In this issue...
Employee Free Choice Act in Senate...Audio of Davis Congressional testimony on LNG...Horizon newbuilds coming into service...Progress on OSG tankers at Aker...Thar she blows! We dive down deep for killer maritime items and spout out the weekly scrimshaw in a Moby Dick sized edition. Sounding off from the industry blowhole, we take you on a Nantucket sleigh ride swimming with news from tip to tail. Stop your blubbering and come harpoon the behemoth newsletter with saltwater in its veins. The latest Telex Times is a whale of an issue!

HORIZON FLAGS IN TWO NEW SHIPS - NEXT THREE COME IN THIS SPRING
M.E.B.A.-contracted company Horizon Lines is welcoming a series of newbuild U.S.-flag containerships that will swell their fleet by the end of the season. The HORIZON HUNTER and the HORIZON HAWK are the latest ships that have raised the Stars and Stripes over their sterns and entered into service for the company. Each of the 2,824 TEU-capacity Hunter-class vessels will be crewed with M.E.B.A. engineers.

The HORIZON EAGLE is set to enter service on April 10. The HORIZON FALCON is penciled in for May 1 and the HORIZON TIGER is expected on May 17th.

Horizon is chartering the five new U.S.-flag, foreign-built vessels for 12-year terms from Ship Finance International Limited.

DAVIS LNG SECURITY TESTIMONY AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE
The audio of M.E.B.A. President Ron Davis's Congressional testimony delivered last week is now available on our website. He appeared before the House Homeland Security Committee chaired by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and spoke about LNG security and the need for American mariners on these vessels. You can go directly to the page with the written and oral testimonies and the audio files from the hearing by following this link: www.meba.us/hotnews03-21-07.html.

GOOD PROGRESS ON NEXT OSG TANKERS AT AKER
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard has announced that it has reached important benchmarks on two of the product tankers currently under construction for Overseas Shipholding Group. The yard recently delivered the first tanker in the series, the OVERSEAS HOUSTON.  Hull 006, the second product tanker in the series that will be named the OVERSEAS LONG BEACH, was floated from its berth in the yard's Building Dock. Four days later, steel cutting began for Hull 009, the fifth vessel in the series that will become the OVERSEAS TEXAS CITY. Two other tankers, the OVERSEAS SAN FRANCISCO and the OVERSEAS NEW YORK, are also in production. M.E.B.A. officers will crew each of the vessels upon completion.

The OVERSEAS LONG BEACH is expected to be completed this summer. The OVERSEAS TEXAS CITY is scheduled for completion in 2008. OSG recently supplemented its original ten-ship order with a second order for up to six more tankers bringing the projected newbuild tanker total to 16 if options are exercised.

SEN. NELSON RE-INTRODUCES COMPANION LEGISLATION  TO "BELATED MARINER THANK YOU"
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) has re-introduced a companion bill to H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007. Sen. Nelson's bill, which was also introduced in the last Congress (as S. 1272) mirrors the House version. The Nelson bill has been numbered S. 961.

Both versions of the bill would pay $1000 per month, tax-free, to World War II merchant mariners or their widows. It would also grant them "veteran" status that would increase their monthly credit by $160, thus increasing their monthly Social Security check.

The Senate bill has been referred to the Senate Veterans Affairs committee for review. Active and retired M.E.B.A. members who wish to voice their support for the bills are encouraged to write or phone their representatives and ask that they co-sponsor H.R. 23 in the House and S. 961 in the Senate.

EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT INTRODUCED IN SENATE
Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy introduced the Senate version of the Employee Free Choice Act this week tagged as S. 1041. Sen. Kennedy is Chairman of the Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Introducing the bill Kennedy noted, "The best way to see that employees receive their fair share of America's prosperity is to give them a stronger voice in the workplace. Unions were fundamental in building America's middle class, and they have a vital role today in preserving the American dream for working families."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an identical version of the Employee Free Choice Act " H.R. 800 " last month. President Bush has indicated that he would veto the legislation if approved by the Senate and put on his desk for signature.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney called the bill "the single most important piece of legislation to help working people build a better life for themselves and their families." Continuing, he noted that the Act, "restores balance to the system of forming unions and bargaining by giving employees - not bosses - the option of deciding how they will freely choose whether to form a union. The legislation also creates real penalties for employers who illegally interfere with organizing efforts and sets up a system to ensure that workers get a first contract even if their employers refuse to bargain in good faith after the choice of the majority to unionize has been
certified."

NEW ORLEANS REC MOVED TO PERMANENT LOCATION
The New Orleans Regional Examination Center (REC) has moved to its permanent facility in Mandeville, LA. and is scheduled to open on April 2. The Metairie REC location closes permanently at 3 p.m. on Wednesday to start the move. No telephone or email service to the old REC will be available after Wednesday.

When Hurricane Katrina destroyed the old New Orleans East facility, REC staff worked out of temporary locations in Morgan City, LA., Houston, Memphis, TN. and finally in Metairie.

The new REC's hours of operation in Mandeville will be from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Friday. The office will remain open for "limited services" during the lunch hour. Testing will be conducted during the same  hours, but the latest time to start a new exam is 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon on Friday. If a mariner arrives after the published closing time, there is the possibility that they will not be able to complete their transaction that day. Effective April 2 the new REC address and phone number will be: USCG Regional Examination Center 4250 Hwy 22, Suite F Mandeville, LA 70471 Phone: 985-624-5700 Fax: (985) 624-5757 The REC staff email addresses should not change.

If you need information on the status of your pending mariner credential application that was submitted through REC New Orleans, you may call (888) 427-5662 or email iasknmc@uscg.mil during normal business hours. For information on the TWIC card, call (877) 687-2243. The new REC can be reached from Interstate 12 or Interstate 10 via the Causeway Bridge, Causeway Blvd, US-190 exits.

FRC COMMITTEE ELECTIONS NEXT WEEK
A rank and file Financial Review Committee will be elected at the regular membership meetings next week. The six-person committee will assemble at M.E.B.A. Headquarters on April 23 to review Union finances. Committee members will be elected at meetings in Baltimore, Houston, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Once they gather at HQ, FRC members will select a committee chairman and designate one member as an alternate. Their subsequent report will be put to a vote at the regular membership meetings in May.

McKAYS SENTENCED
The former President of the American Maritime Officers Michael McKay was sentenced to serve 6 ½ years in Federal Prison it was announced this week by the U.S. District Court of Southern Florida. His brother, Robert McKay, formerly Secretary-Treasurer at AMO, received a 15-month jail sentence. The McKays were convicted on Federal racketeering charges earlier this year relating to theft of union money and election rigging. The brothers are scheduled to be taken into custody on April 30th to begin their sentences.

SILENT AUCTION TO BENEFIT MEMORIAL COMING UP ! DONATIONS NEEDED!
A silent auction and raffle to benefit the M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial is scheduled to held at the School on May 24th in the member lounge. The event, which runs from 6 p.m. to 11 that night, is being hosted by the M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial Foundation (4MF). The $10 cost will include hors d'oevres and the kickin' tunes for the festive atmosphere. Besides the silent auction, there will be a series of raffles that will increase your chance for coming away with some great stuff.

The proceeds from this auction will help usher in additional improvements and needed maintenance of the Memorial. Your donations of any items that will draw a bid or be good for the raffle would be greatly appreciated.

The IRS has confirmed that contributions made to the 4MF are tax deductible. You can also support the Memorial by purchasing an engraved memorial bench or a brick that will be part of the Memorial.

Please contact Jessica Milligan about donations or to purchase a brick or a bench by calling her at (410) 822-9600 ext. 306. Her e-mail address is jmilligan@mebaschool.org. You can also get information or a donation form from the School's website located at www.mebaschool.org and by clicking on "What's New?"

SANCTUARY! M.E.B.A. RETIREE IS MODERN DAY DR. DOOLITTLE
Retiree Wesley Hurley who shipped out as an engineer with the M.E.B.A. for 33 years has mastered another craft ? this time benefiting the birds and the beasts. Brother Hurley, along with retired nurse Susan Lee, run the "Ferret and Dove Sanctuary" in Pensacola, Florida, the only one of its kind. On average they care for up to 60 ferrets at a time and house around 40 doves. They've been rescuing, caring for and finding homes for these animals for the last nine years as well as dogs, cats, iguanas, chinchillas, rabbits, squirrels and others as well as several different kinds of birds. They care for abandoned pets, return sick animals to health and find adopted homes for them. It's an expensive operation but one that is well worth it when they can save a creature from certain death and let it lead a happy life. You can help out by adopting a pet, sponsoring a ferret or dove or by making a tax-exempt donation. Check out their website at www.petfinder.org/shelters/FL571.html and you too can be a royal help to the animal kingdom!

U&F CUP TITLE SEEKERS SHOULD SIGN UP NOW
Contenders for the prestigious "U&F Cup" are encouraged to sign up soon before time runs out. The Calhoon Alumni Association golf challenge will take place on June 30th with many members determined to make a weekend out of it.

The registration period ends on June 15th but it would be wise to sign up early and reserve a room if you wish to stay overnight. Check-in opens up at 4 p.m. on June 29th and a special barbecue is scheduled from 5-7 that evening. The next day, there will be a morning brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. so members can fuel up for the golf tournament. The golfing will be a four person/Chief's Choice format and will take place at the Easton Club, 28449 Clubhouse Drive. That night, there will be a buffet dinner at the Easton Club. Those wishing to stay the night on Saturday can wake up to a continental breakfast the next day beginning at 10 a.m. Sponsors are still needed for golf holes and tees, golf balls and shirts. Hole & Tee sponsorship is only $100. $135 covers the whole weekend per person (golf with dinner, room, breakfasts, BBQ.) It will be $110 per person for those who wish to golf and take advantage of the dinner but don?t wish to stay overnight or go to the BBQ. It's $50 per spouse of the player for dinner & BBQ.

You can visit the School's website to find out more or to get a sign-up sheet or sponsor form. For more info, e-mail Mike Fanning at mjfann@dmv.com or Rick Simonson at simonson@mebaschool.org. Jessica at the School can also handle inquiries. She can be reached at (410) 822-9600, ext. 306.

CMES STUDENTS CAN SIGN UP FOR APRIL, MAY CLINIC TRIPS
There are still openings for members attending courses at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School to sign up for physicals at the Baltimore Clinic in both April and May.

Up to seven students can sign up for the April trip which will take place on the 28th. The School also just announced that members can sign up now for the clinic visit taking place on May 12. However, due to a scheduling conflict, there likely will be no student visits to the clinic in June -- so sign up now for the April or May outing. The School will provide transportation if needed. Those wishing to sign up can contact Laurie Swaine at (410) 822-9600, ext. 200 or e-mail her at lswaine@mebaschool.org.

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.