INS
IDE

Test yourhealthtriviaPage 3

JSU President calls on governments to take action
The following is a message
from Yoji Fujisawa, President of
the All Japan Seamen’s Union:
Assaults and theft by pirates andarmed groups frequently occur in
the Gulf of Aden off the coast ofSomalia. According to a reportfrom the U.N. Security Council,
about 65 commercial ships fell victim to such attacks in 2008.
Since July of this year, five
Panamanian, Hong Kong andPhilippine flag of convenience
vessels, which were operated by
Japanese shipping companies,
have encountered such incidences. Three vessels and theircrews have not yet been released
after being taken hostage by

Requests for countermeasures to ensure safety of lives, vessels from piracy
pirates.
Furthermore, a Saudi Arabianlarge-size oil tanker (318,000
tons, 25 crewmembers) encountered pirates 200 nautical miles
from the Gulf of Aden, off thecoast of Somalia on Nov. 17. It isreported that a ransom of US$25
million (about YEN2.38 billion)
has been demanded of the Saudi
owners.
Considering the fact that morethan 180 crewmembers from thePhilippines, the country which
produces the largest number of
seafarers, have been directly
affected by piracy for the past

four months, the Philippine government is said to have a plan tostop deployment of seafarers tovessels operating in the vicinityof the aforementioned sea area.
The International Transport
Workers’ Federation (ITF) discussed the response to the issueof piracy with affiliate seamen’s
unions around the world, theInternational Bargaining Forum(IBF) and the Joint NegotiatingGroup (JNG) in Hong Kong.
During the meeting, the ITF
designed an upgraded security
system for vessels and seafarers
in the Maritime Security Patrol

The JSU’s 69th National Congresssignificant to non-domiciled seafarers

Area (MSPA: known as the Security Corridor) in the Gulf of Aden
through CTF150 (volunteer coalition troops). However, as theentire Gulf of Aden area is considered a High-Risk Zone, various
countermeasures were sought.
About 52,000 seafarers from 44
countries, including Japan, areworking for the Japanese merchant fleet. Five of these vessels,manned by more than 100 seafarers operate in the Gulf of Aden
daily. Although the shipping
companies and nationalities, aswell as the deployment of seafarers are becoming increasingly

global in nature, under any economic principles, human life
must be given priority above all
else.
We strongly request the Japanese government, concerned shipping companies and marine associations to immediately designcountermeasures to ensure security of vessels and seafarers as a
response to kidnapping, developing domestic regulation pertaining to pirates in accordance with
the U.N. Convention on the Lawof the Sea, provide financial aid
for maintenance of security, andreinforce global security measuresof concerned agencies andgroups centering on the United
Nations.

New JSU executive committee
members elected at
the last National Congress

BAYANI A. JABOLIJSU UNION OFFICER
The JSU held its 69th National
Congress in Tokyo on Nov. 4-7,
2008. More than 400 delegatesfrom different member-sectors of
the JSU attended to discuss andadopt action plans for future
activities of the union. Representatives from shipping companies and related organizations
also attended the four-day congress.
While the JSU is concernedwith the decreasing number ofJapanese seafarers, it is also
Filipino union officers, ISS and liaison officers from AMOfocused on its plans for the
future with regards to the SUP and SUR at JSU’s National Congress.
increasing number of non-domiciled members. At present, the allowances. Many of the comGovernments, international
JSU has 51,000 non-domiciled plaints stemmed from the fact and employers’ organizations are
members from 44 countries, the that some non-domiciled mem- being urged by the JSU to takemajority of them being from the bers are still experiencing sub- necessary safety measures against
Philippines. The JSU has a standard working and living con- terrorist attacks and acts of piracy,
responsibility to protect the inter- ditions. The JSU promised to which are now the biggest threat
ests of the members regardless of exert more effort in securing to the safety of seafarers andtheir nationality, and its activities answers and solutions to the ships. The IBF negotiated withare not only for Japanese seafar- members’ complaints.
employers the implementation ofers, but also for the non-domiThe JSU will try to do its best an IBF High-Risk (Piracy) Area
ciled members as well.
to provide more quality services from Oct. 7, 2008 with coordiWith the increasing number of and improve communication nates located in the Gulf of Aden.
non-domiciled members, the with non-domiciled members. It
The Filipino union officers and
JSU’s activities are becoming will also continue to strengthen the International Sport for
more diversified. Therefore, the its friendship with seafarers’ Seafarers (ISS) attended the conJSU included in its action plan the unions in the Asia-Pacific region gress and witnessed the adoption
establishment of a “Structural in order to improve seafarers’ of JSU’s action plans for 2009 that
Review Committee” that will working and welfare conditions.
will enhance the welfare of theexamine how to create a new
The plan includes JSU’s efforts JSU’s non-domiciled members.
organizational structure and to strengthen ties with relevant The JSU will also try to increaseenhance the union’s functions in organizations in the Philippines the number of the ISS, so moreorder to fulfill its mission for all to develop a comprehensive sea- member-vessels can be visited.
the members.
farers training program backed
Visitations to member-vessels
During the Oceangoing Sea- by governments, employers and create direct communication
farers Section meeting, common unions. The JSU will also devel- between members, which bothbut persistent complaints from op new training facilities and sides appreciate. Finally, it is our
non-domiciled members were programs aimed at improving hope that all the action plans ofdiscussed, especially regarding welfare services in China and the JSU be implemented and realthe low levels of daily food Vietnam.
ized.

Yoji Fujisawa
JSU President

Norimasa Ohuchi
Vice President

Hideo Ikeda
General Director
International Affairs Bureau

Masamitsu Nakazawa
General Director
Domestic Affairs Bureau

Kenji Takahashi
General Director
Fisheries Affairs Bureau

Shinichi Tanaka
General Director
General Affairs Bureau
General Planning OfficePublication OfficeMARITIME NEWS(2)

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008

Brazilian seafarer receives 2008 IMO bravery award
The 2008 IMO Award for
Exceptional Bravery at Sea has
been presented to a Brazilian seafarer who saved fellow crewmembers from dangerous fire aboard a
ship.
Rodolpho Fonseca da Silva
Rigueira, of the drillship Noble
Roger Eason, was nominated by
the Government of Brazil for his
decisive, selfless act to rescue six
fellow crewmembers from a catastrophic fire. The fire originatedfrom an explosion, causing imminent risk to the lives of crewmembers in the vicinity of the explosion. Yet, instead of evacuating
the area, he repeatedly faced thefire and very high temperatures tosave his colleagues, at severe risk
to his own life.
Rigueira was presented with theaward by IMO Secretary-General
Efthimios E. Mitropoulos in a special ceremony held at the IMO
headquarters on Dec. 1, 2008, during the 85th session of the organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC).

Rigueira rescued six crewmembers after an explosion on his drillship
In addition, certificates were
presented to the following “highly
commended” nominees or theirrepresentatives:• The crew of the Hunter
Region Surf Life Saving Association, Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Service, nominated by the Government of Australia for airlifting 22
crewmembers from the grounded
coal carrier Pasha Bulker, amid
severe weather conditions risking
their own personal safety;• The Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (MRCC) Chile, supported by other MRCCs, crews
and vessels, as nominated by theGovernment of Chile, in view ofthe exemplary multinational cooperation and coordination involvedin the successful search and rescue and anti-pollution operations
following the sinking of the cruise
vessel Explorer, off Antarctica,
thereby saving 154 passengers andcrewmembers and avoiding po-

tentially substantial environmental
damage. The MRCC Chile, as thecoordinating center, was supported by MRCCs of Argentina, theUnited States, the United Kingdom
and Uruguay; the crew of Nordnorge (Norway); the navy icebreaker Almirante Oscar Viel
(Chile); the naval support vessel
Ary Rongel (Brazil); the navy
oceangoing tug Suboficial Castillo(Argentina); National Geographic
Endeavour (Bahamas); Antarctic
Dream (Panama); and Ushuaia(Panama).
• Capt. Kyaw Thet Aung, masterof ANL Warringa, nominated by
the Government of the MarshallIslands, for saving 15 lives from
Fitria Persada, during a search andrescue operation involving considerable risk to his vessel and crew;• Aviation Survival Technician
2nd Class Lawrence Nettles, Coast
Guard HH-65 Helicopter, nominated by the Government of theUnited States, for courage andperseverance, at severe risk to his
own life, in saving the unconscious master of the grounded
Alegria under adverse sea conditions;• Coxswain Mark Criddle, of
the Torbay Lifeboat Station, nominated by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF),
for courage, leadership anddetermination in saving eight survivors from the submerged port
quarter of Ice Prince, under considerable risk to his own life andthe lives of his crew; and• Six officers and crew of thecontainership Horizon Falcon,
nominated by the ITF, for skill,perseverance and courage in saving two survivors from the bulk
carrier Hai Tong No. 7, in severe
weather generated by typhoon
Man-yi.
Letters of commendation weresent to the following nominees:• The crews of the vessel of theHellenic Coast Guard SAR 516 andthe tug boat Alfeios, the staff of thePort Authority of Katakolo and the
Joint Rescue Coordination Center,
Piraeus, nominated by the Government of Greece, for saving 302
illegal migrants, in severe weather,from cargo vessel Akdag; and• Lt. Ulises Toledo Sanchez,
Diver, Mexican Navy Panther
Helicopter AMHP-151, nominatedby the Government of Mexico,
for entering the sea, under
severe weather conditions, tosave a survivor from the Usumacinta oil rig.
The IMO Award for Exceptional
Bravery at Sea was established by
the organization to provide international recognition for those
who, at the risk of losing theirown lives, perform acts of exceptional bravery in attempting tosave a life at sea or in attempting
to prevent or mitigate damage tothe marine environment – and by
so doing, help raise the profile ofshipping and enhance its image.

Modern-day pirates go hi-tech in Aden Due to falling demand, dry
So what does a pirate look
like? Here are a few clues: hedoesn’t have a peg leg, a parrot
or a cutlass. He doesn’t drink
rum – well not exclusively – andhe definitely doesn’t go “arrrrgh.”
Piracy is a dangerous and growing problem and it’s killed atleast eight people so far thisyear.
The region of Puntland is on
the eastern tip of Somalia, andthere has been no working government there for 20 years. Piracy in this region has become
massive business. Huge container
and tanker ships sail past on
their way to the Suez Canal.
They are packed with oil or
expensive goods, and in such apoor country the temptation has
proven too much. Gradually,
over the last 10 years, groups offormer soldiers and fishermen
have formed into well-armed andorganized gangs – the buccaneers of the 21st century.
Pirate headquarters is the Portof Eyl. That’s where many of thegangs have their base, andthey’ve used money from piracy
to build expensive houses andbuy flashy cars. “They are theelite,” said Yusuf Garaad of the
BBC Somali Service. “They havethe money; they buy luxurious
cars, they buy new homes. They
have a lot of money available.”
The Port of Eyl is so wellarmed that when the French government mounted an operation
recently to capture pirates, they
had to carry it out before theyreached the port because they
didn’t dare attack it. The town
even has special restaurants set
up to cook for the crews of captured ships.
Modern pirates operate fromso-called “mother ships,” larger
vessels that can take them far
from the coast in search of prey.
They use smaller boats to reachthe ships they want to capture,guided by GPS systems andusing satellite phones.
Pirate crews these days arearmed with AK47s and rocket-

propelled grenades. One thing atleast hasn’t changed since thedays of Blackbeard – ships areboarded using grappling hooks
and rope ladders. On a hugecontainership, it’s fairly easy to
do that without anyone noticing.
Captured captains havedescribed not knowing anything
was wrong until they saw someone on the bridge with amachine gun. The crews ofhijacked ships have usually been
kept safe – the pirates want theirransom money. But security
experts are growing worried thatas attacks become more frequentand daring, it’s only a matter oftime before things turn violent.
The coast of Somalia, including
the Gulf of Aden, is currently theworld’s piracy hotspot, followedby the seas around Nigeria andIndonesia. There have been 60
attacks in the area so far in 2008,
and the hijacking of Sirius Star
proves the pirates have become
brave enough to take on prettymuch anything. (Source: BBC)

Back to the future with solar sails fitted to vessels
Solar-powered sails the size ofa jumbo jet’s wings will soon be
fitted to cargo ships, after a Sydney renewable energy company
signed a deal with China’s
biggest shipping line.
The Chatswood-based Solar
Sailor group has designed thesails, which can be retro-fitted toexisting tankers. The aluminumsails, 30-meters-long and covered
with photovoltaic panels, harness
the wind to cut fuel costs by
between 20 percent and 40 percent, and use the sun to meet 5
percent of the ship’s energy
needs.
China’s COSCO bulk carrier
will fit the wings to a tanker andbulker ship under a memoran-

dum of understanding with theAustralian company, which
demonstrates the technology on
a Sydney Harbour cruise boat.
“It’s hard to predict a timeline
but at some point in the future, I
can see all ships using solar sails– it’s inevitable,” said the company’s chief executive, Robert
Dane.
Once fitted, the sails can pay
for themselves in fuel savings
within four years, Dane said.
They don’t require special training to operate, with a computer
linked in to a ship’s existing navigation system, and sensors automatically angling the sails tocatch a breeze and help vessels
along.

The company is supported by
NSW Government’s AustralianTechnology Showcase program.
“This is a breakthrough opportunity for Solar Sailor to play aleading role in the future of international shipping design during aperiod when rising fuel costs andenvironmental concerns havetaken center stage,” said the
NSW Minister for Primary Industry, Ian Macdonald.
“This is a case of back to the
future – back to the days of sailing ships but to the future interms of high technology solar
and wind sails operated by computer rather than sailcloth andrigging manned by crew.”(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)bulker newbuilds drying up

At least one-third of orders tobuild dry-bulk ships may be canceled and many others delayed
due to the global financial crisisand tight lending conditions, industry insiders and analysts said.
Demand for ocean transport has
plummeted due to falling demandfor commodities and to fears ofrecession. Freight rates have tumbled and financing of projects has
proved tougher in the industry as
lending conditions stay tight.
The massive fleet order book,built up over five years of booming
growth, is expected to see large
cuts, with many already announced. Many industry sources now saythat the cut in orders could beeven bigger than expected. “We
think that one-third of the bulk
order book will be canceled andthat the remaining orders will see
quite a few delays,” Erik Andersen,
head of shipping brokerage Platou,
told Reuters, adding that this was
mainly for 2010 and 2011.
Andersen said that as a result,the order book would grow by
about 7 percent to 8 percent per
year over the next few years, downfrom 12 percent to 15 percent during the peak years.
This week U.S.-based Genco
Shipping & Trading Ltd. canceled adeal to buy six dry-bulk vessels.
Britannia Bulk Holdings Inc. saidin late October it may file for bankruptcy protection due to the financial squeeze.
The Baltic Exchange’s dry sea
freight index, a gauge of global
demand for dry commodities, sankto a nine-year low recently, as fears
of global recession and tight linesof credit suffocated trade.
The London-based index, which
tracks prices for raw materials,
excluding oil, on top export routes,
has fallen more than 90 percent
from its peak in May this year.
Carl Steen, head of Nordea’s
Norwegian shipping, offshore andoil services unit, said many orders
were placed with fledgling shipyards and that cancellations would
be “much larger” than the market
expects.
“At least one-third of orderedships will not be delivered,” Steensaid, adding that the number could
easily rise.
The tonnage reduction will helpbalance an industry faced withmassive oversupply, analysts said.
Platou’s Andersen said capacity
cuts could avoid a situation of“structural overcapacity.”
In October, leading bankers inthe shipping industry said lending
would remain extremely tight. One
analyst said that about 40 percent
of all new orders were placed at
new and inexperienced yards,
which are expected to struggle
more than established yards. Banks
have also said they prioritize theirrelationship with established customers.
“Things suggest that somewhere
between 30 to 50 percent oftoday’s order book is at risk fromnot being delivered,” said an analyst at a Nordic brokerage, who
asked not to be named. Arctic
Security analyst Jonas Shum said,“Our estimate is for 22 percent cancellations, but there is a risk that
we will have to raise this -– possibly up towards 30 percent.”
About 90 percent of the world’s
traded goods by volume, including
key raw materials, are shipped bysea, so analysts often use freightrates as an indicator for global
growth.
In 2009, 860 bulk ships are
expected to be delivered, with
2,321 ships from 2010 and
onwards, according to Platou.
In the oil tanker market, a separate industry sector, 699 deliveries
are expected in 2009 and 947 in2010. Platou said that it expected
about 10 percent of these orders to
be canceled. (Source: Shiptalk)NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008

SEAFARERS’ CORNER(3)

Health facts you probably didn’t know!
1 . What is the largest muscle in
the human body?
Our muscles account for 35 percent to 40 percent of the humanbody. The largest muscle in the
body is the buttock muscle or gluteus maximus, whose function is toextend the thigh.
2. What is the most active muscleof the body?
Sorry guys, it’s not the muscle
that you’re thinking about. Our
most active muscles are the eye
muscles, which move 100,000
times in a day! The eye muscles
are also moving when we areasleep and dreaming. It’s called
REM (rapid eye movement)
sleep.
3. What is the longest bone?
The longest bone in the body is
the thighbone or femur, whichconstitutes 28 percent of a person’s
total height. A newborn has 300
bones while adults have only 206
bones. This is because many bones
fuse as we grow older.
4. What is the largest internalorgan?
Our largest organ is the liver,which performs up to 100 bodilyfunctions. Its function enables us to“live,” hence the name “liver.” It’s
located behind our lower right rib
and can measure up to 9 inches
long and 4 inches wide.

5. What is the heaviest recorded
weight of a person?
The heaviest man in medical history was the American Jon Brower
Minnoch, who weighed 974
pounds (442 kilograms) in September 1976. Two years later, he wasadmitted to University Hospital in
Seattle, for congestive heart failure
due to his obesity. His endocrinologist Dr. Robert Schwartz estimatedhis body weight to be 1,399
pounds, with much of the additional weight due to water accumulation from his bad heart.
6. What is the highest recorded
blood sugar level?
The normal blood sugar level isbetween 80 and 105 mg/dl. A twoyear-old patient survived an
astounding blood sugar level of
2,495 mg/dl (139 mmol/liter). She
was admitted and treated at a community hospital in Virginia, U.S. fordiabetic ketoacidosis.
7. Who is the oldest patient tohave undergone surgery?
James Henry Brett Jr. underwent
a hip operation at the age of 111
years and 105 days.
8. Who is the tallest person?
The tallest living person is Radhouane Charbib from Tunisia. He
was confirmed to be 7 feet 8.9
inches. The tallest woman died on

February 13, 1982. She was Zeng
Jinlian from China and measured 8
feet 1.75 inches tall.
The tallest man ever was Robert
Pershing Wadlow who was 8 feetand 11.1 inches tall.
9. Who is the shortest person?
The shortest adult man is Gul
Mohammed from India, who is22.5 inches (57 centimeters) tall.
The shortest woman is Madge
Bester of South Africa at 25.5 inches (64.77 centimeters) tall.
10. What is the most common
infectious disease?
The common cold afflicts anyone and everyone. There are atleast 40 different kinds of cold
viruses that can infect humans. We
usually get three bouts of colds peryear.
11. What is the leading cause ofdeath worldwide?
50 years ago, the leading causeof death was infectious diseases,
like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Now, the leading cause of mortality is cardiovascular diseases,
including heart attack and stroke.
12. What is the rarest blood type?
Using the ABO system, blood
type AB is the rarest, with only 1
percent to 2 percent of the population having this blood type. The
most common blood group, foundin 46 percent of people, is type O.
Blood group O is also called theuniversal donor and can be used
for blood transfusion in emergency
situations.

The following health trivia iscourtesy of Dr. Arthur Del Rosarioand Dr. Rolour Garcia of West
Visayas State University:
Did you know that…

13. What is the largest artery?
The largest artery is the aorta,
which measures around three centimeters in diameter.
14. What is the longest memoryof a cell?
A type of white blood cell, called
the lymphocytes, is part of thebody’s defense system. Once theyencounter enemy bacteria, the lymphocytes will remember them forlife, through successive generationsof lymphocytes produced.
15. Who is the youngest doctor?
Dr. Balamurali Ambati became
the youngest physician in history,
when he graduated from theMount Sinai School of Medicine in
New York City on May 19, 1995, atage 17.
16. What is the fastest way to die?
During a heart attack, the heart
rhythm can suddenly become
abnormal and stop abruptly. A
person could die in seconds. Notethat proper resuscitation canrevive the heart again within 15
minutes. But unless you know
how to give CPR, drive fast to thenearest hospital.

• Ketchup was sold as medicine
in the 1830
• Chewing gum while peelingonions will keep you from crying• Balsamic vinegar originatedin 1602, when two brothers of
the Vinegar clan, Balsa and Mick,dueled to their deaths. Theirgrieving mother Violetta Vinegar,
who was pressing a new grape
from their vineyard, named it intheir memory -– Balsa-Mick vinegar.
• Astronauts are not allowed toeat beans before they go into
space because passing wind in aspace suit damages it• By raising your legs slowly
and lying on your back, you can’t
sink in quicksand• Dentists recommend keeping
your toothbrush at least six feetaway from the toilet. This isbecause flushing can spread feces
via airborne particles. Put the lid
down of the toilet seat when flushing or flush slowly.
• It’s impossible to lick yourelbow (OK, I saw you try that!)(Source: Phil. Star/MIND YOURBODY By Willie T. Ong, MD)

VOICES from SEAFARERS
I would like to encourage young seafarers
to take the board examinations.
According to the information supplied by
the JSU, you only need to take two examinations to become a Master.
I thank the JSU for its support to Japan and
the Philippine maritime industry for providing
us with updates and reading materials.
Capt. Jose Bernard M. Momville
M/V IVS KITTIWAKE

Capt. Joaquin H. Misa and crewmembers of M/V LONG BEACH
On behalf of my officers and crew, I would like to send our warmest
thanks and appreciation to the JSA and to all of your field staff who gave
their best efforts in providing us the information regarding our CBA and thelatest update of all the services and upgrading courses that you offer. We
hope that your aim of solidarity will prosper. And we seafarers promise that
we will double our service in transporting the goods from one port toanother with devotion.

Best wishes to the JSU and all the field staff
for all the hard work that you do to provide
us with information.
C/E Savio Sequeira
M/V MOL PRESTIGE

Capt. Reynaldo L. Labanta
M/V CAPE MAPLE
In order to help address the crew
shortage, I would like to suggest to
all shipping companies to implement
apprenticeship (cadetship) opportunities on board, involving at least
one deck and one engine cadet foreach ship.
I have noticed that there are a lotof fresh graduates on standby atmanning agencies, waiting for theirluck to strike.
They often wait, serving as office workers for more than a year, without
knowing when they will be hired, and where they will be stationed to work
aboard ships.
In addition, I would like to suggest that each vessel be equipped with apersonal computer for the crew’s e-mail use.

Officers and crewmembers of M/V ARMSTRONG
We did not expect the JSU was so serious and dedicated in educating
and increasing the welfare of seafarers. We thank the union and their staff
for their efforts. May the union prosper and your goals be realized.

JOKE CORNER
The Bosun and
his Viagra
While the ship’s in port,
the old Bosun gets the prescription for Viagra andgoes back to the ship to get
ready when his wife comesto visit him.
The wife calls him on thephone and says, “I’ll be
onboard in an hour.” “Perfect,” he replies.
The Bosun remembered
the doctor told him to takehis Viagra an hour before.
He takes the Viagra andwaits.
An hour goes by, theBosun is ready and hot, but
no wife…she calls him on
the phone and says, “Traffic
is terrible, I won’t be there
for about two hours.”
The Bosun frustrated,calls his doctor for advice.
“What should I do?” heasks. The doctor replied, “Itwould be a shame to waste
it, is there any woman
around?” “Yes, a beauty ina nearby club.” he replies.
“Well maybe you can occupy yourself with her instead” said the doctor.
The Bosun replied withdismay, “But I don’t need
Viagra with that beauty…”
By HeroADVISORIES/WARNINGS(4)

Piracy distress call procedures
The U.S. Maritime Administration issued
an advisory for anti-piracy distress calling
procedures for commercial vessels transiting
the Gulf of Aden:
1. Call help on VHF-16 and MF/HF DSC;
2. Contact UKMTO by phone at +971
50552 3215 or e-mail at ukmto@eim.ae
3. If unable to contact UKMTO, contact
MARLO Bahrain by phone at +973 3940
1395 or by email at marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil
4. Activate the ship security alert system(SSAS). (Source: Holland & Knight)

PJMCC releases CD reviewer for PRC exams
The Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council, Inc. (PJMCC), composed of 54
Filipino manning companies providing over
30,000 seafarers every year to Japanese-controlled vessels, has produced a reviewer for
those preparing for their PRC examinations
to obtain officer licenses.
The reviewer, called the Version 4.5,
updated as of Sept. 27 2008, is composed oftwo separate CDs for the deck and engine. It
has test questions for both Management andOperational levels, to enable seafarers to pre-Summary of agreements
reached at JSU’s 69th NC
The JSU convened its 69th
National Congress on Nov. 4-7, at
which time the union decided on
certain action plans to lay thefoundation for its future activities,
made a personnel reshuffle
among its executive board members and selected new members.
ITF meetings and the IBF forum

On Nov. 17-21, an ITF meeting
and an IBF forum were held inHong Kong.
When the ITF’s Seafarer Section
summoned a meeting on Nov. 19,
reports were made by outsideorganizations that there would be
a contraction in the shipping market as a result of the financial crisis triggered by the subprime
loan issue in the United States, aswell as future forecasts.
The organizations indicatedthat the shipping market is suffering largely from a fall in demand
from China and due to the credit
crunch.
As such, the Seafarer Section
decided to call a meeting for
financial crisis management in
London, assembling ITF coordinators and inspectors fromaround the world, and having
them gather and analyze information on ongoing developments.
For instance, there is no sign ofa decline in piracy and robbery in
the Gulf of Aden off the coast ofSomalia.
When the IBF Warlike Operation Area Committee ad hoc
meeting was held in Singapore in
October, attendees agreed thatthey would need to make every
effort to ensure the safety ofhuman lives and ships as piracy
and robbery attacks had been
made outside a new high-risk
area.
The meeting, which decided to

ALL JAPAN SEAMEN’S UNION
15-26, Roppongi 7-Chome,
Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Tel.: (03) 5410-8320
Fax: (03) 5410-8336
E-mail: iss@jsu.jp
Internet: http://www.jsu.or.jp
Publisher: Shinichi Tanaka
Send inquiries to the attentionof Mr. Masanobu Makizoe,
Director, Foreign Trades Dept.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008

designate more high-risk areas,
shared common awareness thatthe federation would have tolobby governments and the United Nations more aggressively,
and involve the ITF in the centerof its activities.
Measures for Japanese andnon-domiciled special members
working onboard vessels
passing Gulf of Aden

The piracy in waters off thecoast of Somalia in eastern Africa
has been escalating to a point
where it can no longer beignored.
Approximately 52,000 seamen,
Japanese and non-domiciled special members from 44 countries,
work onboard 2,000 Japaneseoperated ships that transit theSuez Canal from the Gulf of Adenand the Red Sea.
On average, approximately fivevessels and more than 100 seamen pass through these waters
on a daily basis.
To this end, the JSU recently
asked the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
to urge the government of Japan
as well as relevant shipping companies and others concernedwith maritime affairs to respondto this issue and do all they canto ensure the safety of vessels
and seafarers -– such as developing a new domestic law to combat piracy in accordance with the
U.N. Convention on the Law of
the Sea; providing Somalia witheconomic assistance so that it
can regain public order; andencouraging U.N.-based international organizations to take measures to ensure safety worldwide.
The JSU held a maritime safetycommittee meeting with the
Shipowners’ Labor Relations
Committee of the Japanese
Shipowners’ Association (JSA) on
Dec. 1 and discussed safety-related issues with the International
Mariners Management Associationof Japan (IMMAJ) on Dec. 9.
As measures to ensure the safety of Japanese members and nondomiciled special members who
work onboard ships that pass theGulf of Aden, the three organizations confirmed, among othersubjects, the designation of a new
high-risk area, conditions for ship
deployment, and the establishment of liaison systems amongships, unions and operators.

pare for the review “anywhere, anytime.” In astatement, the PJMCC said the deck reviewer
covers more than 11,000 questions for all thecompetencies: Navigation; Cargo Handlingand Stowage; Controlling the Operations of
the Ship and Care for Persons Onboard; andRadio Communication and Safety.
The engine reviewer covers more than
21,000 questions for Marine Engineering;Electrical, Electronic and Control Equipment; Maintenance and Repair; and Controlling the Operations of the Ship and Carefor Persons Onboard.
The CD has built-in software that lets users
choose to review the different lessons andtake practice examinations. The software
records the review sessions and the testscores so the user can monitor their performance. The CD reviewer also includes anumber of animations, which helps users
visualize and better understand the lessons.
The PJMCC is distributing the CD reviewer
through its member companies to their seafarers free of charge. (Source: Balitang Marino)

IBF JSU/AMOSUP-IMMAJ CBA, IBF JSU/PSU-IMMAJ CA, IBF JSU-IMMAJ CA extracted as follows
1. IBF High-Risk Area
The new eastern and western high-risk area has been
projected north and south of the existing area, to the
Yemeni coast in the north and to the existing warlike
operations area in the south. It encompasses the Islandof Suqutra. The eastern and western boundaries of thearea have been adjusted to meet the mouth of the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA).
The western border of the high-risk zone therefore
runs from the coastline at the border of Djibouti andSomalia to position 12 20 N, 45 E; from 12 30 N, 45 E to
Mayyun Island in the Bab El Mandeb Straits.
2. MSPAThe waters surrounded by the following eight points
will be designated as a MSPA, and ships will be advised
to move within the area.
(1) 12 degrees and 15 minutes North, 45 degrees and0 minutes East(2) 12 degrees and 35 minutes North, 45 degrees and0 minutes East(3) 13 degrees and 35 minutes North, 49 degrees and0 minutes East(4) 13 degrees and 40 minutes North, 49 degrees and0 minutes East(5) 14 degrees and 10 minutes North, 50 degrees and0 minutes East(6) 14 degrees and 15 minutes North, 50 degrees and0 minutes East(7) 14 degrees and 35 minutes North, 53 degrees and0 minutes East(8) 14 degrees and 45 minutes North, 53 degrees and0 minutes East
3. Special bonus(1) When ships transit the IBF High-Risk Area, operators will pay crewmembers bonuses, which will beapproximately 100 percent of their base salaries, inaccordance with how long the ships are in the area.
Note: The number of hours it takes for ships to passthrough the area will be divided by 24. Drop the figures
after the decimal point to calculate (A). Base salaries will
be divided by 30 to calculate (B). (A) multiplied by (B) willbe the amount of bonuses to be given to crewmembers.
(2) If crewmembers are injured or killed while vessels
are in the area, twice as much compensation as normal
will be offered. In case shipping companies sign similar
agreements with crewmembers, however, this rule may
not be applied.
4. Right to disembark
If vessels covered by the IBF Agreement are operated
in the IBF High-Risk Area, but outside the MSPA,
crewmembers will have the right to disembark. If this is
the case, shipowners will shoulder the costs for returning
the crewmembers to port.
5. Measures to take when ships are at ports in Yemen
However, the bonus and other benefits will not
apply while ships are alongside a berth, at anchor insecure anchorages off Yemeni ports or attached to a
Yemeni SBM facility. It is understood that vessels will
have to transit the high-risk area in order to proceed to
Yemeni ports and as such the bonuses mentioned inabove should cease when a vessel is either secure
alongside, her anchor brought up or fully coupled to a
SBM. Likewise, when sailing the bonuses should commence when the vessel is “all gone” For instance,
when the last line is let go from a berth, when theanchor is aweigh or a vessel .has decoupled from a
SBM.
6. The revised high-risk area took effect from 00.00
hours Nov. 21, 2008
7. The new area will remain in place until Jan. 31,
2009 unless circumstances materially change in themeantime.

JSU/AMOSUP CBA, JSU/PSU CA and JSU CA for Japanese Flag extracted as follows
1. The waters surrounded by (1), (2), (3) and shoreside will be designated as a High-Risk Area.
(1) The line that links the following five points:(a) 11 degrees and 27 minutes North, and 43 degrees
and 15 minutes East(b) 12 degrees and 15 minutes North, 45 degrees and0 minutes East(c) 12 degrees and 35 minutes North, 45 degrees and0 minutes East(d) 12 degrees and 39 minutes North, 43 degrees and26 minutes East(e) 12 degrees and 41 minutes North, 43 degrees and28 minutes East
Territories of Yemen between (c) and (d) will be
excluded.
(2) The line that links the following four points:(a) 16 degrees and 40 minutes North, 53 degrees and7 minutes East(b) 14 degrees and 45 minutes North, 53 degrees and0 minutes East(c) 14 degrees and 35 minutes North, 53 degrees and0 minutes East(d) 12 degrees and 33 minutes North, 54 degrees and
31 minutes East
(3) The line that links the following two points:(a) 12 degrees and 39 minutes North, 53 degrees and25 minutes East(b) 11 degrees and 50 minutes North, 51 degrees and17 minutes East
2. As a general rule, ships should transit the Gulf ofAden through the MSPA
3. Shipping companies will pay bonuses when ships

are operated in the High-Risk Area. The bonus will be an
additional 100 percent on top of base salaries set forth inagreements.
Daily rates will be calculated by dividing the totals by
the number of hours that the ships require to pass thearea.
If crewmembers are injured or killed when ships are in
the area, operators will pay twice as much.
However, when ships are alongside a berth, atanchor in secure anchorages off Yemeni ports or
attached to Yemeni SBM facilities, these rules will not
be applied.
(1) As for special bonuses for Filipino seamen, shipping companies will pay twice the amount of basesalaries, paid holidays and overtime payments in accordance with regulations of the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration (POEA).
Daily rates will be calculated by dividing the totals by
the number of hours that the ships require to pass thearea.
(2) However, the rule will not be applied if shipping
companies sign contracts with crewmembers in accordance with domestic laws of countries from which thecrewmembers come, or regulations of labor unions towhich they belong, and the contracts contain better terms
than the abovementioned bonuses and injury and/or
death compensations.
4. Ships will not be operated in the waters that extend
12 miles from the coast of eastern Somalia to the linethat links the north of the national border between Somalia and Djibouti, and the north of Cape Guardafui.
5. This statement will take effect on Dec. 2, 2008.