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

Pages 6-7: Dependable rescues 14 fishermen off Mumbai

Page 2: On October 1, two memorials in Jacksonville, Fla. — one at theSIU hall and one at El Faro Memorial at Dames Point Park — were ded-icated to the 33 crew members of El Faro, marking the solemn anniver-sary of the ship’s sinking in Hurricane Joaquin on October 1, 2015.

Memorials dedicated to crew of El Faroon solemn anniversary of ship’s sinking

On September 17, the fourth tanker in a series of five being built forAmerican Petroleum Tankers by General Dynamics NASSCO was chris-tened at the shipyard in San Diego, Calif. Coverage of this event will befeatured in the November edition of the newspaper.

Fourth tanker in APT series christenedat General Dynamics NASSCO

Volume 46, Number 10 October 2016

Second tanker in SEA-Vista series launchedThe Jones Act tanker Constitution,

the second in a series of three ships beingbuilt for SEA-Vista by General DynamicsNASSCO, was christened and launchedSaturday, August 27 at the shipyard in SanDiego, Calif.

American Maritime Officers repre-sents all licensed officers working aboardthe tankers being built for SEA-Vista, apartnership between SEACOR HoldingsInc. and Avista Capital Partners, which areand will be operated by Seabulk Tankers,Inc. The Constitution’s prospective masterand chief engineer, Greg Wallace and EricKetteringham, attended and participatedin the christening and launch events.

As part of the ceremony, the ship’ssponsor, Cristin Thorogood — wife ofSEACOR Ocean Transport President DanThorogood — christened the ship with atraditional champagne bottle break over thehull. Sandi Dunkel, a NASSCO employeefor nearly 25 years, pulled the trigger torelease the ship into San Diego Bay.

“For those of us not used to the tra-ditions and peculiarities of the shippingindustry — people like me — it can beoverwhelming to understand its manycomplexities,” Thorogood said duringher presentation at the christening andlaunch ceremony. “However, over thedecade or so that I have been part of theSEACOR family, I have grown to appre-ciate the importance placed upon thesafety and the welfare of the ships’crews, and those of the craftsmen whobuild these vessels. These are key pillarsthat SEACOR, NASSCO and the indus-try as whole strive for.”

The Constitution is a 610-foot,50,000 deadweight-ton product tankerwith a 330,000-barrel cargo capacity builtready for conversion to use LNG as a fuel.The ECO Class tanker symbolizes thetransformation of the U.S. shipping indus-try toward cleaner, more fuel-efficientmodes of transporting product.

“The construction of a ship repre-sents an entire community of highly-trained and highly-skilled individualsworking together — from design concep-tion to delivery — toward a common pur-pose: to revolutionize the future ofAmerican shipping with the constructionof innovative, cost-saving, and environ-

Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO

See Constitution ◆ Page 12

Attending a reception prior to the christening and launch of the Constitution were (left to right) Chief Engineer EricKetteringham; Captain Greg Wallace; General Dynamics NASSCO President Fred Harris; Seafarers International UnionVice President, Contracts, George Tricker; Sponsor of the Constitution Cristin Thorogood; President of SEACOR OceanTransport Daniel Thorogood; SEACOR Ocean Transport Director of Human Resources Mike Lowry; American MaritimeOfficers National Executive Vice President Daniel Shea; and SIU Vice President, West Coast, Nick Marrone.

2 • American Maritime Officer October 2016

Memorials dedicated to crew of El Faro

Family members of the El Faro officers gathered on October 1 for the dedicationof the memorial for the El Faro crew at the Seafarers International Union Hall inJacksonville, Fla.

Officials of American Maritime Officers and the Seafarers International Unionjoined union members and families of the El Faro crew for the dedication of thememorial at the SIU hall in Jacksonville, Fla. on October 1.

American Maritime Officers members and officials and staff of AMO and AMOPlans attended a memorial service for the crew of El Faro at STAR Center onSeptember 30.

On October 1, TOTEheld a dedication cer-emony for a memorialfor the crew of El Faroin Jacksonville, Fla. In

September, theJacksonville City

Council voted unani-mously to change the

name of the park inwhich the memorial is

located to El FaroMemorial at Dames

Point Park.

A plaque and a ship’s bell were added to the lighthouse at the Paul Hall Centerfor Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. Memorial bricks for eachof the 33 crew members of El Faro were added to the school’s waterfront park.The memorial was dedicated during a ceremony in April.

On October 1, two memorials for thecrew of El Faro were dedicated inJacksonville, Fla. — one at the SeafarersInternational Union hall and one at El FaroMemorial at Dames Point Park — markingthe solemn anniversary of the loss of theship and all 33 crew members in Hurricane

Joaquin on October 1, 2015.“In the routine course of their work,

and in their last hours, the El Faro comple-ment brought honor upon every Americancommitted to life and work at sea under theAmerican flag and confirmed the steadfastdedication to the mission at hand that has

distinguished American merchant marinerssince the founding of this great republic,”said American Maritime Officers NationalPresident Paul Doell, speaking at the dedi-cation at the SIU hall in Jacksonville.

“This memorial stands as well as anappropriate acknowledgement of the brav-

ery, grace and dignity with which our ElFaro families have endured their unimagin-able grief and how they continue to supporteach other under relentlessly difficult cir-cumstances,” Doell said. “This memorialalso confirms what each of us believesfirmly: we will never forget.”

Michael C. Davidson, Richard J. Pusatere, Steven W. Shultz,Jeffrey A. Mathias, Danielle L. Randolph, Keith W. Griffin,Jeremie H. Riehm, Howard J. Schoenly, Michael L. Holland,Mitchell T. Kuflik, Dylan O. Meklin, Roan R. Lightfoot,

Brookie L. Davis, Frank J. Hamm, Carey J. Hatch, Jack E. Jackson,Jackie R. Jones Jr., Sylvester C. Crawford Jr., Joe E. Hargrove,German A. Solar-Cortes, Anthony S. Thomas, Louis M. Champa,

Roosevelt L. Clark, James P. Porter, Mariette Wright,Theodore E. Quammie, Lashawn L. Rivera, Lonnie S. Jordan,

Piotr M. Krause, Marcin Nita, Jan Podgórski,Andrzej R. Truszkowski, Rafal A. Zdobych

American Maritime Officer • 3October 2016

U.S. maritime industry stakeholdershighlight importance of Jones Act atTradeWinds Shipowners Forum

The following article was releasedSeptember 22 by the American MaritimePartnership, a coalition of whichAmerican Maritime Officers Service is amember and which American MaritimeOfficers supports.

New York (September 22, 2016) —The American Maritime Partnership(AMP) — the voice of the domestic mar-itime industry — applauds the remarksand support shown for the Jones Act atthe 2016 TradeWinds Shipowners Forumheld in New York City. Speaking along-

side maritime leaders from both industryand government, U.S. MaritimeAdministrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichenaddressed the critical importance of theJones Act for securing and upholding ournation’s maritime capability.

“This crowd knows the value of theJones Act both to our national security andour economic prosperity,” said Admin.Jaenichen. “In almost every trade negotia-tion, our international competitors wantand sometimes demand access to ourJones Act waters — our coast, our rivers,

our waterways and our ports. Our nationalresolve must be to protect those assets andthat treasure and cannot weaken.”

Echoing the administrator’s state-ment, former U.S. Department ofTransportation Secretary Rodney Slaterconfirmed that the “U.S. is a maritimenation,” and that Secretary Foxx and oth-ers understand the critical importance ofthe Jones Act and noted in the U.S.Department of Transportation BeyondTraffic report, a 30-year transportationframework of the future, that “today’s

marine transportation system, made up ofinland waterways and ports, coastal routesand deep water ports, is still the founda-tion of our robust international anddomestic trade and will remain so for theforeseeable future.”

As noted in a 2016 LexingtonInstitute report, The Jones Act andHomeland Security in the 21st Century,the Jones Act has taken on new signifi-cance for national security, playing a crit-ical role in strengthening U.S. bordersecurity and helping to prevent interna-tional terrorism. The U.S. marine trans-portation system, which encompasses 361ports, over 3,000 facilities and more than14,000 regulated domestic vessels, relieson the Jones Act to strengthen and securethe U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance andrepair-industrial base, which contributesmore than $100 billion in annual econom-ic output and sustains nearly 500,000American jobs.

AMO aboard the Philip R. Clarke

AMO members working aboard the Philip R. Clarke in September includedThird Mate Christopher Bodenweiser, First Assistant Engineer Jeffrey Darga,Third A.E. Carl Schuchardt, Steward Joseph Marko and Captain Lori Reinhart.

The Philip R. Clarke unloads stone in Superior, Wis. in September. AMO rep-resents the licensed officers and stewards aboard the Key Lakes vessel.

AMO mem-bers working

aboard thePhilip R.Clarke in

Septemberincluded

Second MateJames

Engebretsonand Third

Mate JamesSeals.

AMO mem-bers workingaboard thePhilip R.Clarke inSeptemberincluded FirstMate HaroldDusseau andFirst AssistantEngineerJeffrey Darga.

U.S.-flag cargoes on Great Lakes down 4.2 percent in AugustU.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighters

moved 9.5 million tons of cargo inAugust, a decrease of 4.2 percent com-pared with August of 2015. The August

cargo float was also 7.7 percent below thefive-year average for the month, the Lake

Carriers’ Association reported.Iron ore cargoes for the steel

industry totaled 4.5 million tons, anincrease of 4.7 percent compared withthe previous year.

Coal shipments to power plantsand steel mills fell to 1.4 million tons, adecrease of 17.1 percent compared withAugust 2015.

Limestone for construction projectsand steel production totaled 2.9 milliontons, a decrease of 6.4 percent comparedwith August of the previous year.

For the year at the end of August,U.S.-flag cargo carriage stood at 49.8 mil-lion tons, a decrease of 4.9 percent fromthe same point in 2015.

Iron ore cargoes were up 4.8 per-cent; however, coal cargoes had declinedby 25.2 percent. Limestone shipments forthe season trailed the total at the samepoint in 2015 by 4.9 percent, the LakeCarriers’ Association reported.

AMO aboard the Jones Act tanker PennsylvaniaAmerican Maritime Officers mem-

bers working aboard the JonesAct tanker Pennsylvania in

August, here in Corpus Christi,Texas, included (in no particular

order) Chief Mate TimotheePaternoster, First Assistant

Engineer Daniel Petrocelli, ChiefEngineer Dave Leddy, Second

Mate Chris Megregian, Third MateJohn Sabbagh, Captain James

Walker and Third Mate LynaeHarvey. With them is Texas A&M

Cadet Weston Osborne.

4 • American Maritime Officer October 2016

The facts about the Jones Act and Puerto RicoThe following letter by Chairman of

the American Maritime Partnership (AMP)Thomas Allegretti was posted online by thecoalition on August 26.

Over the past year, there has beendebate about changes to the Jones Act in thecontext of Puerto Rico’s financial crisis.Congress has wisely rejected calls tochange the law, and for good reason. Oncethe actual facts are considered, there is sim-ply no justification for changing the JonesAct, for Puerto Rico or otherwise.

The Jones Act ensures that companiesoperating in the domestic commerce of theUnited States, including service to PuertoRico, are subject to American laws. Themilitary strategy of the United States alsorelies on the availability of U.S. vessels andcrews and a shipyard defense industrialbase, which the Jones Act supports. Further,as a Lexington Institute report recentlynoted the “venerable Jones Act provides an

important barrier to terrorist infiltration ofthe homeland.”

The opponents of the law ignorethese national and economic security bene-fits and instead focus their attention on falseand misleading statements about the costimpact of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico.Take, for example, the recent statements inan article titled “It’s Time To Abandon ShipOn The Jones Act” by Daniel Garza, theexecutive director of The LIBRE Institute.

LIBRE proclaims that the Jones Act“comes at a cost of $682 million a year” tothe United States. The source for that fig-ure is a 2002 U.S. International TradeCommission (ITC) report that has beendiscredited by the U.S. GovernmentAccountability Office (GAO), whichcalled the ITC’s findings “uncertain,”“undeterminable,” “incomplete,” and“unverifiable.” The GAO further said“precise, verifiable estimates of the impact

of the act are not available.” Because ofthe GAO report, the ITC completely aban-doned that estimate and now says it cannotcalculate the cost of the Jones Act, if any.In other words, LIBRE’s principal findingis not only wrong, but it also has been pub-licly acknowledged as wrong for morethan a decade.

Further, LIBRE makes the claim thatbecause of the Jones Act, Puerto Rico con-sumers are paying “more than double” thecompetitive price for everything shipped tothe island and that “any product” shipped tothe island comes at a higher cost. LIBRE’sclaim is wildly off the mark. Ocean ship-ping costs for some of the most basic house-hold goods — vegetable oil, canned soup,ketchup, milk, peanuts, pizza sauce — rep-resent only 2 to 5 percent of the retail pricesof these goods in Puerto Rico. That’s pen-nies on the dollar. If consumer goods reallycost twice as much in Puerto Rico, another

dubious statement to be sure, it is notbecause of the Jones Act.

LIBRE goes so far as to assert that theJones Act is “adding $0.15 cents per gallon”to gasoline in Puerto Rico. Yet the GasolineRetailers Association of Puerto Rico, just thispast January, said that while gasoline inPuerto Rico was cheaper than in the main-land United States, it is currently higher thanthe mainland “due to the imposition of taxeson petroleum and its derivative.” Moreover,a majority of the gasoline used in PuertoRico is imported from foreign locationsusing foreign-flag, non-Jones Act vessels.

The facts — independent, unbiasedfacts — simply do not support the assertionsbeing made about the Jones Act’s impact onPuerto Rico. But, one thing is supported bythe facts: a sure way to undermine PuertoRico’s economy and its chances to redevel-op a thriving economy is to drop the reliableservice that the Jones Act provides.

AMO aboard the American Mariner

Third Mate AliAhmed meets

with AMONational Vice

President,Great Lakes,

JohnClemons

aboard theAmericanMariner.

SecondAssistantEngineer AdamSaile meets withAMO SeniorNationalAssistant VicePresident BrianKrus aboard theAmericanMariner.

AmericanMaritime Officersmembers work-ing aboard theAmericanMariner inSeptemberincluded FirstMate JustinVonsprecken andChief EngineerRobert Hamilton.

Differences between IMO ballast water conventionand U.S. ballast water treatment requirements

The following article by Rear Adm.Paul Thomas, assistant commandant forprevention policy, was posted September 13on the U.S. Coast Guard’s MaritimeCommons blog.

The International MaritimeOrganization (IMO) has announced that theInternational Convention for the Controland Management of Ships’ Ballast Waterand Sediments (BWM Convention) hasbeen ratified and will now enter into forcein September 2017. The U.S. Coast Guardwelcomes this news as an important stepforward in controlling invasive speciesspread by ballast water and meeting thechallenge of reducing the environmentalfootprint of international shipping.

We also understand that theannouncement heightens concerns in theindustry about the differences between the

BWM Convention and the U.S. ballastwater regulations. In previous posts I haveexplained in detail how and why the U.Sregulations differ from the BWMConvention. We’ve also explained howcompliance dates and the extension processare managed while we are working hard onU.S. type approval of ballast water treat-ment systems. The entry into force of theBWM Convention will not change the U.S.Coast Guard approach to or enforcement ofthe U.S. ballast water regulations.

Ships operating in U.S. waters mustcomply with U.S. requirements, includingusing one of the ballast water managementpractices described in 33 CFR Part151.2025 and 2050. Therefore, ships in U.S.waters will not be subject to Port StateControl verification of compliance with theBWM Convention.

Ships equipped with a Coast Guardapproved Alternative Management System(AMS) will remain in compliance with U.S.regulation until five years after the compli-ance date (for an individual ship) is set.Compliance dates will be determined on avessel-by-vessel basis after Coast Guardtype approved ballast water treatment sys-tems are commercially available. After fiveyears, the AMS must either achieve CoastGuard type-approval, or be replaced with atype-approved system.

Currently, there are 19 BWMS man-ufacturers with systems approved by otheradministrations (AMS) that are seekingtype-approval from the Coast Guard. Threeof these manufacturers report they haverecently completed testing with the CoastGuard independent lab. On the basis ofinformation provided from manufacturers

and independent labs, we expect to receiveapplications for Coast Guard type-approvalin the next few weeks.

In the meantime, the Coast Guardcontinues to work with the IMO to harmo-nize the international testing procedureswithin the BWM Convention, known as theG8 Guidelines, with U.S. type-approvalprocesses. The IMO type-approval guide-lines are currently under review, and recom-mendations for revisions are being devel-oped for the Marine EnvironmentalProtection Committee (MEPC 70) meetingin October 2016.

The Coast Guard is committed to pro-tecting our waters from invasive speciesand supports a strong national and interna-tional solution that does not disrupt the con-tinuous flow of maritime trade which drivesthe global economy. We will continue towork with all stakeholders to encourage andfacilitate Coast Guard approval of ballastwater treatment systems.

More information on this topic isavailable on the Maritime Commons blog:http://tinyurl.com/h8epx5m.

The American Mariner loads grain at the General Mills dock in Duluth, Minn.

American Maritime Officer • 5October 2016

M/V Patriot christened for ARC fleetIn a ceremony on Friday, October 7 in

the Port of Baltimore, American Roll-onRoll-off Carrier (ARC) christened the M/VPatriot, welcoming a versatile and highlymilitarily-useful ship to the U.S.-flag com-mercial fleet. The Patriot operates in theMaritime Security Program fleet and ismanned in all licensed positions byAmerican Maritime Officers.

ARC President and CEO EricEbeling welcomed guests to the HelenDelich Bentley Port of Baltimore, a fittingvenue as the port is ARC’s largest port ofcall. Maryland Port Authority ExecutiveDirector Jim White was on hand to wel-come Captain Kiah Pinto and the rest of theship’s officers and crew to Baltimore.

The keynote address at the christen-ing ceremony was delivered by Departmentof Defense Principal Deputy UnderSecretary of Defense for Acquisition,Technology and Logistics Alan Estevez.His wife, Susan Pearson, is the sponsor ofthe M/V Patriot.

“U.S.-flag carriers such as ARC areproviding DOD with access to a globalintermodal logistics network in support ofEuropean operations, Operations IraqiFreedom and Enduring Freedom, and othercontingencies, exercises, and sustainmentmoves,” Estevez said. Further, since 2009alone, “privately-owned U.S.-flag commer-cial vessels and their civilian U.S. citizencrews have transported more than 90 per-cent of the sustainment cargo needed to sup-port U.S. military operations and rebuildingprograms in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Presentations were also made byARC’s labor partners, Executive VicePresident Augie Tellez of the SeafarersInternational Union (SIU) and AmericanMaritime Officers National Assistant VicePresident, Government Relations,Christian Spain.

“The ship is called the Patriot, but itmay as well be the Commitment: the com-mitment that ARC has made and the com-mitment American mariners will sail intoharm’s way to get the job done,” Tellez said.

The ship adds much-needed mer-chant mariner jobs for the U.S.-flag fleet.

Ebeling said: “The Americanmariners who sail on board these ships arethe most reliable and dedicated in the busi-ness and also serve as a critical manpowerpool to crew government reserve ships intime of need.”

During his presentation at the cere-mony, Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip”Jaenichen stated: “the Maritime SecurityProgram (MSP) provides guaranteed accessto the commercial sealift and intermodalcapabilities necessary to meet U.S. nationalsecurity requirements. It is a cost effectiveprogram that ensures our nation can global-ly project and sustain our Armed Forcesusing U.S.-flagged vessels crewed by U.S.merchant mariners.”

Formerly the M/V Aida, Patriot wasre-flagged to American registry on March30 as the seventh RO/RO vessel in ARC’sfleet. The re-flag was conducted by theCoast Guard in the Port of New York. Thevessel is enrolled in the Maritime SecurityProgram, the bedrock Congressional mar-itime readiness program, and the VoluntaryIntermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA).Consistent with past practice to name ARCships after American values, she wasrenamed M/V Patriot.

Ebeling referenced the decline ofthe U.S.-flag fleet in recent years fromapproximately 120 ships to 79, as cargovolumes have declined due to the chang-ing overseas military footprint, lack of afully functioning Ex-Im Bank, and otherfactors. Despite the challenging marketconditions, ARC has remained steadfast inits commitment to U.S.-flag shipping, andremains dedicated to “continuing theprocess of investing and recapitalizing ourfleet in the coming years.”

M/V Patriot is 199 meters long with abeam of 32.26 meters. She has a 14.15-meter-wide and 7.04-meter-high stern open-ing, with a stern ramp rated for cargo up to240,000 metric tons. The vessel is amongthe most capable and militarily-useful ves-sels in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet, ableto carry tracked vehicles, helicopters, trucksand other military and high and heavy pro-ject cargoes.

The roll-on/roll-off ship M/V Patriot was christened October 7 in the Helen DelichBentley Port of Baltimore.

AMO members Captain Kiah Pinto and Chief Engineer John Murphy attendedthe christening ceremony for the M/V Patriot in Baltimore on October 7.

AMO members working aboard the M/V Patriot in October at the ship's christen-ing included Chief Mate Kyle Hines, Chief Mate Pieter Sheridan and Third MateAlexander Rubio.

AMO membersworking aboard

the M/V Patriot inOctober at the

ship's christeningincluded Second

Mate AndrewMoffly.

Sponsor of theM/V Patriot

Susan Pearsonchristens the ship

October 7.

The M/V Patriotwas christenedOctober 7 at theHelen DelichBentley Port ofBaltimore. In thisphoto, AmericanRoll-on Roll-offCarrier Presidentand CEO EricEbeling speaksat the ceremony.

The M/V Patriot was christened October 7 at the Helen Delich Bentley Port ofBaltimore. In this photo, AMO National Assistant Vice President, GovernmentRelations, Christian Spain speaks at the ceremony.

6 • American Maritime Officer October 2016

C.S. Dependablerescues 14 fishermennear Mumbai, IndiaBy Captain Yann DurieuxMaster, C.S. Dependable

17 September 2016

The C.S. Dependable conducted a rescue of 14 fishermen while in transit betweenwork sites off the Maharashtra Coast near Mumbai, India between 1212 LT (0642 GMT)and 1343 LT (0813 GMT). Their boat had sunk with 16 persons aboard at some point in theearly hours before sunrise. They had no PFDs or VHF radio. They had managed to cling tofloating debris, some just treading water.

Rescue effort: All hands were spread out on weather decks, bow, gangways, stern andbridge as lookouts. Deck gang and security team were at the gangways to recuperate menfrom the water. Reports came to the bridge by radio. We would focus a team to maintain look-out as we made way to the victims. Chief mate was on deck and cable highway managingladders and gangways. Security team members were in harnesses on gangway. Personnelfrom all departments were at rails to send out life rings to persons in water. The ROV super-visor was at the bow with radio calling in sightings. Chief engineer had a fourth generatorput on and assisted in search. I was trying to move the ship to the men keeping them awayfrom thrusters. This required constant and good communication with personnel on deckkeeping me apprised of the victims’ relative positions. This was made difficult as we hadabout 2.5 knots of surface current (swell and wind generated). We used the CCTV system tomonitor gangway pilot ladders but this was difficult due to rain. Too much happened for meto be able to recount everyone’s contribution. I can tell you there were no idle souls.

The Indian Naval Vessel F43 and Indian Coast Guard Vessel 201 arrived onsite andbegan searching for remaining survivors with us. We heard on the VHF that F43 rescuedanother survivor. However, we later learned the rescue boat launched from F43 did notrecover the fisherman. We heard mention that the Coast Guard had found a body over theradio. We are not sure at this time if this was a miscommunication as we later heard thatthey were continuing SAR Ops.

The MDR & security team medic attended to the rescued persons on the cable high-way. Steward and crew had staged mattresses on the highway so we could keep them alltogether and better assist them. Crew, ROV and security team helped them. They were givenfood and water and many slept or rested utterly exhausted. We brought them shirts, blankets

and flip-flops (all we had for feet) from the slop chest.The EIC plotted positions of each recovered person. Pattern was falling further and

further SE through the Oil Block past oil rigs and into shallower water.The Indian Coast Guard Vessel 201 asked us to prepare personnel for transfer. They

sent a boat to recover seven persons. The transfer operation was difficult at best owing tomany factors, weather being the predominant one. The Coast Guard boat seemed to be dras-tically underpowered. We had to make way to the boat in a controlled drift to make thetransfer, passing through the oil field. Squalls would pass through complicating the transfer.We came close to aborting the operation but were finally able to make some sort of lee. Itwas not ideal but we struggled through. We had to hold the operation as a squall passedthrough just as we had filled the first boat. When the boat came a second time for the lastseven on board, we had turned the vessel around and were able to make a better lee againat a controlled 2+ knot drift and some headway. The second transfer went more smoothly.

We stayed on station near the CG 201 until we had confirmation that all 14 wereaboard safely. At this point it was dark and we were heading closer to shallow water con-tours. The Coast Guard released us and we departed.

The value of this crew was demonstrated in its attitude and commitment to this res-cue, some in very visible ways, like fishing men out of the water or throwing life rings tomen in the water, and others in subtle ways, like bringing food to the victims, helping themup the gangway, tending to their needs, etc. We did what we would want done for us if wewere in the water. I truly am proud to have worked with all persons aboard. They should allbe commended for their efforts.

Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the Dependable during therescue included Captain Yann Durieux, Chief Mate Tristan Schulz, First Officer ErickAmiscosa, Third Mate Allison Lashmet, Third Mate Michael Squillacote, Third Mate JohnLocks, Chief Engineer Curtis King, First Assistant Engineer Robert Carlstad, Second A.E.Isabelo Fernandez, Second A.E. John Crawford, Third A.E. Ryan Mulligan, Third A.E.Matthew Pastuszak and Third A.E. Gregory Thomas.

Survivors cling todebris in the waternear Mumbai, India.

Photos: Chief EngineerCurtis King andElectronic TechnicianDavid McCracken

A father and sonswim to a life ringfrom C.S.Dependable.

GVA Peter Mensah,MDR Jack Ford andROV Carl Stonesassist survivors.

Security TeamLeader David Milneand Security TeamMember John Leeassist a fishermanout of the water.

Second AssistantEngineer John

Crawford and WiperSaleh Ahmed throw

life rings to sur-vivors.

The C.S.Dependableapproaches

survivors in thewater — AB/SJ

Mohammed Salehand Security Team

Member RobinHood on gangway,Third Mate AllisonLashmet on radio

and ROV Rod Wallin foreground

assisting.

ROV David Parryassists a fisherman

aboard C.S.Dependable.

American Maritime Officer • 7October 2016

RESCUE OF 14 CREW EX FISHING BOATOM SAI DATTA OFF MUMBAI — 17 SEP 2016

The following letter datedSeptember 20 was sent to Captain YannDurieux, Master on the C.S.Dependable, by Additional DirectorGeneral K. Natarajan, Coast GuardCommander (Western Seaboard).

1. With deep appreciation, I amwriting this missive to bring to the noticeof all concerned regarding the role

played by your esteemed crew, with you atthe helm, in saving 14 precious lives at sea.

2. Recapturing the event on 17 Sep16, Fishing Boat Om Sai Datta(Registration No. IND-MH-01-4010) with16 crew onboard (all Indian) whilst engagedin fishing activity off Mumbai capsized inposition 18 48 N 072 16 E at 0648 UTC.Your ship, MV Dependable (IMO no

9242352) whilst on passage sighted [a per-son in the water] and prudently informedICG ship in the area.

3. In the best traditions of seamenpractices MV Dependable, unmindful ofthe rough sea, swiftly responded in locat-ing the 14 survivors in the water of thesunken Fishing Boat Om Sai Datta andrecovering them. On arrival of Coast

Guard ship in area, all rescued crewwere safely handed over beforeresuming passage on 17 Sep 16.

4. The proactive and timelyresponse of MV Dependable, whichaided in the rescue operation of the crewof distressed Fishing boat Om Sai Datta,is in accordance with the best traditionsof Mariners and well appreciated.

5. I, on behalf of the IndianCoast Guard, convey my best regardsand sincere gratitude for the kind actin rescuing the distressed crew. Theinitiative taken by you as Master of thevessel is indeed laudable.

Makeshift sickbay on highway — MDR Jack Ford and ROV Carl Stonesattend to victims.

Fourteen fishermen recovered from the water gather with Third AssistantEngineer Matt Pastuszak, Third Mate Mike Squillacote, ROV Carl Stones,Captain Yann Durieux and GVA Peter Mensah.

CG 201 in the back-ground with CoastGuard rescue boatin the foreground.

Third AssistantEngineer Matt

Pastuszak assists ayoung fisherman

preparing to betransferred to the

Coast Guard boat.

Working aboard C.S. Dependable during the rescue were Third Mate JohnLocks, Third Mate Allison Lashmet, Captain Yann Durieux, Third Mate MichaelSquillacote and Chief Mate Tristan Schulz.

Working aboard C.S. Dependable during the rescue were Third AssistantEngineer Matthew Pastuszak, Captain Yann Durieux, Third A.E. Ryan Mulligan,Second A.E. John Crawford and Chief Engineer Curtis King.

Working aboard C.S. Dependable during the rescue were First AssistantEngineer Robert Carlstad and First Officer Erick Amiscosa.

Working aboard C.S. Dependable during the rescue were Third Assistant EngineerMatthew Pastuszak, Third A.E. Gregory Thomas and OMU Kasim Ahmed.

8 • American Maritime Officer October 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 28 November 9 January 24 April

Confined Space Entry 3 days 31 October 5 December 6 March

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 28 November 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 24 October 12 December 30 January 1 May

Basic Safety Training — Refresher 3 days 26 October 14 December 1 February 3 May

Chemical Safety — Advanced 5 days 13 February

ECDIS 5 days 31 October 5 December 23 January 27 February 17 April

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

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 11 October 17 January 13 March

GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework 10 days 24 October 30 January 27 March

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 days 17 October 22 February

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 31 October 6 March

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 17 October 6 February 10 April 9 May

Safety Officer Course 2 days 2 March

Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom 5 days 7 November 20 March 1 May

Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator 10 days 5 December 23 January 27 March 15 May

Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program 10 days Please call

Train the Trainer 5 days 14 November 5 December 9 January 6 March 1 May

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

Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy 3 days 8 November 27 February

Deck CoursesAdvanced Bridge Resource Management — Meets STCW 2010Leadership & Management gap closing requirements 5 days 10 October 28 November 15 May

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

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rdMates 10 days 17, 31 October 23 January 6 March

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 31 October 30 January 1 May

Dynamic Positioning — Advanced 5 days 5 December 20 March

Navigation & Watchkeeping Standardization & Assessment Program 5 days 31 October 30 January 6 March 1, 23 May

TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) — Third Mate (Unlimited orGreat Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required 5 days 7 November 23 January 15 May

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

Engineering Courses

Basic Electricity 10 days 7 November

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks Please call

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days 7 November 6 March 15 May

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 12 October 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 24 October 27 February

Refrigeration (Management Level) 5 days 31 October 6 March

Steam Endorsement 4 weeks 23 January 17 April

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 5 December 23 January 27 February 15 May

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 10, 17, 24, 31

October 7, 14, 28 Nov. 5, 12 December 16 January 6, 27 February 20 March 17 April 8 May

Engine Room Resource Management — Classroom (Engineers)(Required by ALL Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 10, 24 October 7, 28 November 12 December 9 January 20 February 13 March 24 April

Management of Electrical, Electronic Controllers (Engineers) (Requiredby ALL management level Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 17, 31 Oct. 14 November 5 December 23 January 13 February 6 March 1 May

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 7 November 9 January 23 February 20 March 3 April 15 May

EFA (Scheduled with Basic Training Revalidation BUT NOT REQUIREDFOR STCW 2010) 1 day 9 November 11 January 22 February 22 March 5 April

American Maritime Officer • 9October 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

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

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

10 days 23 January

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

5 days 6 February

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

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

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

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 7, 8 Nov. 20 Jan. 20 Feb. 14, 16March 10, 25, 27 April 8, 12, 15 May

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 4 November 9, 12 December 3 February 10, 31 March 7 April 18 May

Damage Control 1 day 3 November 8, 13 December 2 February 9, 30 March 6 April 19 May

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

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 25 October 31 January 10 February 2, 8 May

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 4 November 9 December 3 February 10, 31 March 7 April 18 May

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day 14 March

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: MSC approved 3 days Please call

MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once incareer. 2 days 24 October 30 January 1 May

MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 20 October 19 January 23 March

MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members 1 day 14, 28 October 18 November 2, 16 December 13, 27 January 17 February 3, 31 March 28 April 5 May

MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 31 October 5 December 30 January 6 March 3 April

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 10, 24 October 14, 28 Nov. 12 December 9, 23 January 13, 27 February 13, 27 March 10, 24 April 1, 22 May

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day 7 March

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 31 October

Basic Safety Training 5 days 24 October

EFA/MCP 4 days 11 October

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 17 October

Basic Electricity (original engineers only) 10 days 7 November

Original 3 A/E Preparation and Exams A/R 28 November

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 5 December

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 31 October

Cargo Operations 9 days Please call

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 28 November

Upgrade: Stability 5 days 7 November

Watchkeeping 1: BRM 3 days 30 November

Watchkeeping 2: COLREGS 5 days 10 October 5 December

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 17 October

Search and Rescue 2 days 28 November

Shipboard Management 5 days 14 November

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

ECDIS 5 days 5 December

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 17 October 9 January 17 April

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hours homework 5 days 31 October 23 January 15 May

Advanced Stability 5 days 7 November 30 January 8 May

Search & Rescue 2 1/2 days 14 November 13 February 1 May

Management of Medical Care 1/2 day 16 November 15 February 3 May

Leadership & Management 5 days 10 October 6 February 22 May

Advanced Cargo — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 28 November 20 February

Marine Propulsion Plants — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 28 November 27 February

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

Advanced Navigation — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 19 September 12 December 13 March

Medical Courses

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

Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months 1 day 11 October 6 December 17 January 14 March 4 April 15 May

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

Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 17 October 12 December 23 January 20 March

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 14 November 5 December 30 January 27 March

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only 1 day 15 November 31 January 28 March

Saliva Screening Test — QEDs only 1/2 day 16 November 1 February 29 March

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: MSC approved 3 days Please call

10 • American Maritime Officer October 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

USCG now using new marine casualty reporting forms;previous edition of CG-2692 can be utilized until Jan. 1, 2017

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced it is utilizing new marine casualty reportingforms and that the previous edition of CG-2692 can be utilized until January 1, 2017.Any member or applicant of American Maritime Officers should contact AMO Coast

Guard Legal Aid Attorney Mike Reny before filling out any U.S. Coast Guard formsregarding a marine casualty. An article with important information about the new formsis available on the AMO Currents website: http://amo-union.net/article.php?a=2910.

American Maritime Officer(USPS 316-920)

Official Publication of American Maritime Officers601 S. Federal HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004

(954) 921-2221

Periodical Postage Paid atDania Beach, FL and Additional Mailing Offices

Published Monthly

POSTMASTER—Send Address Changes To:American Maritime Officers — ATTENTION: Member Services

P.O. Box 66Dania Beach, FL 33004

ISO 9001:2008Certificate #33975

American Maritime Officer • 11October 2016

AMO members complete STCW 2010Gap Closing training at STAR Center STCW 2010 requirements

take effect January 1, 2017As a reminder to all members and applicants of American Maritime Officers

working aboard vessels subject to the STCW Convention, the 2010 amendments toSTCW will enter into force January 1, 2017.

Mariners with operational-level or management-level STCW endorsementlimitations will not be able to sail on their endorsements after December 31, 2016without completing the required STCW 2010 Gap Closing training and related train-ing/assessment requirements and submitting proof of completion to the U.S. CoastGuard to have the limitations removed.

Mariners so affected will not be able to sail on their credential aboard vesselssubject to the STCW Convention after December 31, 2016. Additional renewalrequirements for STCW Basic Training/Advanced Firefighting refresher/revalida-tion training also go into effect after this date.

AMO members are reminded that U.S. Coast Guard processing times for allapplications have increased and these extended processing times will probably con-tinue through the implementation date and into the foreseeable future.

Complete information regarding these requirements is available on the STARCenter website: https://www.star-center.com/stcw2010.html.

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

AMO members enrolled in Leadership and Management at STAR Center inAugust included Kirby Alford, John Chan, Jay Melamet, Steven Miller, FelixNunez and Joshua Williams. With them is Instructor Mark Rupprecht.

Above and below: American Maritime Officers members enrolled in EngineRoom Resource Management at STAR Center in August included LorenAndersen, Antoine Best, George Billing, Colin Carter, Matthew Farmer, AlexGray, Fred Green, Charles Hart, Matthew Kloecker, Anthony Larrabee, PaulMaitoza, Craig Meredith and Owen Tulikangas. With them is InstructorTimothy Palange.

12 • American Maritime Officer October 2016

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will be held duringthe week following the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. localtime. Meetings will be held on Monday at AMO NationalHeadquarters (on Tuesday when Monday is a contract holiday).The next meetings will take place on the following dates:

AMO National Headquarters: November 7, December 5

AMO Monthly Membership Meeting Schedule

American Maritime Officers National Executive Vice President Danny Sheagreets Captain Greg Wallace and Chief Engineer Eric Ketteringham at theGeneral Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif.

ConstitutionContinued from Page 1mentally-sound vessels,” said KevinGraney, vice president and general man-ager for General Dynamics NASSCO.

“The christening and launch of a ship rep-resents the hard-earned efforts of thiscommunity. It’s the first time a ship entersthe water — and it’s another milestonetoward the delivery of a quality productthat will service our nation’s maritimeneeds for decades to come.”

Sponsor of the Constitution Cristin Thorogood presents Captain Greg Wallacewith the ship’s plaque at a luncheon prior to the christening and launch of theJones Act tanker.

Philly Shipyard lays keelfor third Jones Acttanker in APT series

General DynamicsNASSCO delivers fourthECO Class tanker toAPT, lays keel for fifthvessel in series

The following is excerpted froman article released September 21 byPhilly Shipyard, Inc. AmericanMaritime Officers will represent alllicensed officers aboard the tankersbeing built for Kinder Morgan, Inc.subsidiary American Petroleum Tankersby Philly Shipyard, Inc.

Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI), thewholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of PhillyShipyard ASA, held a ceremonial KeelLaying today for the third product tankerin a four-vessel order for AmericanPetroleum Tankers (APT), a KinderMorgan, Inc. subsidiary.

Keeping with long held shipbuild-ing tradition, coins were placed on oneof the keel blocks before the 650-tonunit was lowered into place in the drydock. Representatives from PhillyShipyard and Kinder Morgan were inattendance to place the coins as a signof good fortune and safe travels. PhillyShipyard representatives included themost recent graduates of the company’sApprentice Program.

Initiated in 2004, the three-yearapprenticeship program develops thenext generation of Philly Shipyardemployees. The recent graduation classadded 15 skilled shipbuilders to theworkforce, bringing the shipyard’sapprentices to 23 percent of its currentworkforce. Since the program’s incep-

tion, 21 apprentices have moved intomanagement positions and many haveobtained additional manufacturingqualifications. The shipyard expandedthe program this year and has hired 50apprentices with intent to hire another50 apprentices in 2017.

Steinar Nerbovik, PhillyShipyard’s President and CEO,remarked, “Today we celebrate ourfifteen new shipbuilders and thetwenty-seventh keel laid in our sev-enteen year history. Both will set thestandard for shipbuilding activitieswell into our future. Congratulationsto our graduates and to the men andwomen of Philly Shipyard for anoth-er milestone progressing toward ourongoing goal of being the premierU.S. commercial shipyard.”

When completed in 2017, theproduct tanker celebrated today willbe 600 feet long and capable of carry-ing 50,000 tons of crude oil or refinedpetroleum products. The Tier II 50,000dead weight ton (dwt) product tankersare based on a proven Hyundai MipoDockyards (HMD) design, whichincorporates numerous fuel efficiencyfeatures, flexible cargo capability andthe latest regulatory requirements. Thevessels will be constructed with con-sideration for the use of LNG forpropulsion in the future.

The following is excerpted fromarticles released September 26 and 27 byGeneral Dynamics NASSCO. AmericanMaritime Officers represents all licensedofficers aboard the ECO Class tankersbuilt for American Petroleum Tankers andSEA-Vista LLC by NASSCO.

SAN DIEGO — On Monday,September 26, General Dynamics NASS-CO delivered the fourth vessel in a seriesof five ECO Class product tankers undercontract with American PetroleumTankers. The Bay Statewas delivered dur-ing a special signing ceremony at theNASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif.

On Friday, September 23, GeneralDynamics NASSCO hosted a keel lay-ing ceremony for the Palmetto State,the eighth ship in an eight-ship ECOClass tanker program for two separatecustomers.

The Bay State is a 610-foot-long,50,000 deadweight-ton, LNG-conversion-ready product tanker with a 330,000-bar-rel cargo capacity. The new ECO Classdesign symbolizes the emerging directionof the shipping industry in the U.S. towardcleaner, more fuel-efficient modes of

transporting product. Representative SusanDavis (CA-53) pushed a button to signalconstruction for the ship in May 2015.

The construction and operation of thenew ECO Class tankers are aligned with theJones Act, requiring that ships carryingcargo between U.S. ports be built in U.S.shipyards. The Jones Act is responsible formore than 500,000 good-paying jobs coun-trywide and supports American shipyards,such as NASSCO.

NASSCO employee and MasterShipbuilder Bill Johnson laid the keel forthe (Palmetto State) by welding his initialsonto a steel plate and affixing it to the ship’sinner structure.

The Palmetto State is the eighth shipto be constructed as part of an eight-shipECO Class tanker program for two cus-tomers: American Petroleum Tankers andSEA-Vista LLC. The first five ships of theprogram have been delivered and are cur-rently servicing the Jones Act trade. Theremaining three ships are under construc-tion with delivery dates scheduled for thenear future. The Palmetto State is scheduledto be delivered to American PetroleumTankers in 2017.