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International Organization Of Masters Mates And Pilots News

17 Mar 2022

Converted OSRV Added to Sandy Hook Pilots Fleet

Photo courtesy Sandy Hook Pilots

Sandy Hook Pilots Association welcomed its new Pilot Station Boat New York, a converted Oil Spill Response Vessel (OSRV), which, at 208 feet long, is the largest in the Sandy Hook Pilots fleet.While welcoming the its new addition, Sandy Hook Pilots retired its predecessor, also named New York, which has been a familiar sight in the Port of New York and New Jersey harbor for nearly 50 years.On February 3, the new P/B New York sailed to its new home, the Sandy Hook Pilot base in Staten Island…

10 Feb 2022

Eric Friend Named MITAGS Executive Director

Eric Friend (Photo: MITAGS)

On behalf of the MM&P MATES Program, The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and Maritime Conference Center (MCC) announce the appointment of Eric Friend as the new executive director.“The trustees’ decision to select Friend as the next executive director has made the transition much easier. Friend has been running the Academic Division for several years, and has been involved in most major decisions,” said Glen Paine, former executive director, now retired. “Eric is smart, dedicated, and respected by the trustees, students, and industry.

08 Feb 2022

Rodriguez Appointed Interim Director of MITAGS

Mike Rodriguez (Photo: MITAGS)

The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) announced it has appointed Mike Rodriguez as interim director."I am pleased that Mike Rodriguez has agreed to take on the day-to-day administration of MITAGS' academic programs and courses as we begin the process of bringing onboard a new director,” said Eric Friend, MITAGS executive director. “Mike brings a wide range of experience and skills to our crew as we move our organization forward.”“I have been fortunate throughout my career to work with great people in education, labor, government and the military.

09 Nov 2020

Working Out the Election’s Impact on the US Workboat Industry

© Matthew / Adobe Stock

By the time this article is published, voting will have concluded in the 2020 United States presidential election. Based on the possibility of legal challenges to the election, however, it may be some time before we know who will be occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on January 20, 2021. Additional uncertainty may linger with regard to control of the Senate. However, beyond the general spectacle of American politics, an important question remains: What does this election mean for the U.S.

10 Oct 2020

Maritime Resilience and the Human Element at MRS2020

Register now for the 2020 Maritime Risk Symposium
https://ciri.illinois.edu/events/11th-maritime-risk-symposium-2020. © George Dolgikh/AdobeStock

Has the age of maritime discovery and exploration actually ended? Perhaps not exactly. As the history of maritime resilience and the human element shows, as far back as the 1500s and earlier, from using new navigational aids and improved ship designs, to coastal and inland route sailing, to navigating on open seas with uncertain charts, wayward icebergs, dense fog and luckily at times, clear starry nights, mariners have faced human element and maritime resiliency challenges. "Short of food and water…

09 Dec 2019

Maritime Schools Must Prep for Offshore Wind Jobs

Gabriele Rohde/Adobe Stock

The offshore wind industry in the United States is growing exponentially, with multiple projects in the development stages off of the Atlantic coast. The total megawatt capacity of U.S. offshore wind farms is anticipated to reach 22,000 by 2030 and 43,000 by 2050. To support this growth, U.S. Department of Energy reports estimate over 40,000 new jobs will be created by 2030.The new jobs anticipated to support the offshore wind industry include a wide range of types, including engineers, trade workers, surveyors, scientists, technicians, managers, and seafarers.

10 Oct 2019

Autonomous Ships, Opportunities & Challenges

Image: DNV GL

Maritime autonomous surface ship (“MASS”) technology continues to advance at a rapid pace around the globe. Although it’s not being embraced as quickly in the United States commercial market as other parts of the world, U.S. industry professionals and regulators look forward to continued development and implementation as a means to improve efficiency and safety.OpportunitiesThe U.S. Maritime Administration (“MARAD”) hosted “Achieving Critical MASS: Spotlight on the U.S. Vessel Automation Industry” July 22 and 23, 2019, encouraging discussion between U.S.

09 Oct 2015

Collision Course with a Hurricane: How Doomed US Ship Met its End

El Faro (File photo: TOTE)

The ill-fated U.S.-flagged El Faro cargo ship sunk by Hurricane Joaquin was sailing at near full speed into the center of the storm before it lost propulsion amid mountainous waves and brutal winds, according to ship tracking data. The data on Thomson Reuters Eikon raises questions about the ship owner's assertion that the vessel's captain had chosen a "sound plan" to pass around Joaquin "with a margin of comfort" but was then thwarted by engineering problems. It shows that even…

13 Nov 2014

NY-Area Seafarers to Join MM&P

Ron Tucker, Secretary Treasurer of Local 333 and Captain Don Marcus, who serves as President of the Masters Mates & Pilots.

New York Harbor Tug Boat Captains and Crews, Staten Island Ferry Workers, Circle Line and Other Tourist Boat Crews Vote to Join New Union. New York-area watermen who operate tugboats, dredges, tourist boats and ferries, members of Staten Island-based Local 333, have voted by an overwhelming margin to support a merger between Local 333 and the Maryland-based International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots. By a more than 2 to 1 margin, 1,300 New York and New Jersey mariners voted to affiliate with the larger national union of deck officers who serve on ocean-going ships…

03 Nov 2014

Rodriguez Appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator

Mike Rodriguez

Mike Rodriguez, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alum, was sworn in as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD). Rodriguez has more than 35 years experience as a maritime industry professional in both the public and private sectors. He joins MARAD from the Navy’s National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office. Prior to that, he served in the Military Sealift Command and in other active duty tours in the Navy. He has also served…

10 Sep 2014

US Shippers Seek Role in LNG, Oil Exports

Congressman Hunter

The U.S. government should ensure that international trade of U.S. natural gas, and potentially crude oil, will offer opportunities for the domestic shipping industry, maritime groups said on Wednesday. Booming shale gas production has put the United States on track to become a major exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the next few years. While it would take time for U.S. shipyards to scale up to produce to the vessels needed to transport LNG overseas, shipping industry…

06 Jun 2014

D-Day 70, 2014 WWII Mechant Marine Service Act

Klaus Luhta

During the 70th observance of D-Day, 10,000 surviving World War II American merchant marines, the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots and U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield will be pressing the Senate to pass legislation giving these veterans benefits they were promised but have been denied for decades. According to MM&P, a few weeks before the D-Day anniversary, on May 22, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 4435 – the Defense Authorization Act.

07 Oct 2013

Capt. Phillips to Speak at National Press Club

Capt. Phillips & Cmdr. Frank Castellano: Photo credit USN

Capt. Richard Phillips, who was taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2009 and whose story is the subject of a new film starring Tom Hanks, will be joined at the National Press Club 10, October 2013, by Capt. Steven Werse, Secretary-Treasurer of the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots. Captain Richard Phillips, who survived a harrowing ordeal at sea in 2009 when his ship the Maersk Alabama was boarded by Somali pirates and whose story is the subject of a new feature film, Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks being released Oct.

23 Oct 2012

Crowley Announces Leadership Changes

Steve Demeroutis

Crowley Maritime Corporation has announced  that Steve Demeroutis will now assume the role of vice president, marine operations, for the company’s petroleum and chemical transportation group. Rudy Leming will assume Demeroutis’ former position of vice president, labor relations. In their new positions, both employees will remain domiciled in Jacksonville, Fla., Demeroutis will report to Crowley’s Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services, while Leming now reports to Bill Pennella, vice chairman and executive vice president.

01 Nov 2011

2011 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards

James Henry, General Duncan McNabb and Robert Somerville Receive 2011 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards. United Seamen's Service 42nd award dinner held in N.Y. on October 28, 2011. The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2011 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) were presented to James L. Henry, Chairman and President of the Transportation Institute; General Duncan J. McNabb, USAF, former Commander, U.S. Transportation Command; and Robert D. Somerville, Chairman of ABS (formerly the American Bureau of Shipping). The maritime industry's most prestigious awards since 1969 were presented at a gala industry dinner and dance for more than 700 people at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City.

21 Jun 2011

Henry, General McNabb and SomervilleTo Receive 2011 AOTOS Awards

The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2011 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to James L. Henry, Chairman and President of the Transportation Institute; General Duncan J. McNabb, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command; and Robert D. Somerville, Chairman of ABS (formerly the American Bureau of Shipping). The maritime industry's most prestigious awards will be presented at a gala industry dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City, on October 28, 2011. A special AOTOS recognition plaque will be presented to Captain George Quick, former President of the Association of Maryland Pilots. "We are so proud to be able to honor labor, military and service providers who represent strong leadership in the maritime industry.

21 Oct 2009

Maersk Alabama Capt. Honored at Annual Dinner

The officers and crew of the Maersk Alabama, who fought off a pirate attack earlier this year, will be represented by Captain Richard Phillips, Chief Engineer; Michael Perry, and Bosun William Rios in accepting an Honored Seafarers plaque at the 40th annual United Seamen's Service (USS) Admiral of the Ocean Sea dinner on November 13, 2009. "We are pleased that all three unions aboard the ship will be represented by the vessel department heads at this signature maritime event," said Edward R. Morgan, USS President. The unions are the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots, Marine Engineers Beneficial Association and the Seafarers International Union of North America.

21 Sep 2009

Demeroutis VP Labor Relations at Crowley

Photo courtesy Crowley Maritime

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that effective October 1, Steve Demeroutis will assume the role of vice president, labor relations, replacing Jerry Dowd who is retiring after 25 years of service. Demeroutis is domiciled in Jacksonville and reports to Bill Pennella, vice chairman and executive vice president. In his new position, Demeroutis will be responsible for the development and implementation of Crowley's overall labor strategy. He will also oversee contract negotiations…

30 Aug 2009

Horizon Lines Participates in Anti-Piracy Testing

Horizon Lines, Inc., (NYSE:HRZ) , the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping and integrated logistics company, recently participated in two separate anti-piracy system trials in an effort to better protect the lives of merchant mariners. In late July, International Maritime Security Network, LLC (IMSN) conducted safety drills and anti-piracy testing aboard the Horizon Crusader, while the ship docked in Orange, Texas. IMSN completed a test of the 'Triton Shield APS' system of deterrence and training. Included in the system drill were deterrent measures for approaching vessels, physical deterrents for potential unlawful boarders, security and fortification for the crew, and mitigating risk of penetration of the safe area. Training and education of key stakeholders was also conducted.

07 May 2004

Crowley Returns to Oakland Market

Crowley Marine Services tugs, once a fixture in San Francisco Bay from the early 1900s to 1996, have returned home. 4400 horsepower) and the Sea Robin (twin screw - 5000 horsepower). horsepower) and the Sea Robin (twin screw - 5000 horsepower). The company's Oakland operation is located at the 9th Avenue terminal. its surrounding areas. Crowley is no stranger to the San Francisco Bay area. 1900's until 1996 with its venerable "red stack" fleet of tugs. Crowley's corporate headquarters remains in downtown Oakland. CEO. this port where it all started.

05 Oct 2007

Demeroutis Joins Crowley

Crowley Maritime Corporation said that Steve Demeroutis has joined the company as director, labor relations. He is domiciled in Jacksonville and reports to Jerry Dowd, vice president, labor relations, in Seattle. Demeroutis is responsible for all labor relations activities for the East Coast terminal operations including grievance handling, negotiations contact administration, compliance resolution and relationship building with Crowley's union representatives and personnel. Demeroutis has more than 15 years of experience in labor relations including his most recent position as vice president, United Inland Group of the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots.

25 May 2007

SUEZ LNG implements U.S. Citizen Crewing Agreement

SUEZ LNG, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (Academy), and the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P) announced an agreement to recruit, train, and supply U.S citizen mariners for service on the LNG tankers owned or chartered by SUEZ LNG. SUEZ LNG, in compliance with the deepwater port license agreement signed with Maritime Administrator, Sean T. Connaughton, will collaborate with both the Academy and the MM&P Union to train and employ U.S. citizen crew members on up to nine LNG vessels operating in the SUEZ fleet. As such, the MM&P Union will screen and provide resumes for mariners from 3rd Mate to Master and from 3rd Assistant Engineer to Chief Engineer.

17 Apr 2007

TWIC Hearing

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted a hearing on implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. Chairman Inouye (D-HI) expressed concern about the extended delays in activation of the program. Vice-Chairman Stevens (R-AK) stated that congressional tolerance for further missed deadlines is waning. Mr. Kip Hawley, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), provided an update on the TWIC program. He stated that TWIC enrollment will begin at select ports and will proceed throughout the nation over the next 18-24 months. RADM Brian Salerno, USCG discussed the Coast Guard’s efforts in the TWIC program. Mr. Norman J.