COVID-19 Safety Updates

Apr14

Seafarers 401(K) Plan Adopts Changes to Help Participants

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law in late March, seeks to assist workers impacted by COVID-19 by increasing access to retirement plan account savings (among many other goals). The Seafarers 401(K) Plan has implemented the available options contained in the CARES Act so participants may choose to…
Apr08

May Membership Meetings Cancelled

Per executive board action, the SIU’s membership meetings originally scheduled for May have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. No decisions have been made concerning the June meetings. ###
Apr06

USCG: COVID-19 TWIC Operations

The following news release was issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. To access it on the agency's website, click HERE. COVID 19 – Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®) Operations The uninterrupted flow of commerce on our Marine Transportation System (MTS) is critical to both National Security and National economic well-being. During this National emergency for…
Apr02

Update from SHBP

For a PDF copy of this announcement, click HERE UPDATE FROM SEAFARERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS PLAN IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan has implemented some new benefits in response to this pandemic, in order to help protect the health of mariners and their families. The following is information about these benefits,…
Mar30

Agency Posts National Maritime Center Updates

The U.S. Coast Guard posted the following update on March 30. It's available on the agency's website HERE. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Update #2 This notice outlines operational changes at the National Maritime Center (NMC) due to COVID-19. All 17 Regional Examination Centers (REC) and 3 Monitoring Units (MU) remain closed to the public until…
Mar30

USCG: Essential Maritime Workers

The following news release was issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. For a PDF version, click HERE. Maintaining Maritime Commerce and Identification of Essential Maritime Critical Infrastructure Workers The uninterrupted flow of commerce on our Marine Transportation System (MTS) is critical to both National Security and economic vitality. During the ongoing national emergency, it is…
Mar30

USCG: COVID-19 Drug Testing Compliance

The following news release was issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. For a PDF version, click HERE. COVID-19 – Guidance for Maritime Operators on Compliance with Federal Drug Testing Requirements To help protect our essential maritime workforce, while also ensuring drug testing continues to serve as a deterrent, the Coast Guard is providing the following…
Mar27

American Steamship Co. Announces Restriction to Ships

The following communication was sent March 27 by Seafarers-contracted American Steamship Company: ALL AMERICAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY VESSEL EMPLOYEES ARE RESTRICTED TO SHIP EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THROUGH APRIL 22, 2020. ONLY INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE VESSEL’S OPERATION MAY BOARD COMPANY VESSELS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Once crew members arrive to their assigned ships, they are permitted…
Mar23

Message from SIU President Michael Sacco to Seafarers

Dear SIU Brothers and Sisters: Thank you for your dedication, professionalism and patience as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. Through your sacrifices and service, you are writing a significant chapter in SIU history. While the worst part of the pandemic is, obviously, loss of life, I think the other greatest difficulty is not…
Mar20

Important Message to Seafarers

Friday, March 20, 2020 In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the SIU and Seafarers Plans have taken or will take the following steps. Please keep in mind that – without exception – all of these measures are being done with your safety and well-being at the forefront. Like practically every other organization, we are regularly…
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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.