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

MEBA TELEX TIMES           AUGUST 29, 2008

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 35

In this issue...
CMES trains CG Inspectors...DOT delays section of drug testing regs...Aker cleared in lawsuit...Navy will patrol for pirates...Happy hunting! We go stag and declare open season on the news as we make a stand and scope out a white-tailed, venison-fed issue. Don't fawn over gun-shy, deer-in-the-headlight competitors that belong on the hood of a car. We tell those dead-meat, Bambi-lovers to get stuffed as we rifle through a 14-point, big rack edition and take our best shot. When you have some time to kill, pull the trigger on the trophy-sized, camo-covered Telex Times. The buck stops here!

M.E.B.A. SCHOOL TRAINING COAST GUARD INSPECTORS
The Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School (CMES) was awarded a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, administered by U.S. Headquarters, to develop and deliver a customized Liquefied Gas Carrier Examination (LGCE) Course. The award date for the base year was April 1, 2008 with four one-year options. The first class was held during the week of August 4th for twenty Coast Guard inspectors. The next class is scheduled to run during the week of September 15th. USCG Headquarters has not yet established dates for the 2009 classes.

The course addresses knowledge pertaining to specific hazards associated with liquefied gas carrier cargoes, related terminology, international and domestic design and construction standards, typical hazards and inspection procedures/practices germane to compliance examinations. CMES has satisfied these specialized learning outcomes by truncating the existing USCG-approved 60-Hour Tankship Liquefied Gas Course, and integrating lessons that pertain to certain tasks cited in the USCG's Port State Control Officer Performance Qualification Standard (PQS) Workbook.

CMES is looking for more opportunities to showcase its maritime training capacity to government customers and organizations allied with the M.E.B.A.

DOT DELAYS EXPANDED DIRECT OBSERVATION DRUG TESTING REGS; OPENS COMMENT PERIOD
Following a petition from the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department, the Department of Transportation has delayed the implementation of part of expanded workplace drug and alcohol testing regulations that affect transportation workers - and thus mariners. Among other things, the new rules provide for "directly observed tests" which will be employed as part of follow-up or return-to-duty drug tests. The regs had been set to go into effect on August 25th. Now, the DOT has delayed implementation of the "direct observation" section until November 1, 2008 and opened up a 30-day comment period. They are requesting that comments be submitted by September 25, 2008.

M.E.B.A. is a founding member of the TTD which represents 35 member unions in the maritime, aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, and related industries.

The text of the rule can be viewed at www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/NEW_DOCS/part40.html.  The docket number is OST-2003-15245. For further information contact Jim Swart, Director, Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-3784 (voice), (202) 366-3897 (fax), or jim.swart@dot.gov (e-mail).

JUDGE REJECTS LAWSUIT AGAINST AKER FOR BUILDING PRACTICES
In a 40-page ruling released on August 25, a federal judge upheld the U.S. Coast Guard's interpretation of the Jones Act as it pertains to building methods employed by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard - thus rejecting a lawsuit filed by the Metal Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. MTD had contested that Aker's relationship with South Korea's Hyundai Mipo shipyard, involving the use of a percentage of Korean ship parts in Aker newbuilds, was a violation of the Jones Act.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard President and CEO, Jim Miller remarked, "We wish to reiterate that Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is extremely proud to be building ships in full compliance with the legal requirements for vessels to be operated in the Jones Act trade. We are satisfied with the court's decision and by working closely with our skilled union work force will continue to deliver on our promise to build quality ships for the U.S. market."

NAVY WILL HELP PATROL FOR PIRATES IN GULF OF ADEN
U.S. Naval Central Command has directed the establishment of a Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in the Gulf of Aden to combat piracy. A force of Coalition Navy warships will patrol the area, and aircraft will fly in the airspace above.

The MSPA is being established in support of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) ongoing efforts. Coalition actions will give the IMO time to work international preventative efforts that will ultimately lead to a long-term solution. While coalition warships have conducted routine operations in this area in the past, the establishment of the MSPA will focus the efforts to counter destabilizing activities in the region and improve security while long-term initiatives mature.

NEW SEATTLE HALL IS UP AND RUNNING
M.E.B.A.'s Seattle Union hall was open for business today and fully functional in its new location. The new hall is located across the park, east of the former location. The address is 5527 Airport Way, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98108. Phone, fax and e-mail information remain the same.

AMHS PLAN COULD SAVE MILLIONS
M.E.B.A. engineers have begun reconfiguring systems aboard ferries in the Alaska Marine Highway that could save millions in fuel costs in the coming years. A new Vessel Voyage-Power-Management System was installed on the AURORA last winter during the boat's capital improvement project overhaul. AMHS General Manager, Capt. John Falvey said, "The system is integrated into the ship's navigation instruments and main engines. It's designed to control the vessel's power and speed settings and eventually add to fuel consumption savings."

While the AURORA is in operation, M.E.B.A. engineers are in the process of tracking potential fuel savings. Mathematically, Aurora could save an estimated 12 percent annually, equating to about $378,000 based on a $4 dollar gallon of diesel fuel. Ship operators set the departure points, arrival point and time-to-destination, which allows the system to most efficiently control the engines while accounting for factors that could alter the ships movement and time and distance ratio. M.E.B.A. engineers will install the systems in the motor vessels MATANUSKA and TUSTAMENA this coming winter in conjunction with federal, capital improvement projects and federal funding.

AMHS INVOLVED IN VALDEZ SECURITY DRILLS
M.E.B.A. mariners in the Alaska Marine Highway System took part in Coast Guard-sponsored maritime security drills in Valdez, Alaska last week. The purpose of the drills was to allow the federal and local agencies to interface and test their abilities to respond to a possible security incident. The exercise is part of the nationwide Area Maritime Security Training and Exercise Program (AMSTEP).

Because it was a terrorism-geared exercise the FBI was the lead agency. It tested participants' ability to use their resources and to identify a growing threat and prevent harm to critical Alaska infrastructure. In response to a simulated credible threat, the Coast Guard raised the Maritime Security Level from I to II and then III in the Port of Valdez. As part of those increased security measures the Coast Guard verified that the industry was complying with their own pre-approved facility security plans and went through the motions of shutting down operations in the port.

"The industry is very proactive here," said Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit Valdez, Cmdr. Darryl Verifallie. "In response to intelligence they received the industry implemented their increased security measures before we even raised the MARSEC level. Their support and presence here to practice these scenarios shows a real dedication to the safety and security of the public, safety, security and Alaska interests."

CHAMBER OF SHIPPING ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SHIPPING AWARDS
The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) announced that it is inviting companies to participate in the Environmental Achievement Award Program that it administers. "CSA's Board of Directors initiated this award program five years ago" said Joseph J. Cox, President of CSA. "This is a great opportunity for owners and operators to recognize the accomplishments of their mariners and shoreside staff. While the public hear of instances when there are environmental problems, they should know that this industry has an excellent record of environmental accomplishment. We have seen a growing awareness of this program among the industry since we began. The Board encourages all vessel owners and operators to nominate their compliant vessels for this award."

To be eligible for the award, a vessel must have at least a two-year period of:

- No reportable spills (a report of a "potential spill" is not disqualifying);
- No U.S. Coast Guard citations for violations of MARPOL;
- No port state citations for violations of MARPOL; and,
- No violations of state/local pollution regulations.

Vessels are eligible for awards beyond the initial two year period. Cox said that over eighty-five percent of the vessels receiving awards last year were for performance beyond the initial two year qualifying period. The awards are given to the recipients at a dinner ceremony in Washington, DC in the fall which is attended by high-level Coast Guard, Maritime Administration, EPA and other government agency personnel. Companies wishing to receive information about the program may contact Ms. Odell Moore at the Chamber of Shipping of America, omoore@knowships.org.  The deadline for submitting your vessel entries is Friday, October 3, 2008.

CORCORAN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT IS SET FOR SEPT. 19
M.E.B.A. members will be supporting a fallen brother in September for the 7th annual Jay Corcoran Memorial Golf Tournament. Jay was a popular M.E.B.A. member for 22 years who sailed out of the West Coast. On September 11, 2001, he was on his way back to catch his ship, the APL THAILAND, when his airplane was hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center. Since then, a memorial golf tournament has been set up in his name to benefit Norwell, Massachusetts high school students. Norwell was Jay's hometown. The Foundation has awarded $200,000 in grants over the last seven years. This year's tournament takes place on September 19th at Bay Pointe Country Club in Onset, Massachusetts. You can sign up for the tournament and/or attend the dinner that evening. Members can also sponsor golf holes for the tournament at $100 apiece. To help support the event, organizers are asking for donations of goods or services for the raffle and silent auction that evening. The Jay Corcoran Memorial Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization, and donations are tax deductible.

Checks should be made payable to the Jay Corcoran Memorial Scholarship Foundation and mailed to Tom Piepenbrink, 46 Higgins Rd., Kingston, MA 02364. For more information call Tom at (781) 585-2667, Rick Lundstedt at (781) 585-3318 or M.E.B.A. Boston Union hall Rep. Bill Campbell at (617) 261-2338. Bill can be e-mailed at wcampbell@d1meba.org.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, September 8 - Boston, Jacksonville, Seattle;
Tuesday, September 9 - Baltimore, Houston, San Francisco;
Wednesday, September 10 - Calhoon School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, September 11 - L.A., New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, September 12 - Honolulu.

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