Copyright © 2015 American Maritime Officers ■ editorial@amo-union.org

Page 6: 2015 AOTOS ceremony honors crew of El Faro

The State of Alaska has awarded a three-year contract with a one-yearoptional extension for management of the state’s Ocean RangerProgram to Crowley, the incumbent program manager. AMO memberswill continue to work as ocean rangers under the new contract.

AMO jobs secure as Ocean Rangercontract is awarded to Crowley

Page 7:AMO and STAR Center will soon launch the Great Lakes OpenWater Pilotage Program, which is designed to provide USCG licensedunlimited tonnage deck officers with the training and experience to obtainUSCG Great Lakes Open Water First Class Pilotage (FCP) Endorsements.

AMO, STAR Center to launch GreatLakes Open Water Pilotage Program

Volume 45, Number 12 December 2015

AMO gains jobs with MSC contract awardThe job base of American Maritime

Officers will expand under a contractawarded by Military Sealift Command toCrowley Technical Management coveringthe operation of five ships.

Included in the contract are the drycargo strategic sealift ships USNS 1st LTHarry L. Martin, USNS LCPL Roy M.Wheat, USNS SGT Matej Kocak, USNSPFC Eugene A. Obregon and USNS MAJStephen W. Pless. The USNS Martin, USNSKocak, USNS Obregon and USNS Plesswas and are operated, respectively, by non-AMO companies and will provide new jobsfor the AMO membership as they are turnedover to Crowley.

The USNS Wheat— which was previ-ously operated by Maersk Line, Limitedunder contract with AMO — and the USNSMartin commenced operation under themanagement of Crowley in October. TheUSNS Kocak, USNS Obregon and USNSPless are scheduled to be turned over in thethird quarter of 2016. The contract award forthe USNS Martin and USNS Wheat includesa one-year firm period and four one-yearoptional extensions. The contract award forthe three other ships includes a one-year firmperiod and three one-year options.

Photo: Military Sealift CommandThe strategic sealift ship USNS 1st LT Harry L. Martin was turned over to Crowley in October under a Military SealiftCommand contract award covering a total of five ships. AMO represents all licensed officers aboard the USNS Martin.

Crowley to operate five strategic sealift ships manned by AMO officers

Export-Import Bank reauthorized through FY 2019The charter of the U.S. Export-

Import Bank was renewed December 4 asPresident Obama signed into law five-year surface transportation authorizationlegislation, known as the ‘highway bill,’which includes a provision to reauthorizethe Export-Import Bank through fiscalyear 2019.

The highway bill was produced bya House-Senate conference committee.The conference report containing theExport-Import (Ex-Im) Bank provisionswas overwhelmingly approved by bothchambers of Congress on December 3.

A portion of exports financed withthe assistance of the Ex-Im Bank must beshipped on U.S.-flagged commercial ves-sels, providing a strong source of cargo

for the U.S. merchant fleet operating ininternational trade.

In late July, the Senate hadapproved its own six-year highway billwith an amendment included to reautho-rize the Ex-Im Bank — that amendmentwas approved 64-29 in the Senate. TheSenate’s long-term highway bill was notvoted upon in the House.

Separate legislation to reauthorizethe Ex-Im Bank had been bottled up formonths in the House due to oppositionfrom some influential members. However,in October, a bold effort spearheaded byCongressman Stephen Fincher (R-TN)forced a vote on stand-alone legislation toreauthorize the bank. Rep. Fincher intro-duced legislation nearly identical to the

Senate’s reauthorization and reform mea-sure that had been approved with thatchamber’s long-term highway bill. Hethen spearheaded a discharge petition thatquickly gained bipartisan approval from amajority of House members and ultimate-ly forced a floor vote on the stand-aloneEx-Im Bank bill, which was approved313-118 on October 27.

The successful drive and over-whelming support for reauthorizing theEx-Im Bank, the charter of which hadexpired at the end of June, influenced thedecision to include renewal of the bank’scharter in the five-year highway bill con-ference report.

The Export-Import Bank assistsU.S. businesses small and large by facili-

tating the purchase of U.S. manufacturedgoods for export, among other things.

In fiscal year 2013, the Ex-Im Bankhelped facilitate more than $37 billion inU.S. export sales, supporting more than200,000 American jobs. Last year,records show the bank supported 164,000American private-sector jobs as bankactivities helped generate $27.5 billion inU.S. exports. According to a report pub-lished by the Ex-Im Coalition, the Ex-ImBank earned a profit in 2014, covering itsexpenses and sending $675 million to theU.S. treasury. In the previous fiscal year,the Ex-Im Bank returned approximately$1 billion to the U.S. treasury. The Ex-ImBank is self-sustaining and does not costU.S. taxpayers a single dollar.

2 • American Maritime Officer December 2015

In AMO, a year to celebrate — andto reflect on tragic lossBy Paul DoellNational President

This was asatisfying andencouraging yeareconomically andprofessionally forA m e r i c a nMaritime Officers,which regainedsolid financialfooting and filled afirst wave of newlicensed jobs ondry cargo ships and tankers delivered forJones Act service.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, ourunion was deep in the black, with a largeand growing operating budget surplusachieved through a combination of sensiblespending cuts and payroll paring — afterallowing for modest wage increases forAMO support personnel, attrition andmeaningful salary reductions at the senioradministrative level resulted in sizable sav-ings, not including the associated savingsin pay-based employee benefits.

In addition, AMO membership duesand initiation fee receipts were higher thanthey were in calendar year 2014.

Because of these developments, adues increase approved in October 2014 forcalendar year 2015 was rescinded inFebruary, and there was no need at theyear’s end to raise dues rates in 2016.

Meanwhile, our union went to workaboard TOTE Maritime’s new Marlin Classcontainer ship Isla Bella— the first vesselof its kind anywhere in the world to befueled by liquefied natural gas — and hersister ship, the Perla del Caribe, which willbe delivered early next year. The MarlinClass vessels operate in Jones Act tradebetween Florida and Puerto Rico.

These revolutionary TOTE shipswere built in San Diego by GeneralDynamics NASSCO, which was busy aswell this year with two contracts for theconstruction of a total of eight producttankers that will provide even more newJones Act jobs for AMO engine anddeck officers.

One NASSCO contract provides forfive tankers for American PetroleumTankers, or APT. The first ship in the series— the Lone Star State— was christened onOctober 17. The second NASSCO ordercalls for three tankers for SEA-Vista LLC,a subsidiary of Seacor Holdings Inc. At thiswriting, the initial SEA-Vista vessel wasset for christening December 12.

On the East Coast, a tanker orderplaced with Aker Philadelphia ShipyardInc. by Crowley Maritime Corp. began topay off for American Maritime Officerswith the October 1 delivery and November3 christening of the Ohio, the first of foursuch vessels intended for Jones Act tradeunder AMO contract.

Down South, in Pascagoula,Mississippi, VT Halter Marine was build-ing two combination container-roll-on/roll-off ships for operation by Crowley indomestic service under AMO contract.

Earlier this year, Pasha Hawaii chris-tened its combination container-RO/RO shipMarjorie C, which was built by VT HalterMarine. The ship joined the Jean Anne inJones Act trade between the U.S. mainlandWest Coast and Hawaii, with AMO engineand deck officers aboard both ships.

The good news here does not stopwith new employment for AmericanMaritime Officers. Each new seagoingjob filled this year by our union — andeach new AMO job on the near and farhorizons — represents new employercontributions to AMO Plans, the benefitfunds that serve all AMO members andtheir families so well.

While new employment for AMOmembers is always worth celebrating, this

year’s upbeat mood was dampened consid-erably by the wrenching loss October 1 ofthe El Faro off the Bahamas during the Cat4 Hurricane Joaquin. The ship sank with allhands — 11 AMO engine and deck offi-cers, 17 Seafarers International Union crewand five Polish nationals in the riding gang.

With this emotional mix of optimismand grief reflecting the humanity in all ofus — and on behalf of the AMO NationalExecutive Board, all AMO representativesand all AMO employees — I offer bestwishes and good will to every deep-sea,Great Lakes and inland waters AMO fami-ly in this holiday season. And I ask thateveryone in the AMO community pauseappropriately to remember our union’s ElFaro complement:

• Captain Michael C. Davidson• Chief Engineer Richard J. Pusatere• Chief Mate Steven W. Shultz• Chief Engineer Jeffrey A. Mathias• Second Mate Danielle L. Randolph• First Assistant Engineer Keith W.

Griffin• Third Mate Jeremie H. Riehm• Second Assistant Engineer Howard

J. Schoenly• Third Assistant Engineer Michael

L. Holland• Third Assistant Engineer Mitchell

T. Kuflik• Third Assistant Engineer Dylan O.

MeklinMay their families find the peace of

the season through lasting memories oftheir loved ones, and through their conspic-uous strength, resilience, faith, courage,dignity and grace.

No AMO membership dues increase in 2016Membership dues and initiation fees in American Maritime Officers will not

increase in 2016.The decision to hold dues and fees at current levels caps a calendar year marked

by accumulating operating budget surpluses and responsible spending cuts — includingsubstantial salary reductions at our union’s highest administrative levels.

Another significant influence behind the decision was a steady increase in timelydues payments made directly to AMO by deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters mem-bers or to our union through authorized deductions from AMO Vacation Plan benefits.

Additional dues revenue was generated by new AMO jobs on container ships andtankers delivered this year for service in Jones Act markets.

Season’s greetings and best wishes to AMO members, families and friends

Under Article V of the AMO National Constitution, the AMO National ExecutiveBoard can authorize annual membership dues and initiation fee increases, but it must doso on or before November 1, with the increases effective the following January 1.Because there will be no dues or initiation fee increases in 2016, no action was requiredof the board this year.

A membership dues increase that had been approved in October 2014 for this yearwas withdrawn in February.

Paul DoellNational President

American Maritime Officer(USPS 316-920)

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Here with American MaritimeOfficers National President PaulDoell at AMO Headquarters areAMO shoreside staff members(front) Theresa Rowe, MariaBurgess, Mary Rodriguez, SusanScott, Ellen Shames, WandaHatcher, Denise Robinson, JudySallaberry, Marie Doruth, (back)Luimy Cabreja, Steve Arduser,Todd Wright, Brendan Keller,Thomas Heaton, Roy Emrick, EliMitrani and Matt Burke. Not in thepicture are Robert Anderson,Pedro Falero, Kem Chanoine andChris Rodriguez.

American Maritime Officer • 3December 2015

Senators Klobuchar, Franken introducemeasure to crack down on steel dumping

The following article was releasedNovember 19 by the office of Senator AmyKlobuchar (D-MN).

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S.Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and AlFranken (D-MN) introduced legislation tocrack down on illegal steel dumping andprotect U.S. steelworkers. The illegaldumping of steel products by foreigncountries is harming the steel industry inMinnesota and across the country, result-ing in plant closures and job losses. Thesenators’ bill would crack down on illegalsteel dumping by strengthening tradeenforcement.

“Our steelworkers can compete withanyone in the world, but when foreignproducers dump cheap steel in our coun-try, it undercuts our domestic industry andputs American steelworker jobs at risk,”Klobuchar said. “While we have recentlytaken steps to help fight foreign dumping,more and more mining operations arebeing forced to idle and it is clear moremust be done. By strengthening tradeenforcement, this important legislationwill help provide a level playing field forthe American workers who help keep ourcountry strong as steel.”

“Minnesota iron and steel produc-ers and workers are the best and mostproductive in the world,” said Franken.“But the playing field has been tilted byforeign competitors illegally dumpingsteel into the market. Recently, we haveseen far too many facilities idle andclose. Although we’ve taken measures tostop dumping, this legislation will furthercrack down on illegal practices. We needto do everything we can to fight for ourworkers and producers.”

The Trade EnforcementImprovement Act would include the fol-lowing measures to strengthen America’strade enforcement capabilities:

•Allowing duties to be imposedretroactively in cases where an industry isjudged to be facing critical circumstances

•Allowing duties to be imposedeven further in advance before criticalharm is done to a domestic industry facingthe threat of material injury

•Requiring the publication of a listof duty evaders to help raise public aware-ness and assist law enforcement

Klobuchar is a leader in efforts tofight foreign dumping and ensure a levelplaying field for U.S. steel producers andworkers. In August, Klobuchar wrote aletter to the president urging him to takestronger actions to protect the steel indus-try in Minnesota and across the countryfrom harm caused by foreign dumping.She joined other Minnesota lawmakers ina meeting with administration officials atthe White House in March to discuss whatsteps can be taken to stop mining andsteel industry job losses. Following con-sistent pressure from Klobuchar last year,the International Trade Commissionvoted to impose penalties on Mexican,Turkish, and Korean companies dumpingsteel in the U.S.

Klobuchar has also been fighting toensure American workers who have beenaffected by the recent layoffs have the

support they need and deserve. Klobucharhas met with steelworkers on Minnesota’sIron Range to discuss concerns about theneed to stop industry losses. She workedclosely with state officials to ensure thatimmediate funding for job retraining andeducational opportunities was secured. Inaddition, she recently led a letter alongwith Senator Franken and RepresentativeRick Nolan to successfully urge the U.S.Department of Labor to expedite approvalof the three Trade Adjustment Assistancepetitions submitted by workers from theaffected mining operations. She also haspressed the U.S. Department of Labor to

honor its commitment to steelworkers andtheir families.

Franken has long fought to ensurefair trade practices and protect Minnesotaworkers and businesses. Earlier this year,he successfully pressed key trade agen-cies, including the ITC, to act to limit thedamage being done to the American steeland iron ore industry by unfairly pricedSouth Korean steel. In May, he joined anumber of colleagues in writing to theSecretary of Commerce expressing con-cerns about the Department’s preliminarydetermination that Korea was not dump-ing steel in the U.S. and urging Commerce

to take action against unfair dumping tothe fullest extent of the law. He followedup by communicating the concerns ofMinnesota’s iron ore industry about theKorean imports directly to theDepartment of Commerce in the daysleading up to the Department’s finaldetermination that the Korean importshad been illegally dumped. And in July,he submitted testimony to the ITC outlin-ing how unfairly priced Korean steel hashurt Minnesota’s iron ore producers.Franken has also supported the Level thePlaying Field Act, which strengthens ourexisting trade enforcement laws, includ-ing trade remedies that allow for anti-dumping and countervailing duties onimports that are unfairly subsidized ordumped in domestic markets.

Franken has also worked withthose already affected by illegal dump-ing. He has met with steelworkersthroughout the Iron Range and success-fully fought to expedite Trade AdjustmentAssistance (TAA) petitions for laid-offworkers with Senator Klobuchar andRepresentative Nolan. TAA providesassistance to those affected by trade witheducation and job training.

Steel dumping causes early layups on the Lakes

The illegal dumping of steel products by foreigncountries is harming the steel industry across thecountry, resulting in plant closures and job losses

Foreign steel dumping cuts cargo floatfor U.S.-flagged vessels on Great Lakes

U.S.-flagged Great Lakesfreighters carried 9.7 million tons ofcargo in October, a decrease of 13.7 per-cent compared to the same period in2014 and a slight decrease from thelong-term average for the month.

Iron ore cargoes decreased 21.8percent compared with October 2014.Coal cargoes decreased 7 percent andlimestone cargoes dipped a little morethan 1 percent, the Lake Carriers’

Association (LCA) reported.The dumping of foreign steel in the

U.S. market is having a severe impact onAmerican industry and the U.S.-flag fleetoperating on the Lakes.

“We’re down six ships fromNovember 1 and nine from a year ago, andthese early layups are a direct result of steeldumping,” said LCA Vice President GlenNekvasil on December 1.

For the year, U.S.-flag cargoes totaled

71.9 million tons at the end of October,an increase of 0.9 percent comparedwith the same point in 2014, but adecrease of 1.3 percent compared withthe long-term average for January toOctober. Iron ore cargoes had declined6.3 percent, coal shipments were upapproximately 6.5 percent and lime-stone loadings had increased approxi-mately 10 percent compared with thesame point in 2014, the LCA reported.

The M/V St. Clair entered earlylayup in November in Toledo,Ohio as a result of foreign steeldumping. American MaritimeOfficers members working aboardthe vessel November 12 includedChief Engineer James LaParl,First Assistant Engineer KarlSchroeder, Third A.E. Ray Bitneyand Second A.E. Joe Lentowich.With them is AMO SpecialAssistant to the NationalPresident (Great Lakes) JohnClemons. Not in the picture isThird A.E. Tom Bayer.

The Walter J. McCarthy entered early layup November 23due to steel dumping. AMO members working aboard thevessel included Chief Engineer William Nelson andSecond A.E. Gregory Jardine. With them is AMO SeniorNational Assistant Vice President Brian Krus.

AMO members working aboard the Walter J. McCarthy asthe vessel entered early layup in Toledo on November 23included Captain Carlos Fossati Sr., Third Mate MaureenBlanchard and Second Mate Richard Gray. Visiting withthem is Guy Gramzow (left), captain on the AmericanMariner, which was still in service at that time.

4 • American Maritime Officer December 2015

AMO fund supports families of El Faro officersI thank everyone who has con-

tributed to the AMO El Faro DisasterRelief Fund, and I ask those whohave not yet contributed to the fundto consider making a donation in sup-port of the El Faro families.

The AMO El Faro DisasterRelief Fund — approved by theAmerican Maritime OfficersNational Executive Board — isintended to mitigate financial lossto the families and to help depen-dents meet unforeseen expenses asthey cope with grief and prolongedrecovery.

Distributions from the fund tothe El Faro families are in addition tobenefits due from the AMO Medical,Vacation, Pension, 401(k) andMoney Purchase Benefit Plans. Thejoint union-employer trustees ofthese AMO benefit funds have

approved expedited claims processingand benefit payment for the dependentbeneficiaries. Distributions from thefund are also in addition to refundsissued by AMO to El Faro families fordues paid for the fourth quarter or laterby AMO members lost in the sinking ofthe El Faro.

The AMO El Faro Disaster ReliefFund is a separate entity from the AMOMembership Assistance Program,which helps AMO families who suf-fered property damage during hurri-canes, tornadoes, earthquakes or othernatural disasters.

Any individual, organization orbusiness can contribute to the AMO ElFaro Disaster Relief Fund, which isadministered by Paradise Bank in FortLauderdale.

The fund has applied for tax-exempt status under 501(c)(3) of the

Internal Revenue Service Code, whichcould make contributions to the fund taxdeductible, depending on individual cir-cumstances. Payments to dependent ben-eficiaries may also be tax-free to theextent allowed by law under recentprecedent.

American Maritime Officers pro-vided an initial contribution to the fundin memory of Captain Michael C.Davidson, Chief Engineer Richard J.Pusatere, Chief Mate Steven W. Shultz,Chief Engineer Jeffrey A. Mathias,Second Mate Danielle L. Randolph, FirstAssistant Engineer Keith W. Griffin,Third Mate Jeremie H. Riehm, SecondAssistant Engineer Howard J. Schoenly,Third Assistant Engineer Michael L.Holland, Third Assistant EngineerMitchell T. Kuflik and Third AssistantEngineer Dylan O. Meklin.

AMO Inland Waters Vice President

Dave Weathers and AMO DispatcherRobert Anderson serve without com-pensation as trustees of the AMO ElFaro Disaster Relief Fund, along withAMO Controller Thomas Heaton andMarie Doruth, my special assistant atAMO headquarters in Dania Beach.

Checks and money orderspayable to the AMO El FaroDisaster Relief Fund can be sent to:

AMO El Faro Disaster Relief FundP.O. Box 38Dania Beach FL 33004

Online contributions can bemade through PayPal via a link onthe AMO Web site home page atwww.amo-union.org.

Paul DoellNational President

NTSB completes documentation of El Faro wrecksite; ship’s voyage data recorder not located

The following article was releasedNovember 16 by the NationalTransportation Safety Board.

WASHINGTON — The video doc-umentation of the cargo ship El Faro andthe associated debris field has been com-pleted but the vessel’s voyage datarecorder was not located.

“Over the years we’ve completedmany investigations without the aid ofrecorders and other investigative tools,”said NTSB Chairman Christopher A.Hart. “While it is disappointing that thevoyage data recorder was not located, we

are hopeful that we’ll be able to deter-mine the probable cause of this tragedyand the factors that may have contributedto it.”

The 790-foot ship went missing onOct. 1 during Hurricane Joaquin and waslocated on Oct. 31 in about 15,000 feet ofwater in the vicinity of its last knownposition near Crooked Island, Bahamas.

In early October, the NTSB con-tracted with the U.S. Navy to locate themissing ship, document the wreckageand debris field, and if possible, recoverthe voyage data recorder.

Sonar equipment towed from USNSApache detected what was believed to beEl Faro on Oct. 31. The finding was con-firmed on Nov. 1 when investigatorswere able to view video of the vesselobtained from CURV-21, a remotelyoperated vehicle capable of deep-seasearch activity.

Video revealed that the navigationbridge structure and the deck below ithad separated from the ship. The miss-ing structure included the mast and itsbase where the voyage data recorderwas mounted.

On Nov. 11, the navigation bridgewas found but neither the mast nor theVDR was found in the vicinity of thenavigation bridge structure.

After five more days of searchingwith CURV-21, it was determined thatthe VDR could not be located. The searchand video documentation efforts of ElFaro were completed on Nov. 15. No fur-ther search missions are planned.

Additional information andresources are available on the NTSB’swebpage for the El Faro accident investi-gation: http://go.usa.gov/3Smre.

‘We will not forget your sacrifice’American Maritime Officers on October 21 held a memorial service for the

crew of El Faro at the Lighthouse Community Church in Dania Beach, Fla.Following are the remarks of American Maritime Officers Plans Executive DirectorSteve Nickerson.

Today we attend a Memorial Service. We gather today as the Officers andfamilies of the AMO as well as the staff of AMOP that serves them. Also manyFriends of AMO.

We are part of the Trade Labor Union Movement. A movement that created aFraternal Organization called a Union. We are the American Maritime Officers Union, aFraternal Organization.

As a Fraternal Organization we are all Brothers and Sisters.When my Brother or Sister experiences joy, I am joyful.When my Brother or Sister experiences Pain and Disappointment, I share the Pain

and Disappointment.We share ALL that is experienced by our Brothers and Sisters, even if we don’t

acknowledge it.Now we share the tragedy of losing 10 Brothers and 1 Sister, as well as the tragedy

of our sister union and their 17 Brothers and Sisters. Also the 5 not known by us.

Let it not be in vainLet it not be of egoBut a matter of the Heart

Silently and simply lift up your heart to the surviving families as they are alsoBrothers and Sisters by Fraternal Order.

Never again begin your morning work, never collect your paycheck withoutfirst remembering this loss. Without first silently lifting all AMO Brothers andSisters returning to the sea and her perils, praying for their safety and the day theyreturn to their family.

As the staff we are not the union but placed here to service the AMO Officers andtheir families.

Service them with love, compassion, recognizing their dignity as Officers in theUnited States Merchant Marine. For Love does conquer all.

Now I address those lost by AMO not by formal name and rank but as:

Sister DanielleBrother Michael DBrother StevenBrother JeremieBrother RichardBrother JeffreyBrother KeithBrother HowardBrother Michael HBrother MitchellAnd Brother Dylan

You are not a statistic but a member of our family. We will not forget yoursacrifice.

We that are left behindARE THE MEMORIAL

We will not allow our efforts, our work ethic, to ever be a disgrace to your sacrificemade, the sacrifice by you, Our Brothers and our Sister.

We Seek a healing. We seek for something to fill the void created by tragedy.

The ineffable remains ineffableBut we will go onLeading first with theHeart in Memoriam

We look forward with confidence to the perfect realization of the eternal splendorof the limitless light.

In thought and word and deed we rest our lives from day to day upon the surefoundation of eternal being.

The kingdom of Spirit is embodied in our flesh.We unite this day as the Officers, the Officers’ families, and the Staff of the

AMO and the AMO Plans along with our friends in Remembrance of our Brothersand Sister.

American Maritime Officer • 5December 2015

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them’The following letter was sent to AMO National President Paul Doell by President

and COO of Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. Jim McGregor.I just want to express to you and all of the AMO team how sorry we are about the

loss of the crew of El Faro. We can only imagine the grief the families must go through,and our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

Please let me know if there is any way we can help.

‘A sign of respect and love from our crew’This is just to let the families of our brothers and sisters know that we have not for-

gotten about their loss.Some of us on the USNS Bowditch, whether AMO, SIU, or NAVO members, have

sailed with and personally knew a major part of the crew of the El Faro. We humbly wishthat there was something more we could do to ease the pain and confusion that the wives,daughters, sisters, and brothers may be experiencing. This is a devastating loss to all of us.

We will be making donations via PayPal, etc. in hopes to contribute just a little com-pared to the true cost of this tragedy.

Please take our signature page as a sign of respect and love from our crew.

Clarance A. Cobb Sr.Radio Electronics Officer, USNS Bowditch

‘Sincere condolences to the families and friends of thefallen mariners’

The following letter was sent to AMO National President Paul Doell by MarineFiremen’s Union President/Secretary-Treasurer Anthony Poplawski.

On October 5, 2015, in San Francisco, California, the membership of the MarineFiremen’s Union stood one minute in silence for the officers and crew of the SS El Faro.

This was followed by similar observances on October 13, 2015, in the ports of LosAngeles and Honolulu, and on October 22, 2015, in the port of Seattle.

The Marine Firemen’s Union extends sincere condolences to the families andfriends of the fallen mariners, and to their brothers and sisters in the Seafarers InternationalUnion — Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, and American Maritime Officers.

‘The crew of the El Faro and their families will remainin our thoughts and prayers’

The following letter was sent to AMO National President Paul Doell by Presidentand COO of Patriot Contract Services, LLC Frank Angelacci.

On behalf of Patriot Contract Services I wanted to pass on my sincere condo-lences for the loss of your union brothers and our fellow seafarers aboard the El Faro.This event touched all of us who have been to sea, and it is truly heart wrenching tosee a tragedy like this occur. The crew of the El Faro and their families will remain inour thoughts and prayers.

Memorial service for El Faro crew onboard USNS HensonThe USNS Henson held a Memorial Service for the SS El Faro on 04 NOV 2015 to

mark one month since the sinking of the vessel and loss of her crew on 01 OCT 2015.Henson was on a transit and took the opportunity to remember her Union Brothers

and Sisters during a ceremony held on the bridge.The Master read the names of the crew and contractors. 33 carnations were then

tossed into the ocean while playing the song “Never Let Me Go” by Florence + theMachine.

The ceremony ended with the reading of the Seaman’s Prayer.

Kristin MangoldMasterUSNS HENSON

‘With Deepest Heartfelt Sympathies To All This TragedyHas Touched’

Captain Max Stovall sent the following message:

‘My prayers are with all the families of the crew’The following message was sent to AMO National President Paul Doell by retired

AMO member William Chalke.In deepest sympathy, thinking of you all at this difficult time. And my prayers are

with all the families of the crew of the El Faro.

6 • American Maritime Officer December 2015

USNS Impeccable, Cape Wrath receive Mariners’Plaques in AOTOS ceremony honoring crew of El Faro

TOTE Presidentand CEO Anthony

Chiarello (left)accepts the

Admiral of theOcean Sea Award

from UnitedSeamen’s Servicein memory of the

33 crew membersonboard El Faro

when the shipsank October 1 in

Hurricane Joaquin.Presenting the

award is Lt. Gen.Kenneth Wykle

(U.S. Armyretired).

The officers and crew members oftwo ships manned in all licensed positionsby American Maritime Officers wereamong those recognized during the 2015Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS)awards dinner on November 13 in a cere-mony that honored the 33 crew members ofEl Faro, who lost their lives when the shipsank in Hurricane Joaquin on October 1.

The officers and crew of the USNSImpeccable, operated for Military SealiftCommand by Crowley Liner Services(Technical Management), were recognizedby the United Seamen’s Service with aMariners’ Plaque for rescuing 11 fishermenclinging to a sinking vessel in the SouthChina Sea in July 2015. Third Mate GarrickSkubon accepted the Mariners’ Plaque onbehalf of the officers and crew of the USNSImpeccable.

The officers and crew of the CapeWrath, operated by Crowley Liner Servicesin the Maritime Administration’s ReadyReserve Force, were recognized with aMariners’ Plaque for their service in late2014 during the U.S. mission to combat thespread of Ebola in West Africa. CaptainFred Walley accepted the AOTOSMariners’ Plaque on behalf of the officersand crew of the Cape Wrath.

Receiving AOTOS awards for 2015were TOTE President and CEO AnthonyChiarello, Matson President and CEOMatthew Cox and Pacific MaritimeAssociation President and CEO JamesMcKenna.

Chiarello accepted the AOTOS awardon behalf of the crew members of El Faroand their families.

“I can’t accept this award as AnthonyChiarello, but I can accept this award inmemory of the 33 that were lost and thefamily and loved ones that were leftbehind,” Chiarello told the gathering ofleading figures of the U.S. maritime indus-try. “I’m honored and humbled to acceptthis award on behalf of those that were loston the El Faro on October 1.”

At the close of the evening, USS pre-sented a special remembrance in honor ofthe 28 American crew members of the ElFaro and five Polish nationals who perishedat sea on October 1.

The remembrance was led byChiarello, who dedicated the AOTOSaward he received to the 33 heroes.

“This is a year wherein I am person-

“Within the firm, each of us hasshared the anguish and the grief thrust sounmercifully upon the families and friendsof those who were lost. Our hearts are tornbearing witness to their suffering,” he said.

“This year, with the leave of theUnited Seamen’s Service and by the leaveof those of you here with me this evening,I’d ask that we put aside any honor meantexpressly for myself, and that we honorinstead the valiant men and women thatcomprised the officers and the crew of theEl Faro. This evening, they deserve theAOTOS award far more than I do,”Chiarello said.

Chiarello was then joined on stageby AMO National President Paul Doelland Seafarers International UnionPresident Michael Sacco. Doell read thenames of the 11 AMO members onboardEl Faro and Sacco read the names of the17 SIU members onboard the ship.Chiarello read the names of the five mem-bers of the riding crew.

Following the reading of the names,the more than 700 people in attendancestood and sang “God Bless America.”

Chiarello said the AOTOS Award willbe placed in the office of TOTE MaritimePuerto Rico inscribed with the names of the33 crew members of El Faro.

For the 2015 AOTOS Awards, U.S.Senator Cory Booker served as generalchairman. Sacco was dinner chairman.Joseph Cox and President and Chairman ofAmerican Maritime Officers Service F.Anthony Naccarato served as national com-mittee co-chairmen.

Proceeds from the AOTOS eventbenefit USS community services abroad forthe U.S. merchant marine, seafarers of allnations, and U.S. government and militaryoverseas.

USS continues to provide communityservices for the U.S. merchant marine, theAmerican Armed Forces, and seafarers ofthe world. USS, a non-profit agency estab-lished in 1942, operates centers in six for-eign ports in Europe, Asia, and Africa and inthe Indian Ocean, and also provides seago-ing libraries to American vessels through itsaffiliate, the American Merchant MarineLibrary Association.

Edward Morgan is president andRoger Korner is executive director of USS.Barbara Spector Yeninas is USS AOTOScoordinator.

ally unable to accept such a singular honor.Each of us here at this maritime industrygathering will appreciate the gravity and the

impact that the loss of the El Faro and herofficers and her crew had on TOTEMaritime,” Chiarello said.

American Maritime Officers National President Paul Doell greets Garrick Skubon(left) and Fred Walley (right), each of whom accepted AOTOS Mariners’ Plaqueson behalf of the officers and crews of the USNS Impeccable and Cape Wrath,respectively, during the Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards ceremony November13 in New York City. Both vessels are manned in all licensed positions by AMO.

Senator Murray honored for long-standing support ofU.S. maritime industry by Daniel K. Inouye Institute

The following is excerpted from anarticle released by the Daniel K. InouyeInstitute and the American MaritimePartnership, a coalition of which AmericanMaritime Officers Service is a member andwhich American Maritime Officers supports.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The DanielK. Inouye Institute honored U.S. SenatorPatty Murray on Tuesday, November 17 forher long-time support of the American mar-itime industry. Dozens of maritime andSenate leaders gathered on Capitol Hill tohonor Sen. Murray as the first recipient of theDaniel K. Inouye Maritime Guardian award— an award given to a recipient who embod-ies strong leadership and commitment to theU.S. maritime industry.

The award was presented by Irene

Hirano Inouye, widow of Sen. Inouye, toSen. Murray, whose state is home to majorports, a vibrant American maritime indus-try, and a significant international ship-ping industry.

“We’d like to thank Sen. Murray forher vocal support and demonstrated commit-ment to the American maritime industry,”said Jennifer Sabas, Director of the Daniel K.Inouye Institute. “Sen. Murray mirrors thelegacy of Sen. Inouye for her commitment tothe success, safety, innovation and progressof this industry.”

“Senator Inouye was and always willbe a shining example of what it means to bea strong leader for the U.S. maritime indus-

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in November became the first recipient of the DanielK. Inouye Maritime Guardian Award for her support of the U.S. maritime industry. See Inouye Award ◆ Page 12

American Maritime Officer • 7December 2015

Temporary increase in Maritime Security Programfunding authorized as defense act is signed into law

President Obama on November 25signed into law the National DefenseAuthorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, a billthat authorizes an increase in funding for theMaritime Security Program and its fleet of 60U.S.-flagged ships during fiscal year 2016.

Although the National DefenseAuthorization Act (S.1356) authorizes afunding increase for the MSP, Congresswould still need to appropriate the money inseparate legislation.

S.1356 includes other provisionsimportant to the U.S. maritime industry andmerchant marine and their roles in nationalsecurity and defense.

A provision in the legislation autho-rizes an increase in the annual allotment foreach ship enrolled in the MSP from $3.1 mil-lion to $3.5 million during fiscal year 2016.

The provision was introduced byCongressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), vicechairman of the Armed ServicesCommittee’s Seapower and ProjectionForces Subcommittee and chairman of theTransportation and InfrastructureCommittee’s Subcommittee on Coast Guardand Maritime Transportation. The inclusionof the MSP provision was made possible bythe crucial support of Chairman of theArmed Services Committee Rep. MacThornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member on theArmed Services Committee Rep. AdamSmith (D-WA), Chairman of the Seapowerand Projection Forces Subcommittee Rep.Randy Forbes (R-VA), Ranking Member onthe Seapower and Projection ForcesSubcommittee Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT),and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), who serves

on the Armed Services Committee andSeapower and Projection ForcesSubcommittee.

Regarding the MSP, S.1356 states:“It is the sense of Congress that dedicatedand enhanced support is necessary to stabi-lize and preserve the Maritime SecurityFleet program, a program that provides theDepartment of Defense with on-demandaccess to world class, economical commer-cial sealift capacity, assures a UnitedStates-flag presence in international com-merce, supports a pool of qualified UnitedStates merchant mariners needed to crewUnited States-flag vessels during times ofwar or national emergency, and serves as acritical component of our national securityinfrastructure.”

Separately, among the maritime pro-

visions included in the act, S.1356 autho-rizes the expenditure of $5 million by theMaritime Administration “for the NationalSecurity Multi-Mission Vessel Design,”which in the future could be used to pro-duce new multi-purpose training ships forthe state maritime academies and the U.S.Merchant Marine Academy — ships thatcould also be used in defense sealift andhumanitarian crisis missions domesticallyand abroad.

S.1356 was approved 370-58 by theHouse of Representatives on November 5and 91-3 by the Senate on November 10.

A previous version of the NationalDefense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year2016 was vetoed by the President in Octoberdue to concerns that did not involve the mar-itime provisions in the bill.

AMO and STAR Center to launch GreatLakes Open Water Pilotage Program

American Maritime Officers andSTAR Center will soon launch the GreatLakes Open Water Pilotage Program,which is designed to provide U.S. CoastGuard licensed unlimited tonnage deck offi-cers with the necessary training and experi-ence to obtain USCG Great Lakes OpenWater First Class Pilotage (FCP)Endorsements for the five Great LakesPilotage Regions.

Officers who successfully completethis program will be eligible for jobs avail-able with AMO-contracted companies oper-ating vessels on the Great Lakes, and willhave the requisite knowledge and USCGendorsements to be employed as a FCP inthe five Great Lakes Pilotage Regions.

Officers enrolled in the program willgain knowledge of and proficiency in thepilotage endorsement requirements for the‘Local Knowledge’ and ‘Chart Sketch’ por-tions of the USCG pilotage exams. Uponattaining knowledge and proficiency in therequired areas, officers will be prepared tosit for the USCG pilotage exams for each ofthe five Great Lakes regions.

Program entry standardsProgram participants must meet these

requirements:•46 CFR 11.703 — masters or mates

with officer endorsements of more than1,600 gross registered tons meet the servicerequirement of this section (round trips stillapply).

•Agree to sail on the Great Lakes foran AMO-contracted company in accor-dance with the terms and conditions of theprogram’s agreement of reimbursement.

Program OverviewThe program is divided into two

phases.

Phase One — Sea Service Requirements

In this phase, the officer completeshis or her USCG sea service requirementsper 46 CFR 11.705 for an original FCPendorsement, including:

•Completion of a minimum of 12-round trips properly documented:

›As quartermaster, wheelsman, ableseaman, apprentice pilot or equivalentcapacity standing regular watches at the

wheel or in the pilothouse as part of routineduties over the route sought, AND/OR

›As an observer, properly certified bythe master and/or pilot of the vessel, AND

•At least 25 percent of the round tripsmust be during the hours of darkness, AND

•One of the required round trips mustbe within six months of date of application

Sea Service Notes:•A total of 12 documented round trips

are required for open water pilotage.•Once 12 round trips are properly

documented, an individual can make appli-cation to sit for USCG pilotage exams forall five Great Lakes regions.

•A single trip that includes transit ontwo lakes can be documented as tworound trips.

•Trips can be documented using theGreat Lakes Trip Verification Book (avail-able from STAR Center or AMO).

Phase one will be administered byAMO directly, including coordinating bil-lets with the individual participant andGreat Lakes contracted companies. Billetsshould be assigned so that maximum creditis obtained towards documented round triprequirements. Recommendations on vessels

that may provide the best efficiency toobtain credit are included in the supplemen-tal information section.

Participants are expected to submit acompleted USCG 719B application inaccordance with the USCG First ClassPilotage Checklist, and be approved to sitfor all five Great Lakes regions (or portionthereof) PRIOR to being accepted intoPhase Two of the program.

Phase Two — Pilotage Exam Preparation(approximately six weeks)

In this phase, those who have com-pleted the necessary round trips andobtained USCG approval to sit for the examwill be instructed on the requirements tosuccessfully prepare for and complete the‘Local Knowledge’ and ‘Chart Sketch’ sec-tions of the USCG pilotage exam for eachof the five Great Lakes regions.

Students will attend STAR Center forthe amount of time necessary to successful-ly complete all five USCG exams. Each ofthe five Great Lakes regions is expected totake approximately one to two weeks ofpreparation.

STCW Credit: Per 46 CFR 10.232

(b)(1), service on the Great Lakes will becredited on a day-for-day basis up to 100percent of the total required servicetoward a near coastal or oceans STCWendorsement.

Enrollment

Phase One: Those seeking to com-plete the round trips/sea service required tosit for their Great Lakes pilotage shouldcontact:

Brian KrusAMO Senior National Assistant VicePresidentE-mail: bkrus@amo-union.orgMobile: (216) 571-9666Office: (800) 221-9395 Ext. 6007

Phase Two: Those who are eligibleand hold a USCG letter to sit for pilotageexams should contact:

Jerry PannellSTAR Center Director of Member Training and Officer DevelopmentE-mail: jpannell@star-center.comOffice: (800) 445-4522 Ext. 7507

STAR Center should also be contact-ed if additional information on the programis needed.

Phase Two study preparation isscheduled to begin at STAR Center onJanuary 19, 2016.

Membership committee reviews union’s financial files

American Maritime Officers mem-bers serving on the FinanceCommittee in November wereJoseph McHattie, Michael Thomasand Maly Rudick. The committeereviewed financial documents overa two-day period, November 3 and4, at AMO Headquarters in DaniaBeach, Fla. A volunteer member-ship committee is periodically con-vened to review the union’s finan-cial files.

8 • American Maritime Officer December 2015

AMO Safety and Education Plan — Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center(954) 920-3222 / (800) 942-3220 — 2 West Dixie Highway, Dania Beach, FL 33004

General Courses

IGF Code Training 5 days 11 January 27 June

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 18 January 15 February 28 March 16 May 20 June

Basic Safety Training — All 4 modules must be completed within 12months: Personal Safety Techniques (Mon/Tues — 1.5 days), PersonalSafety & Social Responsibility (Tues pm — .5 days), Elementary First Aid(Wed — 1 day), Fire Fighting & Fire Prevention (Thurs/Fri — 2 days) — notrequired. if Combined Basic & Adv. Fire Fighting completed within 12 months

5 days 14 December 25 January 8, 22 February 25 April 23 May

Basic Safety Training — Refresher 3 days 16 December 27 January 24 February 25 May

Chemical Safety — Advanced 5 days 8 February

ECDIS 5 days 4 January 8 February 7 March 18 April 9 May

Environmental Awareness (includes Oily Water Separator) 3 days 20 January 6 July

Fast Rescue Boat 4 days 5 January 8 February 29 March 18 April 2 May 27 June 25 July

GMDSS — Requires after-hour homework 10 days 15 February 16 May

LNG Tankerman PIC 8 days 30 March

LNG Simulator Training — Enrollment priority in the LNG simulator courseis given to qualified member candidates for employment and/or observationopportunities with AMO contracted LNG companies. In all cases successfulcompletion of the LNG PNC classroom course is prerequisite.

5 days 11 April

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 11 January 21 March 31 May

Safety Officer Course 2 days 17 March 16 June

Tankerman PIC DL — Classroom 5 days 14 March 11 July

Tankerman PIC DL — Simulator 10 days 25 January 22 February 2 May 13 June 25 July

Tankerman PIC DL — Accelerated Program 10 days Please call

Train the Trainer 5 days 14 December 11 January 29 February 4, 25 April 18 July

Train the Trainer — Simulator Instructors 5 days Please call

Vessel/Company Security Officer — Includes Anti-Piracy 3 days 14 March 13 June

Deck CoursesAdvanced Bridge Resource Management — Meets STCW 2010Leadership & Management gap closing requirements 5 days 14 December 18, 25 January 8 February 7 March 18, 25 April 9, 23 May 13 June

Advanced Shiphandling for Masters — (No equivalency) Must havesailed as Chief Mate Unlimited 5 days 29 February

Advanced Shiphandling for 3rd Mates — 60 days seatime equiv. for 3rdMates 10 days 4 January 29 February 9 May

Advanced & Emergency Shiphandling — First Class Pilots, Great Lakes 5 days 1 February

Bridge Resource Management Seminar 3 days Please call

Dynamic Positioning — Basic 5 days 1 February 2 May 25 July

Dynamic Positioning — Advanced 5 days 7 March 6 June

Integrated Bridge System (IBS) / Prodded Propulsion Training 5 days Please call

STCW Deck Officer Refresher — Great Lakes 3 days Please call

TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record) — Third Mate (Unlimited orGreat Lakes) or 1600T Master License required AND OICNW required 5 days 18 January 2, 23 May 18 July

Tug Training — ASD Assist (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 5 days 18 April 20 June

Engineering Courses

Basic Electricity 10 days 1 February 6 June

Diesel Crossover 4 weeks 8 February 11 July

Gas Turbine Endorsement 10 days Please call

High Voltage Safety Course (Classroom) 3 days 22 February 27 June

Hydraulics/ Pneumatics 5 days 28 March 27 June

Ocean Ranger Program 6 days Please call

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 5 days 15 February 20 June

Refrigeration (Operational Level) 5 days 7 March

Refrigeration (Management Level) 5 days 14 December 14 March

Steam Endorsement 4 weeks 11 January 6 June

Electronics (Management) — NEW 1 week Please call

Instrumentation (Management) — NEW 10 days Please call

Welding & Metallurgy Skills & Practices — Open to eligible Chief Mates and Masters on a space availablebasis. Interested participants should apply and will be confirmed 2 weeks prior to start date. 2 weeks 1 February 25 April

STCW 2010 Gap Closing Courses — Required by all existing STCW credentialed officers by 1 January 2017

Leadership & Management (required by ALL management level Deckand Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 14 Dec 4, 11, 18, 25

Jan1, 8, 15, 22Feb 7, 14, 28 March 4, 11, 18, 25

April 2, 9, 16, 23 May 6, 13, 20, 27June

4, 11, 18, 25July

Engine Room Resource Management — Classroom (Engineers)(Required by ALL Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 14 December 11, 25 January 8, 22 Feb 7, 28 March 11, 25 April 9, 23 May 13, 27 June 11, 25 July

Management of Electrical, Electronic Controllers (Engineers) (Requiredby ALL management level Engine officers by 1 Jan 2017) 5 days 4, 18 January 1, 15, 29 Feb 14 March 4, 18 April 2, 16 May 6, 20 June 4, 18 July

Leadership & Teamwork (Engineers) (Only required by those Engineerswho completed old ERM class) 1 day Leadership & Teamworking assessments, in the few cases required, should be completed and signed off onboard.

Basic Training & Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (Required by firstcredential renewal AFTER 1 Jan 2017) 2 days 1, 2, 4, 5 Feb 25, 26 April 7, 8 July

EFA (Scheduled with Basic Training Revalidation BUT NOT REQUIREDFOR STCW 2010) 1 day 3 Feb 27 April 6 July

American Maritime Officer • 9December 2015

Engine Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 15-14) — If sea service ortraining towards management level (1A/E — Chief Eng.) upgrade started ON OR AFTER 24 March 2014, you mustadhere to this new program of training. Completion of both required and optional courses listed below will includeall Task Assessments required by NVIC 15-14. By completing the series, no expiration limitation will be placed onyour STCW credential. See STAR Center’s website for full details: www.star-center.com/stcw2010-engine.upgrade.html.

Leadership & Managerial Skills (G500 asamended) 5 days 4 July

ERM (E050 as amended) 5 days Please call

Upgrade: Electrical, Electronics & ControlEngineering (Management Level) (E133 asamended)

10 days 11 July

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment —General Engineering & Procedure (E135 asamended)

5 days 25 July

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Motor(E120 as amended) 3 days Please call

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — Steam(E121 as amended) 5 days Please call

STCW Upgrade Task Assessment — GasTurbine (E122 as amended) 5 days Please call

Radar Courses

Radar Recertification 1 day 21, 22 January 29, 30, 31March 2, 3 June 7, 8 July

ARPA 4 days Please call

Radar Recertification & ARPA 5 days Please call

Original Radar Observer Unlimited 5 days Please call

MSC Training ProgramBasic CBR Defense 1 day 8 December 26 February 6 May 24 June

Damage Control 1 day 25 February 5 May 23 June

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 20 April

Helicopter Fire Fighting 1 day 26 January 24 May

Marine Environmental Programs (with CBRD) 1/2 day 26 February 6 May 24 June

Marine Sanitation Devices 1/2 day Please call

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: MSC approved 3 days Please call

MSC Readiness Refresher — Must have completed full CBRD & DC once incareer. 2 days 25 January 23 May

MSC Watchstander — BASIC — Once in career, SST grads grandfathered 2 days 11 February 21 April 9 June

MSC Watchstander — ADVANCED — Required for all SRF members 1 day 4 December 15 January 19 February 4, 18 March 15, 29 April 13 May 17 June 15, 29 July

MSC Ship Reaction Force — Required every three years for SRF members 3 days 22 February 2 May 20 June

Small Arms — Initial & Sustainment (Refresher) Training — Open tomembers & applicants eligible for employment through AMO (w/in 1 year) orMSC on MARAD contracted vessels.

4 days 14 December 11, 25 January 15, 29February 14, 28 March 11, 25 April 9, 23 May 13, 27 June 11, 25 July

Water Sanitation Afloat 1/2 day Please call

Engine STCW / Original Engineer Training Routes — Engine STCW training routes are aimedat Great Lakes members wishing to transition to deep sea. Original engineer training is available to members,applicants and sponsored students seeking an original license.

Advanced Fire Fighting 5 days 11 January 16 May

Basic Safety Training 5 days 25 January 23 May

EFA/MCP 4 days 4 January 10 May

Proficiency in Survival Craft (Lifeboat) 4 days 19 January 31 May

Basic Electricity (original engineers only) 10 days 1 February 6 June

Original 3 A/E Preparation and Exams A/R 15 February 20 June

NOTICE: AMO members planning to attend the union’s Center for Advanced Maritime Officers’ Training/STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida—either to prepare for license upgrading or to undergo specialty training—are asked to call theschool to confirm course schedule and space availability in advance.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: The Center For Advanced Maritime Officers Training (CAMOT) and Simulation Training Assessment and Research Center (STAR), established under the auspices of theAmerican Maritime Officers Safety and Education Plan, admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin or sex to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Center.It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or sex in administration of its educational policies, admission policies and other programs administered by the Center.

Deck Upgrade at the Management Level (Policy Letter 04-02) — This upgrade program is for those who started sea service or training towards management level (Chief Mate/Master) upgrade BEFORE 24March 2014. Failure to complete by 31 December 2016 will most likely result in significant delays and additional training or assessment requirements. Successful completion of this program will satisfy the training requirements forSTCW certification as Master or Chief Mate on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (ITC) under previous. This program will complete ALL 53 Control Sheet assessments of the training requirements for STCW under policy letter04-02. Course completion certificates and control sheets expire 12/31/16. Anyone using the previous regulations to upgrade in this manner must complete all requirements ,including USCG testing, by 12/31/16. Deck ManagementLevel gap closing training must also be completed by 12/31/16 in order for the new credential to valid after this date. SPECIFIC GUIDANCE CAN BE FOUND ON THE STAR CENTER WEBSITE AT https://www.star-center.com

Celestial Navigation — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 14 December 29 February 30 May

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hour homework 5 days 18 January 18 April

Cargo Operations 9 days 2 May

Marine Propulsion Plants 5 days 23 May

Upgrade: Stability 5 days 25 January 25 April

Watchkeeping 1: BRM 3 days 22 March 15 June

Watchkeeping 2: COLREGS 5 days 28 March 20 June

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 4 January 4 April 18 July

Search and Rescue 2 days 2 May 13 June

Shipboard Management 5 days 15 February 16 May

Upgrade: Advanced Navigation (includes Simulator) 5 days 7 March 6 June

ECDIS 5 days 14 December 14 March 13 June

Deck Upgrade — STCW 2010 — Management Level (NVIC 10-14)— If sea service or training towards management level (Chief Mate/Master) upgrade started ON OR AFTER 24 March 2014 you must adhereto this new program of training. Completion of both required and optional courses listed below will include all Task Assessments required by NVIC 10-14 , providing ECDIS, GMDSS and ARPA have been previously completed.

Upgrade: Shiphandling at the Management Level 10 days 4 January 4 April 18 July

Upgrade: Advanced Meteorology — Requires after-hours homework 5 days 18 January 18 April

Advanced Stability 5 days 25 January 25 April

Search & Rescue 2 1/2 days 1 February 2 May

Management of Medical Care 1/2 day 3 February 4 May

Leadership & Management 5 days 8 February 9 May

Advanced Cargo — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 15 February 16 May

Marine Propulsion Plants — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 22 February 23 May

Advanced Celestial — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 14 December 29 February 30 May

Advanced Navigation — Optional for task sign-off 5 days 7 March 6 June

Medical Courses

Heat Stress Afloat / Hearing Conservation Afloat 1 day 20 April

Elementary First Aid — Prerequisite for MCP within preceding 12 months 1 day 5 January 23 February 5 April 10 May 27 June 26 July

Medical Care Provider — Prerequisite for MPIC within preceding 12months. Please fax EFA certificate when registering 3 days 6 January 24 February 6 April 11 May 28 June 27 July

Medical PIC — Please fax MCP certificate when registering 5 days 11 January 29 February 11 April 16 May

Urinalysis Collector Training 1 day 14 December 22 February 7 March 9 May 25 July

Breath Alcohol Test (BAT) — Alco Sensors 3 and 4 only 1 day 15 December 8 March

Saliva Screening Test — QEDs only 1/2 day 16 December 9 March

Medical PIC Refresher — Note: MSC approved 3 days Please call

10 • American Maritime Officer December 2015

AMO NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

DANIA BEACH, FL 33004-4109601 S. Federal Highway(954) 921-2221 / (800) 362-0513Paul Doell, National President (pauldoell51@yahoo.com)Extension 1001 / Mobile: (954) 881-5651 / FAX: (954) 926-5112 Charles A. Murdock, National Secretary-Treasurer(cmurdock@amo-union.org)Extension 1004 / Mobile: (954) 531-9977 / FAX: (954) 367-1025Joseph Z. Gremelsbacker, National Vice President, Deep Sea(jgremelsbacker@amo-union.org)Extension 1009 / Mobile: (954) 673-0680 / FAX: (954) 367-1029Marie Doruth, Special Assistant to the National President(mdoruth@amo-union.org)Extension 1017 / Mobile: (954) 290-8109 / FAX: (954) 926-5112Dispatch: (800) 345-3410 / FAX: (954) 926-5126Brendan Keller, Dispatcher (bkeller@amo-union.org)Extension 1061 / Mobile: (954) 817-4000Robert Anderson, Dispatcher (randerson@amo-union.org)Extension 1060 / Mobile: (954) 599-9771Member Services: Extension 1050FAX: (954) 367-1066(memberservices@amo-union.org)

OFFICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024490 L’Enfant Plaza East SW, Suite 7204(202) 479-1166 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 7001Paul Doell, National President (pauldoell51@yahoo.com)Extension 7004Mobile: (954) 881-5651J. Michael Murphy, National Vice President, Government Relations(mmurphy@amo-union.org / mikemurphy68@aol.com)Extension 7013Mobile: (202) 560-6889T. Christian Spain, National Assistant Vice President, Government Relations(cspain@amo-union.org)Extension 7010Mobile: (202) 658-9635FAX: (202) 479-1188

PHILADELPHIA, PA 191132 International Plaza, Suite 336Robert J. Kiefer, National Executive Vice President (rkiefer@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 4001Mobile: (215) 859-1059FAX: (610) 521-1301Chris Holmes, Contract Analyst(cholmes@amo‐union.org)(800) 362‐0513 ext. 4002 / Mobile: (856) 693‐0694

UPDATE CREDENTIALS, DOCUMENTS, TRAINING RECORDSSecure File Upload: https://securetransfer.amo-union.org/E-mail: memberservices@amo-union.orgQuestions: (800) 362-0513 ext. 1050

TOLEDO, OH 43604The Melvin H. Pelfrey BuildingOne Maritime Plaza, Third Floor(800) 221-9395FAX: (419) 255-2350John E. Clemons, Special Assistant to the National President (Great Lakes)(johnclemons@amo-union.org) / Mobile: (419) 205-3509Brian D. Krus, Senior National Assistant Vice President(bkrus@amo-union.org) / Mobile: (216) 571-9666Michelle Moffitt, Dispatcher(mmoffitt@amo-union.org) / Mobile: (419) 481-3470

GALVESTON, TX 775512724 61st Street, Suite B, PMB 192David M. Weathers, National Vice President, Inland Waters(dweathers@amo-union.org)(800) 362-0513 ext. 2001Mobile: (409) 996-7362FAX: (409) 737-4454

SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND, CA 946071121 7th Street, Second FloorOakland, CA 94607Daniel E. Shea, National Assistant Vice President(dshea@amo-union.org)(510) 444-5301 / (800) 362-0513 ext. 5001Mobile: (415) 269-5795FAX: (954) 367-1064

NEW ORLEANS / COVINGTON, LA 70434P.O. Box 5424Covington, LA 70434Daniel J. Robichaux, National Assistant Vice President(drobichaux@amo-union.org)(954) 367-1036Mobile: (985) 201-5462FAX: (954) 367-1062

STAR CENTER

STUDENT SERVICES/LODGING AND COURSE INFORMATION2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004-4312(954) 920-3222 ext. 201 / (800) 942-3220 ext. 201Course Attendance Confirmation: (800) 942-3220 ext. 20024 Hours: (954) 920-3222 ext.7999 / FAX: (954) 920-3140

SERVICES

FINANCIAL ADVISERS: THE ATLANTIC GROUP AT MORGAN STANLEY(800) 975-7061 / www.morganstanleyfa.com/theatlanticgroup

MEDICAL CLINIC AMO PLANS2 West Dixie Highway 2 West Dixie HighwayDania Beach, FL 33004-4312 Dania Beach, FL 33004-4312(954) 927-5213 (800) 348-6515FAX: (954) 929-1415 FAX: (954) 922-7539

LEGAL

AMO Coast Guard Legal Aid Joel Glanstein, General CounselProgram David GlansteinMichael Reny 437 Madison Ave. 35th FloorMobile: (419) 346-1485 New York, NY 10022(419) 243-1105 (212) 370-5100(888) 853-4662 (954) 662-9407MikeReny@BEX.NET FAX: (212) 697-6299

U.S. Coast Guard implements new CG-719 forms

The following article was released by the U.S. Coast Guard’s NationalMaritime Center. Please note: Form CG-719K, Application for Merchant MarinerMedical Certificate, “signed by a physician after December 31, 2015, must be thenew form version.”

As of October 1, 2015, the United States Coast Guard has implemented the useof the new CG-719 series of forms (B, C, K, K/E, P, and S) that will replace theforms displaying a June 30, 2012, expiration date.

The Coast Guard will not stock the CG-719 series of forms in paper format.These forms may be obtained electronically in a PDF fillable format on the NationalMaritime Center (NMC) website (www.uscg.mil/nmc).

Additional updates to the NMC website will occur as quickly as possible toreflect the new forms.

The Coast Guard encourages providers and applicants to purge the old forms

from inventory and to begin using the new forms as soon as possible. In order to avoid penalizing mariners who have already completed their forms,

the NMC will continue to accept the old forms for a period of time. With the exception of forms K and K/E, the Coast Guard will no longer accept

outdated CG-719 forms after April 1, 2016. For the K and K/E, forms signed by a physician after December 31, 2015,

must be the new form version. In accordance with 46CFR10.304(d), the K orK/E must be submitted within 12 months of the date signed by a licensed med-ical professional; therefore, the Coast Guard will no longer accept outdated Kor K/E forms after December 31, 2016.

Mariners and other providers should contact the NMC Contact Center usingour chat function, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKN-MC (427-5662) with any questions regarding these forms.

Form CG-719K signed by physician after December 31, 2015 must be new version

American Maritime Officer • 11December 2015

ObituariesHerschel Logsdon, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died October 30, 2015, at

age 89. Edward Hardin, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died October 29, 2015, at age

87. He is survived by Ethel Hardin.William Parker, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 23, 2015, at age 66. Daniel Hayes, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died October 12, 2015, at

age 49. Thomas Pigott, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 11, 2015, at age 70. Dorothy Speed, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died October 8, 2015, at

age 94.Robert Portenier, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died October 2, 2015,

at age 99.Michael Holland, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 25. Dylan Meklin, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 23. Mitchell Kuflik, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 26.Danielle Randolph, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 34. Steven Shultz, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 54. He

is survived by Claudia Shultz.Richard Pusatere, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 34.

He is survived by Emily Pusatere.Jeffrey Mathias, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 42.

He is survived by Jennifer Mathias.Howard Schoenly, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 50.

He is survived by Karen Schoenly.Keith Griffin, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 33. He

is survived by Katie Griffin.Michael Davidson, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 53.

He is survived by Theresa Davidson.Jeremie Riehm, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 1, 2015, at age 46. He

is survived by Tina Riehm.Maik Darley, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died September 29, 2015, at age 61.

He is survived by Alison Darley.Robert Royds Jr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died September 29, 2015, at age

77. He is survived by Jeannie Royds.Jessie Griffin, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died September 18, 2015, at

age 91. Robert Werthman, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died September 5, 2015, at age

92. He is survived by Raedine Werthman.Louis Champa Sr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died August 29, 2015, at age 73.

He is survived by Valma Champa.Curtis Gautier, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died August 27, 2015, at age 76. He

is survived by Catherine Gautier.Edward Burns, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died August 13, 2015, at

age 68. Kenneth Goetz, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died August 8, 2015, at

age 68. He is survived by Nancy Goetz.Lloyd Ciszewski, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died July 31, 2015, at

age 62. He is survived by Katherine Ciszewski.Eugene Akens, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 31, 2015, at age 81. He is

survived by Barbara Akens.James Smith, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 28, 2015, at age 97. He is

survived by Fern Smith.George Grupillion, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 25, 2015, at age 68.

He is survived by Catherine Grupillion.Paul McGaharn, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 16, 2015, at age 77.James Logan, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 11, 2015, at age 81. He is

survived by Stella Logan.Thomas Cook, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died July 4, 2015, at age 53. He is

survived by Donna Cook.Robert Brantley, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 28, 2015, at age 59. He

is survived by Dorceline Alexander.Vernon Clanton, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 27, 2015, at age 74. Joseph Wilson Jr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 21, 2015, at age 62.

He is survived by Ivaneide Wilson.Bruce Arnold, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 20, 2015, at age 72. He is

survived by Gloria Arnold.Julian Morris, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 9, 2015, at age 71.Richard Parrish, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 4, 2015, at age 60. He

is survived by Janir Parrish.Michael Panagakos, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died June 3, 2015, at age 59. Thomas Conway, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 19, 2015, at age 62. James Jolly, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 19, 2015, at age 64. William Wilson, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 14, 2015, at age 58. He

is survived by Michelle Wilson.Jimmie Alexander, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died May 12, 2015,

at age 78. He is survived by Henrietta Alexander.Calvin Statham Sr., who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died May 1, 2015,

at age 61. Albert Rittiman, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died April 25, 2015, at

age 93. He is survived by Dorothy Rittiman.David Miller Jr., who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died May 25, 2015, at

age 87. Robert Hart, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 18, 2015, at age 79. He is

survived by Ann Hart.James Fernandez, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 14, 2015, at age 67. William Blakeman III, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died May 9, 2015, at age

57. He is survived by Marisa Blakeman.

Christopher Blake Sr., who sailed inland waters with AMO, died May 6, 2015, atage 71. He is survived by Mercedis Blake.

Horace Anderson, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died March 30, 2015,at age 84.

Jonathan Newhouse, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died March 29, 2015, at age 61. Edward Clifton, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died March 17, 2015, at age 89. Douglas Curtis, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died March 9, 2015, at age 87. John Chaker, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died March 4, 2015, at age 86. He

survived by Miljenka Chaker. Thomas Bradley, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died March 2, 2015, at

age 60. He is survived by Paula Bradley.Rex Lowman, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died February 28, 2015, at age 74.

He is survived by Claudia Lowman.Leonard Kittleson, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died February 25,

2015, at age 87.Robert Smith, who sailed inland waters with AMO, died February 23, 2015, at age

63. He is survived by Sandra Smith.Elliot Lycette, who sailed inlands waters with AMO, died February 9, 2015, at age

71. He is survived by Judy Lycette.James Young, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died February 7, 2015, at age 69. Wayne Morgan, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died February 7, 2015,

at age 66. He is survived by Frances Morgan.Reginald Ferran, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died February 3, 2015, at age 62. Derrell Sage, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died February 1, 2015, at age 81. He

is survived by Frances Sage.Martin Killeen, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 31, 2015, at age 85. Rolando Ismael, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 30, 2015, at age 74.Frank Cicero, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died January 29, 2015, at

age 75. He is survived by Gloria Cicero.George Nutbrown Jr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 26, 2015, at age

56. He is survived by Rebekah Nutbrown.John Raulerson, who sailed inland water with AMO, died January 24, 2015, at age

64. He is survived by Mary Hamlett-Raulerson.Adam Satterfield, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 23, 2015, at age 25. William O’Steen, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died January 23, 2015,

at age 71.George Davis, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died January 18, 2015, at

age 90. Herbert Wilson, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died January 15, 2015,

at age 86. He is survived by Shirley Wilson.David Schutte, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 14, 2015, at age 70. Stanley Rozowski, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died January 23, 2015,

at age 91. He is survived by Beverly Pierce.Barry Prosak, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died January 11, 2015, at

age 61. John Brown, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died January 5, 2015, at age 75. He is

survived by Mary Brown.Steven Walters, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died December 29, 2014, at age 57.Allan McCoy, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died December 28, 2014, at age 64.

He is survived by Marie McCoy.Sydney Griffin, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died December 28, 2014, at age 76.

He is survived by Marie McCoy.David Jensen, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died December 22, 2014,

at age 61. He is survived by Colleen Jensen.Arthur Davis, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died December 18, 2014,

at age 78. George Ingalls, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died December 14, 2014,

at age 82. He is survived by Yvonne Ingalls.Gerald Hassett, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died December 12, 2014,

at age 83. Milton Israel II, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died December 10, 2014,

at age 45. He is survived by Risa Israel.William Bossick, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died December 9, 2014, at age 85. Hugh Davison, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died December 5, 2014, at age 80.

He is survived by Minette Davison.Dennis Doherty, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died December 3, 2014, at age 75.

He is survived by Margaret Doherty.Kenneth Gumtow, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died December 3,

2014, at age 88. He is survived by Lucille Gumtow.William McCoy, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died December 1, 2014,

at age 86. Robert Hoyt, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 28, 2014, at age 75.William Cantua, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 23, 2014, at age 89. Marijan Ciklic, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 22, 2014, at age 26. Jesse Chasteen Jr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 20, 2014, at age

59. He is survived by Linda Chasteen.Robert Brownell, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 18, 2014, at age

72. He is survived by Caldonia Brownell.Malvin Chandler, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 16, 2014, at

age 90. Jackson Forest Jr., who sailed deep sea with AMO, died November 11 2014, at age

86. He is survived by Hilda Forest.Hugh Bannister, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died November 10,

2014, at age 90. He is survived by Sally Bannister.Frank Stelzer, who sailed on the Great Lakes with AMO, died November 1, 2014,

at age 80. He is survived by Patricia Stelzer.Kenneth Donahue, who sailed deep sea with AMO, died October 24, 2014, at age 61.

12 • American Maritime Officer December 2015

Regular monthly membership meetings for AMO will be held during theweek following the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. local time.Meetings will be held on Monday at AMO National Headquarters (onTuesday when Monday is a contract holiday). The next meetings willtake place on the following dates:

AMO National Headquarters: January 4, February 8

Inouye AwardContinued from Page 6try. His work has been immensely importantto my home state of Washington,” saidSenator Murray. “I’m honored to receive thisaward in the name of a true American mar-itime advocate. As Senator Inouye did duringhis tenure, I will continue to work with mem-bers of Congress to support legislation thatsustains the strength of this vital industrywhile honoring the maritime initiativesSenator Inouye worked tirelessly to uphold.”

“Dan was widely respected for hismoral courage and his commitment to work-ing in a bipartisan fashion,” said IreneHirano Inouye, wife of Sen. Inouye andAdvisory Committee Member. “It is withfull confidence I can say Sen. Murray exem-plifies that same commitment to theMerchant Marine and therefore it is withpride of my husband’s memory that she was

selected for this award.”Prior to his death, Sen. Daniel K.

Inouye had a distinguished tenure of morethan 49 years of serving Hawaii in the U.S.Senate, the longest serving member to date.As president pro tempore of the Senate from2010-2012 — third in line of presidentialsuccession — Sen. Inouye was the highest-ranking public official of Asian descent inUnited States history. For his heroic actionsas a member of the famed 442nd RegimentalCombat Team — resulting in the loss of hisright arm — the World War II veteran ulti-mately earned the nation’s highest award formilitary valor, the Medal of Honor.

Following the ceremony, TomAllegretti, Chairman of the AmericanMaritime Partnership, the voice of thedomestic maritime industry, issued a state-ment calling Sen. Murray “a tireless support-er of our industry and a worthy recipient ofthis award named in honor of one ofAmerica’s greatest heroes.”

AMO Medical Plan announces partnership withBlue Cross/Blue Shield and American Benefit Corp.

The following letter dated November20, 2015 has been sent to active participantsin the American Maritime Officers MedicalPlan. This letter was mailed with the 2016Summary of Benefits and Coverage for AMOMedical Plan Type A (active) participants,which is also available on the AMO Planswebsite (www.amoplans.com). Similar let-ters with information specific to other AMOMedical Plan participants, such as retirees,have been sent by mail.

The Board of Trustees (the“Trustees”) of the American MaritimeOfficers Medical Plan (the “Plan”) ispleased to announce our joint partnershipwith Blue Cross/Blue Shield (“BC/BS”)and American Benefit Corporation(“ABC”) as the new Third PartyAdministrator for the Plan, effectiveJanuary 1, 2016. The transition fromUMR/United Healthcare to BC/BS andABC will provide the greatest flexibility ofan independent TPA and the strength of thelargest nationwide network through BC/BS.

The Trustees took participants’ con-cerns, the rising cost of health care, and thedeeper discounted rates provided by BC/BSinto consideration when electing to makethis transition. There is no change in your

benefits as a result of this transition. Thedeeper discounts provided through theBC/BS network will result in lower out ofpocket costs for our members and a finan-cial savings for the Plan. The personalizedservice will continue to be provided to ourparticipants directly through the AMOMedical Plan office.

Is my doctor in-network?The easiest way to find out is to log

into http://provider.bcbs.com and choosethe Bluecard PPO/EPO from the networkdrop down menu to search for yourprovider, or simply contact the Plan officefor assistance. Always contact the providerprior to any services to make sure they areaccepting new patients and are still a partic-ipating provider with BC/BS.

What’s next?In the coming month, you will

receive new BC/BS medical ID cards.Please make sure to present your newBC/BS medical ID card to your providerprior to any medical services rendered on orafter January 1, 2016 and ask them toupdate your medical insurance information.Once you receive your new ID cards, make

sure to destroy the previous UMR ID cards.If you have not received the new BC/BSmedical ID cards by January 1, 2016 orrequire additional ID cards, please contactthe Plan office. Please note that the newBC/BS medical ID cards will only reflectthe primary member’s name.

What about my prescription drugcoverage?

There is currently no change to thePlan’s prescription drug benefit. You cancontinue to use your current EnvisionPrescription Drug cards; however, foradded convenience, your new BC/BS IDcards will also include the Envision RxOptions information that is needed to fill aprescription.

What about my Direct MemberReimbursement Claims?

All claims that require direct memberreimbursement (Dental, Optical,Scholarship and Disability) will continue tobe sent to the AMO Medical Plan office forprocessing. This also includes any medicalservices paid up front such as services ren-dered outside the U.S. that may be subjectto reimbursement by the Plan.

2016 Summary of Benefits Coverage(SBC)

Enclosed with this letter is your2016 Summary of Benefits andCoverage (SBC), which is provided toyou as is required by the federal PatientProtection and Affordable Care Act (the“Act”, also known as “Health CareReform”). Benefit changes for 2016include the removal of limitations onmental health and substance use disor-der benefits pursuant to the MentalHealth Parity and Equity Addition Actof 2008. These changes were effectiveOctober 1, 2015 and were communicat-ed to participants in a written noticedated August 1, 2015.

As always, the Plan will continueto provide you with excellent customerservice.

If you have any questions or concernsrelated to the Plan’s benefits, please contactthe Plan office at (800) 348-6515, ext. 12 orby e-mail (amomedical@amoplans.com).

Sincerely,

AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERSMEDICAL PLAN

AMO 401(k) Plan calendar year 2014 Summary Annual ReportThis is a summary of the annual report for American Maritime Officers 401k Plan,

EIN 11-2978754, Plan No. 002, for period January 01, 2014 through December 31, 2014.The annual report has been filed with the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S.Department of Labor, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of1974 (ERISA).

Basic Financial StatementBenefits under the plan are provided by a trust fund. Plan expenses were $24,796,841.

These expenses included $813,412 in administrative expenses, $23,865,688 in benefits paidto participants and beneficiaries, and $117,741 in other expenses. A total of 3,631 personswere participants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the plan year, although not allof these persons had yet earned the right to receive benefits.

The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $331,138,894 asof December 31, 2014, compared to $317,822,071 as of January 01, 2014. During the planyear the plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $13,316,823. This increase includesunrealized appreciation and depreciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the differencebetween the value of the plan’s assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at thebeginning of the year or the cost of assets acquired during the year. The plan had totalincome of $38,113,664, including employer contributions of $2,387,007, employee contri-butions of $16,734,698, earnings from investments of $17,577,797, and other income of$1,414,162.

Your Rights To Additional InformationYou have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on

request. The items listed below are included in that report:• an accountant’s report; • financial information; • information on payments to service providers; • assets held for investment; • fiduciary information, including non-exempt transactions between the plan and

parties-in-interest (that is, persons who have certain relationships with the plan); • information regarding any common or collective trusts, pooled separate accounts,

master trusts or 103-12 investment entities in which the plan participates.To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call the office

of Board of Trustees American Maritime Officers 401k Plan at 2 West Dixie Highway,Dania Beach, FL 33004-4312, or by telephone at (954) 920-4247. The charge to cover copy-ing costs will be $0.15 per page.

You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at nocharge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or astatement of income and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both. If yourequest a copy of the full annual report from the plan administrator, these two statementsand accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copyingcosts given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the reportbecause these portions are furnished without charge.

You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the mainoffice of the plan (Board of Trustees American Maritime Officers 401k Plan, 2 West DixieHighway, Dania Beach, FL 33004-4312) and at the U.S. Department of Labor inWashington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment ofcopying costs. Requests to the Department should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room,Room N1513, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.