COVID-19 Safety Updates

Maritime Unions Push for Vaccine Access

The following letter, dated January 8 and signed by eight presidents of U.S. seagoing labor unions, including SIU President Michael Sacco, was sent to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Chairman of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Dr. Jose Romero. U.S. seagoing labor: Access to COVID-19 vaccine for deep-sea…

Algonac Hall Reopens Jan. 11

The hiring hall in Algonac, Michigan, has been closed for precautionary reasons. The hall will reopen Monday morning, Jan. 11. ###

Algonac Hall Closed for Precautionary Reasons

The hiring hall in Algonac, Michigan, will be closed for (at minimum) the work week beginning January 4, but members can still conduct business with the hall via phone. The hall’s telephone number is (810) 794-4988. We’ll post an update when more information is available. ###

Coast Guard Posts Updates on Credentials, Med Certs

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued the following Marine Safety Information Bulletin. To open a PDF copy, click HERE COVID-19 – Mariner Credentials Extension of Merchant Mariner Credential Endorsements, Medical Certificates and Course Approvals This update to MSIB 08-20 provides guidance concerning mariner credentials, medical certificates and course approvals, and the action being taken by…

SIU Absentee Ballot Requests Due by Dec. 1

Seafarers are reminded that the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot in the union’s 2020 election was extended. Requests must be received at headquarters by Dec. 1, 2020. Contact your port agent for more information. ###

Anchorage Hall Temporarily Closes

The hiring hall in Anchorage, Alaska, is closed until further notice, for precautionary reasons. SIU members who want to vote at the hall and who need a ballot are asked to contact the office of SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel at (301) 899-0675. Arrangements will be made to help you secure your ballot. ###

Jacksonville Hiring Hall Temporarily Closes

The hiring hall in Jacksonville, Florida, is closed until further notice, for precautionary reasons. Members can still conduct business with the hall via phone and email. The phone number is (904) 281-2622. We’ll post an update as soon as possible. ###

Coast Guard Updates MMC, STCW Extensions

The U.S. Coast Guard has posted the following Marine Safety Information Bulletin, dated Sept. 30. The bulletin is linked on the agency's website HERE. For Seafarers, the two most significant changes are: Merchant Mariner Credentials National Endorsements: Under 46 USC Section 7507, Merchant Mariner Credentials may only be extended for up to one year from…

NMC Offers Tips for Document Renewals

The U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center posted the following news item on Sept. 23. Both the headline and the link at the end of the notice go to a PDF version. COVID-19 Impacts to Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) Application Processing Times The National Maritime Center (NMC) continues to experience increased MMC application net processing…

3 Halls Temporarily Closing

For precautionary reasons, the following hiring halls are closed until further notice: Philadelphia; Baltimore; and Jersey City, New Jersey. Those halls will be reachable by phone during normal business hours, and members can still conduct business with them. We will post an update as soon as possible, but anticipate the closures lasting approximately one week.…
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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.