MEBA Edition

MARINE ENGINEERS' BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO)
         "On Watch in Peace and War Since 1875"
MEBA TELEX TIMES                          JULY 21, 2006

The Official Union Newsletter
NUMBER 29

In this issue...
Davis represents maritime at House MMD hearing...MarAd nominee's hearing upcoming...ATC honored...Navy Sec. visits COMFORT...In our weekly news caper, we case the industry for maritime valuables and stealthily break-in with another issue. It's a lock! We crack the nautical code, dial the right combination of MEBA items and make off with the crown jewel of newsletters. A real diamond in the rough, the Telex Times is a steal!

PRES. DAVIS TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE
MEBA President Ron Davis testified on behalf of maritime labor Thursday at a hearing before the Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The hearing, which included representatives from the Coast Guard, the American Waterways Operators, Seacor Marine, and the Passenger Vessel Association, was designed to provide Congressional oversight on the status of Coast Guard licensing programs. The hearing also focused on what changes could be made to better the process, as well as to obtain comments on future mariner credentialing issues, such as the proposed Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

President Davis testified on behalf of the Maritime Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, and all of the seagoing officer unions, including the SIU, MMP and AMO. The unions had convened at MTD headquarters on Monday to work together and reach a consensus on the issues that are outlined in the testimony presented by Pres. Davis.

Davis highlighted the concerns maritime labor has with the current process, and outlined maritime labor's opinions on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed merger of merchant mariner documents into a single merchant mariner credential as well as the DHS proposed TWIC port access document. He also advocated for federal supremacy in regards to merchant mariner documents, so that mariners need not obtain state-issued port access credentials to gain access to their vessels - a growing problem, especially in states like Florida.

President Davis's written and oral testimony can be found on the MEBA website at http://www.meba.us/hotnews.html

CONNAUGHTON CONFIRMATION HEARING NEXT WEEK
The nominee for the next Maritime Administrator apparently will have his confirmation hearing next week before the Senate Commerce Committee. The hearing is tentatively set to kick off on Wednesday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m. The Committee will consider a slew of nominations including that of Sean Connaughton, who if confirmed, will fill a post that has been vacant since February 2005. A favorable recommendation from the Committee would send his nomination to the full Senate for a floor vote.

Connaughton graduated from Kings Point in 1983 with a Third Mate's (Unlimited Tonnage) license. He was on active Coast Guard duty from 1983 to 1986. He is currently serving a second term as Chairman At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in Virginia.

STUDENT PHYSICALS SET FOR AUG. 19 AT BALTIMORE CLINIC
Members attending courses at the Calhoon MEBA Engineering School will have the opportunity to get a physical at the Baltimore Clinic on Saturday, August 19, 2006. Up to seven students can sign up for the "field trip."

The School will provide transportation if needed. Those wishing to sign up can contact Laurie Swaine at (410) 822-9600, ext. 200.

ATC HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE
President Ron Davis received word from Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) President & CEO Anil Mathur that the Alaska State Legislature recently honored ATC for excellence in marine safety and environmental performance.

Based in Beaverton, Oregon, MEBA-contracted ATC operates six vessels including three of the four new Alaska Class tankers built in San Diego (the ALASKAN FRONTIER, ALASKAN EXPLORER and ALASKAN NAVIGATOR). The fourth of the new ships (ALASKAN LEGEND) is scheduled for delivery toward the end of this year. ATC has a long and distinguished safety and environmental record and was singled out in part for the nine million man-hours of operation without lost time injuries; a truly remarkable achievement in an inherently dangerous industry. President Davis expressed his congratulations to Anil Mathur and the entire staff of ATC regarding the citation. "Our MEBA members aboard the ATC fleet are very proud of their track record of environmental stewardship and commitment to safety. We are proud of our relationship with ATC and look forward to future successes together."

NAVY SECRETARY TOURS MEBA-CREWED VESSEL
Navy Secretary Donald Winter was in Baltimore last week touring the Military Sealift Command Hospital ship USNS COMFORT which is crewed with MEBA civilian mariners.

COMFORT's Officer in Charge, Capt. Ben Feril explained COMFORT's history and described the ship's operating procedures. The Secretary learned the safety precautions the crew members take and the challenges they face while performing surgeries at sea. Feril said the Secretary was able to see the contributions and abilities of a hospital ship and her crew. "Wherever this ship goes, it will represent the U.S.," he said. "I think the Secretary gained an appreciation for our capabilities. The ship is doing its business; he understands this ship will provide great medical care wherever it goes."

The Commander of the Military Sealift Command, Rear Adm. Rob Reilly said the visit brought together leaders and emphasized the role of hospital ships in the world. "The opportunity to allow our senior leadership, senior civilian leadership and military leadership, to come together is important," Reilly said. "This ship is visible wherever it goes. It's a wonderful statement of what the U.S. is about and it's important for the Secretary to see this. It's part of his fleet."

"This ship has the ability to support, maintain and adapt to whatever mission may be in front of us.in the U.S. or further, such as the Middle East or South Pacific," Winter said. "Support using assets like this in those theaters furthers the interest of the Navy and the U.S."

COMFORT sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in May for an international medical training exercise. The U.S. Navy and Public Health Service personnel teamed up with Canadian forces, the British Royal navy and a representative from the Japanese navy to assess simulated patients, render care and practice saving lives. In previous missions, COMFORT assisted in relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, offered relief for Operation Iraqi Freedom and provided services for rescue workers in New York City after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

WHEAT VISITS ESTONIA
The noncombatant Military Sealift Command ship USNS LCPL ROY M. WHEAT arrived in Tallinn, Estonia for a routine port visit on Sunday, July 16. Managed by our contracted company Keystone Shipping, the vessel is crewed with MEBA deck and engine officers.

WHEAT frequently travels to commercial ports like Tallinn because she is forward deployed to Europe year-round as a member of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One, or MPSRON One. The three ships of MPSRON One strategically stage U.S. military cargo at-sea in the European theater. In the event of a military or humanitarian crisis, the mission of this squadron is to deliver its cargo to forces ashore, ensuring a fast U.S. response to contingency situations.

"The crew of USNS WHEAT is looking forward to spending time in Estonia," said the ship's MEBA master, Capt. Rick Jordan. "August is a special month for this ship and we cannot think of a better place to spend it than Tallinn."

August 11 marks the 39th anniversary of the death of the ship's namesake, Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Roy M. Wheat. Wheat died in combat on August 11, 1967 during the Vietnam War, throwing himself on an exploding mine to save the lives of his fellow Marines. "He was a hero of the highest order," said Capt. Jordan. "We are privileged to serve on the vessel that bears his name."

NEW ORLEANS-AREA R.E.C. TO REOPEN
After Hurricane Katrina forced its temporary relocation last year, the Coast Guard Regional Examination Center New Orleans will reopen July 28. The reopening of REC New Orleans coincides with other changes in the mariner licensing and documentation program that will result in central processing of all mariner applications at the National Maritime Center (NMC). Changes in the mariner licensing program will begin in September and will be completed nationwide by the summer of 2008. The NMC will be relocated to Martinsburg, W.V. during 2007 as part of this process.

REC New Orleans will offer fingerprinting, examinations, and identification verification services for merchant mariner applications. Beginning in September, applications submitted to REC New Orleans will be reviewed in West Virginia as part of the first phase of the consolidated mariner credential issuing process. Applications received by REC New Orleans before September will be processed by other RECs. Applicants will be notified if their applications are forwarded. Application process changes at other RECs will be rolled out in phases as the consolidation of the mariner credential issuing process moves forward. Since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in August 2005, the employees of the REC have carried out the mariner licensing and documentation mission in Memphis, Tenn.

The new address of REC New Orleans is: Commander, Sector New Orleans; Regional Examination Center; 201 Old Hammond Hwy.; Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 219-2719.

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, August 7 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, August 8 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, August 9 - Calhoon School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, August 10 - Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, August 11 - Honolulu.
 

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