2011-Are we in for yet another rough ride???

[SaltySailor]

Last year saw the disaster in the Gulf followed by another attempt by McCain to repeal the Jones Act (thankfully that bill died in committee and never saw the light of day). Pres. Obama placed a drilling moratorium in the GoM which we are still dealing with today.

Now these three new assaults on US Maritime:

First there is a proposed 42% cut in US food-aid:

http://www.seafarers.org/HeardAtHQ/2...time021511.xml

http://www.usamaritime.org/

Next, there are another TWO issues as well:

"Our industry got a shot across the bow in mid-February when the president’s proposed budget severely cut a vital program known as cargo preference and basically didn’t fund another key initiative called the Title XI Shipbuilding Loan Guarantee Program."

http://www.seafarers.org/log/2011/03...lumn032011.xml

http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipp...nding_Page.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_preference

http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipp...le_xi_home.htm

Any comments?

How likely is it that these three parts of the budget will pass "As-is" and if so, what are the possible negative effects on the USMM?

[tengineer]

Last year saw the disaster in the Gulf followed by another attempt by McCain to repeal the Jones Act (thankfully that bill died in committee and never saw the light of day). Pres. Obama placed a drilling moratorium in the GoM which we are still dealing with today.

Now these three new assaults on US Maritime:

First there is a proposed 42% cut in US food-aid:

http://www.seafarers.org/HeardAtHQ/2...time021511.xml

http://www.usamaritime.org/

Next, there are another TWO issues as well:

"Our industry got a shot across the bow in mid-February when the president’s proposed budget severely cut a vital program known as cargo preference and basically didn’t fund another key initiative called the Title XI Shipbuilding Loan Guarantee Program."

http://www.seafarers.org/log/2011/03...lumn032011.xml

http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipp...nding_Page.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_preference

http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipp...le_xi_home.htm

Any comments?

How likely is it that these three parts of the budget will pass "As-is" and if so, what are the possible negative effects on the USMM?

Some industry lobbying groups feel it may be a challenging year. The "Tea Party", who is no friend of labor taking control of the house and the retirement of some other friends of the marine industry does not bode well.

[KennyW1983]

Im trying to find a way out. I have been working on boats for 10 years now I have a mate of towing, 200 ton NC master, working on my 500 NC, AB ect ect. I feel like its a stagnant enviroment. I was running as a 2nd mate most of last year but im back on deck and dont see any light at the end of the tunnel where im at now. And with gas shooting up its going to kill the economy again, we docked a Maersk ship earlier today that had no boxes on the deck and thats a scary sight to me.

On another note im 27 and I see few people my age getting into this industry and staying for the long haul. None of the old timers are willing to retire unless they are forced out. Us younger guys have to take all sorts of classes to get the right stuff so we can move up and then we get stuck waiting. Im glad I have a job but I wish there were some encouraging things near the horizon. In 20 years when the old timers are gone who will be running tugs, OSVs, and smaller boats?? Will the ringknockers lower themselves to it??

[Cal]

Will the ringknockers lower themselves to it??

The short answer is, Yes! SUNY is graduating a whole crop of 1600 Ton ringknockers.

While I understand your frustration, do you think you would feel any different if you were in another industry? I worked a slew of jobs in different industries before I landed on boats. While I haven't necessarily experienced huge advancements in position, from deck to wheelhouse is about the only promotion to receive, the pay increases over 7 years have been like none I've ever seen.

The biggest concern I see over the next 20 years is being displaced by foreign crews. If the companies find a way around that, through lobbying or loopholes, this industry, for Americans, is dead.

[RkyMtn Paul]

Kenny, they were saying the same things in the 90's. We had a hell of a lot less ships/boats back then compared to today. Granted, the GOM is taking a disproportionate hit right now. It was looking as the only ships to be left were coastwise, Navy bottoms and rivers. And coastwise was questionable. Some tanker mates were taking huge cuts in pay (Keystone). Will there be more of a downturn or will it get better? Who knows. Just keep yourself marketable. If you are thinking of coming ashore, prepare now while you have a gig. Try starting over and go engineering? That may do you better when you hit the beach. And trust me, it isn't any better ashore. BTW, leaving the ships is singularly the biggest mistake of my life.

[rshrew]

Im trying to find a way out. I have been working on boats for 10 years now I have a mate of towing, 200 ton NC master, working on my 500 NC, AB ect ect. I feel like its a stagnant enviroment. I was running as a 2nd mate most of last year but im back on deck and dont see any light at the end of the tunnel where im at now. And with gas shooting up its going to kill the economy again, we docked a Maersk ship earlier today that had no boxes on the deck and thats a scary sight to me.

On another note im 27 and I see few people my age getting into this industry and staying for the long haul. None of the old timers are willing to retire unless they are forced out. Us younger guys have to take all sorts of classes to get the right stuff so we can move up and then we get stuck waiting. Im glad I have a job but I wish there were some encouraging things near the horizon. In 20 years when the old timers are gone who will be running tugs, OSVs, and smaller boats?? Will the ringknockers lower themselves to it??

I'm a ringknocker and started on tugs and will stay on tugs, we have 15 others at my company as well.

[SaltySailor]

The biggest concern I see over the next 20 years is being displaced by foreign crews. If the companies find a way around that, through lobbying or loopholes, this industry, for Americans, is dead.

That is my biggest concern. Going to the U/A program at Piney Point soon and I don't want to see the Jones Act or any other piece of maritime law that protects US workers, shipping companies and shipyards get hit and thus my reason for posting this thread.

[KennyW1983]

I dont have anything aganist ringknockers, please dont get that idea I wish I was one, but over the years it has seemed to me that most of them dont want anything to do with the smaller boats out there. Im just frustrated it seems like every time I get close to making the jump from deck to wheelhouse the economy goes down the tubes, the company has a big shake up, or we lose a contract.

[rshrew]

I dont have anything aganist ringknockers, please dont get that idea I wish I was one, but over the years it has seemed to me that most of them dont want anything to do with the smaller boats out there. Im just frustrated it seems like every time I get close to making the jump from deck to wheelhouse the economy goes down the tubes, the company has a big shake up, or we lose a contract.

You are def. right there, most of the people I work with like being home every other week vs. being gone for 90 days, plus the boat handling aspect of tugs is always fun.

[Cal]

Ringknocker or Hawsepiper, each group has it's share of worthless dirtbags, the prejudice occurs when one tries to view themselves as better than another for something that has nothing to do with the job.

[Capt. Lee]

Well, Dick, here's the deal: I'm the best there is, plain and simple. I mean, I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence. You know, nobody can hang with my stuff. I'm just a...just a big, hairy, American winning machine. If you ain't first, you're last! You know? You know what I mean? That phrase is trademarked and not to be used without the expressed permission of Ricky Bobby, Inc.

[Mr 100-ton]

Well, Dick, here's the deal: I'm the best there is, plain and simple. I mean, I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence. You know, nobody can hang with my stuff. I'm just a...just a big, hairy, American winning machine. If you ain't first, you're last! You know? You know what I mean? That phrase is trademarked and not to be used without the expressed permission of Ricky Bobby, Inc.

After reading you post Capt Lee, I just spit my drink all over my computer,,,, i am going to be sick,,,,,,,,, you owe me a new mac,,, 17 inch screen,,,,

I piss excellence,,,, THAT was funny,,, As I told one of the captains that is training me,,, ""I look forward to being your boss someday,,,,"" HE could not stop laughing,,, I bet you can't either

[seadog!]

"Well, Dick, here's the deal: I'm the best there is, plain and simple. I mean, I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence. You know, nobody can hang with my stuff. I'm just a...just a big, hairy, American winning machine. If you ain't first, you're last! You know? You know what I mean? That phrase is trademarked and not to be used without the expressed permission of Ricky Bobby, Inc."


Sounds just like something Charlie Sheen would say, does he know about the trademark?

[Capt. Lee]

"Well, Dick, here's the deal: I'm the best there is, plain and simple. I mean, I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence. You know, nobody can hang with my stuff. I'm just a...just a big, hairy, American winning machine. If you ain't first, you're last! You know? You know what I mean? That phrase is trademarked and not to be used without the expressed permission of Ricky Bobby, Inc."


Sounds just like something Charlie Sheen would say, does he know about the trademark?

Charlie Sheen doesn't have $hit on Ricky Bobby. You obviously are not a fan of Talladega Nights, the Ballad of Ricky Bobby and that says a lot about your character!!

[SaltySailor]

Not all is doom & gloom:

http://www.professionalmariner.com/M...15B4ECDA01A089


(WASHINGTON) -- Congressman Cummings today applauded the decision announced Tuesday by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) affirming that cargo preference requirements set forth in Title 46 apply to cargoes funded with loan guarantees created by the Energy Policy Act.

This decision paves the way for American mariner jobs to be saved and created, and will result in more cargo being carried under the flag of the United States.

Congressman Cummings said, “I am happy with the decision reached by the DOT and DOE and strongly believe that this is the right decision. Cargo preference requirements are absolutely critical to the success of our merchant marine. It is my fervent hope that mariners will get to keep the jobs they love and our nation will ensure that the largest possible volume of American commercial cargoes is carried by U.S.-flagged vessels, particularly those cargoes impelled by the U.S. government or supported by taxpayers.”




I had never heard of Congressman Cummings till Today but he has my vote should he EVER run for higher office!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_Cummings

http://cummings.house.gov/