The U.S. Coast Guard is set to introduce a new merchant mariner credential (MMC) format on March 1, 2024, marking the first significant revision of the credential in nearly a…
https://gcaptain.com/u-s-coast-guard-making-changes-to-merchant-mariner-credential-format/
By Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) Last week, two US-flagged ships manned by US Merchant Mariners were targeted by Houthis and forced to turn around. This is a cause for concern…
https://gcaptain.com/loose-lips-sink-us-merchant-marine-navy-ships/
by Captain John Konrad – gCaptain has received reports that the French Navy is withdrawing from the US lead Operation Prosperity Guardian over a dispute about which ships get escort…
https://gcaptain.com/watch-us-sailors-stranded-red-sea-immediate-military-support/
Former Coast Guard cutters transit the Bosporus into the Black Sea in 2019. Photo by Yörük Işık used with permission
This post will be updated as new information is available.
Two day after Russia has pulled out of an agreement for Ukraine to ship grain through the Black Sea, the Kremlin declared all cargo ships traveling to Ukrainian ports as potentially carrying military cargo in support of Kyiv.
“ In connection with the cessation of the functioning of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the...
by John Konrad (gCaptain) As a US Merchant Marine captain, Merchant Marine veteran advocate, and the husband of a decorated Merchant Marine war veteran, I find myself deeply moved by…
MARAD Ready Reserve ships MV Cape Ray (T-AKR-9679), MV Cape Rise (T-AKR-9678) in port near Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on April 6, 2023. USNI News Photo
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – The U.S. commercial maritime industry needs more business incentives to make changes that support the Defense Department’s requirements for sea lift, an industry panel said this week.
“When industry needs to step up, industry can,” said Jeff Dixon, president of shipping support company Tote Services, said at the 2023 Sea...
Pacific Zircon Image via Vessel Finder
Officials in U.S. Central Command and Israel are blaming Iran for a Tuesday attack on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman.
Tanker Pacific Zircon, was 150 miles off the coast of Oman when it was hit with what U.S. officials said was an unmanned aerial vehicle at about 3:30 p.m. local time, according to the shipping company.
“We are in communication with the vessel and there is no reports of injuries or pollution. All crew are...
https://news.usni.org/2022/11/16/u-s-blames-iran-for-drone-attack-on-tanker-near-oman
By Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) US Congressman Mike Gallagher, a Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered a stark warning to American citizens yesterday in response to a…
https://gcaptain.com/new-report-says-us-navy-capacity-is-very-weak/
Atlantic Container Line (ACL) and Cunard have marked the 40th anniversary of the ‘darkest day in ACL’s history’ when its vessel, the Liverpool registered SS Atlantic Conveyor, was struck by two…
https://gcaptain.com/uk-remembers-merchant-navy-sailors-lost-in-falklands-war/
