MARINE ENGINEERS' BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO)
         "On Watch in Peace and War Since 1875"

MEBA TELEX TIMES           MARCH 21, 2008

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 12

In this issue...
109th National M.E.B.A. Convention...EPA to cut ship emissions... Come enjoy the fruits of our labor! We plum the depths of the industry, keep you up to “date” and bring you the most “currant” maritime news in a real peach of an issue. Blowing a raspberry at the competition, we beat the pulp out of pear-shaped, sour grape newsletters that are rotten to the core. How do you like them apples? The top banana, the Telex Times is ripe for the picking!

CALHOON SCHOOL HOSTS M.E.B.A.’s 109th NATIONAL CONVENTION
On the third Monday in March every three years, elected delegates along with affiliates and invited guests come together to take part in the National M.E.B.A. Convention. The 109th such convention took place at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School on Monday.

The National M.E.B.A. is an administrative umbrella organization. As members know, there is currently only one District under the National M.E.B.A. That is District No. 1-PCD, M.E.B.A. which holds and controls all the assets of the M.E.B.A. membership whereas the National holds the charter with the AFL-CIO.

At the District No. 1 elections that concluded in December, members voted for 20 Delegates to participate in the Convention. By a simple majority election on Monday, those Delegates selected District President Don Keefe as National President. Ed MacCormack is the new National Vice President and Bill Van Loo again serves as the National Secretary-Treasurer. The two National Executive Committee members are Bill McHugh and Marc Huber.

Several guest speakers regaled the Auditorium audience with remarks including MM&P President Tim Brown. Among other topics, Capt. Brown spoke about TWIC issues, the Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge system and the Merchant Officers’ Labor Alliance (MOLA) recently entered into by MM&P and the M.E.B.A. The MOLA charts out a system for our two unions to work together on items of mutual interest. As part of that arrangement, a MOLA executive board to govern the MOLA was formed. The board, called the Joint Operating Committee (JOC) will consist of six Directors – three from M.E.B.A. and three from the MM&P. On the M.E.B.A. side the MOLA officers will include President Don Keefe, Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo & Executive V.P. Ed MacCormack. Capt. Brown said that his union is in the process of naming two MM&P officials to join him on the JOC.

Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton was kind enough to send video remarks tailored for the Convention. Among other things, he discussed America’s role in the future of the global marine transportation system and said, “As a major stakeholder in that system, M.E.B.A. is very much a part of our vision. Together we can all work together shaping America’s maritime transportation future.”

National President Don Keefe gave a nod to each of our six affiliates at the Convention and was pleased to be joined there by representatives from two of them, with two others represented by video. National Federation of Public & Private Employees (NFOPAPE) President Dan Reynolds gave remarks explaining in depth how his union works among other issues. Our Panamanian affiliate A.B.I.M. -- which was recently renamed U.I.M. (Unión de lngenieros Marinos) sent two representatives to the Convention – New Secretary-General Ariel Barcenas and Counselor Rolando Arrue. They delivered a powerpoint presentation and alerted attendees that they had just opened up a new Seaman’s Center in Panama that members are welcome to. More details on the center will follow in a future issue.

Two other affiliates were represented at the Convention as well. The California Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) and the L.A. County Lifeguard Association (LACoLA) sent in a DVD greeting that was played on the big screen and was well received by Delegates and guests. New CAPE President Mark McNeil and LACoLA President Erik Albertson represented their unions on the video.

In addition, President Keefe took the opportunity to announce that M.E.B.A. is picking up a seventh affiliate as of April 1. The Municipal Construction Inspectors Association (MCIA) is based in L.A. and represent professionals working at the L.A. Department of Building and Safety, the L.A. Housing Department, the Public Works' Bureau of Contract Administration, the Bureau of Street Services, the Airports Department, and the Harbor Department. Their role in the city is an important one as they protect the lives and safety of city residents by ensuring compliance with local and state laws for the construction and maintenance of commercial, industrial and residential buildings. Pres. Keefe noted that, “our union is delighted to be welcoming the MCIA and their President Rick Bocek into the M.E.B.A. family.”

Several Constitutionally mandated committees were formed during the afternoon session. Along with the regular committees that delved into topics such as Legislation, Charters, Constitution and Resolutions were two special committees appointed earlier in the day that concerned themselves with the Political Action Fund as well as Retiree issues.

A Resolution was agreed upon later in the day that made several overdue and much needed changes to the National M.E.B.A. Constitution in the nature of housekeeping. The substance of the Constitution was not altered but changes to make the document more uniform were made and archaic references were fixed – mimeographs and telegrams will no longer be part of our Constitution. In addition, the eight amendments that have been passed by Delegates since the 2000 Convention will be incorporated into the document – instead of stapled to the back as an addendum – and copies will be sent to all the halls.

Several Resolutions were voted down by Delegates including one that called for the release of the audio recording of the 2005 National Convention (it was already released to the halls in 2005) and one that required all M.E.B.A. votes to exclusively be performed online within one year.

COAST GUARD PUTS IRAN ON PORT SECURITY ADVISORY LIST
The U.S. Coast Guard alerted the maritime community that Iran has been placed on the port security advisory list. The Coast Guard determined that Iran has not maintained effective anti-terrorism measures. The determination was made in accordance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, which authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into account several factors, including whether a foreign port poses a high risk of introducing terrorism to international maritime commerce.

Vessels will be targeted for increased boardings when arriving in U.S. ports if they have visited one of the countries in the port security advisory list during their last five port calls.

NEW EPA RULES TO CUT SHIP EMISSIONS
The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a three part program that they say will dramatically reduce emissions from marine diesel engines below 30 liters per cylinder displacement. These include marine propulsion engines used on vessels from recreational and small fishing boats to towboats, tugboats and Great Lake freighters, and marine auxiliary engines ranging from small generator sets to large generator sets on ocean-going vessels. EPA says the rule will cut particulate matter (PM) emission from these engines by as much as 90 percent and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by as much as 80 percent when fully implemented.

The final rule includes the first-ever national emission standards for existing marine diesel engines, applying to engines larger than 600kW when they are remanufactured -- to take effect as soon as certified systems are available, as early as 2008. The rule also sets Tier 3 emissions standards for newly-built engines that will phase in beginning in 2009. Finally, the rule establishes Tier 4 standards for newly-built commercial marine diesel engines above 600kW, based on the application of high-efficiency catalytic aftertreatment technology, phasing in beginning in 2014.

The rule also cuts emissions from all types of diesel locomotives, including line-haul, switch, and passenger rail. For the first time ever, this rule requires remanufacturing standards for marine engines, reductions in engine idling, and the use of after treatment technology that will further reduce diesel emissions. Phasing in tighter long-term standards for PM and NOx will begin in 2014 for marine diesel engines and in 2015 for locomotive engines. Advanced after-treatment technology will apply to both types of engines.

EU PROJECT PROTOTYPES METHANOL FUEL CELL FOR SHIPS
After nearly one and a half years of research and development, the EU-funded METHAPU (‘Validation of renewable methanol based auxiliary power systems for commercial vessels’) project is about to start trials on a prototype of a methanol-based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) unit. The protoype will be tried and tested for performance and emissions under real-life conditions onboard a car transport vessel involved in international trade.

According to the independent Norwegian organization Det Norske Veritas (DNV), one of the five project partners, the world’s fleet of ships is the source of two percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, ten percent to 15 percent of nitrous oxides (NOx) and four percent to six percent of sulphur oxides. DNV specializes in risk management in various areas and operates internationally. “Fuel cells represent an interesting possible solution to the problem of reducing local and regional emissions,” the DNV comments in a recent report on fuel cells in ships, “The technology is, however, still fairly unproven.”

The one-year trial will help to assess the maturity of methanol-based technology and its suitability for daily use in the shipping sector. At the same time, the test will make it possible to quantify the short-term and long-term environmental impact of such a system in comparison with conventional systems. These systems still tend to rely on battery power or generators to provide power independent of the ship’s propulsion source or main electric system.

MARAD SEEKS DIRECTOR FOR MIAMI OFFICE
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration is searching for a director for its new Gateway Office in Miami, Florida. The Gateway Offices provide the Maritime Administration with a day-to-day presence throughout the Marine Transportation System. The new office will work with state and local authorities and a broad range of port, shipper and carrier stakeholders to cooperate on projects, identify Federal and state funding, and work on environmental and community challenges in the ports and their intermodal connections.

The Miami Gateway Office will provide interface with the cruise industry, as well as other segments of the maritime industry. Motivated candidates with a background in the maritime industry, strong leadership, communication and management s{blocked}s and a demonstrated ability to work with others are encouraged to apply. The vacancy announcement can be found on line at www.usajobs.gov, vacancy number MARAD.SAR-2008-0007. Information about the Maritime Administration and its mission can be found at www.marad.dot.gov.

JAX MEETING DAY WILL SHIFT TO MONDAYS STARTING IN MAY
The Jacksonville Union hall will change its regular membership meeting day from Tuesday to Monday beginning at the meeting in May. The April meeting is still set to take place on Tuesday, April 8. Members should remember though, that Jacksonville will share its meeting day with Boston and Seattle beginning on Monday, May 5. The hour and location of the meetings will remain the same.

BALTIMORE EXHIBIT HONORING SEAFARING HERITAGE OPENS IN APRIL
From the Fells Point shipyards that caulked the Baltimore Clippers to Fort McHenry where the War of 1812 inspired “The Star Spangled Banner,” Baltimore’s history is entwined with seafaring men and ships. Opening on April 9, 2008, at the Maryland Historical Society will be a new permanent exhibition, “Maryland’s Maritime Heritage: From Fells Point to the World, 1760-1850.” The exhibition is curated by Carol McClees, recently appointed Associate Curator of Maritime Collections at MdHS.

Baltimore began as a port city. Its thriving maritime trade influenced America’s political destiny and the economy of the world. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Baltimore was also a port of destination for successive waves of immigrants seeking a freedom.

The port figured largely in the history of the US Navy. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental navy consisted of 31 vessels. To supplement the Navy, privately-owned ships, called privateers, were outfitted as warships to attack British merchant shipping. By 1794, in response to attacks on merchant shipping by Algerian Corsairs in North Africa and French privateers in the West Indies, Congress approved the construction of six new frigates, including the Constellation which was built in Baltimore.

Many of the objects on display in “Maryland’s Maritime Heritage” have thrilling stories attached to them. There is a sailor’s model of the USS Hornet, launched as a brig by Fells Point shipbuilder William Price in 1805. During the War of 1812, the Hornet sank two British Navy brigs, escaped British naval blockades, then in 1829 sank in a gale with the loss of all hands. There are many gorgeous paintings in the show. The hazardous voyage of a ship in stormy seas is vividly captured in the painting of the Mary Whitridge, possibly weathering the gales of Cape Horn. A profitable blend of speed and cargo capacity, this Baltimore-built medium-sized clipper enjoyed a thirty-year career in the trans-Pacific and New York China trades. She was fast, setting a still-unbroken record from the Chesapeake to the English Channel in less than fourteen days.

The Maryland Historical Society, located at 201 W. Monument Street, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $3-4 with children under 12 free. Free on the First Thursday of each month. For information, call 410-685-3750 ext. 321 or visit www.mdhs.org 

SHIP PILOT CHARGED IN S.F. BAY OIL SPILL CASE
John Joseph Cota, the pilot of the COSCO BUSAN, the 65,131-ton container ship that collided with the San Francisco Bay Bridge resulting in the discharge of approximately 58,000 gallons of oil, was charged this week with violations of the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The criminal information alleges that on Nov. 7, 2007, Cota negligently caused the discharge of approximately 58,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil from the COSCO BUSAN in violation of the Clean Water Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. According to the charges, while piloting the ship from port in heavy fog, he failed to pilot a collision free course and failed to adequately review the proposed course with the Captain and crew on official navigational charts. Further, he failed to use the ship’s radar as he approached the Bay Bridge, use positional fixes or verify the ship’s position using official aids of navigation, throughout the voyage. According to the criminal information, these failures led to the COSCO BUSAN striking the bridge and spilling the oil.

As a result of the discharge of heavy fuel oil from the ship, approximately 2,000 birds died, including Brown Pelicans, Marbled Murrelets and Western Grebes. The Brown Pelican is a federally endangered species and the Marbled Murrelet is a federally threatened species and an endangered species under California law.

CAR & BIKE SHOW WILL BENEFIT MEMORIAL
The M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial Foundation is having a Car & Bike Show that will take place at the School on May 24, 2008 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. There will be raffles, food, live music, and trophies for winning contestants all for a $5 admission fee for those not entering a car or motorcycle in the show.

If you are showing in the event, there will be a $25 Registration Fee for a Car, $15 for a Motorcycle. All proceeds go to the M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial Foundation, Inc. to help with further maintenance on the Memorial. Registration begins at 10 am on that day with the judging beginning at noon. A band will rock out the show starting at 1 p.m. The Burn Out begins at 2 p.m. with the raffle and door prizes at 3 p.m.

If you want to register or just plain donate – or need to ask about vending opportunities, please contact Jessica Milligan at (410) 822-9600, ext. 306 or jmilligan@mebaschool.org.  Checks should be payable to MMMMF, Inc, P.O. Box 2443, Easton, MD 21601. Visit the Memorial section of the School’s website (www.mebaschool.org).

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, April 7 – Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, April 8 – Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, April 9 – Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, April 10 – L.A., New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, April 11 – Honolulu.

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