According to a new OMSA member survey on workforce needs, 4 out of every 10 licensed officers in the offshore industry are 51 years of age or older and will be nearing retirement in the next 10 years, if not sooner. In addition to the concern that almost half the industry’s most skilled mariners are close to the age where they will think about retiring, this is also the group of mariners who may be the most effected by the Coast Guard’s proposed medical fitness policies.

The purpose of this survey was to find out from industry what their current and future workforce needs are and the age demographics of offshore mariners. The responses received from OMSA’s members were an eye opener and clearly showed that a main concern for our industry in the next few years will be focusing on recruitment of new mariners and the further training and retention of current mariners. In addition to having some 42 percent of licensed officers over the age of 50, nearly 25 percent of both documented and undocumented mariners are 51 or older.

Another factor that plays into the industry’s crewing needs will be the boom in the construction of new vessels. Over the next five years, OMASA members predict that they will need 3500 new mariners just to crew these newly built vessels. A main concern for the industry in the next few years will be focusing on recruitment of new mariners and the further training and retention of our current mariners. These workforce needs and concerns will be a major topic discussed at the next General Membership meeting on October 16th.

One of OMSA’s priorities is to assist the membership in its efforts to bring new mariners into the industry and to push for a clear career path in training and licensing that allows those mariners to advance in their careers.

A congressional committee will hear from maritime associations, including OMSA, as well as labor groups and educators at a hearing on maritime crewing and training issues. The hearing was called by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Coast Guard Subcommittee for November 17th in at the Capitol.

Carl Annessa, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Operations of Hornbeck Offshore, will testify on behalf of OMSA. While the OMSA testimony is still in draft form, it is expected to stress the importance of maintaining the hawse pipe approach to training mariners. OMSA is expected to urge Congress to remove obstacles that make it difficult for mariners to climb a career path that takes them from the deck level to become a licensed vessel officer. OMSA will also outline some of the workforce trends that present challenges to the industry.

The Congressional hearing is expected to be put out live over the internet on the morning of the hearing. Members wishing to monitor the hearing on October 17th should go to www.house.gov and follow the links to the Transportation and Infrastructure site.

On September 20th, OMSA held its first Personnel Shortage Solutions Seminar for Human Resource representatives. The purpose of the seminar was to provide the industry with some tools, resources and options on how to recruit new mariners, how to hire the right person and to retain current mariners.

Representatives from the Louisiana Department of Labor discussed grants and resources that are available to help the offshore industry hire new mariners within the state. A few OMSA members in attendance stated concerns they had regarding some of the difficulties they have had in taking advantage of the states On the Job Training (OTJ) funding grants. Their primary concern was that, in order for them to apply for OJT grants for new hires, they would have to submit multiple applications for each parish where they were hiring new mariners. Mr. Glenn Dugas, Executive Administrator for the Lafayette Workforce Investment Board, told OMSA members that he personally would work with the offshore industry in ensuring that those applying for OJT grants would have to deal with the state or a single designated parish only to make certain a smoother process.

Sarah Hufford of OMSA gave a presentation on the current state of the offshore workforce. She focused on the coming effects of the aging workforce of the offshore industry and supplied the audience with resources to hire military members who are separating from the service and looking for careers in the civilian world. Ken Parris of OMSA discussed REC’s and the internal changes they are making with regards to the licensing progress. One of the topics Mr. Parris emphasized was the importance of reporting any incidents, prior arrest records, etc., that could affect the licensing process. Not reporting such incidents to the Coast Guard may result in the inability to obtain a license and renewing a license.

One workshop panel was made up of HR experts from three companies that are not in the offshore workboat business, Kirby Inland Marine, Acadian Ambulance and the Laitram Corporation. They gave some perspective on how other industries are addressing labor shortages.

Another panel of representatives from Texas A&M, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Maine Maritime Academy talked
about the best ways to attract graduates from those institutions and provided advice to industry members on how to help
these new mariners succeed in offshore industry careers. All three emphasized that their schools are working to better
prepare their grads for workboat, towboat and other “non-blue water’ vessels.

Finally, Greg Szczurek of Houston Maritime gave tips on how to hire the right person for the right reasons. He focused on
benchmarks that employers should keep in mind when going through the hiring process of a new mariner. Mr. Szczurek
stressed that the key to retaining quality job applicants is to have a clear idea of what characteristics an employer is looking for in a given job.

This was the first time OMSA has held a workforce seminar like this. Based on the positive feedback from participants it is
likely to become an annual event.

There has been a lot of activity on the TWIC front as officials ramp up to begin processing the first Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards. The Transportation Security Administration has announced that the first TWIC enrollment center in Wilmington, DE is set to open October 16th with several other offices scheduled to open in rapid order. Following Wilmington, DE the published schedule is:

• Early November - Corpus Christi;
• Mid-November - Baton Rouge, Beaumont, Honolulu, Oakland, Tacoma;
• Late November: - Chicago, Houston, Port Arthur, Providence, Savannah.

OMSA has been informed that TSA will open enrollment sites in Lafayette, Morgan City, Houma, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, La Place, Lake Charles and at Port Fourchon, but the recent announcement did not say when those sites would open. OMSA will publish additional sites are they are announced.

TSA also announced a slight decrease in the cost of TWIC cards. The cost for a seaman who already holds a Merchant Mariner Document will be $105.25, with the cost of a card for transportation workers who have not had background checks will be $132.50, a reduction of five dollars.

TSA has generic communications materials that companies can use to inform their employees of TWIC requirements in both English and Spanish. TSA information on the TWIC can be found at www.tsa.gov/twic. The specifications for the TWIC reader have been released and are available for public review at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/twic_reader.pdf.

Coast Guard information on the TWIC program can be found at http:// homeport.uscg.mil/ just click on “TWIC” on the upper right side of the page. Three new documents for users are the “Small Entity Guide for Owners and Operators,” the “Small Entity Guide for Applicants” and a Powerpoint presentation that summarizes the Coast Guard TWIC enforcement guidance. The Guide for Owners and Operators will walk a facility or vessel owner/operator through their responsibilities and duties under the TWIC rules. The Guide for Applicants walks the individual who must hold a TWIC through the process and informs them of their duties and responsibilities under the program.

The Coast Guard’s efforts to restructure its licensing process appear to be showing great progress on a number of fronts.

First, the move by the National Maritime Center from the Washington area to West Virginia has been completed. The new address is:

Commanding Officer
United States Coast Guard
National Maritime Center
130 East Burr Blvd.
Kearneysville, WV 25430

Second, the process of converting all of the Regional Exam Centers into storefront operations and consolidating the mariner credentialing process into the National Maritime Center in West Virginia is moving smoothly. To date the Regional Exam
Centers in New Orleans, Juneau, Anchorage and Baltimore have transitioned to storefront operations. By the end of 2008 all of the “back office” operations will have moved to West Virginia. After consolidation the local REC will accept a mariners file, check for completeness, collect user fees, identify (fingerprint) the mariner and test the mariner. Files will be sent to the NMC for evaluation and production of credentials.

Third, the NMC is making progress towards an online application process and has produced an electronic application form that mariners can type in application information on their computers and then print the application for submission to the Coast Guard. The forms still have to be submitted in paper format but this new form is a positive step in the right direction. Mariners can download the form at http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/downloads.htm.

As a reminder to help mariners there are now email and telephone help lines iasknmc@uscg.mil or 1-888-427-5662. Users report that the wait times for processing files sent to the NMC in West Virginia continue to decrease. The move to West Virginia appears to be improving cycle time and customer service as the NMC reports a 17% decrease in cycle time and 39% decrease in the backlog since June.

All of the Coast Guard information on the mariner licensing process can be found on the Coast Guard Homeport Website at http://homeport.uscg.mil/. On the left side of the page click on “Merchant Mariners.” For the latest information on the
consolidation of the Regional Exam Centers then click on “What’s New at NMC.” Coast Guard Medical Standards Remain Controversial

The Maritime Industry continues to be concerned with the content of the new Coast Guard policy on mariner fitness for duty standards. Due to these continued concerns the Coast Guard has withdrawn the policy from its final internal approval process and returned it to Merchant Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) for further review and refinement.

While the new policy remains in draft form mariners need to understand that the Coast Guard is using the policy as written to make decisions on granting medical waivers for mariners. Mariners, licensing professionals and company human resources professionals should be aware of the standards set in the draft Navigation Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC). Anyone who may have a medical issue as laid out in the draft NVIC should submit the tests laid out in the policy with their medical waiver request.

As was demonstrated in several high profile vessel accidents, damage to vessels, facilities and loss of life can occur if a mariner operating a vessel is suddenly incapacitated due to a medical condition. The Coast Guard and industry therefore have a joint duty to ensure that mariners are medically fit for duty.

To ensure that mariners are medically fit for duty the Coast Guard began the process of developing new medical fitness for duty standards about two years ago. That process has been conducted jointly with industry under the auspices of MERPAC. OMSA has been reporting the progress of the new policy to its members and warning of the potential loss of many experienced mariners due to the stringent new standards.

No one would want to put unfit mariners aboard a vessel. But, there are continued discussions between professionals about what the appropriate standards should be. During the process of policy development, industry has continued to voice concerns over the need to set appropriate standards. Only through the development of a single, agreed upon set of standards can the Coast Guard and industry be successful in their joint duty of ensuring mariners are medically fit for duty.

While industry as a whole remains concerned for the unknown potential impact the new standards, the most important issue is the development of a consensus set of standards. Questions over the content that had lead maritime interests to request
the Coast Guard allow MERPAC to continue its work in refining the policy included:

• Do the physical capacity standards appropriately reflect a mariner’s work?
• Is the list of potentially disqualifying medicines and over-the-counter supplements too expansive?
• Is the list of potentially disqualifying medical conditions too expansive?
• What are the standards for reviewers to determine that a potentially disqualifying condition, medication, or over-the-counter supplement is actually disqualifying, or that granting a medical waiver is appropriate?
• What is the appropriate look-back period for a condition? Forever or just since the last physical exam?

MERPAC has formed a number of working groups to discuss, examine and attempt to resolve the issues that remain with the proposed policy. MERPAC has set a goal for itself to complete the review each area of the policy where concerns remain
and resolve the issues in time to approve the policy for release in the Spring of 2008. OMSA has been very fortunate that a number member companies and physicians who conduct physical exams for mariners in the offshore industry have volunteered their time to participate in this project.

Contact OMSA Ken Parris or Sarah Hufford for a copy of the draft NVIC. They can be reached at kenparris@offshoremarine.org or sarah@offshoremarine.org or by calling (504) 734-7622.

A new Coast Guard proposal to make various changes to the training and service requirements for merchant mariners should have positive effects on the maritime industry. The proposals would: allow for an apprentice mate of towing vessels to reduce sea service time for pilot of towing vessels via approved training; allow an alternate path to pilot of towing vessels for master of steam or motor vessels that do not exceed 200 GRT; and remove the expiration date on the radar observer endorsement from merchant mariner’s licenses.

The proposed removal of the expiration date on the radar endorsement should help simplify the process of issuing licenses and allow mariners greater flexibility in renewing their licenses and allow mariners to take advantage of the full five year term of their licenses. The allowance of using training programs to meet service requirements for certification as a pilot of towing vessels gives mariners the choice and incentive to use Coast Guard approved training programs to fulfill minimum service requirements.

Delta Towing played a significant role in the Coast Guard allowing an alternate path to mate of towing vessels for mariners that hold a master of steam or motor vessels not more than 200 GRT. Delta Towing submitted a petition requesting the rulemaking process on behalf of crewboat captains asking that they receive sea time towards a pilot of towing vessels license and provide alternatives to companies that operate a diverse fleet of vessels such as those in the offshore industry.

Comments on this proposed rulemaking are due on or before December 17th. Comments may be submitted via http://dms.dot.gov and referencing Coast Guard docket number USCG-2006-26202. For more information and to read the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in its entirety, please go to http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-18191.pdf

On January 1, 2008 IMO Resolution MSC.203(81) becomes effective requiring all ships security officers serving on vessels subject to the ISPS Code (vessels working foreign) to hold a certificate attesting to their qualifications. OMSA has not received any information from the Coast Guard on this new requirement. OMSA has requested information from the Coast Guard National Maritime Center and Coast Guard Headquarters on this process and will inform members as soon as any information is received.

A copy of the resolution can be found at: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/imo/msc_resolutions/Annex%203%20RESOLUTION%20MSC.203(81).pdf

The Coast Guard has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement the LRIT requirements requiring LRIT systems to be installed on crewboats and OSV’s, and liftboats over 300 GTITC working outside U.S. waters. LRIT is an AIS like system that will transmit vessel data through a satellite communications system (Inmarsat,GMDSS) to a world-wide network. Unlike AIS data which is transmitted to all vessels in the local area, LRIT data will only be made available to government entities. Through this system countries will be able to track the movements of vessels world-wide. Current advertised prices for a LRIT unit runs in the $4,000 to
$5,000 range not including installation.

Comments on the rulemaking are due January 2, 2008.

The Coast Guard proposed an installation schedule requiring installation

• Before getting underway, if the ship is constructed on or after December 31, 2008.
• By the first survey of the radio installation after December 31, 2008, if the ship is constructed before December 31, 2008.

The Coast Guard Notice of Proposed Rulemaking can be found at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-4895.pdf.

Details on the requirements can be found at the Coast Guard Navigation Center website http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/imo/msc_resolutions/Annex%2013%20RESOLUTION%20MSC.210(81).pdf

A recent rulemaking announcement by the Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) caused great concern for some offshore operators, but the agency has confirmed that the rules will not be as much of a problem as they first appeared. CBP published its final rule on the Advance Electronic Transmission of Passenger Information involving Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) on August 9th. On September 24th CBP published its updated FAQs for the APIS system. Both documents can be found at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/.

Under the published regulations, vessels traveling from the U.S. to a foreign location must file APIS reports one hour before leaving the dock. The old rule on APIS only required 15 minutes notice. But vessels leaving a foreign location bound for a U.S. port would have to file APIS at least 24 hours before leaving the location. Failure to comply with the APIS rules carries a $1,000 per person fine.

This threatened to be a major problem for OMSA members because the many offshore sites are considered to be foreign locations. For example, a dive support vessel, a work barge or other offshore destinations that are not connected to the seabed are called foreign locations by CBP. Offshore vessel owners could have been required to report any passenger or crew information 24 hours before leaving the offshore site to return to shore.

However, CBP officials say the rule was not be enforced that way in the Gulf of Mexico. OMSA approached them to raise the concern over the 24 hour rule and they responded that they recognized the problems that would raise. They confirmed that vessels in the Gulf will only need to report APIS information upon departure from the offshore location, not 24 hours in advance.

OMSA members should recognize however that vessels departing the U.S. for an offshore location must report at least 60 minutes prior to departure. This timeframe is necessary for Customs to run all the names through its database and give CBP agents time to contact the vessel before departure if a person of interest is on the manifest.

Questions as to whether or not a specific operation falls under APIS reporting requirements should be directed to the local CBP office.

Government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security are ramping up their efforts to minimize the impact of a potential pandemic influenza outbreak. Throughout history deadly wide-scale flu outbreaks have killed millions. Each of these historical outbreaks occurred before modern transportation and economic globalization. With today’s business and pleasure travelers circling the globe it may be possible for a deadly strain of flu or other disease to be spread through multiple countries before the outbreak is even recognized. Recently there have been discussions within the agencies of halting international or even interstate
transportation modes if an outbreak were to occur. At this point nothing that extreme appears likely, but the government is putting out the call for companies to prepare internal plans for dealing with a pandemic influenza and to educate personnel on ways to keep it from spreading.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and many state departments of emergency management are teaming up to provide guidance on procedures and planning ideas for businesses and individuals. For example Louisiana recently mailed its Home Guide to Pandemic Flu Response to residents.

A number of documents and brochures on a wide range of health issues can be found on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov, the National Institutes for Occupational Safety and Health http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/, Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov.

OMSA hosted two meetings between OMSA members in the Morgan City and Galiano areas and Captain Scott Paradis, Captain of the Port Morgan City and some of his executive staff on September 6th and 7th. In addition to Captain Paradis, Commander Pat Ropp from MSU Morgan City, and Lieutenant Chris Woodle and Lieutenant Ed Jackson from MSU Houma attended the meetings. The purpose was to welcome the new Coast Guard staff and raise questions and concerns over operations within the Morgan City Captain of the Port zone. Captain Paradis stressed his belief that a partnership between the Coast Guard and the offshore industry is imperative for a positive working relationship and success of both the industry and the Coast Guard. At the September 7th meeting, members also had the chance to meet the newly named Customs and Border Protection Port Captain for the Morgan City and Fourchon area, Michael Hebert.

The offshore industry was well represented at a special college and career fair held by U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson in Greenville, MS on September 14th. More than 2500 students attended the fair to learn about jobs and careers that may be available to them.

OMSA has met with employment officials in Greenville to looking for ways to recruit job applicants from the area. Down the road it may be possible to partner with officials in the area to encourage workers to consider offshore jobs. Several OMSA members participated by setting up booths to promote their companies and offshore career opportunities. Those in attendance were Troy Tauzin and David Lewis, Superior Energy; Tom Bender and Doug Danos, International Offshore; Allen Berthelot and Justin Getzinger, Edison Chouest Offshore; Andrew Soudelier, Cenac Offshore; Charlie Portier and Amy Price, Tidewater; and Donald Ducre, Bollinger Shipyards and Ken Wells, OMSA.

The National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee will be held November 16th at the Tremont Hotel in Galveston, Texas. Additional information will be provided to the members as the agenda is developed.

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications for appointment to membership on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC). The committee is authorized by Congress to provide advice and make recommendations to the Coast Guard on offshore safety matters. The Coast Guard uses the advice to make decisions on new regulatory initiatives and the application and enforcement of current rules. If you are interested go to the Advisory Committee web page at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/advisory/app.pdf to download an application. As one-third of the available positions rotate annually, industry leaders should continue to encourage qualified personnel to apply for all of the advisory committees. Applications must be received by November 30th.

Events General Business Meetings

October 16, 2007 (Tuesday) – Hilton, Lafayette, LA
January 15, 2008 (Tuesday) – Hilton New Orleans Riverside, New Orleans

Special Events

October 15, 2007 (Monday) – Golf Tournament – Squirrel Run, New Iberia, LA
November 15, 2007 (Thursday) – 2nd Annual Legal Forum, Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles
December 7, 2007 (Friday) – OMSA Christmas Dinner Dance – Hilton New Orleans Riverside

OMSA to Host 2nd Annual Legal Seminar

On November 15, OMSA will hold its legal seminar at the Hilton St. Charles Avenue Hotel in New Orleans. This day long seminar will focus on the legal issues that are important to the offshore workboat industry, including vessel operators, shipyards and related businesses. Participants will have a chance to listen and question panels of experts on

• avoiding pitfalls in shipyard/vessel owner construction contracts
• keeping from running afoul of the Coast Guard’s proposed medical fitness for duty standards and the ADA
• untangling the complications following a vessel collision
• figuring out how to use surveillance and investigations to your advantage in fighting lawsuits
  

Last year’s forum was a sellout and an outstanding success. This year’s promises to be even better, with a move to a new hotel and a whole new slate of topics. The cost of the event is $150 for OMSA members and $175 for nonmembers. Sponsorship opportunities are also available on a first come, first served basis.

Registration forms have been mailed out, but to receive one directly, contact Lillie Licciardi at (504) 734-7622 or at lillie@offshoremarine.org

Solicitation for OMSA E-News Sponsorships OMSA is seeking sponsorships from its Associate Members who would like to advertise their service company in the monthly OMSA Newsletter. Those members who sponsor the newsletter receive their name and contact information on the bottom of every page in the OMSA monthly newsletter and a full page write up about their company and the services that they provide for our industry.

The cost of an OMSA Newsletter sponsorship is $300. If you are interested in having your company featured in one of OMSA’s monthly newsletters, please contact Lillie Licciardi at (504) 734-7622 or lillie@offshoremarine.org.

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