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COVID-19 is requiring all operators to reconsider how they train. In-person traditional training is essentially prohibited by this pandemic. So how do operators adapt quickly to maintain compliance and train for safe operations, yet do so in a COVID-safe way? Fortunately, it can be done, and it is not difficult. Furthermore, by taking the steps necessary to deliver training during the pandemic, you will be putting in place systems, tools and content to improve both the outcomes and cost-efficiency of your future training…

According to the latest statistics, over 25 percent of people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives and for those working offshore, this figure is significantly and potentially dangerously higher. What’s more, the problem’s growing. So, what’s causing the rise of mental health problems within our industry and why are seafarers more likely to suffer from these issues than those working on land? Most importantly, what can be done to solve the problem and establish a happier, healthier and safer workforce on the 51,000+ merchant ships that sail our seas?

Did you know that there are approximately 1.6 million seafarers today, and that 69% of those recently surveyed say access to crew communications at sea influences their choice of employer? Statistics show that the crew communications market value exceeded $1.39 billion USD last year and although 89% of seafarers understand and feel comfortable using satellite communications technology, there are 78,000 crew who never have access to it. Only 56% of crew always have access to crew communications, and with crew welfare continually a hot topic, increasing access to quality and real-time communications whilst at sea puts owners in a stronger position to attract and retain the right crew.

Bluetide Communications’ Access Management Portal (AMP) application for wireless network management is changing the way workboat operators manage data, crew and costs. Thousands of miles, and weeks or months out at sea, the next best thing to physically being there, is an electronic connection home, and today, mariners increasingly are reluctant to board vessels without access to some form of it. Internet access and cheap global roaming SIM cards top the list of desired amenities in recent surveys of seafarers.

The Coast Guard and California Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response are continuing their investigation of an oil spill that occurred on Sunday in the Los Angeles Harbor. A unified command has been established that includes the Coast Guard, California Fish and Wildlife, and the responsible party. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center received a report at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, of an unknown quantity of oil in the vicinity of the 577-foot cargo ship, Istra Ace. The ship was reported to have been leaking heavy fuel in the Cerritos channel at Berth 198. Oil was also observed throughout portions of Cerritos Channel, where booming strategies have been employed.

After more than 92 years of operating from various locations in Wilmington, Calif., Nautilus International Holding Corp., along with its subsidiaries Metro Ports, Metro Cruise Services, Metro Shore Services and Metro Risk Management, is moving its headquarters into a new Long Beach facility on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The new address is 3806 Worsham Ave., Long Beach, Calif., 90808. The post office box address is P.O. Box 93121, Long Beach, Calif., 90809-3121. General phone number is 310.816.6500310.816.6500 FREE. The new 40,000-square-foot headquarters is located on 2.57 acres at Pacific Pointe at Douglas Park. The company will shift approximately 65 executive and administrative personnel (with capacity to exceed 120) for the holding corporation and each of its subsidiaries.

Recently, the World Health Organization designated the Zika virus as a global public health emergency. This has prompted questions from the maritime industry regarding reporting requirements for any vessel crewmembers or passengers who may be exhibiting symptoms of the Zika virus. * Under 42 C.F.R. § 71.2, vessel representatives are reminded that they are required to report sick or deceased crew or passengers within the last 15 days to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). * Also, under 33 C.F.R. § 160.215, the owner, agent, master, operator, or person in charge of a vessel is required to immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Sector whenever there is a hazardous condition aboard the vessel. An ill person on board may constitute a hazardous condition that should be reported.

The Coast Guard is seeking the public's help identifying the owner of a 13-foot white sailing dinghy found near Kaneohe Bay, Wednesday. Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the sailing dinghy is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at 808-842-2600808-842-2600 FREE FREE. Watchstanders at the Sector Honolulu command center received a report at 5:25 p.m., from MCB Hawaii Waterfront Operations that a Marine Corps helicopter crew spotted an unmanned adrift paddleboard while conducting training near Kaneohe Bay. Waterfront Operations launched a small boat crew to relocate the paddleboard. Once on-scene, the crew reported that it was not a paddleboard, but a small sailing dinghy with no mast, sail or means of propulsion.

The Captain of the Port (COTP), Delaware Bay, has set a modified Port Condition WHISKEY due to the anticipated arrival of a severe winter storm that will impact the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware area in the next 72 hours. The COTP has determined the ports of Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington and surrounding areas will likely experience high winds, increased seas, and excessive tide variations. Members of the port community should take adequate precautions and review the Severe Weather Contingency Plan. * Vessels must have effective mooring and anchorage arrangements for anticipated storm surge and winds; vessel agents are asked to notify vessel masters of this requirement. * Facilities must minimize debris that could become missile hazards.

BBC Chartering announces the opening of a new representative office in London, United Kingdom, starting immediately. “We continue to strengthen our position at important shipping hubs for breakbulk, heavy lift and project cargo”, said Svend Andersen, CEO of BBC Chartering. The London branch is the second location of BBC Chartering in the UK and closely cooperates with the existing representative office in Liverpool. Ms. Valeria Salzano, who transferred from BBC Chartering Genoa Srl., was appointed as regional Sales & Chartering Manager for the London office. Both UK offices are managed from BBC Chartering’s European hub and global HQ in Leer, Germany.

The Coast Guard has issued a number of river closures, restrictions and advisories in response to floods in the midwest. To keep the public and professional mariners apprised of changes to river traffic, the 8th District will continue to issue press releases capturing all closures and restrictions throughout this period of high water and flooding. * The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has re-opened the Mississippi River surrounding the St. Louis Harbor from mile marker 179 to mile marker 185. Vessels operating in this area must be in compliance with horsepower and barge restrictions in accordance with the Western Rivers Waterways Action Plan. * Illinois River is open to traffic. The Coast Guard recommends that mariners transit the river in daylight hours only.

The Department of Defense today released its Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the United States Military Service Academies (MSA) for academic program year (APY) 2014 - 2015. As part of a comprehensive review, DoD officials conducted site visits at the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy, held focus groups with cadets and midshipmen, and reviewed academy policies, training, and procedures. “We are encouraged by the steps the academies have taken to eliminate sexual assault,” said Maj. Gen. Camille Nichols, the director of the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. “All three academies are taking innovative approaches to improve both respect and safety of cadets and midshipmen.

In compliance with the circular, DP World ports shall not accept any Imports, Export or Transshipment cargo / containers arriving from or destined to other Iraqi Ports except those mentioned above. Therefore all Shipping lines and Agents are kindly requested not to accept bookings to/from Iraqi ports other than the above, via DP World ports. Should you require any further clarification, please feel free to contact our Customer Service department.

The Coast Guard has issued a number of river closures, restrictions and advisories in response to floods in the Midwest. To keep the public and professional mariners apprised of changes to river traffic, the 8th District will continue to issue press releases capturing all closures and restrictions throughout this period of high water and flooding. * Upper Mississippi River closed between mile markers 184 and 179 near St. Louis, Missouri. * Illinois River closed between mile markers 0 to 50 from Hardin, Illinois to Grafton, Illinois. Mississippi River call the command center at 314-269-2610314-269-2610 FREE FREE. * Restrictions on Mississippi River from mile marker 110, near Chester Illinois, to mile marker 34, near Billings Landing, Missouri.

BBC Chartering announces the opening of a new representative office in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, starting immediately. “We are responding to the increased activity for project and heavy lift shipping services from Asia and on intra-Asia trades,” said Svend Andersen, CEO of BBC Chartering. “Beijing is an important hub for project, breakbulk, and general cargo customers who ask for higher levels of shipping performance and more project related trading possibilities. As BBC Chartering’s thirty-first (31st) outlet, BBC Beijing is managed as a satellite office through the carrier’s regional hub in Singapore. The new office is headed by Mr. chartering professional.

For the second time in ten weeks, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has affirmed the decision of an administrative law judge that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU International) and ILWU Local 8 (Local 8) violated federal labor law by engaging in coercive activity directed against ICTSI Oregon, Inc. at Terminal 6 at the Port of Portland. The NLRB concluded that, between September 2012 and June 2013, ILWU members worked in a deliberately slow manner and otherwise interfered with productivity at Terminal 6 and that the ILWU International and Local 8 were responsible for this illegal conduct. According to Elvis Ganda, President and CEO of ICTSI Oregon, “The importance of this ruling should not be underestimated.

Matson, Inc. announced today that it will release its financial results for the Third Quarter 2015 on Wednesday, November 4, 2015. A conference call is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST when Matt Cox, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Joel Wine, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss Matson's third quarter results. Scheduled Time: 4:30 p.m. EST / 1:30 p.m. PST / 11:30 a.m. The conference call will be broadcast live along with a slide presentation on the Company's website at www.matson.com; Investor Relations. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call through November 11, 2015 by dialing 1-855-859-20561-855-859-2056 FREE FREE or 1-404-537-34061-404-537-3406 FREE FREE and using the conference number 60363876.

Modern cruise ships can cost upwards of a billion and built to last more than 25 years, so the platforms must be built for change, as evolving style & taste, material innovation & maritime regulation dictate. “Built to stand the test of time” is the mantra, so in seeking insight on modern cruise design we sought insights from a designer that also has stood the test of time, Tomas Tillberg of Tillberg Design International. Mr. Tillberg, as a long-tenured and well-respected member of the Cruise Ship design community…

KVH Industries launches new Unrestricted Rate Plans featuring Business Class Service for its mini-VSAT Broadband network. Designed to meet the booming demand for maritime connectivity, KVH’s new Business Class Service provides unrestricted, prioritized, multimegabit service with unfettered access to all Internet applications and protocols, including streaming media formats, popular Voice over IP (VoIP) services like Skype, and rich media websites. This service, traditionally only available with very expensive dedicated satellite capacity, and used exclusively by high-end cruise ship or megayacht customers, is competitively priced with other shared maritime VSAT services, but delivers significantly faster service and a superior user experience.

The Port of Cleveland is a particularly welcoming destination for foreign crews, enhanced by the Cleveland Seaman's Service. In his CEO's port stakeholders' letter, Will Friedman draws attention to the organization, now almost half-a-century old, whose volunteers provide services and hospitality for crews. Over the years they have done everything from serving as hospital translators for sick crew members to helping seamen talk to their families in far off countries via WiFi and Skype. Started in 1964, Cleveland Seamen’s Service has serviced about 200,000 crew members from at least 40 countries. With the increase in cargo activity at our Port, the service needs more people to join.

A majority of seafarers have no internet access available to them on board: IAPH recognizes Montreal for providing free WiFi access in the port. According to a 2013 research of SIRC (Seafarers accommodation on contemporary cargo ships) cited by ITF “very few seafarers have access to internet. 12% reported free and unlimited internet access. The majority(61%) reported that they have no internet access available to them on board at all. The remainder(27%) experience either time restriction or charges or some other kind of restricted access”. However, a handful of ports are able to offer a free internet connection to seafarers. One of these is the Port of Montreal…

Software developer Diginonymous LLC and Maritime Medical Access Program at The George Washington University (GW) Medical Faculty Associates have teamed up to offer an advanced shipboard video telemedicine service for the international maritime industry to help clients meet the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006 requirements for crew healthcare. The GW Maritime Medical Access Program and Diginonymous developed the Digi+Doc service, a maritime medical solution leveraging GW’s decades of experience and Diginonymous’ products to provide immediate, round-the-clock phone and video medical consults for ships at sea.

There are very few forms of learning which are as effective and personal as mentoring. And nowhere is mentoring more important than it is in the maritime industry. It is with this in mind that a group of volunteers have created the on-line “International Maritime Mentoring Community” at www.MaritimeMentors.com. This is a 100% volunteer/free site that exists only for the betterment of the maritime industry. If you are a maritime worker, are considering a job in the maritime industry, or if you represent a maritime college or maritime employer, the site is here for you.