In this issue...
Pres. Davis testifies at LNG hearing on Hill...Excelerate project approved...Chief needed in T-AGS fleet...MM Credentials Improvement Act introduced...Satisfying your hunger for news, we gobble up the latest maritime munchies and feed your face with industry food-for-thought. Don't lose your lunch over the hard-to swallow competition that rams news down your throat. We make them eat their words as we chew them up and spit them out! Come whet your appetite and chow down as we give you a taste of the Telex Times - it'll make your mouth water!

M.E.B.A.'s DAVIS TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE ON SECURING LNG TANKERS
M.E.B.A. President Ron Davis testified before the House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday concerning LNG tanker security. The hearing, called by Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) focused on both the crewing and the scientific questions regarding safety and security of LNG transportation into the United States. The hearing, which included testimony regarding a recently released study by the Government Accountability Office regarding the projected effects of an LNG incident caused by terrorism, also focused on the crew aspects, particularly the Maritime Administration's efforts to persuade energy companies to use U.S. merchant mariners onboard their tankers entering U.S. ports. President Davis focused on the concerns raised by a perceived shortage of qualified LNG officers and crews anticipated over the next few years, as well as the lack of vetting foreign crews.

"My solution to these problems is a simple one," he said. "Use U.S. crews on LNG vessels calling on U.S. ports. Americans are available, well trained, economical and thoroughly vetted. Putting Americans onboard these ships will go a long way to ensuring the safety and security of these vessels both at home and abroad."

M.E.B.A.'s comments were well received by the members present, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) praised M.E.B.A. on its groundbreaking contract with Excelerate Energy.

President Davis' written and oral testimony can be found on the "Hot!" area of the M.E.B.A. website located at www.meba.us.

EXCELERATE ENERGY'S NORTHEAST GATEWAY LNG PROJECT RECEIVES APPROVAL
On March 19, 2007, Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct and operate a sub-sea pipeline that will transport substantial volumes of regasified liquefied natural gas from Excelerate Energy's proposed Northeast Gateway
Energy Bridge deepwater port.

"The Northeast Gateway Lateral, which is fully subscribed by Excelerate Energy, will bring critically needed natural gas supplies to New England in time for the 2007-2008 winter season and enhances the flexibility and deliverability of the region's transportation network," said Bill Yardley, Spectra Energy's group vice president, northeast transmission. "We will continue to develop our pipeline infrastructure to provide access to supply options to our customers and the markets we serve."

In its decision, FERC authorized the construction of approximately 16 miles of 24-inch diameter pipeline that will traverse under the seafloor from Algonquin's existing system to Excelerate's Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge deepwater port, proposed to be located approximately 13 miles off the coast of Gloucester, Mass. The Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge deepwater port received its Record of Decision from the U.S. Maritime Administration in February.

"After a comprehensive review of the project, FERC has determined that the Northeast Gateway Lateral may be constructed and operated in a safe, cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner and we appreciate the efforts of both the FERC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in getting this project to this critical juncture," continued Yardley. "We will continue to work closely with federal and state agencies and all interested parties as we move forward."

Construction is expected to begin in the May of 2007 with operations anticipated to start by December of 2007. Excelerate Energy, will run the Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge deepwater port in federally controlled waters. On March 22, 2007, Excelerate announced that it plans to make Salem, Massachusetts its homeport for the Northeast Gateway project. It will open an office in the center of the city.

Despite one publication's report that NOAA has indicated that it is not in negotiations on more than one deepwater port off the coast of Massachusetts, Northeast Gateway will move forward. NOAA has issued its recommendations and nothing in its report stops either of the two proposed deepwater ports from being constructed. The other LNG terminal approved is the Neptune Deepwater port which is not expected to be built and operating until 2009.

As part of the mitigation package for receiving its permits Excelerate agreed to fund improvements to the islands in Boston Harbor; to build a passive acoustic buoy system to detect and monitor whales; to compensate commercial lobstermen; to map and study the activities and habitats of the sea floor; donations to the Gloucester Marine Heritage Center; donations to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem; and donations to the Essex National Heritage Center.

As reported last week, M.E.B.A. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Excelerate for the utilization of M.E.B.A. deck and engine officers on its LNG tankers. See M.E.B.A. Excelerate Links at http://www.d1meba.org/hotnews03-16-07.html.

CHIEF NEEDED IN HORIZON T-AGS FLEET
M.E.B.A. members looking to serve as a Chief Engineer aboard a Military Sealift Command oceanographic ship have a golden opportunity if they act quickly. M.E.B.A. contracted Horizon Lines manages the seven Oceanographic Survey (T-AGS) vessels for MSC that include the USNS MARY SEARS, USNS BRUCE C. HEEZEN, USNS SUMNER, USNS BOWDITCH, USNS JOHN McDONNELL, USNS PATHFINDER and USNS HENSON. The vessels primarily operate in the Far East. One of the vessels, the MARY SEARS, recently made news when it helped recover the black box of a downed Indonesian airliner.

Our Representative in Norfolk, Jeff Hauck is M.E.B.A.'s point man for these survey ships and should be contacted immediately about the opening. You can call him at (757) 440-1820 or e-mail him at jhauck@d1meba.org.

MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS IMPROVEMENT ACT INTRODUCED
On March 20, 2007, Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH) introduced the Merchant Mariner Credentials Improvement Act of 2007 (HR 1605). Rep. LaTourette is the top Republican on the House Coast Guard and Surface Transportation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

HR 1605 aims to remove problematic and redundant procedures in the US Coast Guard credentialing process. Many of these unnecessary procedures were identified by M.E.B.A. President Ron Davis who testified on behalf of maritime labor at a July 20, 2006 hearing in the last session of Congress. At that hearing President Davis stated, "Maritime labor believes that it is critical that we not add an expensive and unnecessary duplication of effort between the Coast Guard and the TSA when it comes to credentialing for Merchant Mariners."

"It is apparent that the evaluation process for mariner credential applications has become unnecessarily elaborate and time-consuming for all involved," said LaTourette in a press release. "This bill will streamline the existing credentialing process to minimize procedural errors that prevent merchant mariners from carrying on their important work and allow the Coast Guard to improve its capabilities to manage the program."

The bill contains the following provisions, many advocated by M.E.B.A.:

• Remedies the problem of "license creep" by making all renewals effective on the date that the previous license expires.

• Prohibits the Coast Guard from charging a fee for any credential that is not issued within 30 days after the application is complete.

• Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from fingerprinting an individual separately for both the merchant mariner credential and the Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC), a newer requirement that arose from passage of the Maritime Transportation Safety Act of 2002.

• Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant a 1-year extension on credentials to help the Coast Guard address any backlog created by the process of consolidating records at the National Maritime Center and the new requirements for physical examinations.

• Requires a report to: (1) expand a pilot program which helped mariners complete application forms, (2) simplify the application process so that errors occur less frequently, (3) provide mariners with a notice of status of their applications, and (4) require documentation to be stored in electronic format.

• Requires a report on ways to address the projected future shortage in merchant mariners.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) who chaired the House Coast Guard and Surface Transportation Subcommittee in the last session of Congress and presided over the hearing where Davis testified. Congressman Don Young (R-AK) is another co-sponsor and was the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the last session of Congress.

Conversations with the staff of Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN), the current Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, indicate that these provisions will enjoy bipartisan support in this session of Congress.

TSA ISSUES TWIC FEE SCHEDULE
The Transportation Security Administration has announced the final fee amounts related to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The TWIC is a biometric credential that will be issued to transportation workers to allow them unescorted access to secure areas of vessels and terminal facilities. The new card will have a total cost of $137.25 made up of a $43 enrollment fee, a $72 card production/security threat assessment fee and a $22 FBI fee.

For applicants who have completed a prior comparable threat assessment within the past few years, there is no FBI segment fee and the card production/security threat assessment segment fee is $62. Therefore, the total Reduced TWIC Fee is $105.25.

The final rule states that the fee for a replacement credential is $36, but TSA does not believe that amount adequately funds TSA's card replacement costs. TSA's calculations indicate that $60 is the correct amount for card replacement costs and has invited comments on increasing the card replacement fee.

TAKE AN ADVENTURE VOYAGE ON THE LIBERTY SHIP JOHN BROWN!
You have an opportunity to sail on an adventure voyage aboard one of only two operational Liberty ships. The S.S. JOHN BROWN, which saw action during World War II, will have a series of cruises in New England waters this August in addition to several cruises on the Chesapeake Bay near her berth in Baltimore, MD. Several M.E.B.A. retirees work aboard the ship which will depart Baltimore on August 11 to spend three weeks hitting North East points and ports allowing lucky New Englanders to spend time on the ship during special six-hour cruises.

The exciting six-hour cruise features a continental breakfast, luncheon buffet, music of the 1940s and flybys of wartime aircraft. The ship is open for tours of the engine room, onboard museums, crew quarters, bridge and other areas of interest. Tickets are $125 each with group rates available.

Project Liberty Ship, the foundation that preserves the vessel, is a volunteer, nonprofit organization. Donations will continue to allow generations to view this historic floating museum and get a taste of how the Fourth Arm of Defense helped win World War II.

The ship will arrive at Massachusetts Maritime Academy on August 13th and hit Portland, Maine on August 16. It will conduct its Living History Day Cruise in Portland waters on August 18. On August 23rd, the ship will be in Beantown and is scheduled to perform its Living History Day Cruise in Bostonian waters on August 24th. The vessel returns to Baltimore on August 30th.

In addition to the New England voyage, the JOHN BROWN will conduct cruises on the Chesapeake Bay scheduled for May 19, June 23, and September 22. Reserve your place now! Order forms are available online at www.liberty-ship.com.  You can call in your order to (410) 558-0164 or fax it to (410) 866-5214.

AMERICAN MARITIME CONGRESS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
After completing its reorganization and moving into a new office, the American Maritime Congress has launched its new website. The site can be accessed at www.americanmaritime.org. Brian Schoeneman is the Executive Director of AMC having assumed the mantle following the retirement of Gloria Tosi late last year. Said Schoeneman, "We hope that the information we provide on our site will be used by the public, the media and our government to increase awareness and understanding of the vital importance of the American merchant marine to the economic and national security of the United States." The new office is located at 400 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite G-50, Washington DC 20001. The phone number has changed as well, it is (202) 347-8020.

Among other things on the site, there is background information on important maritime statutes as well as various goals and initiatives. It will also be updated from time to time with important news bulletins and other items of interest. Check it out and paw around for awhile!

FORWARD ANY ADDRESS CHANGES
You can continue to forward your address changes to us using an address change form provided on our website. Address changes now require a signature for validation along with your new information. We have provided a copy of the address change form, in either a .pdf or a Word document on our website. You can get it by visiting the main page (www.meba.us), going to the "Members Only" tab and clicking on "Address Changes." 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 add your signature then scan it and e-mail it back to us.

Those active and retired members who have not received mailings from Headquarters such as the Marine Officer or other important information may want to log onto our website to clarify their address. Because the M.E.B.A. Plans office in Baltimore and Headquarters databases are NOT linked you must also forward a signed change of address form to the Plans Office if you wish to update your information with them.

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday April 2 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, April 3 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, April 4 - Calhoon M.E.B.A. School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, April 5 - Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, April 6 - Honolulu.