On-Line Archive From August 1999 AMO Homepage IN THIS ISSUE News Unions fight effort to re-flag U.S. tanker Views Debate over Jones Act could flare up again in U.S., overseas Great Lakes Steel trade, Jones Act, Soo Lock top legislative priorities for Lake Carriers

May 2004 On-Line Edition Unions challenge Coast Guard on vague, hasty new standards for merchant mariner documents       Seven maritime unions in April filed formal objections to a new U.S. Coast Guard interim rule, which they say establishes vague standards for the rejection of applications for merchant mariner documents and may be used to prevent qualified American seafarers from working in their chosen profession.       The Coast Guard, which was recently shifted from the Transportation Department to the Department of Homeland Security, published the interim rule Jan. 6, 2004, in the Federal Register without any notice or public hearing, and began enforcing it immediately.       The interim rule, "Validation of Merchant Mariners' Vital Information and Issuance of Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Documents," changes the merchant mariner document (MMD) application process and gives the Coast Guard broad authority to reject applications for new or renewal documents. It has been under careful review by the legal and lobbying arms of U.S. maritime unions since its publication. Mariners must hold a current MMD, commonly known as a Z-card, to work aboard U.S.-flagged merchant vessels of 100 gross tons or greater. Full Text Of Article

MEMBER BULLETINS AMO CURRENTS: Guidelines For Filing Benefit Claims With AMO Plans Ships asked to call ahead with time of arrival TRAINING Engineering officers advised to complete license upgrades for first assistant, chief engineer as soon as possible U.S. Coast Guard announces removal of date for basic safety training certification on STCW certificate

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