M/V Endurance to Remain in American Fleet
The following press release was issued by American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group on December 4. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed positions on the M/V ARC Endeavor and the M/V Endurance.
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) is pleased to announce that M/V ARC Endeavor entered the Maritime Security Program (MSP) fleet on December 1, further strengthening ARC’s best-in-class position for U.S.-flag Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) shipping services.
M/V ARC Endeavor replaces ARC’s M/V Endurance in the MSP fleet. MSP is the bedrock Congressional maritime readiness program that since 1996 maintains a modern, active fleet of 60 U.S.-flag, privately-owned ships available to provide sealift capacity and support to the military and other federal agencies in times of need, such as war or national emergencies. In addition, MSP gives the U.S. Government access to global commercial intermodal systems that would cost it billions to replicate. For example, since 2009, U.S.-flag commercial vessels transported more than 90 percent of the sustainment cargo needed to support U.S. military operations and rebuilding programs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Without this fleet, the U.S. military’s ability to deploy and sustain forces worldwide would be significantly compromised.
“Through our valued partnership with ARC and the U.S. military, the addition of the M/V ARC Endeavor to the MSP program under U.S. registry underscores our shared commitment to strengthening the U.S.-flag fleet and supporting national defense,” said Dave Heindel, Seafarers International Union President. “Together, we continue to enhance readiness and ensure reliable maritime capabilities for our nation.”
M/V ARC Endeavor was reflagged to the American registry on September 27 as the tenth U.S.-flag Ro-Ro vessel in ARC’s fleet. M/V ARC Endeavor is the company’s fifth U.S.-flag Large Car Truck Carrier (LCTC). The vessel measures 754 feet (229.99 meters) in length with a 21-foot (6.50 meters) high stern opening and a stern ramp rated for cargo weighing up to 320 tons. Regarding car-equivalent units, the ARC Endeavor can carry over 7,500 vehicles at once.
M/V Endurance will remain in the U.S.-flag fleet, continuing service to the military and employment opportunities for American mariners. M/V Endurance is the largest and most militarily useful, multi-purpose Ro-Ro ship in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet. She is a unique Ro-Ro vessel with no sister ships and is among the largest Ro-Ro vessels in the world at 860 feet in length with a stern ramp rated at 320 tons. Endurance has nine decks that can be configured to carry over 260,000 square feet of high and heavy cargo such as CH-47s, MRAPs, M-ATVs, tracked vehicles, construction equipment and generators; 130,000 square feet of additional high-side vehicles space; and space for approximately 200 containers. ARC remains the operator of nine Ro-Ro vessels in the MSP fleet, and by retaining Endurance, the company will operate ten U.S.-flag ships overall.
About ARC
ARC provides Government services, including global logistics and shipping services. ARC and its U.S. affiliates own and manage the largest U.S.-flag Ro-Ro fleet. This includes providing American-owned, managed, and crewed Ro-Ro shipping and intermodal services committed to the requirements of the Department of Defense, other U.S. Government departments and agencies, and commercial customers.
The following press release was issued by the National Weather Service.
Please join us next week for a pair of webinars on Forecast Products and Services provided by the National Weather Service’s Ocean Prediction Center and Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch. The webinars will be held Thursday, December 12th, and Friday, December 13th, at 1pm EDT.
For Atlantic forecasts N of 31N (30N in the Eastern Pacific):
Please register for Blue Water Mariners – OPC Products and Services on Dec 12, 2024 1:00 PM EST at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6899628322383892311
For S of 31N / 30N:
Please register for Blue Water Mariners – TAFB Products and Services on Dec 13, 2024 1:00 PM EST at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6374980956027722073
Looking forward to your attendance!
Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch
National Hurricane Center
National Weather Service
Miami, Florida, USA
The following press release was issued by the United States Coast Guard on December 2.
The Deck and Engine Guide for the Administration of Merchant Marine Examinations – August 2014 only allows mariners to use a non-programmable calculator when taking a Coast Guard-administered credentialing examination. Significant technological advancements make it difficult to find non-programmable calculators that have the necessary scientific functions required, particularly for deck officer examinations. Coast Guard personnel find it challenging to identify these calculators.
When testing at a Regional Examination Center (REC), the Coast Guard will permit mariners use of programmable calculators with memory capability. However, all calculators must have their programs and memories cleared before entering the examination room. Mariners must bring the original or a reproduction of the manufacturer’s instruction manual, or portion(s) thereof, which includes directions for clearing all programs and memory, and be prepared to demonstrate doing so for the examiner. If Coast Guard personnel cannot confirm all programs and memory have been cleared, the calculator will not be allowed and a TI-30XIIS scientific calculator will be provided. You can review the TI-30XIIS operating manual at TI-30X IIS Reference Guidebook.
Only one calculator is allowed per mariner in the examination room. If a mariner wishes to bring an additional calculator as a backup, it must remain outside the examination room until needed. If the backup is different from the primary, the applicant must provide the manufacturer’s instructions and clear all programs and memory before use.
Other electronic devices, including smart watches, are not allowed in the examination room. Policy documents and the National Maritime Center website will be updated to include this guidance at next review.
Calculators for testing not conducted at an REC will be addressed in individual Traveling Examination Team Plans.
Questions, concerns, or feedback should be addressed to the NMC Customer Service Center by
or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
Sincerely,
Bradley W. Clare
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Commanding Officer
At a recent meeting of the AMO Executive Board at the end of October, the board agreed that it was in the best interest of the union moving forward to raise dues at four percent. This was announced at the November 6 union membership meeting at AMO headquarters with more than 45 members in attendance. The dues increase, effective January 1, amounts to less than $80 per year ($20 more per quarter) and brings captains and chief engineers to a dues rate of $2,000 per year (see table below).
While the dues increase is incremental, the Executive Board believes the added revenue will go a long way in expanding the services provided by the union to every member. We are the largest union of United States Coast Guard-licensed officers and have by far the lowest dues rates. And as our job base expands, with new companies continuously approaching AMO about manning their fleets, the services our members require must also be enhanced.
For years, the union has been understaffed while previous administrations took a bare-bones approach to member services. Penny-pinching sounds great as political rhetoric, but it does little to improve a modernizing and growing union. Some of the goals of the Executive Board going into next year include strategically adding new union staff and representatives to visit more ships and address AMO members needs as they are onboard doing their jobs as professionally as possible. One of our biggest initiatives has been expanding our recruiting efforts to increase membership to ensure AMO members will have a relief when they need it. Enhancing our technology at the union to make it easier to upload documents, apply for jobs and communicate with your representation and other members is another dedicated area we plan to make strides in 2025.
These are just a few examples of how the AMO Executive Board plans on making your money work better for you – the AMO member. As we expand our membership and our fleet, we will need to keep up. AMO is going to get bigger and better for our membership.
As always, we value your feedback. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or comments.
Have a blessed holiday season,
Captain Willie Barrere
AMO National President
New Dues Rates Starting January 1, 2025:
Captain/CE $500 per quarter $2,000 per year
*1AE/CM $475 $1,900
**2AE/2M $450 $1,800
***3AE/3M $425 $1,700
*Includes Electronics Officers, Electro-Technical Officers (ETOs)
** Includes Radio Officers
*** Includes Great Lakes Stewards
Furthermore, Electronics Officers, ETOs and Great Lakes Stewards who do not achieve 200 days of covered employment in a calendar year shall pay the non-sailing dues rate of $122 per Quarter or $488 per year.
Over the weekend, the United States Navy successfully fended off Houthi attacks of three U.S. flagged vessels being escorted through the Gulf of Aden, U.S. Central Command reported in a press release December 1.
The Stena Impeccable, Maersk Saratoga and the Liberty Grace – each crewed in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers members – all safely arrived into port after the Navy shot down a half dozen munitions over the course of two days.
According to USCENTCOM, two Navy destroyers successfully engaged and defeated three anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs), three one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWA UAS), and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM), ensuring the safety of the ships and their personnel, as well as civilian vessels and their crews.
The involved AMO-contracted operating companies and AMO officials are in contact with the officers on board, and all are safe as they continue with their missions.
“Bravo Zulu to our U.S. Navy for successfully defending our vessels while AMO officers and crews continue to do what U.S. Merchant Mariners have always done – carry out our mission in support of our national forces worldwide no matter what the conditions,” said AMO National President Willie Barrere. “Thank you to the AMO officers and SIU crew on board for your service to our nation.”
The minutes for the regular monthly American Maritime Officers membership meeting held November 6 at AMO Headquarters have been posted in the member section of the AMO website, which is accessible to active AMO members and applicants.
AMO members will need to click on the “MEMBER LOGIN” tab on the AMO website (LOGIN on mobile devices) and log into the member portal of the AMO website. Members and applicants using the updated AMO website for the first time will need to register a new account for the member portal, a link for which is featured on the MEMBER LOGIN page.
Just in time for the holidays, American Maritime Officers has entered into an agreement to launch a new members’ apparel website, which is currently hosted on the official AMO website under the “Media and Apparel Store” tab on the homepage.
The apparel website is desktop, tablet and phone friendly. Not all items available are shown on the home page. You can click on “Products” and select “View All Products” to see a full selection of options available. Items range from work, leisure, and professional gear to luggage, hats, and travel accessories. The website will maintain many staple items, but the selection of other options may vary depending on factors such as the season.
When choosing a “decoration” (AMO logo option) for each item when applicable, a drop-down menu is provided on the individual item page. Please note that as you toggle through the options on the drop-down menu, the image will not change to reflect your selection. To view all decoration options, please scroll through the home page as each option is displayed on various items there.
As you click on each item, you will notice an Item Number/Code under the bold title name. At the end of this code you will notice a “HP” or an “E.” This will signify if the decoration on that particular item is Heat Pressed or Embroidered.
Items in the “Pro Shop” category do not show any logos in the pictures. However, they will include the AMO logo and the item code will tell you the same information as above.
Please note that in most cases the prices are above retail. This is so that the company can acquire, customize, and quickly ship each item on an individual basis, thus getting to its destination faster. Most companies require a minimum order of each item before being able to acquire and customize, leading to immense shipping delays and/or the need for multiple shipments. The “one off” method we’ve chosen also eliminates the need for over-ordering and paying storage fees of stocked items.
The website will be available for the foreseeable future. Shipping is only available to the United States. However, if you need to ship overseas, please contact Alaina Basciano, Assistant VP of Government Relations, at abasciano@amo-union.org, Subj: AMO Swag Site-Overseas Shipping.
AMO does not and cannot profit from this site. It is simply a way for our members to have access to various AMO branded items. The website access and setup was free to the union. We hope you enjoy!
U.S. Marine Management LLC (USMMI) recently won a long-term charter from the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) for a shallow draft tanker, bringing a new ship into the U.S. flag registry and new job opportunities for the members of American Maritime Officers.
The Redwood Trader was recently re-flagged and has entered performance under her charter with MSC. AMO will represent all licensed positions on the tanker, which is scheduled to operate in the Far East for MSC.
The Redwood Trader, a chemical product tanker, was built in 2018, is 109 meters long, and 5,422 gross tons. She is the sister ship of Pohang Pioneer, USMMI’s other shallow draft tanker on charter to MSC and also manned by AMO members.
“This new vessel is a testament AMO’s continued job base growth and to USMMI’s commitment to growing the U.S. flag fleet,” AMO National President Willie Barrere said. “When USMMI was created, we knew this would be good for AMO because it allowed another OPCO to compete for small business awards. Congratulations to USMMI on the contract and fair winds to the officers and crew of Redwood Trader. AMO looks forward to increasing our fleet with our USMMI partner.”
David Sloane, USMMI’s Vice President/Labor Relations noted that “USMMI is proud to add another U.S. flagged ship to our fleet serving U.S. national security interests. This charter continues USMMI’s longstanding relationship with the U.S. Navy supporting their requirements. We appreciate the ongoing support from American Maritime Officers to supply our company with outstanding U.S. citizen officers.”
American Maritime Officers members aboard the Redwood Trader in November included Captain Mike Hatton, Chief Mate William McDermott, Second Mate Travis Golightly, Third Mate Joseph Nicodemus, Chief Engineer Hunter Smith, First Assistant Engineer Joseph Thurman, Second A.E. Caleb Linder and Third A.E. Alexander Macrina.
The Redwood Trader being re-flagged into the U.S. registry in November.
American Maritime Officers members aboard the LMSR Nelson V. Brittin, here in November in Portland, Oregon, included Chief Mate Conor Nimmo, Third Mate Shannon Zellerhoff, First Assistant Engineer Craig Knorr, Third A.E. Steven Benevides, Jr., Second A.E. Colin Clark and Chief Engineer Mark Merenda. The Brittin is part of the Ready Reserve Force and is operated by Pasha Hawaii for the United States Maritime Administration.
AMO members aboard the LMSR M/V Fisher in November included (in no particular order) Chief Mate Timothy Huth, Third Mate Daniel Hart, Chief Engineer Chris Parker, First A.E. Sean Branch, Second A.E. Zach Vincent and Third A.E. Mike Souza. The M/V Fisher is part of the Ready Reserve Force and is operated by Tote Services for the U. S. Maritime Administration.
The USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo was transferred to U.S. Maritime Administration for deep lay up on November 1. Originally placed into service with the United States Navy in 1985, the vessel is named after U.S. Marine Medal of Honor recipient Second Lieutenant John P. Bobo. As part of Military Sealift Command’s Maritime Prepositioning Force, the USNS Bobo was a critical staging and transportation asset for U.S. military forces around the globe. American Maritime Officers has manned the Bobo in all licensed positions since it was commissioned.
The final AMO crew aboard the Bobo, here during turnover in November in Norfolk, included Second Mate Eric Martin, First Assistant Engineer Henry Hersey, Third A.E. Trevor Richards, Second A.E. David Burkhardt, Chief Mate John Parrinello, Master George W. Hynes, and Chief engineers Steve Gustafson and Bryan Hoffmann.
Chief engineers Steve Gustafson and Bryan Hoffmann finishing turnover operations of the USNS Bobo from MSC to the United States Maritime Administration.
Third A.E. Trevor Richards and Chief Engineer Steve Gustafson departing the Bobo for the final time.