COVID-19 Safety Updates

New Orleans Hall Reopens May 6

UPDATE: THE HALL IS REOPENING THURSDAY, MAY 6 The hiring hall in New Orleans is closed until further notice, for precautionary reasons. It may reopen later this week, but in any case, we'll post an update ASAP. Members can still conduct business with the hall by phone: (504) 328-7545 ###

Reminder: Vaccinations Available May 3 at Houston Hall

SIU members and their families can register for the May 3 event HERE. Seafarers and their family members who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 are invited to the hiring hall in Houston for a free vaccination drive on May 3 (a Monday) from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Vaccines will be provided by United Memorial…

Tacoma Hall Reopening

UPDATE: THE HALL IS REOPENING MAY 3 The hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington, is closed until further notice, for precautionary reasons. We’ll post an update as soon as possible. Members can still reach the hall by phone: (253) 272-7774. ###

Vaccinations Available May 3 at Houston Hall

UPDATE (April 26): Members and their families can register for the May 3 event HERE. Seafarers and their family members who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 are invited to the hiring hall in Houston for a free vaccination drive on May 3 (a Monday) from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Vaccines will be provided by…

Reminder: Survey Aims to Assist Mariners

As previously reported, Seafarers are asked to consider participating in an anonymous survey (“Mariner Mental Health Needs during COVID-19”) conducted by the University of Washington. As noted on the landing page: “Results from this survey will be used by federal agencies, vessel owners/operators, mariner unions, maritime training institutions, seafarer welfare organizations and MTS stakeholders to…

Vaccination Guide Available

The International Chamber of Shipping, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Intertanko and the International Maritime Health Association have teamed up to publish “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccination for Seafarers and Shipping Companies: A Practical Guide.” The document – available in PDF form HERE and also linked on the ITF website HERE – is a quick read…

Norfolk Hall Reopens

The hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia, has reopened as of this morning (Thursday, March 25). The hall had been closed for precautionary reasons. ###

COVID-19 MSIB Updated

The U.S. Coast Guard recently issued the following update to Marine Safety Information Bulletin 02-21. For a PDF copy, click HERE. Both of the following links appear in the MSIB, but Seafarers are encouraged to check out the related Coast Guard FAQ HERE and the related CDC FAQ HERE. The CDC page requires some scrolling…

Norfolk Hall Closes for Precautionary Reasons

The hiring hall in Norfolk, Virginia, is closed until further notice (effective Tuesday morning, March 23), for precautionary reasons. Members can still reach the hall and conduct business by phone at (757) 622-1892. We’ll post an update when one is available. ###

IMO Posts Update on Crew Changes

The International Maritime Organization recently posted this update on the global crew-change crisis. It's available on the IMO website HERE. Crew change crisis is far from over and issues around vaccination need to be resolved. The crew change crisis caused by COVID-19 restrictions continues to cause challenges, despite some improvement in the numbers, the Secretary-General…
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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.