Copyright © 2016 American Maritime Officers ■ editorial@amo-union.org

Page 12: USNS Wheat delivers ammo shipment to Europe

Page 2: For American Maritime Officers, 2016 ended as it began, withthe ongoing expansion of the AMO fleet, the steady application of realfinancial reform and greater job and benefit security for all AMOmembers and their families.

AMO in 2016: new jobs, ongoingfiscal reform and greater security

Page 6: American Maritime Officers members united a tug and bargebuilt at separate shipyards to form the new articulated tug/barge SeaPower and brought the Eco-Tankers-operated vessel to Port Arthur,Texas in November to be prepared for service in Jones Act trade.

New Jones Act jobs for AMO aboardarticulated tug/barge Sea Power

Volume 46, Number 12 December 2016

See AOTOS ◆ Page 6

AMO members, family honored by USSat Admiral of the Ocean Sea ceremony

American Maritime Officers mem-bers from the M/V Courage andM/V OceanGlory were honored by the UnitedSeamen’s Service at the Admiral of theOcean Sea ceremony on October 28, as wasDeb Roberts, the mother of the late MichaelHolland, who was an engineering officeraboard El Faro.

Roberts was presented with theAOTOS Friend of the Seafarers Mariners’Honorary Rosette for her work in establish-ing the Hollandstrong Scholarship Fund inOctober 2015, which provides an annualscholarship available to eligible graduatingseniors from three high schools in Maineenrolled in engineering programs at MaineMaritime and other academies and institu-tions. Roberts also successfully lobbiedMaine’s governor and legislature to extendstudent loan tax credits to mariners living inthe state. This has significant impact onmerchant mariners from Maine, as they typ-ically work for companies based in otherstates, which prevented them from benefit-ting from the tax credits.

Michael Holland was a lifelong resi-

Captain Christopher Hill accepts the AOTOS Mariners’ Plaque on behalf of thecrew of the Ocean Glory from Military Sealift Command Director, ContractorOperated Ships, Christopher Thayer and Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen.

Above: Accepting the AOTOSMariners’ Plaque on behalf of the crewof the M/V Courage were Captain KiahPinto and Third Mate Austin Neuman,who had sailed as a cadet aboard theCourage. Presenting the award wasMaritime Administrator Paul “Chip”Jaenichen.

At right: Deb Roberts, the mother ofthe late Michael Holland, who was an

engineering officer aboard El Faro,received the AOTOS Friend of the

Seafarers Mariners’ Honorary Rosettefor her work in establishing the

Hollandstrong Scholarship Fund inOctober 2015, which provides an

annual scholarship available to eligi-ble graduating seniors from threehigh schools in Maine enrolled in

engineering programs at MaineMaritime and other academies and

institutions. Roberts also successfullylobbied Maine’s governor and legisla-ture to extend student loan tax credits

to mariners living in the state.

2 • American Maritime Officer December 2016

AMO in 2016: new jobs,ongoing fiscal reformand greater security

Season’s greetings and best wishes to AMO members, families and friends

By Paul DoellNational President

For Amer-ican MaritimeOfficers, 2016ended as it began,with the ongoingexpansion of theAMO fleet, thesteady applicationof real financialreform andgreater job andbenefit securityfor all AMO members and their families.

New construction accounted formost of the vessels added to the AMOfleet roster this year. The latest addition isthe product tanker American Endurance,which was delivered November 30 byPhilly Shipyard in — where else? —Philadelphia. The ship — the first in yetanother series for American PetroleumTankers, or APT — is set to enter domes-tic service by the end of this year, with afull complement of AMO engine and deckofficers aboard.

The American Endurance followsthe new APT tankers Lone Star State,Magnolia State, Garden State and BayState under AMO contract. GeneralDynamics NASSCO of San Diego builtthese four ships for domestic trade.NASSCO will deliver a fifth tanker inthe class, the Palmetto State, to APTnext year.

These APT tankers are operated byIntrepid Personnel and Provisioning, aunit of the sprawling Crowley MaritimeCorp. Crowley this year took delivery ofthe tankers Texas, Louisiana and WestVirginia from Philly Shipyard for theIntrepid fleet. AMO engine and deck offi-cers are aboard these vessels as well.

SEA Vista/Eco-Tankers, a new com-pany based in Port Everglades in FortLauderdale, launched new servicebetween U.S. ports with the NASSCO-built tankers Independence andConstitution under AMO contract. NASS-CO will deliver a third tanker for SEAVista in 2017.

All of these tankers were designedfor conversion to the use of clean liquefiednatural gas as fuel.

Our union’s fleet growth in 2016was not limited to tankers. AMO engi-neers and deck officers are at work aboardthe TOTE Services containership PerlaDel Caribe, which follows 2015’s IslaBella to complete TOTE’s revolutionaryMarlin Class project at NASSCO. The IslaBella and Perla Del Caribe — each ofwhich operates between Florida andPuerto Rico — are the first ships of theirkind anywhere in the world designedspecifically for LNG propulsion.

Down in Pascagoula, Miss., con-struction of the Crowley container/roll-on, roll-off ships El Coquí and Taíno byVT Halter Marine continued apace fordelivery next year. Our union will rep-resent the engine and deck officersaboard these LNG-powered vessels onthe Florida-Puerto Rico run.

Vessel reflagging this year resultedin additional gain for American MaritimeOfficers in the dry cargo sector.

Intermarine’s heavy-lift ship OceanGlory was brought into U.S. registryunder Crowley Global Ship Managementand AMO contract, and the Americanflag was raised aboard the ARC car carri-er Patriot (formerly the Aida) underAMO contract.

Both the Ocean Glory and thePatriot participate in the increasinglyimportant Maritime Security Program,which was the focus of budget wranglingin Congress as this issue neared press timeand online distribution.

Each of these developments repre-sents new employment for AMO membersand additional employer contributions toAMO Plans, the benefit funds that serveall AMO members and their families.

New jobs mean new operating rev-enue for AMO from membership dues andinitiation fees — and AMO memberseverywhere (and applicants for AMOmembership) can be certain that thismoney is managed responsibly.

As we report elsewhere in this issue,American Maritime Officers is headinginto its third consecutive calendar yearwithout membership dues and initiationfee increases. This is a result of what intwo years has developed into a practicaland productive partnership between theAMO administration and the seagoingAMO membership.

A unified AMO National ExecutiveBoard in 2015 adopted a continuing costcontainment strategy that has thus farshaved a high seven-figure sum from ourunion’s operating budget, with the princi-pal cuts in payroll and rents for out-portoffice space. The AMO operating budgethas shown a surplus each month sinceSpring 2015, and we are encouraged bythis trend.

Our union also has a healthy bal-ance in a reserve account, and we areback in the investment markets in a sig-nificant way.

Seagoing AMO members respondedto this strategy by stepping up the timelypayment of dues. Dues receipts throughdirect payment to AMO are six figuresahead of the 2014 pace, and dues and ini-tiation fee payments through authorizeddeductions from AMO Vacation Plan ben-efits continue to spike. For example,membership dues paid through theVacation Plan in October 2016 were up20.8 percent over the total recorded inOctober 2015, and initiation fee receiptsin October 2016 increased a whopping101.2 percent over the total noted inOctober a year ago.

This informal partnership betweenthe AMO administration and the seagoingmembership has kept our union sound,and it will enable more effective yet moreefficient service to all deep-sea, GreatLakes and inland waters AMO membersand their families in the New Year.

Fleet growth, new jobs and financialstability in 2016 give us much to celebratein this holiday season — and much toanticipate optimistically in 2017.

On behalf of the National ExecutiveBoard of American Maritime Officers,AMO representatives and AMO supportstaff, I offer best wishes for healthy andhappy holidays and a bright, peacefulNew Year to all AMO families.

American Maritime Officer (USPS 316-920)Official Publication of American Maritime Officers

601 S. Federal HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004

(954) 921-2221Periodical Postage Paid at

Dania Beach, FL, and Additional Mailing OfficesPublished Monthly

American Maritime Officers National Executive BoardPaul Doell, National PresidentCharles Murdock, National Secretary-TreasurerDaniel Shea, National Executive Vice PresidentJoseph Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep SeaJohn Clemons, National Vice President, Great LakesDavid Weathers, National Vice President, Inland WatersMichael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relations

National Assistant Vice Presidents:Brian KrusDaniel RobichauxChristian Spain

Representatives:William Barrere, West CoastTodd Christensen, East Coast

Editor: Matt BurkeAssistant Editor: Todd Wright

POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:American Maritime Officers

ATTN: Member ServicesP.O. Box 66

Dania Beach, FL 33004

American Maritime Officer • 3December 2016

AMO membership dues, initiationfees will not increase in 2017

Membership dues and initiationfees in American Maritime Officerswill not increase in 2017.

This decision to hold the line ondues and fees was based on a review ofour union’s finances by AMO NationalSecretary-Treasurer Charles Murdockand AMO Controller Thom Heaton. Itwas reported to and approved unani-mously by AMO members during theregularly scheduled AMO membershipmeeting at headquarters in DaniaBeach, FL, on November 7.

2017 will be the third consecu-tive year without an increase in AMOmembership dues and initiation fees.

This reflects sustained soundmanagement of our union sinceJanuary 2015. Operating expenseshave been pared by nearly $2 mil-

lion, with the bulk of the savings carvedfrom payroll — including significantsalary reductions for the top four electedAMO officials.

AMO on November 1 had a six-fig-ure surplus in its operating account, hold-ing to a budget pattern set early in 2015,when surpluses developed month-to-month for the first time in years. Thisallowed the cancellation of a 2015 duesincrease approved late in 2014.

Our union on November 1 also hada six-figure sum in a reserve account.

In 2015, AMO began depositingmoney into its investment account for thefirst time since May 2013, and the invest-ment fund balance November 1 was in thehigh seven figures.

These substantial gains also reflect asharp and steady increase in timely AMO

membership dues payments and initia-tion fee installments since January2015, both directly to AMO andthrough authorized deductions frombenefits provided by the AMOVacation Plan. I am grateful to AMOmembers everywhere for helping torestore financial stability and securityto our union.

As always, I welcome AMOmembership input on this or any otherissue. I can be reached on the head-quarters office line at 954-921-2221(ext. 1001), toll free at 800-362-0513,or on my cell at 954-881-5651.

Thank you.

Paul DoellNational PresidentNovember 15, 2016

Internal Revenue Service 401(k) retirementplan contribution, catch-up limits for 2017

The Internal Revenue Servicecontribution and catch-up contributionlimits for individual AMO Plans 401(k)accounts for 2017 are as follows andhave not changed from 2016.

401(k) contributions: Theannual contribution limit for a 401(k)account remains at $18,000 for indi-viduals who will be younger than 50in 2017.

Catch-up contributions: Theannual 401(k) catch-up contributionlimit for individuals who will be age50 or older in 2017 remains at $6,000.As a result, an individual who will beage 50 or older in 2017 may con-tribute a maximum of $24,000 to hisor her 401(k) account in 2017.

Additional after-tax contributions:Participants may make additional “After-Tax” contributions into the 401(k) Plan. Thecombined total limit for 401(k) contribu-tions (including any 401(k) contributions,employer matching contributions and addi-tional after-tax contributions) is $54,000.The money contributed (referenced inSection 4B of the AMO Plans 401(k)Enrollment Form) would be in addition toany pre-tax 401(k) and/or Roth 401(k) con-tributions and is invested in the same funds.Since these contributions are made post-tax,the amount contributed may be withdrawnat any time without incurring additional tax-ation; however, tax would be assessed onappreciation, including investment returns,beyond the total amount contributed in this

category if withdrawn. AMO members with any questions

regarding any of AMO’s retirement planscan contact our financial advisers, theAtlantic Group at Morgan Stanley, at(800) 975-7061, or via e-mail:Larry.Goldstock@morganstanley.com.Participants can also contact the PlanOffice at (800) 348-6515 ext. 14, or via e-mail: amo401k@amoplans.com.

To adjust contributions for 2017,or to establish a 401(k) account, down-load the AMO 401(k) Plan EnrollmentForm from the AMO Plans website:www.amoplans.com.

An article addressing 401(k) con-tribution limits is available on the IRSwebsite: www.irs.gov.

Participating in negotiations for the new contractwith Key Lakes were Keystone ShippingAccounting Manager Timothy Callahan; KeystoneShipping Port Captain David Carroll; AMOContract Analyst Chris Holmes; AMO NationalVice President, Great Lakes, John Clemons;Keystone Shipping Manager of Fleet HumanResources David Schultze; AMO NationalPresident Paul Doell; Chief Engineer SteveThompson; Second Mate Robert Slight; AMOSenior National Assistant Vice President BrianKrus; and AMO National Executive VicePresident Danny Shea.

U.S. maritimeapplaudsselection ofElaine Chaoto lead DOT

The leaders of American MaritimeOfficers, the Seafarers International Unionand the American Maritime Partnership inNovember welcomed the selection byPresident-Elect Donald Trump of ElaineChao to serve as Secretary ofTransportation in the new administration.

AMO National President Paul Doell:“Elaine Chao has a strong history of supportfor the U.S. merchant fleet and Americanmerchant mariners. We look forward toworking with her and her staff at DOT onmaritime policy issues.”

SIU President Michael Sacco:“There is nobody better qualified to beSecretary of Transportation than ElaineChao. Throughout her time in government,Elaine Chao has long been a steadfastfriend to the SIU and to maritime labor. Theindustry has no better supporter than ElaineChao, and she has stood up to defend theJones Act, the Maritime Security Program,cargo preference and the other key pro-grams that keep our industry alive. Sheunderstands the importance of providingjobs to America’s working families, andshe has seen firsthand the value of theUnited States Merchant Marine to ournation’s defense and prosperity. We lookforward to working with her again.”

AMP: “The American MaritimePartnership congratulates Secretary ElaineChao for her nomination by President-electDonald J. Trump to be the next U.S.Secretary of Transportation. With vast expe-rience across the maritime industry andprior service at the U.S. Department ofTransportation, Maritime Administration,and Federal Maritime Commission,Secretary Chao understands the critical roleour industry plays in advancing the nation’seconomic and national security.”

AMO securesnew long-termGreat Lakesagreementcovering KeyLakes fleet

AMO aboard theLiberty Grace

American Maritime Officers mem-bers working aboard the LibertyGrace in October, here in Houston,Texas, included Captain Andy Perri,Third Assistant Engineer JamesScott, First. A.E. Frank Bocage,Chief Engineer Vlad Newcomer,Third Mate Savannah Looper andSecond A.E. Vijay Shanmugan.

4 • American Maritime Officer December 2016

1. Any AMO represented non-mem-ber employee, whether publicly or pri-vately employed who is subject to a unionsecurity clause conditioning continuedemployment on the payment of dues orfees, has the right to become an objectorto expenditures not related to collectivebargaining, contract administration,grievance adjustment or other chargeableexpenditures. A current AMO memberhas the right to choose to become anobjector, but must assume non-memberstatus prior to filing an objection throughthese procedures. An objector’s fees shallbe calculated in accordance with thisPolicy.

2. To become an objector, an AMOrepresented non-member employee shallnotify the AMO Secretary-Treasurer, 601S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach,Florida, in writing of his individual objec-tion by mail postmarked during the monthof January each year. Such employeesdesiring to object, but who were unable tomake timely objection because they werenot subject to an AMO union securityclause as of January, either because theyare a new employee or have recently cho-sen to assume non-member status, mustmake an objection within thirty (30) daysafter becoming subject to union securityobligations and receiving notice of theseprocedures. The objection shall be signedand shall contain the objector’s currenthome address and AMO Union number, ifknown. Objections may only be made byindividual employees: no petition objec-tions will be honored. A person who wish-es to continue an objection in a subse-quent twelve (12) month period shall pro-vide notice of objection each January inthe same manner.

3. The following categories ofexpenditure are chargeable to the extentpermitted by law:

a. All expenses concerning thenegotiation of agreements, practices andworking conditions.

b. All expenses concerning theadministration of agreements, practicesand working conditions, including griev-ance handling, all activities related toarbitration, and discussion with employ-ees in the bargaining unit or employerrepresentatives regarding working condi-tions, benefits and contract rights.

c. Convention expenses and othernormal Union internal governance andmanagement expenses.

d. Social activities open to non-members and Union business meetingexpenses.

e. Publication expenses to theextent coverage is related to chargeableactivities.

f. Expense of litigation before thecourts and administrative agencies relatedto bargaining unit contract administration.

g. Expenses of lobbying for legisla-tive, executive branch and administrativeagency representation on matters closelyrelated to the ratification or implementa-tion of bargaining unit contracts andworking conditions.

h. All expenses for the educationand training of members, officers andstaff intended to prepare the participantsto better perform chargeable activities.

i. Other costs of group cohesion andeconomic action, e.g., demonstration,general strike activity, informationalpicketing, etc.

j. An appropriate portion of over-head and administrative expenses.

4. Each December in the AmericanMaritime Officer, the AMO shall publish

American Maritime Officers Agency Fee Policythese policies and procedures to providenotice to AMO represented employees oftheir right to object and the procedures forobjecting. The AMO shall also send acopy of these policies and procedures toeach person who objected the previousyear to inform the person of his or herright to renew the objection for the cur-rent year.

5. The AMO shall retain an inde-pendent auditor who shall submit anannual report for the purpose of verifyingthe percentage of expenditures that fallwithin the categories specified in para-graph 3 above.

6. The fees paid by objectors shallbe handled as follows:

a. Objectors who pay fees by handshall pay an amount less the percentage ofdues and initiation fees ascribed by theaudit (described in #5 above) to non-chargeable activities. AMO shall placesaid fee in an interest bearing account.

b. Objectors who are paying fees bycheck-off shall continue to have a feeequal to full AMO dues and initiation feechecked off by the employer and trans-mitted to the AMO. The AMO shall placeits share of the fee in an interest bearingescrow account and shall return theadmittedly nonchargeable share to theobjector.

c. Following completion of theaudit (described in #5 above) for a givenyear, the AMO shall rebate to each givenobjector an amount equal to such feesheld by the AMO in escrow which wereascribed by the audit to nonchargeableactivities.

d. If an objector does not challengethe validity of the audit pursuant to #8below within the allotted time the feesheld in escrow shall become the propertyof AMO. If a challenge is filed, the feesheld in escrow shall continue to be soheld until the challenge is resolved inaccord with the procedures referred tobelow, at which time the fees shall be dis-tributed in accord with said resolution.

e. Objectors filing objections inJanuary of 2017, in addition to payingfees in the manner set forth for the above,shall receive rebates from the AMO forthe year 2016, based upon the audits (see#5 above) for the fiscal year ending in2016, as they may be modified by the pro-cedures set forth below.

7. The reports(s) of the independentauditor(s) for the AMO shall be complet-ed as soon as possible following the endof the fiscal year. The report(s) shallinclude verification of the major cate-gories of Union expenses attributable tochargeable and non-chargeable activities.The AMO shall provide to all objectingnon-member bargaining unit employeeswho are represented a copy of the audi-tor(s) report(s).

8. In the absence of an exclusivestatutory review procedure, each objectormay challenge the legal and arithmeticalbases of the calculations contained in theindependent auditor report(s) by filing anappeal with the AMO Secretary-Treasurer, 601 S. Federal Highway,Dania Beach, Florida, 33004, togetherwith notice to the President of AMO at601 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach,Florida 33004. non-member challengersin bargaining units covered by theNational Labor Relations Act shall alsohave the right to seek a determination ofany issues relating to these procedures byinvoking the jurisdiction of the NationalLabor Relations Board. If such a chal-lenger chooses not to invoke the Board’s

jurisdiction, or if the Board defers to theappeal procedures, the non-member chal-lenger’s appeal shall be filed exclusivelywith the AMO Secretary-Treasurer post-marked no later than thirty (30) days afterthe later of the following two dates: thedate the AMO Secretary-Treasurer hasforwarded a letter to the challengeracknowledging receipt of the challenge orthe date the National Labor RelationsBoard affirmatively declines to assert itsreviewing jurisdiction.

9. Except where State law providesan exclusive statutory review procedureor when a challenger proceeds before theNational Labor Relations Board, as setforth in paragraph 8, all such challengesreceived by the Union within the timelimits specified above shall be determinedby expeditious referral to an impartialarbitrator appointed by the AmericanArbitration Association (“AAA”) underits rules for impartial determination ofUnion fees as modified and approved bythe courts and these procedures. TheAMO will notify the AAA that challengesof its fees, which have been received fromone or more individual employees, are tobe determined by an impartial administra-tor and will include the names andaddresses of the individuals who havefiled their appeals challenging theUnion’s fees and who should be notifiedof the proceedings. Thereupon, in accor-dance with its rules, the AAA will appointthe arbitrator to the case, notifying theUnion and the other participants.

a. All appeals shall be consolidatedand heard as soon as the AAA can sched-ule the arbitration. All procedures chal-lenging the AMO’s fee determinationsshall take place in New York City, and theparties shall be the appellants and theAMO.

b. Each party to the arbitration shallbear their own costs including, but notlimited to, attorney’s fees and expenses,witness fees and expenses and travelcosts. The challengers shall have theoption of paying a pro-rated portion of thearbitrator’s fees and expenses. The bal-ance of the arbitrator’s fees and expensesand all AMO fees and expenses shall bepaid by AMO.

c. Challengers may, at theirexpense, be represented by counsel orother representative of their choice.Challengers need not appear at the hear-ing and shall be permitted to file writtenstatements with the arbitrator instead ofappearing. Such statements shall be filednot later than the beginning of the hearingbefore the arbitrator. Post-hearing state-ments may be filed in accordance with theprovisions of paragraph 9(g) below.

d. Fourteen (14) days prior to thestart of the arbitration, challengers shallbe provided with copies of all exhibits ora list of all such exhibits intended to beintroduced at the arbitration by the Unionparty and a list of all witnesses the Unionparty intends to call, except for exhibitsand witnesses the Union party may intro-duce for rebuttal. Where a list of exhibitshas been provided, the challenger shallhave a right to receive copies of suchexhibits by making a written request forthem to the AMO Secretary-Treasurer.Additionally, copies of all exhibits shallbe available to inspection and copying atthe hearing.

e. A court reporter shall make atranscript of all proceedings before thearbitrator. This transcript shall be the onlyofficial record of the proceedings andmay be purchased by the challengers. If

challengers do not purchase a copy of thetranscript, a copy shall be available forpurposes of inspection by challengers atthe Union party’s headquarters duringnormal business hours.

f. The arbitrator shall have controlover all procedural matters affecting thearbitration in order to fulfill the dualneeds of an informed and an expeditiousarbitration. The arbitrator shall set forth inthe decision the legal and arithmetic basesfor the decision giving full considerationto the legal requirements limiting theamount objectors may be charged.

g. Each party to the arbitration shallhave the right to file a post-hearing state-ment within fifteen (15) days after bothparties have completed submission oftheir cases at the hearing. Such statementsmay not introduce new evidence nor dis-cuss evidence not introduced in the arbi-tration. The arbitrator shall issue a deci-sion within forty-five (45) days after thefinal date for submission of post-hearingstatements or within such other reason-able period as is consistent with the AAArules and the requirements of law.

h. The decision of the arbitratorshall be final and binding with respect toall findings of fact supported by substan-tial evidence on the record considered asa whole and on other findings legally per-mitted to be binding on all parties.

i. Upon receipt of the arbitrator’saward, any adjustment in favor of thechallenger will be made from the escrowaccount.

10. The provisions of this procedureshall be considered legally separable.Should any provision or portion thereofbe held contrary to law by a court, admin-istrative agency, or an arbitrator, theremaining provisions or portions thereofshall continue to be legally effective andbinding. If, after consultation with theofficers on the AMO ExecutiveCommittee, the President of the AMOdetermines that modifications in this pro-cedure are necessary to maintain its com-pliance with applicable law, such modifi-cations may be made in accordance withthe Constitution of the AMO.

11. An objector shall have neither avoice nor vote in the internal affairs of theAMO which includes, inter alia, the rati-fication of a collective bargaining agree-ment, whether or not it covers his or heremployment.

12. The benefits of nonmembers inan Agency Shop Agreement are such ben-efits as being eligible to receive theAmerican Maritime Officer, representa-tion in grievances, grievance adjustmentand arbitration, and no other contract ser-vice benefits received by members of theAMO. Such nonmembers shall not beallowed attendance at union meetings, theright to hold or run for any Union office(elective or appointed), or any votingrights within the Union unless and untilthey have become members of this Unionin accordance with the provisions of theAMO Constitution.

13. For purposes of job referral,individuals choosing to become AgencyFee payers shall have the same statusunder the applicable Shipping Rules as anapplicant until such time as the AgencyFee payer pays the total fair share equiva-lent of the initiation fee specified herein.

Use of the male gender in these pro-cedures shall be deemed to include thefemale gender.

ADOPTED by the AMO Executive BoardNovember 11, 1998

American Maritime Officer • 5December 2016

AMO membership committeereviews union’s financial files

American Maritime Officers members serving on the FinanceCommittee in November were Joseph Newhouse, Jim Wingate, JohnHewitt and Tomas Malo. The committee reviewed AMO financial docu-ments at the union’s headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla. A volunteermembership committee is periodically convened to review the union’sfinancial files.

AMO 401(k) Plan calendar year 2015 Summary Annual ReportThis is a summary of the annual report for American Maritime Officers 401k Plan,

EIN 11-2978754, Plan No. 002, for period January 01, 2015 through December 31, 2015.The annual report has been filed with the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S.Department of Labor, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of1974 (ERISA).

Basic Financial StatementBenefits under the plan are provided by a trust fund. Plan expenses were $19,419,320.

These expenses included $740,645 in administrative expenses, $18,550,901 in benefits paidto participants and beneficiaries, and $127,774 in other expenses. A total of 3,208 personswere participants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the plan year, although not allof these persons had yet earned the right to receive benefits.

The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $331,317,647 asof December 31, 2015, compared to $331,138,894 as of January 01, 2015. During the planyear the plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $178,753. This increase includesunrealized appreciation and depreciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the differencebetween the value of the plan’s assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at thebeginning of the year or the cost of assets acquired during the year. The plan had totalincome of $19,598,073, including employer contributions of $2,475,388, employee contri-butions of $19,143,076, losses from investments of ($2,631,566), and other income of$1,508,665.

Your Rights To Additional InformationYou have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on

request. The items listed below are included in that report:• an accountant’s report; • financial information; • information on payments to service providers; • assets held for investment; • fiduciary information, including non-exempt transactions between the plan and

parties-in-interest (that is, persons who have certain relationships with the plan); • information regarding any common or collective trusts, pooled separate accounts,

master trusts or 103-12 investment entities in which the plan participates.To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call the office

of Board of Trustees American Maritime Officers 401k Plan at 2 West Dixie Highway,Dania Beach, FL 33004-4312, or by telephone at (954) 920-4247. The charge to cover copy-ing costs will be $0.15 per page.

You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at nocharge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or astatement of income and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both. If yourequest a copy of the full annual report from the plan administrator, these two statementsand accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copying

costs given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the reportbecause these portions are furnished without charge.

You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the mainoffice of the plan (Board of Trustees American Maritime Officers 401k Plan, 2 West DixieHighway, Dania Beach, FL 33004-4312) and at the U.S. Department of Labor inWashington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment ofcopying costs. Requests to the Department should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room,Room N1513, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.

NTSB opening docket for El Faro investigationThe following article was released November 30 by the National Transportation Safety

Board and is available online: www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/default.aspx.WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board announced its intent

to open the docket Dec. 13, 2016, for its investigation into the sinking of the U.S.-flaggedcargo ship El Faro.

The El Faro sank during Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, and all 33 crewmem-bers aboard perished in the accident. The ship’s voyage data recorder was recovered fromthe ocean floor at a depth of about 15,000 feet on Aug. 8, 2016. A voyage data recordergroup was convened Aug. 15, to audition the ship’s VDR and to develop a detailed tran-script of the sounds and discernible words captured on the El Faro’s bridge audio.

The docket will contain only factual information about weather, engineering, survivalfactors, and data from the El Faro’s voyage data recorder. The docket will also contain thedetailed transcript from the voyage data recorder’s audio recording.

The National Transportation Safety Board plans to conduct a media briefing aboutthe contents of the docket Dec. 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the NTSB Board Room andConference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington. Media attending the press

briefing are asked to be in place by 9:15 a.m. that day.Participating in the press briefing are:• NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart• NTSB Office of Marine Safety Director Brian Curtis• NTSB Office of Research and Engineering Director James RitterThe public docket contains only factual information collected by NTSB investigators.

The public docket does not provide analysis, findings, recommendations or probable causedeterminations, and as such, no conclusions about how or why an accident occurred shouldbe drawn from the docket. Providing the docket affords the public the opportunity to seewhat information has been gathered about the accident. Any analysis, findings, recommen-dations, or probable cause determinations related to the accident will be issued by the NTSBat a later date.

Media planning to attend the press briefing are asked to RSVP by calling 202-314-6100.

The NTSB plans to webcast the press briefing. A link to the webcast will be availableat http://ntsb.capitolconnection.org/ shortly before the start of the press briefing.

MARAD: Vessel guidance for the Sulu and Celebes SeasAdvisory #: 2016-04Date Issued: Nov. 22, 2016Audience: ALL OPERATORS OF U.S. FLAG, EFFECTIVE U.S. CONTROLLEDVESSELS, U.S. MERCHANT MARINERS AND OTHER MARITIME INTERESTS

MARAD Advisories are published on the MARAD web site athttp://www.marad.dot.gov/newsroom/ADVISORY and on the Maritime SafetyInformation web site at http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal. Select BROAD-CAST WARNINGS, scroll down to SEARCH BOX, and select MARAD Advisories.

U.S.-flag vessels are advised to remain vigilant when transiting the Sulu andCelebes seas in light of recent boardings and kidnappings that have taken place betweenSabah, Malaysia and the southern Philippines. There have been 13 reported kidnappingsin this area this year, of which at least nine were reportedly linked to the abu sayyafgroup (ASG).

Previously when crewmember kidnappings took place in this area, only towingand fishing vessels were targeted. However, since October 2016, ASG has reportedlytargeted two large commercial vessels and a private yacht. The level of violence has

been high during some of these attacks, as was demonstrated on November 7, 2016when kidnappers boarded a yacht, killed one female crewmember, and kidnapped theremaining crewmember. Thus far, no U.S. vessels have been involved in these incidents.

Additional info on this threat, including specific recommendations for vesselstransiting the area is available on the regional cooperation agreement on combating pira-cy and armed robbery against ships in Asia (recaap) website at http://www.recaap.org.

Mariners operating near this area are also advised to consult the Department ofState travel warning for this area athttp://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/philippines-travel-warning.html.

THIS ADVISORY IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND WILL REMAIN INEFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ADVISORY, CON-TACT CAMERON NARON, DIRECTOR OF MARITIME SECURITY, MARITIMEADMINISTRATION, CODE: MAR-420, 1200 NEW JERSEY AVE, S.E., WASHING-TON, DC 20590, TELEPHONE 202-366-1883, FAX 202-366-3954, TLX II710.822.9426 (MARAD DOT WSH), OR EMAIL MARADSECURITY@DOT.GOV.

6 • American Maritime Officer December 2016

AOTOSContinued from Page 1

dent of Maine. He was a standout athletein both football and baseball at Jay HighSchool. He furthered his education atMaine Maritime Academy, from whichhe graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’sdegree in Marine EngineeringTechnology. He was lost at sea whileworking aboard El Faro as a third assis-tant engineer. The ship sank near theBahamas during Hurricane Joaquin onOctober 1, 2015 with 33 crew members.

Contributions to the HollandstrongScholarship Fund can be made online athttp://www.hollandstrong.org or mailedto: Hollandstrong Scholarship, 90 SheaStreet, Wilton, ME 04294.

Accepting the AOTOS Mariners’Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew ofthe M/V Courage were Captain Kiah Pintoand Third Mate Austin Neuman, who hadsailed as a cadet aboard the Courage. InJune 2015, 40-knot winds were buffetingthe Courage as it maneuvered betweenBremerhaven, Germany andSouthhampton, England when smokealarms sounded at 10:20 p.m.

Fire teams assembled and thendeployed the CO2 system throughout theship, which was carrying a mix of militaryand diplomatic vehicles, commercial vehi-cles, tractors, small boats and householdgoods. At 10:50 p.m., it appeared the firehad been extinguished. Smoke but no firewas then discovered in both crew areasand the engine room. On the weatherdeck, the crew saw steel had buckled andpaint was boiling off the metal. Fire teamspumped water onto the hottest parts of thedeck. They struggled as their boots weremelting, and only the forward fire pumpsworked because the aft pumps were heat-ed to near steam.

In the engine room 16 decks below,Third Assistant Engineer Terry Gerthremained at the controls as smoke pouredover the top of the main engines. Some 12minutes later, Gerth was brought to safety.

The Courage made it toSouthhampton under its own power withstructural damage and cargo losses totalingin the millions of dollars. There were noinjuries and millions of dollars more worthof cargo below the affected decks was savedby the heroic efforts of the crew.

Accepting the AOTOS Mariners’Plaque on behalf of the officers and crew ofthe M/V Ocean Glory was CaptainChristopher Hill. In August 2016, theOcean Glory was operating under aMilitary Sealift Command voyage charterin South East Asia, heading into the Port of

Tanjungwangi, Indonesia when the officerof the watch reported a man standing atopan overturned outrigger fishing boat.Captain Hill ordered his team into action,using the ship’s heaving line to attempt topass a lifejacket to the distressed fisherman.

The effort failed and the fishermanfell into the water, hanging onto the endof the heaving line. The crew rigged theship’s pilot ladder and worked with pre-cision to bring the fisherman alongsidethe ship’s hull, and then to the ladder.After being brought aboard, the fisher-man, who had been adrift for more than20 hours, collapsed and was treated bythe medical team.

The ship’s crew escorted the fisher-man to a waiting ambulance upon arrival atthe port and gave him money they had takenup in a collection so he could buy shoes and

clothing, and to assist with his recovery.Receiving Admiral of the Ocean Sea

Awards from United Seamen’s Service onOctober 28 were Arthur Imperatore,founder and president of New YorkWaterways; Captain Donald Marcus, inter-national president of the InternationalOrganization of Masters, Mates and Pilots;and Christopher Wiernicki, chairman, pres-ident and CEO of the American Bureau ofShipping. The awards were presented dur-ing the 47th annual United Seamen’sService gala industry dinner and dance atthe Sheraton New York Times Square Hotelin New York City.

Proceeds from the AOTOS eventbenefit USS community services abroadfor the U.S. merchant marine, seafarersof all nations, and U.S. government andmilitary overseas. USS continues to pro-

vide community services for the U.S.merchant marine, the American ArmedForces, and seafarers of the world. USS,a non-profit agency established in 1942,operates centers in six foreign ports inEurope, Asia and Africa, and in theIndian Ocean, and also provides seagoinglibraries to American vessels through itsaffiliate, the American Merchant MarineLibrary Association.

For AOTOS 2016, Michael Sacco,president of the Seafarers InternationalUnion, served as dinner chairman. F.Anthony Naccarato, president and chairmanof American Maritime Officers Service, andJoseph Cox were national committee co-chairmen. Edward Morgan is the presidentof USS and Roger Korner is the executivedirector. Barbara Spector Yeninas is theUSS AOTOS coordinator.

Above: Congratulating Kiah Pinto,Austin Neuman and Christopher Hill atthe AOTOS ceremony were (from left)American Maritime Officers NationalExecutive Vice President Danny Shea;National Vice President, Inland Waters,Dave Weathers; and National PresidentPaul Doell.

At left: Deb Roberts and her hus-band Robin Roberts at the AOTOSceremony — Roberts, the mother ofthe late Michael Holland, who was anengineering officer aboard El Faro,was nominated by AMO for her dedi-cated work on the HollandstrongScholarship Fund and for lobbyingMaine’s governor and legislature toextend student loan tax credits tomariners living in the state.

New AMO jobs aboard Jones Act ATB Sea Power

American Maritime Officers members work-ing aboard the new articulated tug/barge

Sea Power in November, here in PortArthur, Texas as the vessel was being pre-pared for service, included (in no particular

order) Chief Engineer Jay Fernald, MateKyle Staples, Captain Walter Hardman,

Mate Mike Gasior and Assistant EngineersRick Cogswell and Marc Dostie. With them

are Able Seamen Tony Mathews, Pat Griffinand Hector Fernandez. The Jones Act ATBis operated by Eco-Tankers and manned in

all licensed positions by AMO.

American Maritime Officer • 7December 2016

AMO aboard tanker Garden State in Jones Act trade

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the new Jones Act tanker Garden State in October, here inBeaumont, Texas, included Tankerman PIC Observer Ed Kern, Third Assistant Engineer Kyle Massie, Third Mate TylerMeyer, Captain Thomas Mackrell, Chief Mate Ed Mallon, Third Mate Joel Kinkel, Tankerman PIC Observer MorganLitwin, First A.E. James Tan and Second Mate Ben Cobleigh. With them is AMO National Vice President, InlandWaters, Dave Weathers. The Garden State is operated for American Petroleum Tankers by Intrepid Personnel andProvisioning and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.

AMO-contracted vessels, companiesrecognized for environmental excellence

More than 80 vessels operated undercontract with American Maritime Officerswere among those recognized in 2016 bythe Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA)with Certificates of EnvironmentalAchievement for attaining at least two yearsof environmental excellence in operations,with 25 vessels achieving 10 years or morewithout an incident.

“These awards celebrate the dedica-tion to environmental excellence of our sea-

farers and the company personnel shore-sidewho operate our vessels to the highest stan-dards. In today’s world, it seems our industryonly gets front-page news when spills orother environmental problems occur. It isencouraging to see how many vessels go foryears achieving environmental excellence. Itshould be clear to the American public thatwe in the maritime industry take our steward-ship of the marine environment very serious-ly,” said CSA President Kathy Metcalf.

U.S. Coast Guard DeputyCommander, Atlantic Area, Rear Adm.Joseph Servidio participated in the awardceremony and congratulated the awardrecipients and the industry as a whole fortheir extraordinary performance.

The awards were presented during aceremony held November 2 in Washington,D.C. CSA awarded Certificates ofEnvironmental Achievement to a total of1,760 vessels, both domestic and foreign,

that achieved a total of 14,308 years ofoperation without incident.

AMO-contracted companies operat-ing vessels recognized for environmentalexcellence included Crescent Towing;Crowley Liner Services; General DynamicsAmerican Overseas Marine; IntrepidPersonnel and Provisioning (Crowley);Keystone Shipping Company (Key Lakes);Ocean Duchess, Inc.; Ocean Ships, Inc.;OSG Ship Management, Inc.; Pacific-GulfMarine; Seabulk Tankers, Inc.; SeabulkTowing, Inc.; TOTE Services, Inc.; andU.S. Shipping Corporation.

A listing of all vessels receivingEnvironmental Achievement Awards isavailable under “Press Releases” on theCSA website: http://www.knowships.org.

American Maritime Officers members accepting an Environmental AchievementAward from the Chamber of Shipping of America on behalf of vessels operatedby U.S. Vessel Management LLC (U.S. Shipping Corporation) were CaptainsKevin Connors, Paul Schwartz and Ross Mollnow.

American Maritime Officers members accepting an Environmental AchievementAward from the Chamber of Shipping of America on behalf of vessels operatedby Seabulk Tankers, Inc. were Chief Engineer George Hutchins and CaptainKurt Yost.

Reminder: STCW 2010 training, assessmentrequirements take effect January 1, 2017

As a reminder to all members andapplicants of American Maritime Officersworking aboard vessels subject to the STCWConvention, the 2010 amendments to STCWwill enter into force January 1, 2017.

Mariners with operational-level ormanagement-level STCW endorsement lim-itations will not be able to sail on their

endorsements after December 31, 2016 with-out completing the required STCW 2010Gap Closing training and relatedtraining/assessment requirements and sub-mitting proof of completion to the U.S. CoastGuard to have the limitations removed.

Mariners so affected will not be ableto sail on their credential aboard vessels

subject to the STCW Convention afterDecember 31, 2016. Additional renewalrequirements for STCW BasicTraining/Advanced Firefighting refresh-er/revalidation training also go into effectafter this date.

AMO members are reminded thatU.S. Coast Guard processing times for all

applications have increased and theseextended processing times will probablycontinue through the January 1, 2017implementation date and into the foresee-able future.

Complete information regardingthese requirements for all officers is avail-able on the STAR Center website:www.star-center.com/stcw2010.html.

AMO members with any questionscan contact STAR Center Director ofMember Training and OfficerDevelopment Jerry Pannell at (800) 942-3220 Ext. 7507 or via e-mail:jpannell@star-center.com.

AMO members working aboardthe Garden State in Octoberincluded Second AssistantEngineer Carlos Sanchez.

8 • American Maritime Officer December 2016

AMO Safety and Education Plan — Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center(954) 920-3222 / (800) 942-3220 — 2 West Dixie Highway, Dania Beach, FL 33004

General Courses

IGF Code Training 5 days 9 January 24 April 24 July

Confined Space Entry 3 days 6 March 17 July

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 13 February 17 April 22 May

Basic Safety Training — All 4 modules must be completed within 12 months: Personal SafetyTechniques (Mon/Tues — 1.5 days), Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (Tues pm — .5 days),Elementary First Aid (Wed — 1 day), Fire Fighting & Fire Prevention (Thurs/Fri — 2 days) — not required.if Combined Basic & Adv. Fire Fighting completed within 12 months.

5 days 12 December 30 January 1 May

Basic Safety Training — Refresher 3 days 14 December 1 February 3 May

Chemical Safety — Advanced 5 days 13 February

ECDIS 5 days 23 January 27 February 17 April 12 June

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 14 December 27 March 30 May 19 June

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 17 January 13 March 26 June 24 July

GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework 10 days 30 January 27 March 17 July

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 days 22 February 14 June

LNG Simulator Training — Enrollment priority in the LNG simulator course is given to qualified membercandidates for employment and/or observation opportunities with AMO contracted LNG companies. In allcases successful completion of the LNG PNC classroom course is prerequisite.

5 days 6 March 26 June

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 6 February 10 April 9 May

Safety Officer Course 2 days 2 March 15 June

Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom 5 days 20 March 1 May 10 July

Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator 10 days 23 January 27 March 15 May 24 July

Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program 10 days Please call

Train the Trainer 5 days 9 January 6 March 1 May 26 June

Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties — VPDSD 2 days 26 January 27 April

Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy 3 days 27 February 12 June

Deck CoursesAdvanced Bridge Resource Management — Meets STCW 2010Leadership & Management gap closing requirements 5 days 15 May 31 July

Advanced Shiphandling for Masters — (No equivalency) Must havesailed as Chief Mate Unlimited 5 days 27 March 8 May

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rdMates 10 days 23 January 6 March 5 June

Advanced & Emergency Shiphandling — First Class Pilots, Great Lakes 5 days 6 February

Bridge Resource Management Seminar 3 days Please call

Dynamic Positioning — Basic 5 days 30 January 1 May 24 July

Dynamic Positioning — Advanced 5 days 20 March 5 June

Navigation & Watchkeeping Standardization & Assessment Program 5 days 30 January 6 March 1, 22 May 12 June 31 July

TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) — Third Mate (Unlimited orGreat Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required 5 days 23 January 15 May

Tug Training — ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 5 days 12 December 27 March 19 June

Engineering Courses

Basic Electricity 10 days 5 June

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks Please call

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 6 March 15 May

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 13 February

Hydraulics/ Pneumatics 5 days 12 December 8 May

Ocean Ranger Program 6 days 3 April

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 5 days 6 February

Refrigeration (Operational Level) 5 days 27 February

Refrigeration (Management Level) 5 days 6 March

Steam Endorsement 4 weeks 23 January 17 April 5 June

Electronics (Management) — NEW 1 week Please call

Instrumentation (Management) — NEW 10 days Please call

Welding & Metallurgy Skills & Practices — Open to eligible Chief Mates and Masters on a space availablebasis. Interested participants should apply online and will be confirmed 2 weeks prior to start date. 2 weeks 23 January 27 February 15 May 12 June

STCW 2010 Gap Closing Courses — Required by all existing STCW credentialed officers by 1 January 2017

Leadership & Management (required by ALL management level Deckand Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 12 December 16 January 6, 27 February 20 March 17 April 8 May 5 June

Engine Room Resource Management — Classroom (Engineers)(Required by ALL Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 12 December 9 January 20 February 13 March 24 April 12 June 31 July

Management of Electrical, Electronic Controllers (Engineers) (Requiredby ALL management level Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 23 January 13 February 6 March 1 May 19 June

Leadership & Teamwork (Engineers) (Only required by those Engineerswho completed old ERM class) 1 day Leadership & Teamworking assessments, in the few cases required, should be completed and signed off onboard.

Basic Training & Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (Required by firstcredential renewal AFTER 1 Jan 2017) 2 days 9 January 23 February 20 March 3 April 15 May 22 June 10 July

EFA (Scheduled with Basic Training Revalidation BUT NOT REQUIREDFOR STCW 2010) 1 day 11 January 22 February 22 March 5 April 21 June 12 July

American Maritime Officer • 9December 2016

Engine Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 15-14) — If sea service ortraining towards management level (1A/E-Chief Eng.) upgrade started ON OR AFTER 24 March 2014, you mustadhere to this new program of training. Completion of both required and optional courses listed below will includeall Task Assessments required by NVIC 15-14. By completing the series, no expiration limitation will be placed onyour STCW credential. See STAR Center’s website for full details: https://www.star-center.com/stcw2010-engine.upgrade.html

Leadership & Managerial Skills (G500 as amended) —REQUIRED 5 days 16 January 5 June

ERM (E050 as amended) — REQUIRED (unless previouslytaken for gap closing or original license) 5 days 9 January 12 June

Upgrade: Electrical, Electronics & Control Engineering(Management Level) (E133 as amended) (UPGRADE withtasks)

10 days 23 January 19 June

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — General Engineering& Procedure (E135 as amended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks canbe signed off onboard

5 days 6 February 10 July

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — MEECE —OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 30 January 26 June

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Motor (E120 asamended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 3 days 13 February 5 July

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Steam (E121 asamended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 20 February 24 July

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Gas Turbine (E122 asamended) — OPTIONAL: Tasks can be signed off onboard 5 days 27 February 17 July

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 20 Jan. 20 Feb. 14, 16March

10, 25, 27April

8, 12, 15May

Radar Recertification 1 day 6, 8 June 20, 25 June 11, 13 July

ARPA 4 days 21 Feb. 16 May

Radar Recertification &ARPA 5 days 20 Feb. 15 May

Original Radar ObserverUnlimited 5 days 13 Feb.

MSC Training ProgramBasic CBR Defense 1 day 12 December 3 February 10, 31 March 7 April 18 May 23 June 21 July

Damage Control 1 day 13 December 2 February 9, 30 March 6 April 19 May 22 June 20 July

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 13, 27 March 5 June

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 31 January 10 February 8 May

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 3 February 10, 31 March 7 April 18 May 23 June 21 July

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day 14 March 6 June

MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once incareer. 2 days 30 January 1 May

MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 19 January 23 March 8 June

MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members 1 day 16 December 13, 27 January 17 February 3, 31 March 28 April 5 May 16 June 14, 28 July

MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 30 January 6 March 3 April 19 June 31 July

Small Arms — Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training — Open tomembers & applicants eligible for employment through AMO (w/in 1 year) orMSC on MARAD contracted vessels.

4 days 12 December 9, 23 January 13, 27 February 13, 27 March 10, 24 April 1, 22 May 12, 26 June 10, 24 July

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 7 March 6 June

Engine STCW / Original Engineer Training Routes — Engine STCW training routes are aimedat Great Lakes members wishing to transition to deep sea. Original engineer training is available to members,applicants and sponsored students seeking an original license.

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days Please call

Basic Safety Training 5 days Please call

EFA/MCP 4 days Please call

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days Please call

Basic Electricity (original engineers only) 10 days Please call

Original 3 A/E Preparation and Exams A/R Please call

NOTICE: AMO members planning to attend the union’s Center for Advanced Maritime Officers’ Training/STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida—either to prepare for license upgrading or to undergo specialty training—are asked to call theschool to confirm course schedule and space availability in advance.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: The Center For Advanced Maritime Officers Training (CAMOT) and Simulation Training Assessment and Research Center (STAR), established under the auspices of theAmerican Maritime Officers Safety and Education Plan, admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin or sex to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Center.It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sex in administration of its educational policies, admission policies and other programs administered by the Center.

Deck Upgrade at the Management Level (Policy Letter 04-02) — This upgrade program is for those who started sea service or training towards management level (Chief Mate/Master) upgrade BEFORE 24March 2014. Failure to complete by 31 December 2016 will most likely result in significant delays and additional training or assessment requirements. Successful completion of this program will satisfy the training requirements forSTCW certification as Master or Chief Mate on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC) under previous. This program will complete ALL 53 Control Sheet assessments of the training requirements for STCW under policy letter04-02. Course completion certificates and control sheets expire 12/31/16. Anyone using the previous regulations to upgrade in this manner must complete all requirements ,including USCG testing, by 12/31/16. Deck ManagementLevel gap closing training must also be completed by 12/31/16 in order for the new credential to valid after this date. SPECIFIC GUIDANCE CAN BE FOUND ON THE STAR CENTER WEBSITE AT https://www.star-center.com

Celestial Navigation — Requires after-hour homework 5 days Please call

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hour homework 5 days Please call

Cargo Operations 9 days Please call

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days Please call

Upgrade: Stability 5 days Please call

Watchkeeping 1: BRM 3 days Please call

Watchkeeping 2: COLREGS 5 days Please call

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days Please call

Search and Rescue 2 days Please call

Shipboard Management 5 days Please call

Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (includes Simulator) 5 days 12 December

ECDIS 5 days Please call

Deck Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 10-14)— If sea service or training towards management level (Chief Mate/Master) upgrade started ON OR AFTER 24 March 2014 you must adhereto this new program of training. Completion of both required and optional courses listed below will include all Task Assessments required by NVIC 10-14 , providing ECDIS, GMDSS and ARPA have been previously completed.

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 9 January 17 April 17 July

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hours homework 5 days 23 January 15 May 10 July

Advanced Stability 5 days 30 January 8 May 31 July

Search & Rescue 2 1/2 days 13 February 1 May

Management of Medical Care 1/2 day 15 February 3 May

Leadership & Management 5 days 6 February 22 May

Advanced Cargo — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 20 February 5 June

Marine Propulsion Plants — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 27 February 19 June

Advanced Celestial — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 6 March 12 June

Advanced Navigation — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 12 December 13 March 26 June

Medical Courses

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 13 March 3 April 5 June

Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months 1 day 17 January 14 March 4 April 15 May 6 June 25 July

Medical Care Provider — Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 12months. Please fax EFA certificate when registering 3 days 18 January 15 March 5 April 16 May 7 June 26 July

Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 12 December 23 January 20 March 12 June 31 July

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 30 January 27 March 19 June 24 July

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only 1 day 31 January 28 March 20 June

Saliva Screening Test — QEDs only 1/2 day 1 February 29 March 21 June

10 • American Maritime Officer December 2016

AMO NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 33004-4109601 S. Federal Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Paul Doell, National President pauldoell51@yahoo.comExtension 1001Mobile: (954) 881-5651FAX: (954) 926-5112 Charles A. Murdock, National Secretary-Treasurercmurdock@amo-union.orgExtension 1004 / Mobile: (954) 531-9977 / FAX: (954) 367-1025Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Seajgremelsbacker@amo-union.orgExtension 1009 / Mobile: (954) 673-0680 / FAX: (954) 367-1029Todd Christensen, East Coast Representative tchristensen@amo-union.org / Mobile: (561) 806-3768Marie Doruth, Executive Assistant to the National Presidentmdoruth@amo-union.orgExtension 1017 / Mobile: (954) 290-8109FAX: (954) 926-5112Dispatch: (800) 345-3410 / FAX: (954) 926-5126Brendan Keller, Dispatcher (bkeller@amo-union.org)Extension 1061 / Mobile: (954) 817-4000Robert Anderson, Dispatcher (randerson@amo-union.org)Extension 1060 / Mobile: (954) 599-9771Member Services:Extension 1050 / FAX: (954) 367-1066 / memberservices@amo-union.org

OFFICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001Paul Doell, National President pauldoell51@yahoo.comExtension 7004Mobile: (954) 881-5651J. Michael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relationsmmurphy@amo-union.org / mikemurphy68@aol.comExtension 7013 / Mobile: (202) 560-6889T. Christian Spain, National Assistant Vice President, Government Relationscspain@amo-union.orgExtension 7010Mobile: (202) 658-8887FAX: (202) 479-1188

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191131 International Plaza, Suite 550Chris Holmes, Contract Analyst (cholmes@amo‐union.org)(800) 362‐0513 ext. 4002Mobile: (856) 693‐0694

UPDATE CREDENTIALS, DOCUMENTS, TRAINING RECORDSSecure File Upload: https://securetransfer.amo-union.org/E-mail: memberservices@amo-union.orgQuestions: (800) 362-0513 ext. 1050

TOLEDO, OH 43604The Melvin H. Pelfrey BuildingOne Maritime Plaza, Third Floor(800) 221-9395 / FAX: (419) 255-2350John E. Clemons, National Vice President, Great Lakesjohnclemons@amo-union.orgMobile: (419) 205-3509Brian D. Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice Presidentbkrus@amo-union.orgMobile: (216) 571-9666Michelle Moffitt, Dispatchermmoffitt@amo-union.orgMobile: (419) 481-3470

GALVESTON, TX 775512724 61st Street, Suite B, PMB 192David M. Weathers, National Vice President, Inland Watersdweathers@amo-union.org(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001 / Mobile: (409) 996-7362FAX: (409) 737-4454

SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 946071121 7th Street, Second FloorOakland, CA 94607FAX: (954) 367-1064Daniel E. Shea, National Executive Vice President (dshea@amo-union.org)(510) 444-5301 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 5001 / Mobile: (415) 269-5795William Barrere, West Coast Representative (wbarrere@amo-union.org)Mobile: (415) 654-2671

NEW ORLEANS / COVINGTON, LA 70434P.O. Box 5424Covington, LA 70434Daniel J. Robichaux, National Assistant Vice Presidentdrobichaux@amo-union.org(954) 367-1036 / Mobile: (985) 201-5462 / FAX: (954) 367-1062

STAR CENTER

STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING AND COURSE INFORMATION2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004-4312(954) 920-3222 ext. 201 / (800) 942-3220 ext. 201Course Attendance Confirmation: (800) 942-3220 ext. 20024 Hours: (954) 920-3222 ext.7999 / FAX: (954) 920-3140

SERVICES

FINANCIAL ADVISERS: THE ATLANTIC GROUP AT MORGAN STANLEY(800) 975-7061 / www.morganstanleyfa.com/theatlanticgroup

MEDICAL CLINIC AMO PLANS2 West Dixie Highway 2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004-4312 Dania Beach, FL 33004-4312(954) 927-5213 (800) 348-6515FAX: (954) 929-1415 FAX: (954) 922-7539

LEGAL

AMO Coast Guard Legal Aid General CounselProgram Glanstein LLPMichael Reny 711 Third Ave., 17th FloorMobile: (419) 346-1485 New York, NY 10017(419) 243-1105 (212) 370-5100(888) 853-4662 (954) 662-9407MikeReny@BEX.NET FAX: (212) 697-6299

AMO aboard the Chemical Pioneer

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Chemical Pioneer inNovember included Second Assistant Engineer Martin Quirke, Chief EngineerJohn Dentino, First A.E. Thomas Daly and Third A.E. Tanner McWain. TheJones Act chemical tanker is operated by U.S. Shipping Corporation and ismanned in all licensed positions by AMO.

American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Chemical Pioneer inNovember, here in Freeport, Texas, included Third Mate Josh Williams andChief Mate Paul Voisin.

American Maritime Officer • 11December 2016

ObituariesJohnnie Foster, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died October 28, 2016, at age

43. He is survived by Heather Foster.Timothy Sullivan, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 27, 2016, at age 88.Gerard Nolan, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 23, 2016, at age 82. He

is survived by Joan Nolan.John Ekman, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 22, 2016, at age 89.Willets Camp, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died October 19, 2016, at age

90. He is survived by Phyllis Camp.Peter Jordan, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 15, 2016, at age 67. He

is survived by Carolyn Jordan.John Maytum, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 15, 2016, at age 84. He

is survived by Nancy Maytum.Dean Rhodenbaugh, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 11, 2016, at

age 89.Richard Bishop, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died October 8, 2016, at

age 69. He is survived by Cathy Bishop.Paul Griffin, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 5, 2016, at age 69. He is

survived by Dalhia Griffin.Michael Gibboney, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died October 1, 2016, at

age 84.Henry Landis, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died September 30, 2016, at age 95.

He is survived by Rhoda Landis.Francis McMahon, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died September 22, 2016,

at age 87.Robert Zink Jr., who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died September 19,

2016, at age 64. He is survived by Martha Zink.James Wilkins, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died September 17, 2016, at age 79.

He is survived by Lavone Wilkins.Clyde Evans, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died September 14, 2016, at age

74. He is survived by Dorothy Evans.Chad Gauger, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died September 8, 2016, at age 46.

He is survived by Cynthia Gauger.Leopold Mulka, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died September 8, 2016,

at age 99.Frederick Ladd III, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died August 30, 2016, at age

70. He is survived by Margaret Ladd.Martin Wedderien, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died August 29, 2016, at age 54.William Eder, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died August 25, 2016, at

age 95.Roy Johnson, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died August 25, 2016, at age 89. He

is survived by Kathleen Johnson.Eric Wolfe, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died August 20, 2016, at age 40.Harold Small, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died August 7, 2016, at age 94.Brian Laffey, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died July 20, 2016, at age

75. He is survived by Mary Laffey.William Kehle, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 13, 2016, at age 68. He is

survived by Benita Kehle.Robert Lester, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 10, 2016, at age 58. He is

survived by Dru Denmark.Bruce Sonn, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 6, 2016, at age 66. He is sur-

vived by Rhonda Sonn.Robert Lijewski, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died July 5, 2016, at

age 65.Ruben Salazar, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 5, 2016, at age 83. He is

survived by Alberta Salazar.Lota Hughes, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 4, 2016, at age 67.Gary Vaillancourt, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 4, 2016, at age 85. He

is survived by Elda Vaillancourt.Benjamin Moore, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 26, 2016, at age 61. He

is survived by Marypat Moore.William O’Brien, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 7, 2016, at age 88. He

is survived by Elizabeth O’Brien.John Dick, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 6, 2016, at age 73.Claude Long, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 24, 2016, at age 68. He is

survived by Shanna Long.Timothy Gonsalves, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 23, 2016, at age 68.

He is survived by Monica Gonsalves.Leslie Soper, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 21, 2016, at age 81.Roger Shamhart, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died May 21, 2016, at age 79.Edward Pillert, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 20, 2016, at age 57. He

is survived by Regine Pillert.Edward Partyka, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died May 19, 2016, at

age 89.Leonard Dolezal, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 19, 2016, at age 88.Leland Adams, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died May 15, 2016, at age

74. He is survived by Shirley Adams.James Anderson, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died May 9, 2016, at

age 92.Henry Donski, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 2, 2016, at age 90. He is

survived by Elizabeth Donski.William Sketcher, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died April 27, 2016, at age 79.Joseph Enna, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died April 24, 2016, at age 70. He is

survived by Patricia Enna.Cary Byron, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died April 22, 2016, at age 73.Walter Nixon, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died April 19, 2016, at age 67.

George Bishop, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died April 13, 2016, at age 79. Heis survived by Wilhelmena Bishop.

Richard Spires, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died April 10, 2016, at age 88.Vincent Devlin, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died March 22, 2016, at age 64. He

is survived by Jane Devlin.Steven Nevin, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died March 17, 2016, at

age 75.Eugene Haley Sr., who sailed inland waters with AMO, died March 14, 2016, at age

88. He is survived by Dorothy Haley.Viterbo Bolcan, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died March 8, 2016, at age 80.Daniel Shupp, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died March 6, 2016, at

age 69.Roy Farmer, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died March 6, 2016, at age 91.Ronald Levin, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died March 2, 2016, at age 74. He is

survived by Linda Levin.Thayer Cooper, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died February 29, 2016, at age 88.

He is survived by Ligia Cooper.Walter Straub Jr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died February 25, 2016, at age

76. He is survived by Susan Straub.Theodore Rist, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died February 23, 2016, at age 89.Garnett Leary, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died February 14, 2016, at age

71. He is survived by Joan Leary.Kenneth Willis Jr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died February 12, 2016, at age 60.Vagn Westergaard, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died February 12,

2016, at age 98.William Smith, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died February 6, 2016, at age 62.

He is survived by Lori Smith.Adam Lowry, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 29, 2016, at age 55. He

is survived by Eva Lowry.Louis Koen Jr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 22, 2016, at age 72.

He is survived by Marsha Koen.William Pease, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died January 17, 2016, at

age 93.Ramdhani Nandkeshwar, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 11, 2016,

at age 86.Kevin Best, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 10, 2016, at age 53. He is

survived by Naomi Best.Martino Pirone, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 10, 2016, at age 86.John Skuba, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 9, 2016, at age 90.Milosz Raciborski, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 3, 2016, at age 59.

He is survived by Malgorzata Raciborska.Ralph Haven, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 1, 2016, at age 92.John Stephens, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 1, 2016, at age 61. He

is survived by Maria Stephens.Kenneth McGinnis, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died December 20, 2015,

at age 81. He is survived by Sarah McGinnis.Harold Grummer, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died December 18, 2015, at

age 89.Phillip Slone, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died December 15, 2015, at age

72. He is survived by Brenda Slone.Alan Gintz, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died December 8, 2015, at

age 62.Buster Nichols, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 23, 2015, at age 87.Robert Bearden, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 23, 2015, at age 53.Thomas Jornov, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died November 20, 2015, at

age 90.Donald Noble, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died November 20, 2015,

at age 90.William Gallop, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died November 16, 2015, at

age 90. He is survived by Lois Gallop.Robert Trainor, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 15, 2015, at age 71.John Davies, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 11, 2015, at age 88.

He is survived by Ana Davies.Francis Jamison, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died November 8, 2015, at

age 87.Marian Kabat, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 4, 2015, at age 70.

Captain Bob Mills (second from left) and the crew of the USNS Lawrence H.Gianella held a memorial and scattered the ashes of late AMO member RubenSalazar at sea on November 11.

12 • American Maritime Officer December 2016

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will be held during theweek following the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. local time.Meetings will be held on Monday at AMO National Headquarters (onTuesday when Monday is a holiday). The next meetings will take place onthe following dates:

AMO National Headquarters: January 3 (Tuesday), February 6

Largest single Army-runammo shipment to Europein 20 years delivered byUSNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat

The following article was publishedby the U.S. Army and is available online:https://www.army.mil/article/177936.Delivering the ammunition was the USNSLCPL Roy M. Wheat, which is operatedfor Military Sealift Command by CrowleyGovernment Services and is manned inall licensed positions by AmericanMaritime Officers.

NORDENHAM, Germany — Thelargest single Army-run shipment of ammu-nition to Europe in more than two decades,more than 600 shipping containers worth,arrived in Germany Oct. 29.

The Army and Air Force ammunitionarrived at the port in Nordenham, Germany,where it was loaded onto trains and shipped

to Miesau Army Depot, Germany, for stor-age and distribution.

“The shipment by itself is specialbecause it’s over 620 containers,” said Lt.Col. Brad Culligan, commander, 838thTransportation Battalion, Military SurfaceDeployment and Distribution Command.“We continue to build up the presence inEurope. This will help with reassuring ourallies, along with the common defense ofEurope if needed.”

Reassuring European allies byincreasing the readily available ammunitionalso improves the readiness of U.S. forcesstationed in Europe.

“This is about deterrence,” said Lt.Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general,

U.S. Army Europe. “We could have 1,000tanks over here, but if we didn’t have theammunition for them, they would not haveany deterrent effect. It’s another example ofthe commitment of the United States tosecurity and stability in Europe.”

Culligan, who oversaw the transfer ofthe cargo from the ship to trains, said themission required an immense amount ofcoordination from multiple entities.

“It’s a Military Sealift Commandvessel that is crewed and manned byMilitary Sealift personnel underneath theU.S. Navy,” Culligan said. “We are mov-ing Air Force ammunition as well asArmy ammunition, so it is truly a jointmission here that is being worked fromall levels, from battalion and all the waythrough the (21st Theater SustainmentCommand) and to higher headquartersback in the United States.”

Hodges, who was present for thearrival of the first trainload to Miesau,reflected on the joint nature of theendeavor, noting that German supportwas a key in getting the ammunitionwhere it needed to go.

“The fact that the ammunition camefrom Nordenham port by rail all the wayto Miesau was only possible because ourally, Germany, allowed it to happen,”Hodges said. “So it’s another way thatGermany contributes to deterrence ... byenabling the movement of ammunitionand equipment inside Germany for theUnited States Army.”

He also praised the soldiers, civil-ians, contractors and German localnational employees who made the mis-sion a success.

“I am so impressed with the qualityof the workforce out here,” Hodges said.

Personnel at the depot beganunloading and breaking down the ship-ment for storage or movement to otherlocations as it arrived. The ammunitionwill later be moved to various locationsthroughout Europe.

“It’s the ultimate theater sustain-ment,” Culligan said. “We’re bringingammunition into the theater to resupply andset the stage for the European theater forany type of exercises or potential futuremissions that may come about.”

A container full of ammunition is offloaded from the USNS LCPL Roy M. WheatOctober 29 at Nordenham, Germany. More than 600 containers of mixed muni-tions, the largest Army-run shipment in more than 20 years, arrived at the port andwere moved to Miesau, Germany for storage and distribution throughout Europe.

Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Jacob McDonald

The USNS Wheat prepares to embark the deep-sea and coastal (North Sea) piloten route to Germany.

Photo: Roger Musselwhite

The USNS Wheat on storm sortie from Sunny Point, N.C. during HurricaneMatthew, which delayed cargo operations. This photo was taken 180 miles NNEfrom the eye of the storm in October, where the ship faced force 9 to 10 windsand seas.

Photo: Captain Mark Richardson

Captain Mark Richardson andSecond Mate Michael Thompson

Third Mate Kyle Sammis and ThirdMate David Vela

Chief Engineer GaryMoore

Second AssistantEngineer Eric Hyson

Third Assistant EngineerRebecca Querubin

Third Assistant EngineerJoseph Bishop

Chief Mate RichardMinutello

First Assistant EngineerJames Orlanda