American Maritime Officers members working on the USNS Pathfinder, here in Barbados in September, included Captain Edward Templin, Chief Mate Luke Farrell, Second Mate Brandon Lee Braam, Third Mate Scott Andersen, Radio Officer Sean Outlaw, Chief Engineer Wendell Sprague, First Assistant Engineer Robert Mussler, Second Assistant Engineer Mark Ciciulla and Third Assistant Engineer Kevin Tyson.
Sunrise greets the crew of the USNS Pathfinder as the vessel conducts an oceanic survey in Barbados. The USNS Pathfinder, which is operated for Military Sealift Command by Ocean Ships Inc., is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.
What should have been a warm Welcome Home turned into a rescue mission after the occupants of a sinking sailboat needed the life-saving aide of American Maritime Officers members off the coast of Oregon earlier this month.
On September 2, AMO Captain Ben Hopkins and his crew on the Crowley-managed tanker Florida saved three men and their three cats from the sailboat, ironically named Welcome Home, which was taking on water around 75 nautical miles off the Oregon coast.
The three young men – Gabriel Gonzalez, Gino Gonzalez and Gary Dixon – had been stranded at sea for five days as an unexpected cold front rolled in, causing rough seas that battered their 41-foot sailboat. The boat’s battery had died and the bilge pump proved ineffective as water started to fill the cabin. The men had recently been discharged from the U.S. Army and were headed to San Francisco from Tacoma, Washington to start their first semester of college, the trio told Captain Hopkins. They purchased the boat and planned to live on it to save money on rent, Hopkins said.
The Florida was on its routine Jones Act route from Tacoma to Martinez, California with a load of fuel and it was Captain Hopkins’ last discharge before he was to be relieved and head home for a well-earned vacation.
Fate had different plans.
“It’s the law of the sea and at the heart of being a mariner is to assist people in need – be it fellow shipmates or others in distress,” Captain Hopkins said.
At around 10:20 a.m., the Florida received a distress relay from another vessel in the area and immediately responded. Realizing he was only 12 miles away from the floundering sailboat, Captain Hopkins immediately altered course and called his crew together to form an action plan.
Once on scene, the Florida crew fashioned a long tow line and tossed it to the men as Captain Hopkins maneuvered in very low visibility into position to protect the sailboat from the 60 knot winds gusting in the area. The sailboat was in rough shape, with the mast broken and laying across the deck. The waves had ripped away the dingy attached to the side of it.
After the vessel was brought alongside, the next challenge was bringing the weary men aboard safely.
One of the men had suffered a concussion the night before caused by falling due to the choppy waves. Five Florida crewmembers used a line and rigged a scramble net as a precaution to safely hoist the injured sailor onto the tanker first. The other two men, who were severely seasick, were assisted up the pilot ladder by the deck crew – with three furry companions in tow.
Once onboard the Florida, the sailors were given a change of clothes, food, water, medicine and ride into San Francisco. Captain Hopkins said the rescue took about four hours. He believes the sailboat ultimately sank in the ocean.
AMO members aboard the Florida during the rescue included Second Mate Brandon Locklin, Third Mate Megan Durrua, Third Mate Caden White, Chief Engineer Jason Brown, First Assistant Engineer Cody Pirtle, Second A.E. Cherokee Johnson, Third A.E. Nalu Keahi Ho and PIC observer Padric McGrath.
“This was my first rescue so I told the crew if anybody had better ideas, I was all for them,” joked Hopkins. “They did a phenomenal job and we got them home safely.”
Hopkins gave special praise to Chief Mate Zachary Jones and Seafarers International Union Bosun Samuel Duah for coordinating the rescue on deck and making sure everyone was safe in rough seas.
“It was an all-hands effort. The whole crew was out there,” said Hopkins, who was on his last run before going on vacation when the incident occurred. “The crew performed with absolute professionalism. From expertly handling the heaving line in strong winds and bringing them alongside in challenging conditions. Everyone immediately jumped into action. It was super dynamic conditions.”
It turned out to be a welcome home, after all, thanks to the heroic efforts of AMO officers.
Florida crewmembers help a weary sailor onboard who spent five days adrift at sea.
Tanker Florida uses a towline to maneuver alongside the sailboat Welcome Home in choppy seas off the coast of Oregon.
Along with three men, the Florida crew rescued three furry sailors off the sinking sailboat.
United States Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel visited the MV Cape Island in Long Beach, California in September as a part of a tour of the Port of Long Beach, where MARAD wants to explore the use of nuclear power to provide energy to the area and vessels. MV Cape Island, which is operated by Ocean Duchess Inc., is part of MARAD’s Ready Reserve Force and is manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers. AMO members aboard the vessel included Chief Mate William McDonald, Third Mate Isabelle Baker, Chief Engineer Christopher Davis, First Assistant Engineer Jose Deoferio, Second A.E. John Farina, Second A.E. William Plemitscher and Third A.E. Timothy McDaniel.
Beginning September 14, mariners will submit applications electronically through Navita, which will provide guided workflows intended to simplify the application process and help mariners submit complete applications. To prepare for the launch, the National Maritime Center (NMC) is taking several steps to facilitate applications processing.
Key Information:
* Navita User Guide: A system user guide will be available on the NMC website homepage to aid in the use of Navita.
* Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP): The Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP) will be discontinued and will no longer be available.
* [email protected] email: The IASKNMC e-mail address will be discontinued for submitting inquiries to the NMC. Mariners and other stakeholders will submit inquiries to the NMC directly through Navita using the Case function. This transition will provide a centralized method for submitting and managing inquiries and will ensure correspondence is associated with the appropriate applicant or application.
* Paper Application Submission: Although paper applications will still be accepted, the Coast Guard intends to phase out this submission method within the next 12 months. Mariners are strongly encouraged to submit credential applications via Navita to ensure they receive timely, first-in, first-out processing and status of their application. Paper applications, whether submitted by mail or in-person, will take significantly longer to process.
* REC assistance with applications for submission. REC personnel will continue to review application documents presented during an appointment for completeness; however, applicants are encouraged to submit through Navita after the review. REC personnel may assist with questions pertaining to the use of Navita and submissions, but computers or internet access at the RECs for mariner use will not be provided.
While Navita will improve the application and credentialing process, its launch will not immediately reduce current processing timelines. Applications received prior to 14 September, as well as applications submitted through Navita, will continue to be processed on a first-in, first-out basis. Applications should not be submitted through Navita if previously submitted to the NMC. Duplicate submissions will delay application processing times. Requests for expedited processing will be considered only for applications demonstrating a clear and documented nexus to national defense.
Mariners should continue to apply early using Navita. Renewal applications may be submitted up to 8 months before expiration and may be postdated up to 8 months, allowing mariners to apply early without losing validity on their existing credential.
Mariners and maritime employers should continue to plan accordingly and submit applications early to avoid potential disruptions to employment or vessel operations.
For ongoing updates, sign up for the NMC list server by scanning the QR code below. For questions, contact our Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
Sincerely,
James B. Suffern
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections
Military Sealift Command is in the process of replacing the M9 Beretta pistol with the M18 Sig Sauer pistol and the M14 Springfield rifle with the M4 Colt rifle. The replacement process is taking significantly longer than planned. Whereas MSC has repeatedly stated that there is NO requirement for mariners to be qualified on both pistols and both rifles, as there is only a need to be qualified in the weapon used to stand watch, the transition process is nevertheless causing a need for mariner qualification in all weapons.
STAR Center is aware that AMO contracted companies are using private providers to train AMO officers in all 5 weapons. Feedback received is that the training process of these providers is not ideal.
STAR Center has created a 5-weapon, 5-day schedule, submitted to and approved by MSC, that trains one (1) weapon each day, 0800 to 1600. To meet the requirement for Security Watchstander Advanced (SWA), which includes required Rules for the Use of Force (RUF), we will train for 2 to 3 hours per evening, Monday through Wednesday, from 1700 each day. It is recognized that this is not ideal, but it is the only way to meet the training requirement and to complete by 1600 Friday.
Until we have some experience, we are unsure of what time may be available to remediate and re-shoot for those who fail to qualify during their initial live fire attempt. We will do our best to assist whenever we can.
The new 5-weapon schedule will have its first offering 05 to 09 October and on the following dates (those enrolled in any of these dates will be notified and switched to the 5-day format):
* October 12 to 16, November 30 to December 03, January 04 to 0-8, 2027, February 01 to 05, February 08 to 12, March 08 to 12, March 29 to April 02, April 12 to 16, April 26 to 30, May 17 to 21, May 24 to 28.
We will continue to offer 4-day Small Arms training as previously advertised for EITHER the legacy weapons (M9 Beretta pistol, M14 Springfield rifle and Shotgun) OR the new weapons (M18 Sig Sauer pistol, M4 Colt rifle and Shotgun) – with SWA on Fridays – on the following dates:
* October 26 to 29, November 02 to 05, December 14 to 17, January 18 to 21, 2027, February 22 to 25, April 05 to 08, May 03 to 06
When the weapon switch onboard MSC contracted vessels is 100% complete, expected some time in 2027, STAR Center will revert to the 4-day schedule for the new weapons only.
Any questions regarding MSC Small Arms and SWS courses should be directed to Patrick Jones, Manager, Small Arms Training, at 800-942-3220 Ext. 7270 or via .
STAR Center’s course schedule can be accessed at https://www.star-center.com/schedule.html. Enrollment questions or applications should be directed to Student Services at 1-800-942-3220 Ext. 201 or via .
Captain Michael Zarycki receives the United States Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal from MARAD Deputy Administrator Mark Johnson.
American Maritime Officers member Captain Michael Zarycki received one of the highest honors a merchant mariner can receive when the U.S. Maritime Administration awarded the Maersk Yorktown master with the United States Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal on Monday.
Zarycki was honored for his exemplary leadership in support of Operation Epic Fury – proving once again the dedication and value of the U.S. Merchant Marine in peace and in war.
As a military conflict over control of the Straits of Hormuz broke out with Iran in February, the Maersk Yorktown quickly pivoted from its commercial assignment in the Middle East to answering the call of MARAD as part of the Maritime Security Program, a fleet of commercial vessels that can be called upon by the Department of War for military use.
And for two months, Maersk Yorktown ferried important military assets and cargo within the region, oftentimes under threat of enemy fire in an active contested area. Under Zarzycki’s leadership in conjunction with Department of War objectives, Maersk Yorktown was able to successfully complete missions assigned to it and ensure the entire crew returned home safely.
Captain Zarzycki is congratulated by AMO National Vice President, Government Relations, Christian Spain.
Honored guests who witnessed Captain Zarzycki receive his citation included Maersk Line Limited President and CEO Patrick McCaffery and Maersk Chief Operating Officer Ed Hanley.
American Maritime Officers members aboard the Maersk Pittsburgh, here in Savannah, Ga. in September, included Captain Tim Kelly, Chief Engineer Byron Gibson, Third Mate Alex Amba, Second Mate Joe Bonnell, Chief Mate Sven Axelsson, Third Assistant Engineer Quinn Myrick, First A.E. George Schneider and Second A.E. Ricardo Nieves. Joining the crew were Kings Point Engine Cadet Caleb Braithwaite, AMO TECH Program Apprentice Engineer Nassim Dandashi and Kings Point Deck Cadet Rafael Esparza. The Maersk Pittsburgh is a containership enrolled in the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Program and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.
Regardless of dues status, all members of American Maritime Officers, as well as all applicants for membership in AMO, have been mailed a ballot package by the independent third-party election administrator – TrueBallot, Inc.
As required under Article IV, Section 5 of the AMO National Constitution, AMO members and applicants are responsible for keeping their contact information, including current mailing address and email address, up to date with the union.
Each member and applicant can verify the address to which TrueBallot has mailed their ballot by sending an email (which must include full name and Mariner Reference Number) to: .
If the address TrueBallot was provided by the union to mail your ballot is no longer valid, if your ballot is lost or damaged, or if you need a ballot mailed to you on a vessel, a request for a duplicate ballot (including full name and MRN) can be sent to the same email address. TrueBallot will mail a duplicate ballot package either to your current primary address or to an alternate address if so requested. Only one ballot per member may be cast.
While all AMO members and AMO applicants were mailed a ballot package, only ballots received by December 1 that are cast by AMO members who were AMO members in “good standing” as of November 30, 2026 will be counted in the tally. Ballots cast by AMO applicants who have not become full AMO members in good standing by November 30, 2026 will not be counted.
AMO members and applicants can check their dues status on the AMO website by selecting the MEMBER LOGIN tab (LOGIN on mobile devices). A button to view your dues statement will load once you log into your account.
American Maritime Officers members aboard the SLNC York have safely returned home to the United States after a catastrophic mechanical failure on the vessel in the middle of the Pacific Ocean forced the crew to take heroic efforts to mitigated engine room flooding before escaping the ship unscathed on August 18.
After abandoning ship, the crew was transported to South Korea by a foreign-flagged vessel that responded to the York distress call, where they were greeted by the AMO National President, AMO West Coast Boarding Representative Alex Butler and executives from Schuyler Line Navigation Company, the ship’s owner.
AMO National Vice President, Deep Sea, was in constant contact with the vessel during the ordeal and continued supporting the crew after they arrived on land.
Once settled on land, each crew member met with United States Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board investigators to detail the incident – a process that took several days – before being cleared to head back stateside. Through the entire process, AMO officials provided support along with representation from AMO Coast Guard Legal Aid Program Counsel Michael Reny.
The cause of the mechanical failure is still under investigation. The SLNC York is expected to be towed to a shipyard for examination.
AMO members aboard the SLNC York included Captain Hasan Erkal, Chief Mate Charles Zinni, Second Mate Clayton Russell, Third Mate Antonio Duran, Chief Engineer Andrew Gray, First Assistant Engineer Orion Milazzo, Second A.E. Samuel Franke and Third A.E. Alexander Alfonso.
“Our crew, under the leadership of Captain Hasan Erkal, did an excellent job responding to an evolving emergency situation, from mitigating unexpected engine room flooding to staying calm, cool and collected while preparing tow wires and abandoning ship as they were losing light in the middle of the Pacific – all while a typhoon was approaching. Captain Erkal did a great job keeping the crew focused and gave decisive instructions while coordinating the crew’s eventual disembarking. Everyone from the captain to the steward department deserves kudos for their bravery and professionalism in the most difficult of circumstances – and their safe return home is a testament to that fact,” the AMO National President said.
As the current administration continues to push an unprecedented, historic waiver of the Jones Act, it is more vital than ever for voices to speak up for the U.S. Merchant Marine in the halls of Congress.
For decades, AMO has ensured mariners’ voices and interests are heard through the effective, strategic use of the AMO Voluntary Political Action Fund. Through this member-funded program, mariners can support politicians and decision-makers who back the maritime industry. No matter the political affiliation, every vote AMO can influence in favor of the U.S. Merchant Marine is a return on investment from our members’ donations.
It’s moments like this where having friends in government pays off.
AMO members have enjoyed monumental gains in contracts and benefits in the past few years, with many fleet salaries seeing double-digit wage increases. The AMO job base has also increased and spread into new sectors such as offshore wind. But attacks on the Jones Act and reduced funding for maritime-related programs such as the Maritime Security Program and Tanker Security Program threaten to take away hard-earned benefits and wages in an instant.
As AMO members, contributing to the VPAF is the easiest way to effect positive change in the maritime industry. The money is an investment in continuing to have good-paying job opportunities. It ensures mariners have a say, even when they are away at sea moving domestic commerce or assisting in national defense.
Jones Act adversaries have played their hand and are trying to chip away at programs and protections meant to strengthen the U.S. Merchant Marine. How do we respond? One of the best ways is contributing what you can to the VPAF so AMO has the ammunition to fight back and protect the jobs and wages AMO members have sacrificed so admirably to earn.
Contributions to the AMO Voluntary Political Action Fund can be made directly by personal check, online through the AMO website, and through authorized deductions from AMO Plans vacation benefits.