Merchant Marine Interest:


BLOOD ON BROWN WATER POST SCRIPT

BLOOD ON BROWN WATER THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF OUR SERIAL PRESENTATION : A REPRINT OF OUR POST SCRIPT FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE SERIAL, A FINAL CALL FOR PUBLIC HELP:

 

 

We thank you for your patience with our many technical difficulties  in this our first attempt at a serial presentation of a work we consider historical and socially important to the maritime professional community. Hopefully our technical ability will improve  with additional attempts. As imperfect and embarrassing as our final copy often, and even now appears, the words of Capt. Richard Block have been made available to you free. In this final word, he asks you to do something now that you have the facts. Now is the time that America needs to know the working conditions in the Jones Act fleets. Waiting until we had the technical prowess to deliver a letter perfect copy wasn't an option. Our duty was to struggle to bring you the truths of this seminal though imperfect work. We did our best to do our duty and apologize for the imperfections. We thank you for your efforts in wading through all 79 pages of BLOOD ON BROWN WATER.  

CHAPTER 13

How You Can Help Our Mariners

You can help our mariners by supporting our “watch dog” organization, the National Mariners Association by in several ways, namely:  Join our Association and support us with your annual membership dues of $36.00. (Membership blank enclosed)  By a direct donation to support our work.  Follow up your reading, go to our website, look up the titles of the NMA Reports that may be of particular interest to you and provide additional details and order them for delivery by internet or by mail (please specify).  Order copies of this book for your friends.  Contact a local newspaper reporter and tell him about this book.  Send this book with a brief letter to your U.S. Representative or Senator and ask for his or her comment.  Sending this book to a member on the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee or the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in Washington. “Civics 101” – How to Contact Members of Congress on Maritime Issues The Merchant Marine is regulated by Federal rather than by state regulations. Consequently, our mariners hold “federal” credentials as officers and ratings issued by the U.S. Coast Guard and TWIC cards issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).


The Unite d States Federal Government is composed of three separate and distinct Branches:

• The Executive Branch includes the President and Vice-President who serve four-year terms. The President appoints his “Cabinet” composed of Secretaries of Cabinet Level Departments. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in which the U.S. Coast Guard resides since 2003 is one such Department with approximately 160,000 federal employees. The Coast Guard is the Department of Homeland Security’s its largest Agency with approximately 42,000 employees. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is another DHS agency that issues TWIC cards and investigates transportation security incidents. The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent Agency, that investigates some major maritime accidents. The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) and the Occupational Safety  and Health Administration (OSHA) have jurisdiction over uninspected towing vessels including tugs, towboats, and uninspected passenger vessels.

• The Judicial Branch. Includes the Supreme Court, Federal Courts of Appeal, Federal District Courts.

• Congress. Includes the U.S. House of Representatives with its 435 “Representatives” apportioned according to each state’s population elected for two-year terms. The U.S. Senate has 100 Senators with two “Senators” elected from each state with six-year terms of office.

Congressional Representation
Each individual in the United States is “represented” by one U.S. Representative and two U.S.
Senators. If you experience an issue or problem with any federal agency, you may want to contact the Representative in your Congressional District or one of your two Senators. Each Representative or Senator has a nearby local office that is staffed to handle your complaints – as long as that complaint deals with a “federal” and not a “state” or local governmental issue. You will find their addresses and phone numbers in your local phone book under U.S. Government. Each also has an internet website.

If you divide the nation’s population of about 310,000,000 by its 435 Representatives, you will find that each Representative serves slightly less than 700,000 people. Both your Senators and your Representative maintain offices in Washington as well as one or more local offices and staff to answer your questions and respond to your concerns. How important are our nation’s mariners and where do they fit into the “big picture”? Well, the Coast Guard says that there are about 210,000 credentialed mariners in the country. So, even if every credentialed mariner lived in exactly the same Congressional District and was concerned about the same issues, we would not be in the majority in even one Congressional district.
Dividing the Workload – The U.S. House of Representatives Congress works by Committee. One of the important committees that deal with the Merchant Marine is the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In the 112th Congress, this large committee is composed of 26 Democrats and 33 Republicans with its Chairman Representative John Mica (R-FL) and its minority “Ranking Member” is Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV) A 59-person committee is unwieldy to work with and its work is parceled out into six specialized Subcommittees. Of these subcommittees, the one of most concern to our mariners is the Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation Sub-Committee. This sub-committee is part of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and deals directly with maritime issues. The Sub-committee Chairman is

Representative Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Vice-Chairman Jeff Landry (R-LA), and its Ranking Member is

Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA). Representatives Mica and Rahall, chair and Ranking Member of the
full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee also serve “ex-officio” on each sub-committee.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee staff is located at Room 2165, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Telephone #: 202-225-9446.

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sub-Committee staff office is in Room 507, Ford
House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone #: 202-226-3552.

What Does the Coast Guard and Maritime Subcommittee do?

Rep. Frank LoBiondo, Chairman. The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee
oversee laws related to the Coast Guard, shipping and all aspects of maritime transportation.
Coast Guard Authorization: One of the Committee’s priorities in the 112th Congress is enacting legislation to provide the necessary authorities and resources for the Coast Guard to carry out its broad responsibilities. The service enforces the nation’s laws in U.S. waters and on the high seas, and protects the lives and property of those at sea. The Coast Guard’s missions include maritime search and rescue, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, oil spill prevention and response in the marine environment, marine safety, maintenance of aids to navigation, icebreaking, enforcement of U.S. fisheries and other marine environmental laws, and maritime defense readiness. Marine Safety, that regulates the U.S. Merchant Marine, is only one of the eleven Coast Guard “missions.”Maritime Transportation: The Committee supports the development of a national strategic transportation plan that includes a strong maritime transportation component and greater use of coastwise trade. Marine highways represent a cost effective but underutilized mode of transportation, and the Committee will examine ways to encourage the use of short-sea shipping, or shipping between domestic ports in the United States.

This concept has the potential to create new maritime industry jobs for Americans. Oil Spill Prevention and Response: The Coast Guard was the first federal agency to respond to the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The service also assumed the role as the Federal On- Scene Coordinator and the National Incident Commander for the spill. The Committee will work to ensure that the nation’s oil spill prevention and response capabilities
protect the environment without threatening U.S. jobs. The Committee is also committed to ensuring that future deepwater drilling permits are not rubberstamped and that adequate technologies, more thorough inspections, better oversight and better planning are required for future exploration and drilling activities.

We can provide responsible environmental safeguards while continuing to utilize domestic energy resources and ensuring vital energy sector jobs. Dividing the Workload – U.S. Senate
In the U.S. Senate, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee composed of 13 Democrats and 12 Republicans and is divided into seven (7) sub-committees. The Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure Subcommittee with Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) as Chairman and Senator John Thune (R-SD) as Ranking Member deal with many of our issues as does the Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Sub-committee with Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) as Chairman and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) as Ranking Member. The Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard This subcommittee is responsible for legislation and oversight of matters that impact our oceans, coasts, and climate, including: coastal zone management; marine fisheries and marine mammals; oceans, weather and atmospheric activities; marine and ocean navigation; ocean policy and NOAA. The Subcommittee is responsible for overseeing the Coast Guard, which includes the safe and secure operations of vessels entering the United States or transiting through our Exclusive Economic Zone and the enforcement of maritime laws to support maritime commerce and protect marine living resources. The Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over matters relating to interstate transportation policy issues. In addition to the Committee’s broad oversight of the Department of Transportation, the Subcommittee has oversight over the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, the Maritime Administration and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.  The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the transportation security programs and policies of  the Department of Homeland Security. It also has jurisdiction over independent transportation regulatory boards, including the Federal Maritime Commission and the Surface Transportation Board The Subcommittee focuses on safety, security, and infrastructure development related to both freight and passenger transportation. Each Senate Committee has Staff Members who carry out the tasks assigned by their Committee or
Subcommittee. The Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is located at Room 254, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. Telephone: (202) 224-0411.
The following pages list the mailing addresses (i.e., snail mail) for the Washington, DC office of each of these committee members. To find the telephone, fax, or e-mail address of ANY Representative or Senator, use the internet address http://Thomas.loc.gov/ or call the local office of your U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator. If you are an NMA member, call us for this type of information and suggestions.

The following pages are set up to print on a 1 in. x 2 5/8 inch label. Compared to Avery #5960.

What Does Our Association Ask of the 112th Congress?

We ask Congress to consider our requests contained in NMA Report #R-350, Rev. 6 titled Limited Tonnage Mariners Ask for Assistance from Congress on Marine Safety, Health, and Work-Related Issues. This list focuses on important changes that we believe need to be made at the Congressional level, especially in areas where the Coast Guard tells us it lacks the authority to make the changes requested or where a conflict exists between two Executive Branch agencies.


House of Representatives
Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation
Subcommittee
112th. Congress -2011
REPUBLICANS
House of Representatives
Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation
Subcommittee
112th. Congress -2011
DEMOCRATS
House of Representatives
Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation
Subcommittee
112th. Congress -2011
EX OFFICIO
Rep. Frank LoBiondo, Chairman
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
2427 Rayburn House Office Bldg/
Washington, D.C. 20515
Rep. Rick Larsen, Ranking Member
Coast Guard & Mar Trans.
Subcommittee,
108 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. John Mica
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
2187 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Don Young
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
2314 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Elijah Cummings
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
2235 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Nick Rahall
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
2307 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Howard Coble
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
2188 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Corinne Brown
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
2336 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Mr. James W. Coon
Chief of Staff
House Trans.& Infrastructure Committee
2165 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Andy Harris
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
506 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Tim Bishop
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
306 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Frank Guinta
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
1223 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Mazie K. Hirono
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
1410 Longworth House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Chip Cravaack
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
508 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Michael Michaud
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
1724 Longworth House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Blake Farenhold
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
2110 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Jeffrey Landry
Coast Guard & Mar Trans. Subcommittee
206 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
13-5
U.S.Senate
Commerce, Science & Trans.
Committee
Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries &
USCG
DEMOCRATS
U.S.Senate
Commerce, Science & Trans.
Committee
Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries &
USCG
REPULICANS
U.S.Senate
Commerce, Science & Trans.
Committee
Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries &
USCG
EX OFFICIO
Senator Mark Begich, Chairman
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
144 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, Ranking Mem.
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
154 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
531 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
722 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Dean Heller
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
361 Russell Senate Office Bldg..
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, RM
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
284 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator John F. Kerry
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
218 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Roger Wicker
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
555 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Ms. Ellen Doneski
Majority Chief of Staff
Commerce, Science & Transp.
Committee
254 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Bill Nelson
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
716 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Johnny Isakson
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
120 Russell Senate Office Bldg,
Washington, DC 20510
Mr. Richard Russell
Minority Chief of Staff
Commerce, Science & Transp.
Committee
254 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Maria Cantwell
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
311 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator John Boozman
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
132 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Frank Lautenberg
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
324 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Marco Rubio
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
317 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
302 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Kelly Ayotte
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
144 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Mark Warner
Oceans, Atmos., Fisheries & Coast Guard
Subcommittee
459A Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
13-6
U.S. Senate
Surface Transportation & Merchant
Marine Infrastructure, Safety & Security
Subcommittee
(Additional Members not on Oceans,
Atmos, Fish & USCG Subcommittee)
Senator Barbara Boxer
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
112 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Mark Pryor
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
255 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Claire McCaskill
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
717 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Tom Udall
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
110 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator John Thune
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
493 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Jim DeMint
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
167 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Roy Blunt
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
B40C Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Patrick J. Toomey
Commerce, Science & Trans. Committee
B40B Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510