STAR Center’s Great Lakes Pilotage Prep Program for 2026 is scheduled to start January 26.
The program is designed for credentialed USCG unlimited tonnage deck officers to gain the necessary experience and knowledge and obtain USCG Great Lakes Open Water First Class Pilotage (FCP) endorsements for the five Great Lakes Pilotage Regions. The endorsements will allow members to be employed with AMO contracted companies on the Lakes. The program is also available for those seeking to add pilotage for specific rivers on the Great Lakes.
Those enrolling should have the required round trips for the pilotage areas properly documented and have submitted (or be in the process of submitting) their applications to the USCG to be approved to sit for the pilotage exams.
To enroll in the program scheduled to start Monday, January 26, submit an online application.
Those enrolling need to request the GL Pilotage Prep Course starting on January 26, 2026 on the application form.
Any questions regarding this or other deck courses should be directed to Jeff Jones, Head, Deck Department, at 800-942-3220 Ext. 7721 or .
STAR Center’s course schedule is available on the STAR Center website. Enrollment questions or applications should be directed to Student Services at 1-800-942-3220 Ext. 201 or .
Chief Engineer Bruce Zarobell, who joined AMO in 2007, completed his final tour of duty aboard the USNS Able in November 2025. Bruce began his sea-going career in the U.S. Navy, continued sailing as an unlicensed engineer, and later joined AMO upon attaining his USCG Third Engineer’s license. He has sailed as Chief Engineer aboard USNS Able, Effective and Victorious for 10 years, and within the T-AGOS fleet for over 20 years. He sailed continuously with AMO since joining, almost exclusively aboard USNS vessels. We wish Chief Zarobell a long and healthy retirement!
Captain Kyle Dupuis
USNS Able
Members of the USNS Able’s Engine Department congratulating Chief Engineer Bruce Zarobell (third from right) on his retirement included (left to right) QMED Boaventura Barros III, QMED Kris Guthrie, Third Assistant Engineer Jonathan Tucker Sr., QMED Alexis Martinez and First A.E. Edwin Jay Alcos.
New Chief Engineer Edwin Jay Alcos relieves retiring Chief Engineer Bruce Zarobell aboard the USNS Able in November 2025 while docked in Okinawa, Japan. Chief Alcos began his sailing career as an oiler working for First A.E. Zarobell in the Engine Department.
American Maritime Officers members working aboard the Cape Kennedy and Cape Knox, here in New Orleans, La. in December, included (front row) Third Mate Charles Huval, Chief Mate Al Murray, Second Assistant Engineer Tran Luu, Chief Engineer Darin O’Connor, (back row) First Assistant Engineer James Porter, Chief Mate Jeff Baker and Third Assistant Engineer Tim Huval.
American Maritime Officers Executive Vice President Danny Robichaux and AMO West Coast Representative Alex Butler visited with the crews of the Cape Kennedy and Cape Knox to discuss the transition to the newly acquired AMO-crewed MARAD vessels.
STAR Center has scheduled the following five operational-level classes for early 2026. The dates listed below will be the only offerings of these particular OICNW courses at STAR Center for 2026.
- Five-day Original Radar Observer Unlimited: January 5 to 9
- Four-day ARPA: January 13 to 16
- Two-week Celestial Navigation (Operational Level): January 19 to 30
- Five-day Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch Basic Meteorology: February 2 to 6
- Two-week GMDSS: April 13 to 24
All eligible AMO members and applicants in need of this training are welcome to submit an online application to attend.
Again, the dates listed will be the only offerings of these Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch classes for 2026 at STAR Center.
These original classes provide specific training for those who may need it, and to meet STCW OICNW Basic Meteorology and Celestial Navigation training and assessment requirements. Basic Meteorology is also offered for ongoing professional development, as well as meeting regulatory needs. In addition, the Celestial Navigation course is approved to increase the scope to oceans and remove the near coastal limitation for MMC endorsements less than 1,600 GT.
Any questions regarding these courses should be directed to STAR Center Head of Deck Department Jeffrey Jones at (800) 942-3220 Ext. 7721 or via .
Enrollment questions or applications should be directed to Student Services at (800) 942-3220 Ext. 201 or via .
Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the USNS Pathfinder in December, here in Cape Canaveral, Fla., included First Assistant Engineer Jordan Cuddy, Third A.E. Igor Milic, Second A.E. Edwardlee Nelson, Third Mate Scott Anderson, Captain Antoine Picou, RO Ian McDonough, Second Mate Asher Spalding, Chief Engineer Michael Hadley and Chief Mate Edward Templin. AMO represents all licensed officers aboard the USNS Pathfinder, which is operated by Ocean Ships.
Representatives of American Maritime Officers, including Executive Vice President Danny Robichaux and John Mansfield, and STAR Center Director of Training Jerry Pannell, met with attendees of the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans in December.
The Commander of Military Sealift Command, Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, recently visited the Sea Based X-Band Radar (SBX-1) in Hawaii. While onboard, he received a demonstration of the dynamic positioning system on the bridge from Third Mate Cara Bebey. (U.S. Navy photo)
Those onboard the SBX-1 in Hawaii included (left to right) Chief Engineer Phillip Thompson, MSC Commander Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, SBX-1 Program Manager Aaron Banta, Command Master Chief Steve Bosco, and MSC Port Engineer Jarrod Deir. American Maritime Officers represents the licensed U.S. Merchant Marine officers aboard the SBX-1, which is operated by TOTE Services. (U.S. Navy photo)
Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the Port City Marine Services tug/barge Prentiss Brown in November, here in Charlevoix, Mich., included Senior Mate Don Welz, Chief Engineer Brian Comstock, Jr., Mate Chris Wagner and Captain Steven Mertz.
Our Thanksgiving Day finds its origins in Plymouth, Massachusetts in the harvest celebration of 1621 and the declaration of an observed day of thanksgiving two years later in Plymouth Colony, established by the passengers of the Mayflower. With 102 passengers and a crew of about 30 onboard, the crossing had taken 66 days in the wooden vessel of approximately 105 feet in length.
In the centuries since, our nation has relied upon the sea for food, transportation, commerce, and national defense. We continue to do so now and will into the future. Together, the nearly 3500 members of our union, American Maritime Officers, exemplify and proudly carry out the traditions of our nation’s maritime heritage.
Many AMO members are at work aboard their vessels, moving commercial cargo or assisting our Armed Forces, while others are on vacation. On behalf of the AMO Executive Board, officials, and staff, I thank each and every one of you for your professionalism. We wish all of you the very best throughout the holiday season as it comes over the horizon.
Safe travels wherever you are this Thanksgiving, and may this be a wonderfully memorable time of year for all.
Willie Barrere
National President