The

RESEARCH REPORTS

The purpose of these Research Reports is to educate, inform and help the mariner stay abreast of current rule changes, proposed rule changes and other pertinent issues which affect our professions. When possible, by documented testimony and direct statement we strive to show events that contribute to the unfair working conditions suffered by today's mariner. We also offer within the Research Reports, solutions to correcting many of these shameful conditions experienced by mariners in their day-to-day working environment. You will find extensive reference material to back up our research.

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985.851.2134 563.514.1711

Number#	Title
R-450	MARITIME CONFINED SPACE FATALITIES *pdf 48p.
R-449	OHSA STILL REGULATES UNINSPECTED DRY CARGO & WORK BARGE SAFETY
R-448	ASSEMENT PERIODS HARM RENTENTION OF TRAINED & EXPERIENCED MARINERS: A REPORT TO CONGRESS ON LOWER-LEVEL MERCHANT PERSONNEL *pdf. 10p. $3.00
R-446	PROPOSED RULE CHANGES AFFECT TOWING VESSEL OFFICERS rev.1 *pdf 19pg. $4.80
R-445	REPORT TO CONGRESS: COAST GUARD FAILED TO PROTECT MARINERS FROM ASBESTOS *pdf 9pg. $2.80
R-444-A	COAST GUARD ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME DISCLOSUER POLICY rev.1 *pdf 12pg. $3.40
R-444	BILGE WATER PROCESSING EQUIPMENT: COMMENTS TO THE DOCKET *pdf 31pg. $7.20 {By Glenn L. Pigott & Richard A. Block}
R-443	BLACKLISTING AND THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT *pdf 8pg. $2.60
R-442	HEARING ON CHALLENGES FACING THE COAST GUARD'S MARINE SAFETY PROGRAM *pdf. 105p. $22.00
R-441	COAST GUARD OBSTRUCTS PREVENTIVE MAINTANENCE *pdf. 4p.g $1.80
R-440	MAINTENANCE & CURE by Mark L. Ross, Esq. *pdf. rev.1 8p. $2.60
R-440-A	MARINER HEALTH ISSUES AND THE *pdf. PROPOSED NEW MEDICAL NCIV rev.1 79p.
R-439	TWIC ISSUANCE PORTS *pdf. 4p. $1.80
R-438	CRIMINALIZATION OF MARINERS: THE CASE OF CAPTAIN WOLFGANG SCHRODER *pdf. 5p. $2.00
R-437	WAYS TO RETAIN NEW CREWMEMBERS AND KEEP SEASONED CREWS *pdf 2pg. $1.40 { By Captain David Whitehurst}
R-436	THE COAST GUARD APPEAL PROCESS rev.1 *pdf. 7p. $2.40
R-433	TOWING VESSEL FATALITIES:GCMA COVERAGE OF TWO ACCIDENT REPORTS ON TSAC SEPT 2006 AGENDA *pdf. 12p. $3.40
R-432	COAST GUARD INSPECTION SNAFU LEAVES FOUR DEAD AND MANY INJURED AND HUNDREDS OF BOAT OWNERS AFFECTED *pdf 47pg. $10.40 (Lady D. accident in Baltimore harbor)
R-430	MET DOCUMENT: WHAT IS AN OSV? Rev.2 *pdf. 3p. $1.60
R-429	SERIES - (SUBJECT) U.S. COAST GUARD INVESTIGATIONS *pdf. 33p. $7.60
R-429-A	U.S. COAST GUARD MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING: ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT Interim Report, August 1994 *pdf. 66p. $14.20
R-429-B	REPORT OF THE USCG QUALITY ACTION TEAM ON MARINE SAFETY INVESTIGATIONS - 1996 *pdf. 78p. $16.60
R-429-C	COAST GUARD MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS *pdf. 4p. $1.80
R-429-D	COAST GUARD INVESTIGATIONS: BUZZARDS BAY TANK BARGE GROUNDING & OIL SPILL - APRIL 27, 2003 *pdf. 12p. $3.40

R-429-E	ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS: INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS by Captain Tuuli Messer rev.1 *pdf. 2p. $1.40
R-429-F	REPORT ON THE COAST GUARD-AWO QUALITY ACTION TEAM ON TOWING VESSEL CREW FATALITIES *pdf.
R-429-G	REPORT TO CONGRESS: SHARPENING ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TOOLS BY ESTABLISHING LOGBOOK STANDARDS *pdf. 11p. $3.20
R-429-I	INVESTIGATIONS: ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING PERSONAL INJURY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Rev.2 *pdf. 7p. $2.40
R-429-J	INVESTIGATIONS: REPORT TO CONGRESS - COAST GUARD ABUSES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW SYSTEM *pdf. 28p. $6.00
R-429-K	(Series) Aug. 8, 2007. CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE HEARS ABOUT COAST GUARD ABUSE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW SYSTEM - Report on Congressional Hearing held July 31, 2007 52p. $11.40
R-429-L	THE COAST GUARD HATES WHISTLEBLOWERS: THE ERIC SHINE STORY *pdf. 8p. rev. 2
R-429-M	UNITED STATES COAST GUARD'S MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATION PROGRAMS *pdf 52 p.
R-429-N	REPORT TO THE 110TH CONGRESS: MARITIME TOWING ACCIDENTS INVOLVING APPRENTICE MATES/STEERSMAN *pdf 24P.
R-429-O	NMA PETITIONS THE COAST GUARD TO CHANGE THE ALJ SYSTEM *pdf 9p.
R-428	REPORT TO CONGRESS: THE FORGOTTEN MARINERS MARITIME EDUCATION & TRAINING FOR ENTRY-LEVEL DECK & ENGINE PERSONNEL rev.1 *pdf. 30p. $7.00
R-428-A	MARINER EDUCATION & TRAINING FOR LOWER-LEVEL LICENSES: THE NEWMAN REPORT *pdf. $21.00
R-428-B	AWO/USCG JOINT QUALITY ACTION TEAM REPORT ON DECK CREW SAFETY IN THE INLAND TOWING INDUSTRY rev.1 *pdf. 78p. $16.60
R-428-C	MARITIME EDUCATION, TRAINING & MANNIING: FUNCTIONAL JOB ANALYSIS FOR MARINE PERSONNEL (FJA) *pdf. 55p. $12.00
R-428-D	REPORT TO THE 110TH CONGRESS: SUBSTANDARD COAST GUARD MERCHANT MARINER PERSONNEL SERVICES *pdf. 55p. $12.00
R-428-E	GCMA SUPPORTS PROPOSED FORGIVABLE EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM *pdf. 6p. $2.20
R-428-F	AWO CHAIRMAN TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS ON PERSONNEL & LICENSING ISSUES *pdf.
R-428-H	MARITIME EDUCATION & TRAINING: LOWER-LEVEL ENGINEERING TRAINING PROGRAMS *pdf. 23p. $5.60
R-427	ARTCO-SIX MARINERS STAND UP AGAINST INTIMIDATION TO MOVE UNSAFE OVERSIZED & OVERLOADED TOWS *pdf. 16p. $4.20
R-426	REPORT TO CONGRESS: CHALLENGES FACING THE COAST GUARD'S MARINER SAFETY PROGRAM - EFFECTIVELY REGULATING THE TOWING INDUSTRY *pdf. 14pg. $3.80
R-425	BILGE WATER PROCESSING EQUIPMENT COMMENTS TO COAST GUARD DOCKET *pdf.
R-423	PROBLEM AREAS ADDRESSED BY GCMA 1999-2005 *pdf.
R-422	HOW TO CONTACT CONGRESSMEN ON MARITIME ISSUES REV.1 *pdf.
R-421	GCMA SUGGESTIONS FOR AN APPRENTICE MATE/STEERSMAN MODEL TRAINING COURSE *pdf.
R-420	CORRECTING AND MAINTAINING YOUR NAUTICAL CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS 8p. *pdf.$2.60
R-419	GCMA SUGGESTIONS SUBMITTED TO TSAC TOWING VESSEL INSPECTION WORKING GROUP *pdf.
R-418	WHEN YOUR PAST CRIMES RETURN TO HAUNT YOU 10p. $3.2*pdf.0
R-417	REQUEST FOR CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT ON THE TOWING SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE rev.1 *pdf. 11p. $3.20
R-417-A	COMMENTS ON REVISING NVIC 4-01 "LICENSING & MANNING FOR OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS" TO THE TOWING SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TSAC) *pdf. 11p.
R-415	TRAINING AND LICENSING PROBLEMS FOR TOWING VESSEL OFFICERS rev.2 *pdf. 12p. $3.40
R-415-A	OBJECTIONABLE EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES: HEADHUNTING *pdf. 3p. $1.60
R-415-B	COAST GUARD MISMANAGEMENT OF LOWER-LEVEL MERCHANT MARINER PERSONNEL: MEDICAL & PHYSICAL EVALUATION GUIDELINES FOR MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS rev.1 *pdf. 62p. $13.40
R-413	IT IS TIME TO END THE TWO-WATCH SYSTEM html & *pdf. 21p. $5.20
R-412	TOWBOAT ENGINEER’S DEATH POINTS TO NEED FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW 20p. *pdf.$5.00
R-411	CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT CONTINUING OVERHEAD CLEARANCE ACCIDENTS rev.4 *pdf. 8p. $2.60

R-410	WHAT IS THE TOWING INDUSTRY’S VESSEL INSPECTION "STRAWMAN"? 14p. $3.60 *pdf.
R-409	WHAT IS A SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR TOWING VESSELS? 10p. *pdf. $2.00
R-408	CREW ENDURANCE: STUDY LINKS ACCIDENTS TO FATIGUE AND CREW SIZE 52p. $*pdf.11.40
R-405	RELINQUISHING CONTROL OF YOUR VESSEL 6p. *pdf.$2.20
R-404	SUBSTANCE ABUSE: EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 4p. $*pdf.1.80
R-403	STRESS AND THE LICENSED MARINER 20p. *pdf.$5.00
R-402	BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT 20p. $*pdf.5.00
R-401	CREW ENDURANCE AND THE TOWING VESSEL ENGINEER: A DIRECT APPEAL TO CONGRESS rev.1 30p. $*pdf.7.00
R-401-A	UNINSPECTED TOWING VESSELS: An Analysis of the Historical & Contemporary Issue of Their Regulation *pdf. 86p. $18.20
R-401-B	FINALLY ANSWERED: HOW BUREAUCRACY WRECKED THE USCG MERCHANT MARINER LICENSING AND DOCUMENTATION COMPUTER SYSTEM 4p. $1.80*pdf.
R-401-C	COAST GUARD DEFENDS NEW NATIONAL SECURITY CUTTER BEFORE CONGRESS *pdf. 140p. $29.00
R-401-E	MARINE SAFETY: WHERE THE COAST GUARD WHEN WRONG 36p. *pdf.$7.20
R-401-G	RENEWED EFFORTS IN THE MARINE SAFETY PROGRAM *pdf. 7p.
R-400	OVERSIZE AND OVERLOADED TOWS: TOWING VESSEL HORSEPOWER 18p. $4.60
R-399	DANGER ON THE ILLINOIS WATERWAY: TOWBOAT PILOT LOSES LICENSE AFTER HE ACCEPTS HIGH-RISK ASSIGNMENT 10p. $*pdf.3.00
R-398	CREW VAN – DEATH VAN? *rev.2 pdf. 5p. $2.00**
R-396	HOW WESTERN RIVERS MARINERS LOST THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE *pdf. 4p. $1.80
R-395	SAFE POTABLE WATER & FOOD SERVICE WORKBOATS: AN APPEAL TO CONGRESS Rev.2 *pdf. 9p. $2.80
R-394	INSPECTIONS MAY BE PART OF NEW TOWBOAT SAFETY REGIME *pdf.
R-393	USCG LICENSING PROCEDURES: AN AFFRONT TO LOWER-LEVEL MARINERS 16p. $*pdf.4.20
R-392	LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: CHANGES IN DISTRIBUTION METHODS (extract from 69fr 9837, march 2,2004. lnm) *pdf.
R-391	OVERSIZED & OVERLOADED TOWS - REMARKS OF CAPTAIN LARRY P. GWIN *pdf.
R-390	LOSS OF THE TUG THOMAS HEBERT OFF NEW JERSEY COAST WITH LOSS OF LIFE FAILS TO BRING NEEDED CHANGES 7p. $*pdf.2.40
R-389	THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION (NOV) PROGRAM TICKETS FOR POLLUTION 4p. $*pdf.1.80
R-388	MERCHANT MARINER DOCUMENT (MMD) CHANGES TO 46 CFR PART 12 4p. *pdf.$1.80
R-387	CANADA SHIPPING ACT: TOWBOAT CREW ACCOMMODATION REGULATIONS *pdf.
R-386	COMPARATIVE REPORT: TOWBOATS IN CANADA & THE UNITED STATES *pdf. 3p. $1.60
R-385	CHANGES IN THE COLREGS *pdf.
R-384	GCMA ENCOURAGES MARINERS TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS 6p. $2.20 *pdf.
R-383	DESIGNATED EXAMINER (DE) QUALIFICATIONS rev.3 *pdf. 14p. $3.80
R-382	WHY OUR MARINERS DON'T GET THE MESSAGE 4p. *pdf.$1.80
R-381	EXTINGUISHING THE FEDERAL RIGHT OF WAY - A MARINER ISSUE *pdf. 3p. $1.60

Number#	Title
R-378	HYDROGEN SULFIDE - A DANGER TO MARINERS *pdf. 9p. $2.80
R-377	ADMINISTRATIVE CLEMENCY 4p. $*pdf.1.80
R-376	EEOC - FEDERAL LAWS PROHIBITING JOB DISCRIMINATION *pdf. 12p. $3.40
R-375	CREW ENDURANCE: THE CALL WATCH COVER-UP *pdf.
R-373	GCMA RESPONSE TO THE USCG-AWO BRIDGE ALLISION REPORT *pdf.
R-372	QUESTIONS ABOUT TOWING VESSEL OFFICER LICENSING AND MANNING 16p. $*pdf.4.20
R-370 Series	12 Hour Rule Violations
R-370-A	UNRESOLVED ISSUES REVISITED rev.2 *pdf. 12p. $3.40
R-370-B	VIOLATIONS OF 12-HOUR RULE: THE TUG CHINOOK STRIKES & DAMAGES THE LAKE WASHINGTON BRIDGE *pdf. 14p. $3.80
R-370-C	12-HOUR RULE VIOLATIONS: THE WINKLER CASE *pdf. 5p. $2.00
R-370-D	WORK HOUR ABUSE - WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION & DEADHEAD TRANSPORTATION *pdf. 16p. $4.20
R-370-E	CREW ENDURANCE: WORK HOUR LAWS AND REGULATIONS NEED REVIEW rev.1 *pdf. 8p. $2.60
R-370-F	CREW ENDURANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (CEMS) *pdf. 9p. $1.80
R-370-G	CREW ENDURANCE: THE CALL WATCH COVER-UP *pdf. 10p. $3.00
R-370-H	TWELVE-HOUR RULE VIOLATIONS: HARBOR TUGS & THE ONE WATCH SYSTEM *pdf. 4p. $1.80
R-370-I	SAFE MANAGEMENT OF CREW TRAVEL TIME *pdf. 41p.
R-368	FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS AND VOYAGE PLANNING FOR TOWING VESSELS 15p. *pdf.$4.00
R-366	THE PLIGHT OF TOWING VESSEL PERSONNEL 5p. $*pdf.2.00
R-363	REPORT FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIFTBOAT OPERATIONS TO THE NATIONAL OFFSHORE SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD *pdf. 12p. $3.40
R-362	CREW ENDURANCE rev.1 *pdf.
R-361	BAYOU SORREL LOCK IMPROVEMENTS rev.1 06/2006 9p. $*pdf.2.80
R-357	THE PRESTIGE'S OOZING SPARKS DEBATE rev.1 *pdf. 2p. $1.40
R-355	MARITIME SECURITY ISSUES rev.1 12p. $*pdf.3.40
	Lifesaving Issues
R-354	LIFESAVING ISSUES FOR LOWER-LEVEL MARINERS rev.2 *pdf. 40p. $9.00
R-354-A Series	Jan. 8, 2006 - BASIC SURVIVAL: THE REGULATORY STRUGGLE FOR "OUT-OF-WATER" LIFESAVING EQUPMENT (Contains detailed correspondence with NTSB) 42p. $9.40
R-353	LOWER-LEVEL MARINERS ARE A MAJORITY OF ALL LICENSED MARINERS rev.2 *pdf. 7p. $2.40
R-352	UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES IN THE RIVER INDUSTRY *pdf. 3p. $1.60

R-351	HOW SAFE IS THE TOWING INDUSTRY? *pdf. 20p. $5.00
R-350	MARINERS SEEK HELP FROM CONGRESS ON SAFETY-RELATED PROBLEMS rev.3 *pdf. 31p. $7.2
R-350-A	TESTIMONY BEFORE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COAST GUARD & MARITIME TRANSPORTATION RE: Mississippi River Oil Spill, July 23, 2008 2p. *pdf.
R-349	PROTECTING MARINERS’ HEARING 8p. *pdf.$2.60
R-348	ILLEGAL SEAMAN EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES 2p. $*pdf.1.40
R-347	OSHA/USCG AUTHORITY OVER VESSELS *pdf. 17p. $4.40
R-344	MARINER RIGHTS rev.2 12p. $*pdf.3.40
R-342	LICENSE DEFENSE AND INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE rev. 5 *pdf. 8p. $2.60
R-341	SMOKING AND YOUR HEALTH AFLOAT Rev. 3 *pdf. 4p. $1.80
R-341-A	U.S. SURGEON GENERAL'S SECOND HAND SMOKE REPORT *pdf. 28p. $6.60
R-341-ar	THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF INVOLUNTARY EXPOSURE TO TOBACCO SMOKE (Surgeon General's Report) *pdf.
R-340	OVERSIZE & OVERLOADED TOWS CAUSE SAFETY PROBLEMS Rev. 8 37p. $*pdf.7.40
R-340-A	OVERSIZED & OVERLOADED TOW ACCIDENT: THE ELISABETH M. CASE *pdf. 7p. $2.40
R-340-B	LARRY GWIN VS. THE AMERICAN RIVER TRANSPORTATION CO. (ARTCO) *pdf. 7p. $2.40
R-338	WHICH AGENCY REGULATES UNINSPECTED TOWING VESSELS? 5p. $2.00
R-334	ILLEGAL ALIEN VESSEL CREWS ARE WORKING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO Rev. 2 *pdf. 11p. $3.20
R-333	DON'T COUNT ON CORPORATE COMPASSION OR COAST GUARD CONCERN: TRUE STORIES OF OUR LOST, INJURED & CHEATED MARINERS rev.3 22p. $*pdf.5.40
R-332	GCMA REGULATORY & LEGISLATIVE AGENDA rev.3 pdf. 7p. $pdf.2.40
R-330	INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION (ILO) CONVENTION #147 MERCHANT SHIPPING *pdf.
R-328	TWO OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS COLLIDE ONE OSV SINKS; 3 MEN DIE, 1 MAN INJURED 11p. *pdf.$3.20
R-327	THE PLIGHT OF THE MARINER *pdf.
R-326	AUTOPILOTS, WATCHKEEPING, AND ROUTE PLANNING Rev. 1 6p. $2*pdf.20
R-324	ASSESSOR'S MANUAL FOR CONDUCTING MARINER ASSESSMENTS *pdf. 16p. $4.20
R-322	MARINER FATIGUE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN 2p. $1.*pdf.40
R-321	USING NEAR COASTAL LICENSES IN FOREIGN WATERS 2p. *pdf.$1.40
R-315	DRUG TESTING URINE SPECIMEN COLLECTION rev.2 13p. $*pdf.3.60
R-315-A	DRUG TESTING REGULATIONS: THE ROLE OF THE MEDICAL REVIEW OFFICER (MRO) 13p. $*pdf.3.60

R-315-B	DRUG TESTING: "REFUSAL TO TEST" 9p. $2.80
R-315-C	MARINER DRUG CASES: A REPORT TO CONGRESS rev.1 pdf. 29p. pdf.$6.80