From the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center: Requirement to Submit Merchant Mariner Credential User Fees via the Pay.gov Website The Coast Guard has issued a final rule updating the accepted required payment method for mariner credentialing fees. Effective January 19, 2025, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Examination…
Dec
23
Dec
23
From the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center: Change to Oath Requirement Effective December 17, 2024, the National Maritime Center (NMC) will no longer require applicants for original merchant mariner credentials (MMCs) to take an oath before an authorized official or notary. In the final rule published on December 17, 2024,…
Dec
19
The following news item was issued by the office of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona). SIU President David Heindel is quoted in the release; the SIU fully supports this legislation. Sen. Kelly, Sen. Young, Rep. Garamendi, Rep. Kelly Introduce SHIPS for America Act to Revitalize US Shipbuilding and Commercial Maritime…
Dec
18
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued the following announcement. It's also available on the agency's website HERE. Mariner Credentialing Program Transformation Final Rule The Coast Guard has issued a final rule updating the accepted required payment method for mariner credentialing fees, removing the requirement for prospective mariners to take an…
Dec
12
The following news release was issued by the AFL-CIO on December 11. It can also be viewed here. Labor leaders, members of Congress urge the Senate to repeal GPO-WEP. Sen. Schumer announced he will bring repeal bill to a vote. The GPO and WEP are outdated provisions that unfairly cut the Social…
Dec
12
The following news release was issued by the AFL-CIO on Dec. 11. It can also be viewed here. AFL-CIO President on Senate Vote to Reconfirm Lauren McFerran as NLRB Chair After senators blocked the reconfirmation of Lauren McFerran as chair of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), AFL-CIO President Liz…
Dec
04
SIU-contracted American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier has issued the following news item: M/V ARC Endeavor Replaces M/V Endurance in Maritime Security Program Endurance to Remain in American Fleet PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) is pleased to announce that M/V ARC Endeavor entered the Maritime Security Program (MSP) fleet on December 1, further strengthening ARC’s…
Dec
03
The following news release was issued by the Seafarers-affiliated International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) on November 29. SIU President David Heindel also serves as the Chair of the ITF Seafarers' Section. ITF joins affiliate unions in Geneva to demand fair treatment of seafarersTrade unions from around the world join ILO…
Dec
02
The following press release was issued by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on December 1. It can also be viewed here. The merchant vessels mentioned in the release are the SIU-crewed Liberty Grace, Maersk Saratoga, and Stena Impeccable. CENTCOM Forces Defeat Houthi Attacks on U.S. Navy and U.S.-Flagged Ships in Gulf…