MARINE ENGINEERS' BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO)
         "On Watch in Peace and War Since 1875"

MEBA TELEX TIMES       JUNE 26, 2009

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 26

In this issue...
Force protection for U.S. ships in high-risk piracy areas approved in House...LoBiondo bill protects mariners from liability during pirate attacks...Important 401(k) plan news...Facebook support group for M.E.B.A. spouses...At fever pitch, we run amuck and stir up a free-for-all, melee edition that causes quite a commotion. Don't go into hysterics over unruly, helter-skelter weeklies that'll have you pushing the panic button. We read them the riot act and make a fuss with a maritime media frenzy that raises a ruckus. The Telex Times is pure pandemonium!

CUMMINGS WINS HOUSE APPROVAL FOR FORCE PROTECTION ABOARD U.S. SHIPS IN PIRACY INFESTED WATERS
Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) has advanced a proposal championed by M.E.B.A. and other maritime unions that would put DOD embarked security teams (EST) aboard U.S.-flag ships transiting shipping lanes with a high risk of piracy. In arguing for the amendment, Rep. Cummings referred to a letter sent to the full House this week by the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department (TTD) on behalf of the M.E.B.A., MM&P and the SUP. He reiterated to fellow Members of Congress specifically that M.E.B.A. and others are fully onboard with the position that ESTs should be deployed upon such vessels.

The letter noted that, "As our American mariners simply attempt to do their jobs, their lives are in constant peril as these pirates decide when - not if - to take further aggressive action against U.S.-flag ships. We believe strongly that our government must help protect our U.S.-flag fleet which contributes to the economic, political and military security of the United States. Our country cannot allow pirates to force the U.S.-flag off the high seas or to drive American citizens out of our industry. We further believe that the most effective step that must be taken to prevent aggressive action against U.S.-flag commercial vessels and their crews is for our government to immediately provide U.S.-flag vessels with the force protection necessary to prevent any further acts of piracy.. We ask that you join with Congressman Cummings in support of his amendment to help protect the lives of American mariners working aboard United States-flag vessels operating in pirate-infested waters."

The amendment presented by Rep. Cummings was adopted by voice vote and attached to the Department of Defense Authorization bill. The bill was later passed by the House in a 389 to 22 vote. The Senate must now put together its own version of the bill before it is reconciled with the House bill. M.E.B.A. will be fighting to retain this important provision in the bill that will help protect our mariners.

PIRATES KILLED MARINER; BURN VESSEL OFF SOMALI COAST
Somali pirates are responsible in two violent incidents recently against mariners. Following the payment of a ransom, Somali pirates released the M/V MARATHON, a Dutch-owned ship that was hijacked on May 7th. The Ukrainian crew had been held hostage since then. It was learned this week that the 2nd Assistant Engineer had died as a result of an apparent gunshot wound, which occurred when pirates stormed the ship. A second wounded crewmember is receiving medical care - his condition is stable. The MARATHON had been carrying coke, a coal residue used in steel making steel, and was westbound through the Gulf of Aden when it was seized in May inside the so-called safe passageway controlled by numerous navies. The ship was regarded as a high risk vessel with a small freeboard and capable of just 10 knots.

In an incident this week, pirates torched a Seychelles vessel, the M/S INDIAN OCEAN EXPLORER, off the coast of Somalia after releasing its seven crew members for a ransom. The maritime research ship from the Seychelle Islands was captured by Somali pirates between March 28 and 31 in the Indian Ocean. The seven crew members were released without the ship and they returned home on Tuesday.

"We set fire to it three nights ago," said Abdullahi Qaaray, a member of the pirate group who acted as an interpreter during the ransom negotiations. "We had asked the owners for a million dollars but in the end he paid us only 450,000 dollars," he said by phone. "We released the hostages after an agreement was reached but the owners were really reluctant to negotiate. They paid us a small amount and there was no way they were getting the ship, it had to go."

REP. LoBIONDO BILL PROTECTS MARINERS FROM LIABILITY DURING PIRATE DEFENSE
House Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Ranking Member Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ) has introduced legislation to provide immunity to U.S. merchant mariners who wound or kill pirates while responding to a pirate attack. H.R. 2984, the "U.S. Mariner and Vessel Protection Act," was introduced in response to the attempted hijacking of the MAERSK ALABAMA by Somali pirates, during which the pirates kidnapped the ship's captain.

"Our Merchant Marine fleet is increasingly under attack from unlawful individuals and rogue groups that seek to disrupt commerce, seize U.S. and foreign crews, and instill fear on international waters. It is only appropriate that our fleets be legally allowed to defend themselves from these violent encounters," said Rep. LoBiondo. "This common-sense legislation is a necessary step in empowering U.S.-flagged vessels to fully protect their crews and cargo."

The bill directs the U.S. Coast Guard to certify firearms training for merchant mariners on U.S.-flagged merchant vessels. Any trained mariner using force and the owner, operator or master of said vessels would be exempt from liability in U.S. courts as a result of that use of force. It would also authorize the deployment of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSST) to ride aboard and defend U.S. flagged vessels transiting pirate-infested waters. MSST are specially trained USCG personnel fully equipped in advanced weapons and other equipment that are capable of rapid deployment to successfully conduct antiterrorism operations, vertical insertions, and tactical ship operations.

The bill would further direct the U.S. to negotiate international agreements through the International Maritime Organization to provide similar exemptions from liability in other countries for the use of force by mariners and vessel owners, operators and masters as well as to ensure armed U.S. crews can enter foreign ports. Cosponsoring Rep. LoBiondo's "U.S. Mariner and Vessel Protection Act" are Reps. Howard Coble (R-NC), Don Young (R-AK) and John Mica (R-FL), the Republican Leader of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

M.E.B.A. 401(k) PLAN FUND LINEUP CHANGES PUT ON HOLD
In response to substantial participant feedback, the Trustees have postponed the changes to the M.E.B.A. 401(k) Plan's fund lineup that were scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2009. The Trustees have directed the Plan Office to evaluate options that might allow participants to remain in investment options that are being closed. Many participants have expressed the strong desire to do so.

In the meantime, if you have a balance in any of the investment options that are scheduled to be closed, those balances will not be mapped to a replacement fund until further notice. You may elect to contribute additional amounts to these funds. Likewise, all prior elections to contribute to these funds will remain in effect until further notice. Additional information will be provided to you as soon as possible. As information becomes available participants will be notified by the Plan Office. You can also visit the Plan's website at www.mebaplans.org for the latest information as it becomes available.

FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP FOR M.E.B.A. SPOUSES
Spouses of M.E.B.A. members can now electronically congregate in a recently-initiated online support and resource forum. Amber Timmerman has formed a Facebook group for girlfriends, partners, and spouses of members (including men) who could use an online lifeline to help navigate the inherent complexities of life with (and especially apart from) an M.E.B.A. member who often spends months away from home on the job. The group can be found by searching Facebook for "MEBA Women" or by visiting http://tinyurl.com/MEBAwomen.

Amber noted, "Issues and topics could include how to handle extended absences of a spouse, finding other M.E.B.A. friends in a new town, visiting M.E.B.A.'s School or maintaining friendships through the site. It's an informal site, and will depend on members for content and growth." Check it out!

2009 AOTOS RECIPIENTS HAVE M.E.B.A. LINKS
The United Seamen's Service (USS) has named the recipients of the 40th Annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS). They will be presented to Donald Kurz, President and CEO of Keystone Shipping Co., headquartered in Philadelphia, and to Ronald Widdows, Group President and CEO of NOL (Neptune Orient Lines) of Singapore, parent company of American President Lines (APL). A Special AOTOS Award will also be presented to The United States Coast Guard. The awards will be presented at a gala dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City, on November 13, 2009.

All proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad. USS, a non-profit agency established in 1942, operates centers in eight foreign ports in Europe, Asia, and Africa and in the Indian Ocean, and also provides seagoing libraries to American vessels through its affiliate, the American Merchant Marine Library Association (AMMLA). Edward Morgan is President and Roger Korner is Executive Director of USS and AMMLA. The AOTOS recipients will share the evening with a group of American seafarers who will be honored for specific acts of bravery at sea, including the crews of both the MAERSK ALABAMA and LIBERTY SUN for their actions in the face of piracy at sea.

COAST GUARD ADVISORY ON AVOIDING PROPULSION LOSS FROM FUEL SWITCHING
The Coast Guard has issued a new advisory which may prove useful for engineers in preventing fuel system failures and propulsion casualties. As you know, ships switch fuel oil from residual fuels to distillate fuels in order to reduce emissions. The Coast Guard expects ships will switch fuel more frequently to comply with new emission reduction regulations. When switching fuel oil, some ships have experienced propulsion losses linked to procedural errors or fuel oil incompatibility. The American Petroleum Institute developed a paper entitled "Technical Considerations of Fuel Switching Practices" that discusses problems that lead to propulsion loss while switching fuel. It is available at http://marineinvestigations.us.

Safety Reports.

In order to prevent casualties associated with fuel oil switching, the Coast
Guard strongly recommends that owner and operators:
- Consult engine and boiler manufacturers for fuel switching guidance;
- Consult fuel suppliers for proper fuel selection;
- Exercise tight control when possible over the quality of the fuel oils received;
- Consult manufacturers to determine if system modifications or additional safeguards are necessary for intended fuels;
- Develop detailed fuel switching procedures;
- Establish a fuel system inspection and maintenance schedule;
- Ensure system pressure and temperature alarms, flow indicators, filter differential pressure transmitters, etc.., are all operational;
- Ensure system purifiers, filters and strainers are maintained;
- Ensure system seals, gaskets, flanges, fittings, brackets and supports are maintained;
- Ensure a detailed system diagram is available;
- Conduct initial and periodic crew training;
- Complete fuel switching well offshore prior to entering restricted waters or traffic lanes.

REMINDER: JEREMIAH O'BRIEN, JOHN BROWN SUMMER EVENTS
The only two operational Liberty Ships, one on each coast of our country, need your assistance for their continued upkeep and allowing new generations to learn about the importance of our Merchant Marine. The S.S. JEREMIAH O'BRIEN sits in San Francisco Bay. The SS JOHN BROWN is berthed in Baltimore, MD. Both ships are open year round for visits.

The JEREMIAH O'BRIEN will be the perfect place to celebrate Independence Day this summer as it is playing host to a special July 4th event. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 pm on that day, climb aboard and enjoy an All-American Dinner of hot dogs, chips and soda and watch the fireworks from the "best seat in the house" in San Francisco. Adults are $15 and children under 12, $8.

On July 18, the ship departs for its Kaiser Shipyard Cruise. It will leave at 10 a.m. on that day and return around 2 p.m. You can tour the waterfront of the old Kaiser shipyards in Richmond with historical narrative by the ship's Captain. The tour includes '40s music by Deutscher Musikverein of San Francisco and a picnic lunch. It is $100 per person.

On August 22, the ship will make its Historic San Francisco Barbary Coast Waterfront Cruise. The ship will tour the historic San Francisco waterfront while the Captain explains what it was like prior to 1900. The ship leaves at 10 a.m. and returns at 2 p.m. It will include '40s music by Natural Gas Jazz Band and a picnic lunch. It is $100 per person.

Another dockside event takes place from September 12-13, 2009. This will be the 6th Annual Brews on the Bay Brewfest. It will feature local bands and San Francisco's eight microbrewers for a beer tasting event you're not going to want to miss. This event sells out fast, so don't wait until the last minute to purchase tickets. Order tickets online at www.sfbrewerguild.org. Call the JEREMIAH O'BRIEN's office at (415) 544-0100 for further info or visit their website at www.ssjeremiahobrien.org.

The Liberty ship JOHN BROWN is a 441-foot troop/cargo vessel that made eight missions to Europe during World War II. Its next "Living History" cruise will take place on Saturday, Sept 12, 2009. Get your tickets now. This exciting six-hour cruise features a continental breakfast, luncheon buffet, music of the 1940s and flybys of wartime aircraft. The ship is open for tours of the engine room, onboard museums, crew quarters, bridge and other areas of interest. Tickets are $140 each with group rates available. Project Liberty Ship, the foundation that preserves the vessel, is a volunteer, nonprofit organization. Donations will continue to allow generations to view this historic floating museum and get a taste of how the Fourth Arm of Defense helped win World War II. Call (410) 558-0646 or visit www.liberty-ship.com to volunteer your time, make a donation or find out more!

REGISTER NOW FOR THE CAA MYRTLE BEACH GOLF OUTING
Do yourself a favor right now and register for the fabulous Calhoon Alumni Association golf outing set for Myrtle Beach this summer. You deserve it! This CAA three-day golf event is scheduled for July 10-12 at Litchfield Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC. It includes three rounds of golf on three championship courses, a three-night stay and a fantastic breakfast buffet each day. CAA President Mike Fanning has secured an amazing price for those who seize this deal. It will range from $310 to $350 per golfer depending on the turnout! All active and retired M.E.B.A. members and their guests are welcome. You don't need to be a Calhoon School graduate to attend. Sign up today! Further details can be found on the School's website www.mebaschool.org.  Click on "What's New" to learn more. Also, e-mail Mike Fanning with any questions at caa2010@mebaschool.org.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, July 6 - Boston, Jacksonville;
Tuesday, July 7 - Baltimore/Calhoon School (at CMES), Houston, San Francisco (Oakland); Seattle.
Wednesday, July 8 - Charleston, New Orleans;
Thursday, July 9- L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, July 10 - Honolulu.

--------FINISHED WITH ENGINES---------