Posted:
February 1, 2011
PRONAV recruiting AMO officers for roles in Donjon-SMIT marine salvage operations
A new agreement with premier salvage and marine fire fighting provider Donjon-SMIT LLC has opened promising opportunities for members of American Maritime Officers to work as first responders in 41 Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones in the continental U.S., non-contiguous states and U.S. territories.
In February of this year, new U.S. Coast Guard regulations go into effect requiring each tank vessel calling at a U.S. port to pre-designate a marine salvage company within their tank vessel response plan to ensure rapid response to any casualty involving damage to the vessel with the potential to spill oil.
In 2004, Donjon Marine Co. Inc. of New Jersey, a respected marine services provider, and SMIT Salvage Americas Inc. of Texas - part of SMIT International - created the joint venture Donjon-SMIT LLC in the hopes it would become the premier OPA-90 salvage provider. With its headquarters in Alexandria, Va., the joint venture maintains a sophisticated network of modern marine salvage and fire fighting assets throughout the U.S. and its territories.
Donjon-SMIT has contracted with PRONAV Offshore Services LLC to recruit and maintain a set of qualified mariners to assist with their casualty response operations. These mariners would help fulfill an important requirement of the new regulations to have local personnel quickly available to help in assessing a vessel's status and condition. The capability is designed to provide exceptional marine casualty response services for all COTP Zones. The company - manager of the PRONAV FLEX CREW ℠ Salvage Marine Fire Fighting Network - is now recruiting qualified AMO officers for positions as first responders in the network of professionals employed by Donjon-SMIT.
"This new MOU gives AMO officers who live in or near one of the 41 COTP Zones the opportunity to serve as marine first responders during their off-ship time, earning money for every activation or drill they participate in while providing this critical service," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "This is one more avenue AMO has developed to create opportunities for the membership, and to apply the professionalism of our union to the improvement of safety and success in the U.S. maritime industry.
"Our participation in this venture is a powerful and positive reflection on AMO and may extend to additional opportunities for AMO officers in the domestic and international maritime industries," Bethel said.
PRONAV anticipates five to 10 salvage and marine fire fighter first responders will be needed for each COTP Zone, and is recruiting to form a pool of 300 to 450 AMO officers for the FLEX CREW ℠ Salvage and Marine Fire Fighting Network. AMO officers are being recruited based on qualifications, availability and location - particularly the ability to be on site in the event of a marine casualty within two hours.
"The participation of professional AMO merchant marine officers as first responders will enhance the expertise and effectiveness of Donjon-SMIT casualty response operations and keep the company on the leading edge of safety and service in this arena," said Eric W. Linsner, president of PRONAV Offshore Services. "There are over 5,000 vessels covered by these Coast Guard regulations and we're working with AMO to build a robust first response network.
"It is possible that regulations will expand in the future to include non-tank vessels, as well as tankers," Linsner added. "In all cases, Donjon-SMIT will be a ready and reliable resource for the maritime industry as a result of this arrangement."
PRONAV is proactively recruiting AMO officers who meet the requirements for salvage marine fire fighter first responders, and location will be an important factor. Donjon-SMIT will be the temporary employer for AMO first responders, and the positions will require a written commitment from each officer to participate in the network for his or her local Captain of the Port Zone.
These on-call first-responder positions are off-duty or enhancement work only. Under the memorandum of understanding, AMO officers with senior licenses will receive $1,000 per day if activated to respond to a marine casualty. Junior AMO officers will be paid $700 per day if activated. These positions do not provide Pension or Medical Plan contributions or credits.
In addition to per diem pay for activation, Donjon-SMIT will conduct a total of 12 drills per year at various Captain of the Port Zones to test and enhance performance of the network. AMO officers participating in a drill will receive the per diem rate for their position.
At this time, PRONAV is primarily seeking senior officers to build the pool of first responders, although AMO officers with junior licenses will also be considered, said Capt. Dirk Weihmann, executive vice president of PRONAV Offshore Services.
In addition to a written commitment, each AMO officer will have to provide a minimal amount of equipment, such as coveralls, a hard hat, safety shoes, a work vest and a float coat, said Weihmann, who is the primary point of contact for the FLEX CREW ℠ Salvage Marine Fire Fighting Network. The cost of purchasing equipment will be reimbursed when used during a response.
AMO is working with PRONAV Offshore Services to identify officers who meet the requirements for these positions, and PRONAV will make initial contact with AMO members who have the appropriate qualifications. Additionally, AMO officers interested in these positions can contact AMO Dispatching directly at (800) 345-3410 or by or . AMO members will need to be prepared to provide and affirm the following in order to work as a salvage marine fire fighter first responder for Donjon-SMIT:
New work for AMO members as first responders
PRONAV recruiting AMO officers for roles in Donjon-SMIT marine salvage operations
A new agreement with premier salvage and marine fire fighting provider Donjon-SMIT LLC has opened promising opportunities for members of American Maritime Officers to work as first responders in 41 Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones in the continental U.S., non-contiguous states and U.S. territories.
In February of this year, new U.S. Coast Guard regulations go into effect requiring each tank vessel calling at a U.S. port to pre-designate a marine salvage company within their tank vessel response plan to ensure rapid response to any casualty involving damage to the vessel with the potential to spill oil.
In 2004, Donjon Marine Co. Inc. of New Jersey, a respected marine services provider, and SMIT Salvage Americas Inc. of Texas - part of SMIT International - created the joint venture Donjon-SMIT LLC in the hopes it would become the premier OPA-90 salvage provider. With its headquarters in Alexandria, Va., the joint venture maintains a sophisticated network of modern marine salvage and fire fighting assets throughout the U.S. and its territories.
Donjon-SMIT has contracted with PRONAV Offshore Services LLC to recruit and maintain a set of qualified mariners to assist with their casualty response operations. These mariners would help fulfill an important requirement of the new regulations to have local personnel quickly available to help in assessing a vessel's status and condition. The capability is designed to provide exceptional marine casualty response services for all COTP Zones. The company - manager of the PRONAV FLEX CREW ℠ Salvage Marine Fire Fighting Network - is now recruiting qualified AMO officers for positions as first responders in the network of professionals employed by Donjon-SMIT.
"This new MOU gives AMO officers who live in or near one of the 41 COTP Zones the opportunity to serve as marine first responders during their off-ship time, earning money for every activation or drill they participate in while providing this critical service," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "This is one more avenue AMO has developed to create opportunities for the membership, and to apply the professionalism of our union to the improvement of safety and success in the U.S. maritime industry.
"Our participation in this venture is a powerful and positive reflection on AMO and may extend to additional opportunities for AMO officers in the domestic and international maritime industries," Bethel said.
PRONAV anticipates five to 10 salvage and marine fire fighter first responders will be needed for each COTP Zone, and is recruiting to form a pool of 300 to 450 AMO officers for the FLEX CREW ℠ Salvage and Marine Fire Fighting Network. AMO officers are being recruited based on qualifications, availability and location - particularly the ability to be on site in the event of a marine casualty within two hours.
"The participation of professional AMO merchant marine officers as first responders will enhance the expertise and effectiveness of Donjon-SMIT casualty response operations and keep the company on the leading edge of safety and service in this arena," said Eric W. Linsner, president of PRONAV Offshore Services. "There are over 5,000 vessels covered by these Coast Guard regulations and we're working with AMO to build a robust first response network.
"It is possible that regulations will expand in the future to include non-tank vessels, as well as tankers," Linsner added. "In all cases, Donjon-SMIT will be a ready and reliable resource for the maritime industry as a result of this arrangement."
PRONAV is proactively recruiting AMO officers who meet the requirements for salvage marine fire fighter first responders, and location will be an important factor. Donjon-SMIT will be the temporary employer for AMO first responders, and the positions will require a written commitment from each officer to participate in the network for his or her local Captain of the Port Zone.
These on-call first-responder positions are off-duty or enhancement work only. Under the memorandum of understanding, AMO officers with senior licenses will receive $1,000 per day if activated to respond to a marine casualty. Junior AMO officers will be paid $700 per day if activated. These positions do not provide Pension or Medical Plan contributions or credits.
In addition to per diem pay for activation, Donjon-SMIT will conduct a total of 12 drills per year at various Captain of the Port Zones to test and enhance performance of the network. AMO officers participating in a drill will receive the per diem rate for their position.
At this time, PRONAV is primarily seeking senior officers to build the pool of first responders, although AMO officers with junior licenses will also be considered, said Capt. Dirk Weihmann, executive vice president of PRONAV Offshore Services.
In addition to a written commitment, each AMO officer will have to provide a minimal amount of equipment, such as coveralls, a hard hat, safety shoes, a work vest and a float coat, said Weihmann, who is the primary point of contact for the FLEX CREW ℠ Salvage Marine Fire Fighting Network. The cost of purchasing equipment will be reimbursed when used during a response.
AMO is working with PRONAV Offshore Services to identify officers who meet the requirements for these positions, and PRONAV will make initial contact with AMO members who have the appropriate qualifications. Additionally, AMO officers interested in these positions can contact AMO Dispatching directly at (800) 345-3410 or by or . AMO members will need to be prepared to provide and affirm the following in order to work as a salvage marine fire fighter first responder for Donjon-SMIT:
- Name
- USCG license number
- USCG license expiration date
- STCW '95 marine firefighting certificate number
- Marine firefighting certificate expiration date (if applicable)
- Address of residence
- Assigned COTP Zone
- Home telephone number
- Cell phone number
- E-mail address
- Vacation schedule and/or availability dates
- Statement that the officer is physically fit and willing and able to participate in shipboard marine fire fighting