The U.S. Maritime Administration has issued the following communication: U.S. Maritime Alert 2023-004A Threat Type: Multiple Projectiles Geographic Area: Red Sea There are reports that multiple drones and missiles were launched from Yemen into the Red Sea region on October 19, 2023. Exercise caution when transiting this area. U.S. commercial…
Oct
24
Oct
23
The following statement has been issued by a group of American maritime labor organizations, including the SIU: A broad coalition of American maritime and transportation unions has registered its strong opposition to a proposal that would promote the operation of United States-owned vessels with foreign crews. The proposal, part of…
Oct
23
From the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center: Final Rule for Towing Vessel Firefighting Training The Coast Guard has issued a final rule revising the training requirements for national Merchant Mariner Credential endorsements as master of towing vessels (limited) or mate (pilot) of towing vessels on inland waters (other than…
Oct
19
The Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration recently issued the following news item. The release is available on the agency's website HERE. USDOT Strengthens Economic Supply Chain and Defense Operations Tuesday, October 17, 2023 New investments in the Maritime Security and Tanker Security Programs expand the U.S.-flagged fleet while strengthening support…
Oct
13
Seafarers-contracted Overseas Shipholding Group has issued the following news item. To access the release on OSG's website, click or tap HERE. Overseas Shipholding Group Purchases Vessel from BP Alaskan Frontier to be reactivated – expected in-service availability by 4th Quarter 2024 TAMPA, Fla. – Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (“OSG”) announced…
Oct
05
The United Seamen's Service has issued the following news item: 54th ANNUAL USS ADMIRAL OF THE OCEAN SEA (AOTOS) AWARD TO HONOR MARK W. BARKER, GEORGE PASHA, IV, AND ADAM VOKAC U. S. MARITIME COMMUNITY’S PREMIER EVENT TO BE HELD DECEMBER 1, 2023 IN NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY, October…
Oct
04
The U.S. Maritime Administration has issued the following advisory, available on the agency's website HERE MSCI Advisory 2023-013-Various-GPS Interference & AIS Spoofing This advisory cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2023-005 1. Reference: None. 2. Issue: Instances of significant GPS interference have been reported worldwide in the maritime domain. This interference can…
Oct
04
The U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center recently issued the following announcement: Acceptance of STCW Assessments Performed by Assessors Who Are Not Coast Guard-Approved Qualified Assessors The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published Change 4 to Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 19-14, Policy on Qualified Assessors. Notable among…
Sep
29
Chris Westbrook, whose career with the SIU spans 30 years, is the union’s newest assistant vice president. SIU President David Heindel recommended Westbrook for the post, and the union’s executive board approved the proposal. “Chris has earned the complete confidence of everyone in the SIU,” Heindel stated. “I know he’ll…
Sep
29
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), to which the SIU is affiliated, has issued the following news item. SIU President David Heindel, quoted in the release, serves as Chair of the federation’s Seafarers’ Section. ITF recovers almost $120 million in unpaid wages for seafarers over last three years Inspectors from…