COVID-19 Safety Updates

Unions Call for Immediate Assistance with Overseas Crew Changes

The presidents of six U.S. maritime unions have contacted the U.S. Secretary of State and the U.S. Secretary of Defense with an urgent call to facilitate overseas reliefs for American mariners. The full text of the letter, dated May 28, appears below. A PDF version is available HERE. Signing the letter were SIU President Michael…

Updates on Crew Changes, June Meetings and More

As of this writing, the union has returned to approximately 70 percent of its normal volume of crew changes. For the most part, things are going well – but we know there are exceptions, especially with the overseas shuttle ships. The SIU is actively coordinating with the vessel operators, State Department, Department of Defense, U.S.…

COVID-19 Hits USNS Grumman; Keep Your Guard Up

Update for SIU Members At least 22 mariners aboard the Military Sealift Command vessel USNS Leroy Grumman have tested positive for COVID-19. The vessel’s crew includes CIVMARS from the SIU Government Services Division. The Grumman has been in a Boston shipyard since January. All crew members recently were evacuated from the vessel and put into…

SHBP Notice

During the course of this COVID-19 pandemic, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan has relaxed certain time limits for COBRA coverage and for the submission of appeals for denied medical claims. For detailed information on these changes, you can contact the claims department or the membership assistance department at 800 252-4674. ###

Message to Seafarers Concerning Larger-Scale Resumption of Crew Changes

April 30, 2020 Dear Seafarers: The SIU, considering the overall health and safety of our crews, last month proposed a 30-day moratorium on crew changes, along with ship restriction. These were mutually agreed to by the union and the companies of the American Maritime Association (AMA), which are signatory to the SIU standard freightship and tanker…

NMC: Renewal Exams by Email

The following news release was issued by the National Maritime Center. New Electronic Mail (E-mail) Renewal Examinations On May 1, 2020, the National Maritime Center (NMC) will launch a centralized electronic delivery process (via e-mail) for renewal examinations.  This change provides mariners the ability to request, complete, and submit renewal examinations by e-mail and will…

SIU Election Message to All Members

Dear SIU Brothers and Sisters: In addition to 2020 being a presidential election year, we are also scheduled to conduct our union election. While we still plan to run the SIU election as usual pursuant to the union’s constitution, we are taking extra steps in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to help ensure the ongoing…

Message to SIU Members Concerning Upcoming Crew Changes

April 16, 2020 Dear Seafarers: Working closely with the union’s contracted companies, the union is planning to move forward with phasing in larger-scale crew changes beginning on or around April 30. We will post and circulate a more-detailed communication in the near future, but in the meantime wanted to provide this update. Members who are…

TWIC Expiration Dates Extended

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on April 15 announced that it is extending the expiration dates of certain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC). The agency’s notice in the Federal Register reads in part: “TSA will extend the expiration date of TWICs that expired on or after March 1, 2020, by 180 days. DATES: This exemption…

State Department Passport Notice

The following news release was issued by the U.S. State Department on April 13. The PDF is available here. As noted in the release, Passport Services will accommodate mariners whose current valid passport expires within 13 months, and those who need a passport for international voyages. NOTICE TO MARINERS WITH INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES April 13, 2020…

Wilmington Hall Update (July 13, 2020) (message HERE)

Message from Maritime Union Presidents (July 10, 2020) (message HERE)

Delay in Reopening of Houston Hall (July 9, 2020) (message HERE)

Regional Examination Center Closure Update (July 8, 2020) (message HERE)

Hiring Hall Updates and Reminders (July 8, 2020) (message HERE)

Wilmington Hall Closing (July 2, 2020) (message HERE)

Jersey Hall Reopening July 6 (message HERE)

Maersk Idaho Update (June 26, 2020) (message HERE)

Houston Hall Closing (June 26, 2020) (message HERE)

Important Message to Seafarers Concerning SIU Election (June 24, 2020) (message HERE)

Message to Seafarers Concerning Recent COVID-19 Cases, Ongoing Need for Vigilance (June 23, 2020) (message HERE)

Jersey City Hall Closing (June 22, 2020) (message HERE)

July Meetings Cancelled (message HERE)

Paul Hall Center Reopens August 1 (message HERE) (PHC Health Questionnaire/Acknowledgement form HERE)

COVID-19 Pre-Entry Questionnaire Posted (message HERE, direct link to questionnaire HERE)

Hiring Halls to Reopen June 15 (June 4, 2020) (message HERE)

USCG: Extension of MMC Endorsements, Certificates (June 4, 2020) (message HERE)

Unions Call for Immediate Assistance with Overseas Crew Changes (May 28, 2020) (message HERE)

Updates on Crew Changes, June Meetings and More (May 27, 2020) (message HERE)

USNS Grumman News Plus Other Updates (May 14, 2020) (message HERE)

SHBP Brief (May 5, 2020) (message HERE)

Message to Seafarers Concerning Larger-Scale Resumption of Crew Changes (April 30, 2020) (message HERE)

NMC: Renewal Exams by Email (April 23, 2020)

SIU Election Message to All Members (April 17) (message HERE)

Message to Seafarers Concerning Upcoming Crew Changes (April 16, 2020) (message HERE)

TWIC Expiration Dates Extended (April 16, 2020) (article HERE)

State Department Passport Notice (April 14, 2020)

Seafarers 401(K) Plan adopts changes to help participants (article HERE)

The SIU’s May membership meetings have been cancelled (brief announcement HERE)

USCG: COVID-19 TWIC Operations

For an update from Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (April 2), click HERE

USCG: Essential Maritime Workers

USCG: COVID-19 Drug Testing Compliance

National Maritime Center Update (March 30, 2020)

Important Mariner Credentials Update (March 30, 2020)

American Steamship Company’s restriction-to-ship communication is located HERE.

A message from SIU President Michael Sacco to Seafarers is available HERE

A detailed update (originally posted March 20) from the SIU is located HERE.

For the latest guidance and news from the U.S. Coast Guard, click here.