1. University of Alaska, Board of Regents
2/8/2011
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
University of Alaska, Board of Regents
Fisheries, Seafood, and Maritime Initiative
Captain Michael Neussl, DOT&PF Deputy Commissioner for Marine Operations
June 8, 2012

2. Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect
The Ultimate Goal
“The best safety device on any ship is a well trained crew.”
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

3. Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect
2/8/2011
Agenda
Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) Overview
AMHS Training Needs
AMHS Training Challenges
AMHS - UA Successes & Opportunities
Questions
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

4. AMHS Overview - Vessels
MV Matanuska 408 feet Built 1963
MV Malaspina 408 feet Built 1963
MV Taku 352 feet Built 1963
MV Tustumena 296 feet Built 1964
MV LeConte 235 feet Built 1974
MV Columbia 418 feet Built 1974
MV Aurora 235 feet Built 1977
MV Kennicott 382 feet Built 1998
FVF Fairweather 235 feet Built 2004
MV Lituya 193 feet Built 2004
FVF Chenega 235 feet Built 2005
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

5. AMHS Overview - System Map
IFA = Interisland Ferry Authority
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

6. AMHS Overview - Personnel
Personnel Summary:
Vessels
Shoreside
Total
Permanent Full-Time:
724
126
850
Permanent Part-Time: 48 38 86
Non-Permanent: 80 15 95
Total Positions:
852
179
1031
Shipboard workforce is very seasonal.
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

7. Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect
AMHS Overview - Unions
Unions represented in the AMHS workforce:
Shoreside:
Vessels:
ASEA
(GGU)
Alaska State Employees Association General Government Unit
IBU
Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific Alaska Region
(SU)
Alaska State Employees Association Supervisory Unit
MMP
International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots
APEA
Alaska Public Employees Association Confidential Unit
MEBA
Marine Engineer’s Beneficial Association
LTC
Public Employees Local 71 Labor, Trades, and Crafts Unit
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

8. Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect
AMHS Overview - Jobs
MM&P
USCG Licensed Deck Officers:
Masters, Mates, Marine Pilots
MEBA
USCG Licensed Engineering Officer:
Chief Engineers, Assistant Engineers
IBU
Unlicensed Employees:
Deck: Able Bosun, Able Seafarer, Ordinary Seaman, Watchman
Engineering: Junior Engineer , Oiler, Wiper
Passenger Services: Pursers, Stewards, Cooks, Cashier, Storekeeper
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

9. Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect
2/8/2011
AMHS – Training Needs
“Hurdle Requirements” just to be eligible for hire
Transportation Worker Identification Credential “TWIC”
Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) or Credential (MMC)
Drug Test
Application Integrity
Multiple Training Requirements
First Aid, Firefighting, Survival Craft, Fast Rescue Boat, Vessel Security Officer, Radio Operator, Food Worker Card, Survival Training, Alcohol Server course, Crowd Management, Crisis Management, and many, many more.
USCG License Requirements
Deck Officers and Engineers
Multiple Training Sources
UAS, AVTEC (Seward), MITAGS (Baltimore), PMI (Seattle), Commercial, Vendors
Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS)
Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI).  
AVTEC - Alaska's Institute of Technology
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

10. AMHS - Training Challenges
Desire Local Training to the Extent Possible (Cost, Frequency)
Desire for Local Alaska Hire Employees
Lack of Qualified and/or Willing Applicants
Annual requirement for unlicensed employees
This year we hired 72, and had to go outside Alaska to do it
Seasonal Work is a Challenge for Retention
STCW Changes – Manila Amendments require USCG Approved Training Courses
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

11. AMHS – UA Successes and Opportunities
AMHS partners with UAS (Ketchikan, Juneau) for some training
Basic Safety Training, Oiler Program, Lifeboatman, Fast Rescue Boat Training, Crowd Management, etc.
Somewhat dependent upon AMHS resources
Timing issues (vessel availability, student availability)
Courses need to be USCG Approved
Opportunity for Additional Cooperation
AMHS Summer work, UA Winter school/degree Program?
More robust specific courses/training (resources, timing)?
Consolidation of multiple requirements?
09/18/2011
Integrity ∙ Excellence ∙ Respect

12. Thank You Questions? Captain Michael A. Neussl
Deputy Commissioner for Marine Operations
Alaska DOT&PF, AMHS
(907)   
09/08/2011
Alaska Marine Highway System | Alaska DOT&PF