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| American Maritime Officers Website |
American Maritime Officers (AMO), a national labor union, used the 101st anniversary of what it called the “Titanic cruise liner disaster” to underscore the increasing need for navigational, emergency response and safety training on all commercial vessels – and to make a pitch for U.S. officers.
“None of the recent, highly-publicized cargo and passenger ship collisions, oil-rig accidents, cruise line fires and serious mechanical malfunctions involved American-flagged ships or AMO-member U.S. mariners, who are trained to the world's highest standards," said Tom Bethel, president of AMO, in a prepared statement.
"Although U.S. merchant marine officers are amongst the best-trained, most experienced seafaring professionals in the world, all of whom are documented, licensed and vetted by the United States Coast Guard, they are being edged-out of some commands by officers from foreign nations because U.S. officers expect what every American expects – solid pension plans and other benefits." He added: "Officers from foreign nations and crew members from undeveloped countries, not licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard but by governments abroad, are willing to accept less, so they are getting the jobs."
Continue reading at: cruiseindustrynews.com
