AMO National President Willie Barrere, Maersk COO Ed Hanley and Vincent Marino, CEO of CMC-ITI-CSS, were honored at the AOTOS Awards.
American Maritime Officers National President Willie Barrere, along with the AMO-led crews of the tanker Stena Immaculate and M/V El Coquí, were honored at the 2025 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards dinner hosted by the United Seamen’s Service in New York on October 24.
The AOTOS Award is widely considered the maritime industry’s most prestigious honor, with maritime titans such as Paul Hall and Mike Sacco among those receiving the accolade in the past.
Barrere, a lifelong mariner and 27-year captain, was earmarked for the award after decades of promoting the industry and improving conditions for his fellow mariners, thousands of whom he would represent once he made his way ashore to fight for better wages and benefits. He challenged the gathering of maritime executives, industry leaders and government officials to unify in order to grow the American flag fleet and compete with China on the high seas.
“We have the opportunity of bringing our U.S. maritime world to higher levels. We have a responsibility, not only to our industry, but to our nation,” he said. “As shipbuilders, shippers, operators and labor, we all need to speak with a united voice.”
Maersk Line Limited Chief Operating Officer Ed Hanley, who worked with Barrere early in their careers, also receiving an AOTOS Award, along with Vincent Marino, Chief Executive Officer of logistics company CMC-ITI-CCS.
The crew of the Stena Immaculate, which was represented by Third Mate Jeff Griffin, received the AOTOS Special Recognition Plaque for their actions after the vessel was struck by a foreign cargo ship in the North Sea in March. On the morning of March 10, the Crowley Maritime tanker was at anchor when a foreign cargo shipped plowed into it, rupturing a storage tank carrying jet fuel for the military and causing flames to engulf both vessels.
The Stena Immaculate crew acted quickly to fight the inferno and save the rest of the thousands of gallons of fuel stored onboard. All 23 crewmembers escaped the catastrophe unharmed and miraculously salvaged the ship and its cargo.
The El Coquí crew received a Mariner’s Plaque for its actions in January in the Caribbean when the Jones Act vessel diverted from its route to save four American citizens whose sailboat had sank near the Dominican Republic. The Crowley Jones Act vessel provides routine service from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico but did not hesitate to save the wayward sailors drifting in the middle of the ocean in bad weather.
Chief Mate Jaime Torres accepted the award on behalf of the crew.
Captain Barrere gives his acceptance speech at AOTOS Awards in New York.
AMO members Jaime Torres and Jeff Griffin (center) were congratulated by the AMO Executive Board during the AOTOS Awards dinner.
The honorable Elaine Chao, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and U.S. Labor Secretary, greets Chief Mate Torres at AOTOS Awards.
Third Mate Jeff Griffin, who survived the foreign vessel crashing into his vessel in March, is congratulated by President Barrere and AMO VP Christian Spain.
American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Gem State and Keystone State, here in California in October, included Second Assistant Engineer John Melcher, Third Mates Ethan Skelton and Kyle Helmandach, First A.E. Gregory Corna, Chief Engineer William Plemitscher, First A.E. James Wingate, Chief Mates Stefan Goad and Mark Holman and Chief Engineer Ross Shimel. With them is AMO West Coast Boarding Representative Alex Butler.
The Gem State and Keystone State are operated by Pacific-Gulf Marine for the U.S. Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force and both vessels are manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
The following update was issued by the National Maritime Center on October 20. American Maritime Officers members and applicants who have emergency credentialing issues should contact AMO Vice President for Government Relations Christian Spain or AMO Assistant Vice President for Government Relations Alaina Basciano.
Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown: STCW Mitigation Efforts – Dispensations
The information in Update #2 dated October 15, 2025, remains in place and is valid.
The National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) remain closed. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled. To mitigate the impact caused by the government shutdown, the NMC has implemented the following measures related to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, for Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs) and Medical Certificates:
* MMCs: Pursuant to STCW Article VIII, dispensations may be granted for continued service for mariners operating on endorsements that expired on or after October 1, 2025, provided a renewal application was submitted to the NMC and the employer applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation. STCW dispensations that are approved will expire up to March 31, 2026. Once the STCW dispensation letter is issued, mariners shall carry the letter AND a copy of this bulletin with the MMC. Requests for dispensation must be submitted via e-mail with a subject line “STCW Dispensation” to and must include the following information:
– The ship name, IMO number, ship tonnage, mariner name, mariner reference number, capacity per STCW regulations, credential issuance and expiration dates, company name, company point of contact, and valid mariner e-mail address.
* Medical Certificates: In accordance with STCW Regulation I/9, when the STCW expiration date of a Medical Certificate occurs during a voyage, the certificate remains valid until the earlier of the next U.S. port of call or 3 months from the expiration date.
* For questions regarding credentialing issues related to National Defense, marine employers are advised to contact our Customer Service Center.
For updates on NMC and REC operating status, please monitor the NMC website. For questions, contact our Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
Sincerely,
Patrick A. Drayer
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections
The following press release was issued by the National Maritime Center on October 15. American Maritime Officers members and applicants who have emergency credentialing issues should contact AMO Vice President for Government Relations Christian Spain or AMO Assistant Vice President for Government Relations Alaina Basciano.
Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown UPDATE #2: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions
This update supersedes the information in Update #1 dated October 9, 2025.
The National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) remain closed. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled. To mitigate the impact caused by the government shutdown, the NMC has implemented the following measures:
* E-mail submission of applications and supporting documentation remains active. Processing will resume once appropriations are restored.
* Merchant Mariner Credentials (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates (National and Pilot expiration dates only) that expire in October 2025 remain valid until December 31, 2025. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired credential AND a copy of the attached letter while sailing under the authority of those credentials. The NMC will not issue separate or replacement MMCs or Medical Certificates reflecting the extension.
* Additional information letters, approval to test letters, and mariner training course completion certificates that expire in October 2025 are extended until December 31, 2025. The NMC will not issue updated letters reflecting the extension.
* Qualified Assessor and Designated Examiner certification letters and course approvals that expire October 31, 2025, are extended until February 28, 2026. The NMC will not issue updated certificates/letters reflecting the extension.
* Mariner Examinations:
– Mariners who began but did not complete all modules of an examination prior to October 1, 2025, may resume testing without penalty once the NMC reopens. Testing should be completed within 60 days of reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
– 90-day retest periods are paused beginning on October 1, 2025, and will restart upon reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
* For questions regarding credentialing issues related to National Defense, marine employers are advised to contact our Customer Service Center.
For updates on NMC and REC operating status, please monitor the NMC website. For questions, contact our Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
The NMC understands the shutdown will affect our industry customers and stakeholders, and we apologize for any potential inconvenience.
Sincerely,
Patrick A. Drayer
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections
Dear U.S. Mariner,
Due to the federal government’s lapse in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard is currently unable to process applications for mariner credentials. To provide relief to affected mariners, consistent with the authority of 46 United States Code 7507 and 7508, the Coast Guard is granting an extension, effective immediately, to Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates (National and Pilot expiration dates only). This extension is valid through December 31, 2025, for mariners whose credentials expire in October 2025.
All mariners sailing under the authority of their National Endorsement(s) should print and retain a copy of this letter with their MMC and Medical Certificate to present upon request by the U.S. Coast Guard, other agencies or officials. The National Maritime Center (NMC) does not intend to issue separate or replacement MMCs or Medical Certificates reflecting this extension. Additionally, this extension applies only to domestic operations and does not apply to Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) endorsements.
Applications submitted before or during the government shutdown will be held and processed once the NMC reopens and is legally authorized to resume operations.
If you have questions, visit the NMC website or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
American Maritime Officers members aboard the M/V Liberty Eagle, here in Concord, California in September, included Chief Mate Fulgencio Anavitate. He is here with SIU Bosun Alexander Busby on the bow of the ship preparing for departure after a successful charter trip with Military Sealift Command.
Third Mate Pierson Deloe celebrated return home by delivering pizza to the rest of the crew.
The Liberty Eagle is owned and operated by Liberty Maritime Corporation and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.
The following press release was issued on October 9 by the National Maritime Center. American Maritime Officers members and applicants who have emergency credentialing issues should contact AMO Vice President for Government Relations Christian Spain or AMO Assistant Vice President for Government Relations Alaina Basciano.
Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown UPDATE #1: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions
The National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) remain closed. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled. To mitigate the impact caused by the government shutdown, the NMC has implemented the following measures:
* E-mail submission of applications and supporting documentation remains active. Processing will resume once appropriations are restored.
* Additional information letters sent to mariners, training providers, designated examiners, and qualified assessors that expire on or after October 1, 2025, will be extended from the date funding is restored for a period equal to the duration of the shutdown.
* Approval to test letters, drug test letters, and mariner training course certificates that expire on or after October 1, 2025, will be extended from the date funding is restored for a period equal to the duration of the shutdown.
* Mariner Examinations:
– Mariners who began but did not complete all modules of an examination prior to October 1, 2025, may resume testing without penalty once the NMC reopens. Testing should be completed within 60 days of reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
– 90-day retest periods are paused beginning on October 1, 2025, and will restart upon reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
For updates on NMC and REC operating status, please monitor the NMC website. For questions, contact our Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
The NMC understands the shutdown will affect our industry customers and stakeholders, and we apologize for any potential inconvenience.
Sincerely,
Patrick A. Drayer
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections
American Maritime Officers aboard the M/V Ohio, here in South Korea completing a scheduled shipyard period, included Chief Engineer Chris Own, Third Mate J.P. Marcy, Chief Mate Nate Douglass, First Assistant Engineer Gary Stetson, Second Mate Brad Campbell, Captain Tucker Baum, Third A.E. Owen Smith, Second A.E. John Curry and Third Mate Brendan Wright.
The Jones Act tanker M/V Ohio, which is owned and operated by Fairwater Crew Management, is on charter with Marathon Petroleum Corporation and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.
The minutes for the regular monthly American Maritime Officers membership meeting held October 1 at STAR Center 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.
MSC Security Watchstander Advanced and Small Arms Training at STAR Center
The Military Sealift Command (MSC) Headquarters Mission Assurance Newsletter for Q4 2025 was issued on October 2. Page 4 of the newsletter contains critical information for AMO members in need of Small Arms and Security Watchstander Advanced (SWS-A) training. The information published is as follows:
SWS-A Requirement
* OPNAV 5530 and SECNAV 5500 require all personnel who will be armed in the performance of their duties to complete annual non-lethal weapons training.
– For MSC, this training is conducted during SWS-A, typically on day 5 of the course.
– Certificates for weapons qualifications will no longer be issued without completion of SWS-A.
* To comply with higher headquarters guidance, SWS-A is required for ALL personnel who will be armed, including Masters/Captains and others issued firearms for self-defense only.
* Important: Without a current SWS-A qualification, weapons qualifications are considered null and void.
Given this announcement, effective immediately, STAR Center will only assign seats in Small Arms classes with enrollment in that week’s SWS-A class. Small Arms certificates will not be issued until SWS-A is completed.
For CONMARs, the Security Watchstander BASIC (SWS-B) course is normally required only once in your career, although some contracts may have a different periodicity. OPCOs should refer to the specific contract to be sure of their requirement. SWS-B training can only be met in an approved half-day course, which STAR Center offers.
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 online. Enrollment questions or applications should be directed to Student Services at 1-800-942-3220 Ext. 201 or via .
Members of American Maritime Officers across the nation observed the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the SS El Faro, paying tribute to the 33 lives lost at sea on October 1, 2015.
Eleven AMO members, 17 members of Seafarers International Union and five members of a riding crew died when the SS El Faro, which was sailing from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico, was sunk by Hurricane Joaquin as the storm ravaged the Caribbean.
At STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida, AMO held a memorial service at the El Faro Monument erected in the butterfly garden on campus. AMO National President Willie Barrere addressed the gathering and talked about how the union and the maritime industry has continued to honor the legacy of the El Faro crew.
“The loss of these mariners was not in vain. The tragedy of the El Faro forced the industry, regulators, and all of us to take a harder look at safety, training, and accountability. Changes have been made. Lives have been protected,” he said. “And while no reform can ever ease the grief of the families, the legacy of the El Faro is carried forward in every mariner who now sails under stronger protections, and in every life saved, because of what was learned, from this tragic loss.”
Observances were also held in Jacksonville, Florida, where TOTE Services Inc. and Seafarers International Union held memorial services celebrating the lives of the crewmembers. Many of the lost SIU members sailed out of the Jacksonville union hall and lived in the community and TOTE owned and operated the SS El Faro. Representatives of AMO attended all services.
The community in Rockland, Maine assembled at the “El Faro Salute” Monument overlooking the north Atlantic on September 27. Five of the AMO members lost in the El Faro tragedy were graduates of Maine Maritime Academy and lived in the area. AMO East Coast Representative Marissa Cap, who had sailed with one of the lost mariners, addressed the crowd at the ceremony and delivered a promise that holds true for all AMO members.
“To the families, I want to say this. Your loved ones are not forgotten. They live on in our memories, in the lessons we carry, and in the community that’s gathered here today,” she said. “And I promise that we will remain united and will work toward a safer future for all mariners.”
AMO National President Willie Barrere addresses a gathering of union members at the El Faro memorial on October 1.
AMO members join in a solemn prayer during the El Faro memorial service at STAR Center.
AMO East Coast Representative Marissa Cap gives remarks at the El Faro memorial service in Rockland, Maine on September 27.
Marissa Cap at the “El Faro Salute” sculpture created in honor of the 33 lives lost in the El Faro tragedy.
A moment of silence is held at an SIU memorial service in Jacksonville.