The following news release was issued by the International Transportation Workers Federation (ITF), to which the SIU is affiliated. ITF wins freedom for hunger-striking seafarers after two years trapped on the ULA Nineteen seafarers from India, Bangladesh, Turkey and Azerbaijan will be able to see their families again this week…
Jun
17
Jun
15
One of the SIU’s contracted operators is activating a pair of oceangoing tugs. Qualified individuals who are interested in applying for the related job openings are encouraged to email resumes to [email protected] and [email protected] for review. Feel free to call the hiring hall in Houston as well: (713) 659-5152. Each…
Jun
14
According to the latest pandemic-era guidance on merchant mariner credentials (MMC) from the U.S. Coast Guard, those documents “may only be extended for up to one year from their date of expiration. Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) that expire between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 are…
Jun
14
The U.S. Maritime Administration issued the following news item on June 14: Nation’s Shipyards Support $42.4 Billion in Gross Domestic Product New Maritime Administration report also finds private shipyards provide more than 107,000 direct jobs. WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the release…
Jun
14
The U.S. Coast Guard recently posted the following news item, which is available on the agency's Maritime Commons blog HERE. The first link below goes to a three-page Marine Safety Information Bulletin on the same subject. Update to mask requirement for persons aboard vessels On June 10, 2021, CDC announced…
Jun
14
From the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO: White House Announces Transparency Program for Jones Act Waivers In an effort to promote Made-in-America goods and services, the White House, through its newly created Made in America Office, released a 15-page guidance dealing with proposed waivers to federal departments and agencies. “Transparent reporting…
Jun
11
The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent, crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division, rescued 15 people from a sinking commercial vessel off the coast of Somalia on June 8. Mariners from the distressed runaway-flag cargo ship Falcon Line (some are pictured above) boarded life rafts…
Jun
11
As of June 10, 2021, at least two-dozen countries have opened to U.S. travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The travel website AFAR is maintaining a one-page list of such nations at the following link: https://www.afar.com/magazine/travelers-with-covid-vaccines-can-visit-these-countries That post includes at least two other links, both for U.S. State Department…
Jun
09
From NOAA: Marine economy in 2019 outpaced U.S. economy overall American ‘blue economy’ accounted for nearly $397 billion America’s marine economy contributed about $397 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2019 and grew faster than the nation’s economy as a whole, according to the most current results of…
Jun
02
U.S. Representative Chairs Maritime Safety Committee A longtime advocate of U.S. mariners recently made a splash on the international scene. Mayte Medina of the U.S. Coast Guard was unanimously elected as the committee chair during the first day the 103rd session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) on…