Vol. 44, No. 6 November - The International Marine Division of ILA/AFL-CIO December 2008 Official Voice of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots All MM&P Officers Re-Elected Maritime Industry Rejects Calls to Arm Seafarers Against Pirates MM&P Members, Friends, Honored With AOTOS Awards Aboard Black Ball Ferry’s MV Coho 552230_IOMMP.indd2230_IOMMP.indd 1 11/13/09/13/09 11:21:20:21:20 PPMM Table of Contents Vol. 44, No. 6 November - December 2008 The Master, Mate & From the President 1 Pilot (ISSN Reflections on the U.S. Presidential campaign. 0025-5033) is the official MM&P Election Results and Convention Wrap-Up 2 voice of the All MM&P officers re-elected; photos of delegates to MM&P’s 82nd Convention. International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots News Briefs 4 (International Marine Division MM&P members, friends, honored for heroism and humanitarian service; Maersk lays up of the ILA), AFL-CIO. © 2008 IOMMP. eight vessels in Asia and brings in new tonnage under the Maritime Security Program; Published bimonthly at industry rejects calls to arm seafarers against pirates; environmental safety award to Horizon MM&P Headquarters, Trader; Greek court frees master of Coral Sea; news from Blue and Gold fleet; TSV-1 Prevail 700 Maritime Blvd, Suite B, profiled in Navy magazine. Linthicum Heights, MD 21090-1953. Washington Observer 12 MIRAID prepares to bring new members of Congress up to speed on maritime issues. Phone: (410) 850-8700 E-mail: [email protected] Feature Article: “Aboard Black Ball Ferry’s MV Coho” 14 Internet: www.bridgedeck.org Five decades of family management, seamanship and pride. Periodicals postage paid at Linthicum Heights, MD, News From Headquarters 16 and additional offices. TWIC deadline approaches; Coast Guard implements medical NVIC; NOAA issues speed reduction regulation to protect right whales. POSTMASTER Please send changes to: Pensioners 17 The Master, Mate & Pilot 700 Maritime Blvd, Suite B Health & Benefit Plans 18 Linthicum Heights, MD Assistance program offers members and employees advice for tough financial times; 21090-1953 trustees to meet regarding impact of world financial and credit crisis on MM&P Pension Timothy A. Brown Plan; reimbursement of Medicare Part B premiums; Aetna long-term care insurance; pilot Chairman, Editorial Board open-enrollment period. Lisa Rosenthal Communications Director 2008 Offshore Scholarship Winners 21 INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS MITAGS 22 Timothy A. Brown, President Congratulations graduates of Chief Mate and Master Program; son of MITAGS instructor Glen P. Banks, Secretary-Treasurer Curtis Fitzgerald recognized for law enforcement work; VSO endorsement update. VICE PRESIDENTS Bob Groh, Offshore Gulf The Faces of MITAGS 23 Don Marcus, Offshore Pacific Meet Don Merkle, instructor in fire fighting, confined space safety, HAZMAT, Richard May, Offshore Atlantic damage control and chemical, biological and radiological defense. Michael Murray, United Inland George A. Quick, Pilotage Cross’d the Final Bar 24 MM&P Directory 26 Protect Your Job! Contribute to the MM&P Political Contribution Fund (PCF) 30 The Navy Jack, a symbol of resistance which dates back to About the Cover the American Revolution, flies today on the jack staff on Black Ball Ferry’s MV Coho the bow of all naval vessels. In accordance with a resolu- underway in the Straits of Juan tion made by the delegates to the 75th Convention of the International Organization of De Fuca. The vessel is profiled Masters, Mates & Pilots, every in an article by MM&P member issue of The Master, Mate & James Mackrow that is featured Pilot includes a photograph of on page 14 of this issue. the historic flag. 552230_IOMMP.indd2230_IOMMP.indd 2 11/13/09/13/09 11:21:28:21:28 PPMM FROM THE PRESIDENT Ref lections on the U.S. Presidential Election Dear Sisters and Brothers, “ The 2008 U.S. Presidential election is the first The national elections are over and I trust that some members that I can remember in which a candidate are happy and delighted while others are disappointed that has offered his thoughts on the issues that are their chosen candidate did not emerge victorious. vital to the maritime industry even before About three weeks prior to the Presidential election, winning the nomination of his party.” I sent a letter to the entire membership telling them why the delegates to the MM&P the Maritime Security Program. There is no doubt that Sen. Convention in June had endorsed the candidacy of Sen. Barack John McCain is a hero and a person to be greatly admired for Obama. his honesty, convictions and bravery. But his positions on issues Although my letter simply tried to explain the importance important to the American Merchant Marine would have been of “voting your job” on Election Day and did not in any way tell very harmful to the maritime industry and to MM&P if they people how to vote, I got several irate e-mails and phone calls had been allowed to prevail in Congress. from members or their wives telling me that I had no right to tell them who to vote for. One person even suggested that it was On a related note, and following up on my column in the illegal for me to write such a letter. Of course, I can assure all September-October issue of the magazine, I urge all members to members that it is not illegal for a union to put its views forward contribute to the MM&P Political Contribution Fund (PCF). To to the membership. put it bluntly, the job you save may be your own. The names of To those members who were offended by my letter, I offer my the candidates for national office who received contributions apologies. I do not, however, apologize for sending out the letter from our PCF during the most recent election cycle, and as it is the first one that I have sent out in the 15 years that I have whether they won or lost, are posted in the Members’ Only been MM&P President. In fact, I believe that I had a duty to tell section of www.bridgedeck.org. the membership why the Masters, Mates & Pilots’ endorsement had gone to Sen. Obama. Finally, I appreciate the vote of confidence that the members gave me on Nov. 13, when you reelected me to lead you for the The 2008 U.S. Presidential election is the first that I can next four years. I am humbled by your confidence in me. remember in which a candidate has offered his thoughts on the issues that are vital to the maritime industry even before — Fraternally, winning the nomination of his party. But the Republican Timothy A. Brown standard-bearer did exactly that. He was opposed to the Jones International President Act. He was opposed to cargo preference. He was opposed to Masters, Mates & Pilots The Master, Mate & Pilot - 1 - November - December 2008 552230_IOMMP.indd2230_IOMMP.indd SSec1:1ec1:1 11/13/09/13/09 11:21:29:21:29 PPMM ELECTION & CONVENTION W All MM&P Officers Re-Elected in Union’s 2008 Election ll currently serving MM&P officials were re- Bressette Jr., Eduardo elected to new, four-year terms in the campaign E. Iglesias, Scott E. Athat followed the 82nd MM&P Convention. Adams and Michael E. MM&P International President Timothy Brown Cahill. received 1,326 votes. His opponent, Fred H. Schick, Bruce H. Cornwall, received 380 votes. International Secretary-Treasurer James A. Mackrow and Glen Banks, Pilotage Vice President George Quick and Joseph G. Heaney were the three Offshore Vice Presidents—Bob Groh, Don elected UIG alternate Marcus and Rich May—ran unopposed. United Inland delegates. Group Vice President C. Michael Murray won his bid Four thousand against David W. Lawton; Murray received 210 votes four hundred and two and Lawton received 163 votes. ballots were mailed, The following Offshore convention delegates were of which 1,778 were elected: Glen M. Paine, Richard M. Plant, David H. returned and vali- Boatner, Peter H. Bailey, Peter S. Smith, John P. Kelley, dated. The ballots were MM&P International Secretary- William D. Good Jr., William C. Mack, Thomas D. Treasurer Glen Banks, pictured at the counted at MITAGS on union’s convention in June. Banks was McDorr, Lawrence T. Lyons, Paul F. McQuarrie, Nov. 13 by True Ballot re-elected to a third term. Michael K. Welch, Steven E. Werse, D. Scott Putty, Inc., the impartial bal- Michael F. Cotting, Michael J. McCormick, Paul T. loting agency selected Schulman and Thomas A. Delameter. by delegates to the 82nd MM&P Convention. The The following United Inland Group (UIG) del- members of the International Ballot Committee who egates were elected: Darrell R. Kimmerly, Raymond supervised the election were Art Thomas (chair), Dave W. Shipway, Michael A. Santini, Charles W. Malue, Goff, Paul Nielsen, Bob Darley and William Wilson. Kenneth J. Grieser, M. Scott Macaulay, Ronald L. At the convention (left to right) Pilot Group Vice President George Quick with At the convention, (left to right) United Inland Group Delegates Michael Pilot Delegates Brian Hope, Tim Ferrie and Richard Moore. Santini, Darrell Kimmerly and Offshore Delegate Paul McQuarrie. November - December 2008 - 2 - The Master, Mate & Pilot 552230_IOMMP.indd2230_IOMMP.indd SSec1:2ec1:2 11/13/09/13/09 11:21:32:21:32 PPMM WRAP-UP Delegates to the 82nd MM&P Convention pose for the official photo. All currently serving MM&P officials were elected to new, four-year terms. At The International Ballot Committee (IBC), with support from MM&P staff, the Nov. 13 ballot count are: (left to right) United Inland Group Vice President supervised the 2008 MM&P election: (back row, left to right) Liaison to the Michael Murray, Pacific Ports Vice President Donald Marcus, Gulf Ports Vice IBC Diane Chatham, MM&P International Comptroller John Gorman, President Bob Groh, International President Timothy Brown, Atlantic Ports Assistant Comptroller Beverly Gutmann and (front row, left to right) IBC Vice President Rich May, International Secretary-Treasurer Glen Banks and Chair Art Thomas, Dave Goff, William Wilson, Robert Darley and Paul Pilotage Vice President George Quick.