, protect mariners, and allow for access to loans for education among other provisions. Unfortunately, important sections of the House bill are not currently included in the Senate bill. Before its anticipated passage in July, the M.E.B.A. will vigorously work to ensure that they are included.

Section 1123 of the House bill addresses problems with TWIC cards and security checks. This section would require prompt processing times of the Initial Determination of Threat Assessment (IDTA) and would allow for TWIC cards to be sent through the mail rather than a mandatory second trip to the application site. With a workforce as mobile as merchant mariners, it is logical that these cards, similar to passports, could safely be sent through the mail.

Section 602 provides loans for merchant mariners who are seeking upgrades and grants to various maritime institutions. Because of the part-time nature of mariner education, it has been difficult to obtain government loans to attend maritime institutions. This section would change those requirements to allow for maritime students to access this finding.

Section 210 helps streamline the process of the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee. In order to alleviate the medical review board’s backlog, the section authorizes a committee of medical personal and mariners to examine the certifications and, most importantly, get people back to work.

Finally, Section 1334 will protect mariners, owners, and operators in the event of pirate attacks. This section would remove all liability in cases of injury or death to a pirate. Although this legislation is far from a solution to piracy, it is a step in the right direction and the M.E.B.A. will continue to press the government for real protection from the threat of piracy.

The M.E.B.A. legislative staff will continue to work to ensure that important maritime provisions are included in the Coast Guard Authorization.

On May 26, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that a contract valued at $504,000 would be awarded to the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School.

Contract HSCG23-10-R-DBR013 provides instruction to USCG personnel in the TRANSAS ECDIS 3100 navigation system. This work complements the existing 2008 contract HSCG23-08-D-PBM018, valued at $486,424 which provides training to USCG Liquefied Gas Carrier Examiners.

Based on Coast Guard National Maritime Center direction, each future course completion certificate issued by CMES will have:

1. USCG-issued alphanumeric course-reference code,
2. No citation of course duration, and
3. No descriptive verbiage of course content.

CMES was informed that this new format is in response to certain US maritime training providers that were embellishing and/or altering the USCG official course approval terms and conditions.

These changes were easily and efficiently accomplished owing to CMES’ recent conversion to a new data/records management system.

During the week of May 24, the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School conducted its USCG-approved Tankship DL class at the Mariners’ House, Boston. Conforming to new restrictions established by the USCG for all off-campus classes, the following pre-requisites were satisfied:

1. Letter-request to the USCG National Maritime Center and Local REC, which identifies the specific location, room(s), and exact dates of the class.
2. Photographs of the training room(s)
3. Scale drawing of the training room(s)
4. Roster size

Given these new USCG requirements and the additional man-hours needed to gain approval, CMES requests completed course applications (versus a sign-up sheet) from the members in advance of its letter-requests to the USCG.

A five-person rank and file Credentials Committee will be elected at the regular July membership meetings. The Committee will go into session at M.E.B.A. Headquarters on Tuesday, July 13 and authenticate the qualifications of nominees for candidacy. One member each will be elected at the meetings in New York (New Jersey), New Orleans and San Francisco (Oakland). Alternates will be elected at the meetings in Baltimore (CMES) and Houston. No officer or candidate for office or job is eligible for this committee. Ballots will be mailed to the membership on September 1.

In support of its existing USCG-approved Online Courses (Crowd Management and Crisis Management & Human Behavior), the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School has contracted for nationwide testing services from Prometric. Prior to the purchase of these services, CMES worked closely with the Prometric and the National Maritime Center to assure that the testing environment met USCG exam-room practices/standards and those of CMES’ QSS. In satisfying both, CMES is now prioritizing and adapting particular "brick & mortar" courses for delivery as online offerings to the members. Future plan are for CMES to use this same service to offer an assortment of Horizon and/or Maersk proficiency exams via Prometric’s nationwide testing centers.

Be sure to inform Headquarters if you have recently changed your contact information. There is an address change form on our website to help expedite the process. You can get the form in either a .pdf or a Word document from www.mebaunion.org.  Under the "Members" tab click "Address Change." Address changes require a signature for validation along with your new information. The form can be printed out by the member or retiree, filled out completely with a signature and faxed or mailed to Headquarters. Those of you with scanners can complete the document with your signature then scan and e-mail it back to us.

The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) announced the results of the 2009 Jones F. Devlin Awards – awards given to vessels operating for at least two years without a seafarer involved in a lost-time injury. The Annual Safety Awards Luncheon was held at the Hilton Riverside Hotel on June 3, 2010. Over 170 people, representing over 70 companies, attended the annual industry-sponsored event.

Among many others receiving accolades were Alaska Tanker Company, LLC, Chevron Shipping Company LLC, Foss Maritime Company, Horizon Lines, LLC, Keystone Shipping Co., Maersk Line, Limited, Marine Transport Lines, OSG Ship Management, Inc., and the U.S. Maritime Administration.

In addition, 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.

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.

Tuesday, July 6 – Baltimore/Calhoon School@CMES, Boston; Houston, Jacksonville;
Wednesday, July 7 – Charleston, New Orleans; San Francisco (Oakland); Seattle;
Thursday, July 8 – L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, July 9 – Honolulu.